Train2Game News: A new ‘World’ has arrived

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Steve Ballmer at the Windows 8 launch

Windows 8 is here. After many months of building anticipation the new Microsoft operating system has arrived.

Today saw the launch of the Windows 8 operating system, the Microsoft Surface tablet running the system and the Windows store.

Unlike previous versions of Windows, this one is designed for an array of different devices, including: PCs, notebooks, tablet computers and smartphones. It is built for a new generation of touchscreen devices, rather than the traditional PC and mouse.

Windows 8 has better battery life, faster boot time, a smaller memory footprint and has undergone 1.2bn hours of pre-release testing.

Windows have said that more than one thousand new PCs have been certified for Windows 8, with some being more affordable than several, already available, tablet computers. Many of the new PCs running the new operating system will have touchscreen ability, for users that want to control there PC with the swipe of a finger, instead of using a mouse.

Steve Ballmer, the Microsoft chief executive, says “Windows 8 PCs will be the best PCs ever, as the company faces down competition in tablets and smartphones from Apple and Google.

“Windows 8 shatters perceptions of what a PC really is and is a bold and innovative break from past Windows versions.

“Welcome to the world of Windows 8.”

Every Windows 8 device will come with the Windows store available and developers are adding hundreds of apps to it every day. The store has launched with an initial one thousand five hundred apps.

At the September world record winning Game Jam, the students who participated, worked on Windows 8 and a number of those apps are being released to the store. A list of all the student apps will be announced this coming Monday.

Train2Game News: Games help Rage Control

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A video game has been developed to help young people tackle their anger management issues.

Rage Control uses a device placed on a child’s finger to monitor heart rate – if it gets too high, they lose the ability to shoot at enemy spaceships. The player must control their emotions to do well in the game.

Researchers said the game led to significant decreases in anger in the children studied.

The study compared two groups of nine to 17 year olds. Both groups received standard anger management treatments but the second group also spent 15 minutes playing Rage Control at the end of their session.

The study showed that after five sessions, the children who had played the game were better at keeping their heart rate down and they showed lower scores on a recognised rating scale for severity of anger issues.

The lead author of the study, Peter Ducharme, said he hoped that children playing the game would be able to apply the same calming techniques to other areas of life.

Mr Ducharme said “Kids reported feeling better control of their emotions when encountering day-to-day frustrations on the unit

“While this was a pilot study, and we weren’t able to follow the kids after they were discharged, we think the game will help them control their emotions in other environments.”

The next step in the study is to develop toys for younger children that have the same principle. For example racing cars that stop if a child gets too excited or a cooperative building block game that becomes more wobbly if the child’s heart rate goes up.

This is another excellent example of just how the games industry can help all people of the world. With people creating games like Rage Control and charities such as SpecialEffect, the world can not question the good the games industry can do

Train2Game News: Minecraft Builds its way to the top

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More people are playing Minecraft on Xbox Live Arcade than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or FIFA 13.

The latest Microsoft Live activity chart shows Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition at the top for the first time, rsing ahead of acclaimed retail games Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and FIFA 13. The Call of Duty games have been at the top of the chart for much of the past four years.

It is another impressive milestone for Minecraft. Earlier this month, developer 4J Studios revealed it had sold over four million copies becoming the best-selling XBLA game ever, beating titles such as Trials, Trials Evolution and Castle Crashers.

Other games Minecraft is more popular than are Call of Duty: Black Ops, Borderlands 2, Halo: Reach, Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Interestingly GTA IV is still in the top twenty and it is nice to see the free-to-play title, Happy Wars, in at eleven.

Microsoft’s Live Activity chart is based on unique users – that is, game playing while connected to Xbox Live. You can see the top twenty below:

  • 1. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
  • 2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
  • 3. FIFA 13
  • 4. Call of Duty: Black Ops
  • 5. Borderlands 2
  • 6. Halo: Reach
  • 7. Battlefield 3
  • 8. Modern Warfare 2
  • 9. Madden NFL 13
  • 10. NBA 2K13
  • 11. Happy Wars
  • 12. Skyrim
  • 13. Gears of War 3
  • 14. RESIDENT EVIL 6
  • 15. GTA IV
  • 16. FIFA 12
  • 17. Forza Motorsport 4
  • 18. Dishonored
  • 19. EA SPORTS NHL13
  • 20. Halo 3

As you’d expect, Minecraft is also the top Arcade title, ahead of The Walking Dead, Sonic Adventure 2 and Trials Evolution.

