Train2Game news: Star Wars: The Old Republic gains 1.7 million subscribers in first month

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Star Wars The Old Republic Train2Game blog imageTrain2Game Blog readers will have seen plenty of recent posts about MMO’s going free-to-play, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for subscription based titles.

The Evidence? BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic has gained 1.7 million paying subscribers in the little over a month since the game launched.

The figures were revealed during an EA investors meeting, with other data including Star Wars: The Old Republic sees over one million unique log ins per day, with the average play session around the four hour mark.

“This great launch makes Star Wars: The Old Republic the fastest growing subscription MMO in history” EA CEO John Riccitiello is quoted by Develop in telling investors.

“We’re incredibly pleased to see this great game from BioWare off to a very strong start,” he added.

The Train2Game Blog spoke with BioWare co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka & Dr. Greg Zeschuk about the history of their studio  and how to get into the games industry towards the end of last year.

We also spoke in-depth to Star Wars: The Old Republic Associate Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi during our trip to Gamescom last August. Train2Game students can find out the design process behind the MMO in this huge Train2Game Blog interview.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news on Star Wars: The Old Republic and BioWare.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the initial success of SWTOR? Are you a paying subscriber? Will the success last?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop/Gamasutra]

Train2Game news: Your chance to join the Twisted Metal multiplayer beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to beta test the upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive Vehicle combat title Twisted Metal.

The Twisted Metal multiplayer beta is available to download for free from the PlayStation Store, and gives players a taste of the following:

  • 8 vehicles to choose from, each with their own unique special weapons.
  • 2 multiplayer modes: Classic free-for-all Death Match, and team-based Nuke mode—a Twisted take on Capture the Flag that’s brand new to the series.
  • Challenge mode, where you can practice with each vehicle to hone your destructive skills.

The Twisted Metal multiplayer beta on PlayStation 3 runs through to February 7th. The Twisted Metal series has been running since 1995 and has appeared on all generations of the PlayStation console. The current title is being developed by Salt Lake City based studio East Sleep Play!

Twisted Metal is scheduled for release later this month.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Twisted Metal series? Will you get involved in the multiplayer beta?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod tools showcased in Bethesda Creation Kit trailer

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Train2Game students looking forward to using official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can see the Bethesda Creation Kit in action in a new video, and boy does it look impressive.

The Skyrim workshop is completely free and offers modders the same creation tools Bethesda used to create Skyrim. It also comes with full Steam functionality, allowing users to easily share, rate and download mods. Train2Game students can see the Skyrim mod tools in action in the video from Bethesda below.

Much more information about the modding tools is available on The Elder Scrolls community page.

A number of Train2Game students are looking forward to making Skyrim mods using Bethesda’s Creation Kit, and if you can get involved too. See this thread on the Train2Game forum for more information.

The Train2Game Blog has previously shown you some of the stranger Skyrim mods, including ones that let you turn Dragons into My Little Pony or “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and a mod that turns Mudcrabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog about of modding.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Skyrim mod tools? Are you gearing up for their release?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Sir Paul McCartney writing music for a video game

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Train2Game students may be interested to hear that The Beatles Sir Paul McCartney is currently composing music for an as of yet unannounced video game.

“It’s a fascinating market. A new computer game sells so much better than a new CD these days. Young people will hear my music for the first time in a game.” McCartney is quoted as saying by The Daily Express.

Of course, this won’t be Sir Paul’s first foray into video games, having helped EA with releasing The Beatles Rock Band in 2009.

As Train2Game students will be aware, a good musical score can really add something to a video game, and isn’t something that should be treated lightly during game development.

And as reported by The Train2Game Blog last year, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West from Ninja Theory, Shogun 2: Total War from The Creative Assembly and James Bond 007: Blood Stone published by Activision saw their in-game compositions nominated for the prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Sir Paul McCartney composing music for a video game? And which games do you think have great musical scores?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game news: Wii U hardware “constantly changing” say Team Ninja

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Wii U controllerTrain2Game students haven’t heard much about Nintendo’s Wii U since it was revealed at E3 last year, but one developer has broken the industry silence and discussed the upcoming console.

Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive developers Team Ninja have spoken about the Wii U, and say it’s “very easy” to develop for, despite the constantly changing hardware.

“Nintendo asked us what we would want from the hardware. And when we gave them our feedback, we could see that they really listened and made changes. The hardware is currently changing constantly.” Ninja’s