Train2Game News: Mid-week round up – 24.10.12

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Steams Workshop, which is used to create content for games such as Team Fortress 2 and Skyrim, has turned one. The user created content has subsequently earned “millions of dollars” for their creators and Steam themselves.

The Greatest Video Game Music 2, the follow-up to the best-selling video game album of all time, will be released worldwide on Nov 6 and has been performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra. The digital soundtrack album will include 17 new orchestral renditions of video game theme songs like Halo, Batman: Arkham City, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and the ever-so classic Final Fantasy VII.

Following the success of Borderlands 2, an iOS spin-off has been confirmed with a release date of October 31. The game sees you play as the original 4 vault hunters from the first Borderlands in a wave-based survival game. Additionally, in true Borderlands style you can earn experience and level up your characters, unlocking new skills and abilities with each character having their own set of unique skills and abilities.

The first reviews of Hitman: Absolution have surface in Official Playstation Magazine UK and Official Xbox Magazine. Both magazines gave the game 9 out of 10. OPM said “This is the peak of the series so far” and OXM said “it a triumph of stealth and sandbox design that retains everything that fans have ever loved about the series”.

Wish Studios, a newly formed studio in Brighton, is working with Sony to develop a new IP. While other details about the partnership remain shrouded in secrecy, the status of Wish’s new client will likely serve as a significant help to the recently founded start-up’s presence in the industry.

A report by Google has said that over 50% of people use their tablet for gaming. The only activity performed more than gaming on a tablet is checking emails. The study, which was commissioned and published by Google, found that 51.5 per cent of its participants used their tablet for gaming in a two-week period.

The new dashboard for the Xbox was launched yesterday. It includes an internet explorer app giving the console a browser and the newly launched Xbox music which is similar to that of Spotify. The update also saw the removal of the Twitter and Facebook apps.

In an interesting collaboration, a new mod was made for the MMO World of Warcraft which sees the newly introduced pet battles become Pokemon battles. The aptly name WOWkemon sees a short tutorial by Professor Birch describing the Pokémon-ified battle screens and ability menus with the familiar sounds, screen effects, and even the font closely resembling the style of the handheld game legend.

Train2Game News: WWE 13 Trailer

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The new WWE game from THQ boasts an incredible roster including many fan favorites such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, The Rock and CM Punk.

An official press release describes the game:

“Positioned to offer the most authentic, extensive and fervent experience to date, WWE ’13 will transform gameplay through WWE Live™, a brand-new audio and presentation system designed to produce the most authentic and vibrant commentary, sound effects and crowd participation levels ever heard in a WWE videogame. In addition, players will experience the atmosphere, spectacle and fervor of a WWE live event through attention-grabbing Spectacular Moments, including ring breaks and barricade crashes.

WWE ’13 will also debut a franchise-first single player campaign based on an unparalleled and groundbreaking period in WWE history: the “Attitude Era.” Set during a time of pure raucousness, grandiose personalities and colossal revolution, players will focus on eight purveyors of attitude during the famed television “Monday Night Wars,” including WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.”

I am a big fan of WWE and have been playing the games for many years. I am incredibly excited for this.

Enjoy the trailer and then join the revolution.

The game is released 2-11-12

Train2Game News: Games Industry Jobs – 24.10.12

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ART

Creative Assembly

Job Title Animator
Skills Required Animator
Location UK & Europe
Job Description Position Overview:The animator will need to create and deliver top-quality animation from in-game content to in-game cinematics. With the focus on quality, the candidate will need to use various techniques from hand-keyed animation to motion capture to deliver the desired results as set by the animation and project leads. The right candidate will need to be exceptionally skilled and it’s important that they are a motivated team player.

Key responsibilities:

  • Full responsibility of producing high quality animation for in-game animations and cinematics as set by the animation lead.
  • Deliver work in the required time.
  • Make sure all work is implemented correctly, providing feedback to other members of the production team so all issues are driven to closure.
  • Reports to the Lead Animator

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

  • Have an excellent understanding of animation principles – timing, weight and staging
  • Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player
  • Good knowledge of a 3D package (Motionbuilder, Maya, Max, XSI)
  • Good knowledge of human and animal anatomy
  • A strong passion and enthusiasm for animation and video games
  • Critical analysis and problem solving

You can apply HERE.

Developer

Jagex

Job Title Content Developer – (Games Studio) – Cambridge
Skills Required Lead Programmer, Java / Browser, Gameplay, Graphics / Engine, Build Engineer, Core Technology
Location Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (CB1), Cambridge
Job Description CONTENT DEVELOPER – (GAMES STUDIO) – CAMBRIDGEWe are seeking a Content Developer to brainstorm and create new MMO game element ideas (quests, mini-games, skills etc.) for one of world’s largest independent Online Games Studios.

With 3 Guinness world records; a Queen’s Award for Enterprise (2011) a Deloitte Technology Fast 50 (2010); a Sunday Times Top 100 company to work for (2008) and countless other awards to their name, this multi-award winning business employ over 450 people and sit at the very forefront of the online games industry, developing and publishing mini games and leading titles interacted by millions worldwide!

Pivotal in creating new game element ideas (quests, mini-games, skills, etc.) you will work with graphic artists, testers and other professionals to produce the best content possible.  You should be the type of Content Developer who can write high quality code (using an internal scripting language), communicate complex ideas effectively and cope with the thrilling challenges of releasing new game elements several times per month.

In short, this role would suit a passionate gamer (ideally role playing games) with strong creative skills and a deep motivation to create games.

To qualify… We are seeking a Content Developer who can demonstrate:

  • Good programming or game scripting skills (basic C++ or Java or game scripting).
  • Proven track record of content development within the games industry.
  • Good creative writing skills and imaginative storyline ideas.
  • Clear understanding of game design terminology and realistic game design ideas.
  • Very strong and proven communication skills.
  • Experience of working to deadlines and in a project based environment.
  • Keen interest in role playing games.

Prior experience of writing quests (levels) for RPGs, MUDs or similar is advantageous, as is experience of multiple MMORPGs/online games and a technical degree, however this isn’t essential if good programming and/or scripting skills can be demonstrated.

Joining a team of talented and enthusiastic people you will get to work with one of the largest independent games Studios in the World so expect a great working environment and superb benefits to match, including: Bonuses, private healthcare, flexible working, gym membership and loads more.

You can apply HERE.

Feral Interactive

Job Title Junior Developer
Skills Required Gameplay, Graduate Programmer, Mac / OSX
Location South East
Job Description Feral Interactive, a publisher and developer of “Triple-A” Macintosh Games are in the process of expanding their internal development team for both Mac and iPhone based games.As part of this recruitment, we are seeking a number of new and recent graduates to fill several development roles. Joining a small and agile international company, the successful candidates will quickly become key members of our team.

Full training and support will be provided for what will be an exciting, rewarding and varied career in the games industry.

Requirements

  • A new or recent graduate
  • Achieved or projected to achieve a 1st class or an upper second class degree in a technical discipline
  • Strong C/C++ skills
  • Up to 3 years software development experience
  • Can demonstrate a strong work ethic and ability to be productive without direct supervision
  • Good problem solving ability
  • Resourcefulness
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work as part of a growing team
  • Well organized and self disciplined

Also advantageous

  • 3D programming skills
  • Macintosh experience
  • Objective C and C#
  • An interest in gaming

You can apply by emailing a CV to recruiting@feralinteractive.com

QA

Creative Assembly

Job Title Games Tester
Skills Required QA Tester
Location UK & Europe
Job Description Position Overview:The Games Tester position is a responsible job; reporting bugs and providing quality feedback for our titles in development.These fixed term contracts are for our established Total Warteam, testing our project currently in development.

  • Test games in development for  software bugs
  • Enter bugs clearly and accurately into our bug database
  • Verify and recreate bugs as required
  • Report additional balancing, design and accessibility problems
  • Specific support and general roles available

Essential

  • A clear understanding of QA process
  • A keen enthusiasm for gaming
  • Good communication and  reporting skills
  • Driven and flexible approach

Desirable

  • A clear understanding of QA process
  • A keen enthusiasm for gaming
  • Good communication and  reporting skills
  • Driven and flexible approach
  • Experience of testing one full shipped title
  • A good  understanding of Strategy games (Total War)
  • Games industry related degree (e.g. audio, art, design, etc.) or expertise in a specific  game area is an asset (e.g. audio, technical, PC hardware, design or scripting etc.)
  • Fluent in one or more of the following languages: French, German, Italian or Spanish
  • Strong technical knowledge/skills (e.g. programming, scripting)

You can apply HERE.

Train2Game News: Disney’s outside the box idea

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Roger A. Iger has said that Disney may be going in to developing their own console. Disney has had trouble utilising the internet to date and this could be the next step.

Their new product is an ambitious and unannounced gaming initiative that is code-named Toy Box which has been described as a game console with extensive mobile and other online applications in which various Pixar and Disney characters will interact with each other for the first time.

Recently detailed was The Walt Disney Company’s struggles as it pertains to mastering the internet. The company’s online components, as well as their gaming and mobile divisions, have posted 15 consecutive quarters of losses.

The company as a whole is doing very well with ventures such as earlier this summer with the big screen phenomena that was The Avengers, which earned over 1.5 billion dollars for Marvel Studios, which is now owned by Walt Disney Pictures.

Its inability to make much headway on the internet and with games however is becoming hard to ignore and given how the importance of such outlets will only increase as time goes on, now might be time for Disney to do something particularly drastic or bold.

There are several other initiatives now under-way, to help turn the online tide. One idea includes another massive redesign of Disney.com, their third in five years.

Given Disney’s long time ties with Pixar, which is also connected to Apple who certainly have aspirations of their own, we could see the rise of an under dog in the next generation.

Train2Game News: New Bioshock Infinite trailer

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2K Games have released a brand new trailer for the upcoming Bioshock Infinite.

This game looks like a prime example of how you can take a game and put it in to a whole new setting and it still looks incredible.

The new trailer shows off the Skyhook which looks to be interesting, yet dangerous, travel system.

Enjoy the new ‘Beasts Of America’ trailer


Must be over 18 to view

Train2Game News: Microsoft SmartGlass releases with Windows 8

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Microsoft is launching SmartGlass for a number of devices on October 26 alongside the release of Windows 8.

The new feature will mix Xbox movies, media, games and video between tablets, smartphones, PCs and consoles. The service will immediately launch with support for Windows 8, the Xbox 360, Windows Phones and the upcoming Surface tablet.

Pawan Bhardwaj, product manager Xbox Live, confirmed on Monday that “Microsoft wants to add a SmartGlass app to iOS and Android devices”

No release date has currently been set and whether Google or Apple will allow a rival music player on their devices is yet to be seen.

A variety of games and other apps will support SmartGlass functionality at launch. A list of the supported entertainment at launch is listed below:

Games:

  • Ascend
  • Dance Central 3
  • Forza Horizon
  • Halo Waypoint
  • Home Run Stars
  • Karaoke
  • Kinect Sesame Street TV
  • Prima Games

Sports:

  • ESPN
  • NBA Game Time
  • UFC

Entertainment Apps:

  • Elections 2012
  • HBO GO
  • MSN
  • NBC News
  • NOW TV
  • Slacker Radio
  • TODAY
  • Univision

Microsoft has also said that all Netflix films will soon support the service.

The release of SmartGlass and the Xbox music that has launched today with a dashboard update sees Microsoft move further in to creating an all entertainment service.

Train2Game News: DR Student Diaries – 22.10.12

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The latest student diaries from Craig Moore, Matty Wyett-Simmonds, Ezekiel Morris and Amanda Blatch can be found in the link below.There has been more hard work and the return of an old friend.

Train2Game Student Diaries Dateline 22 October 2012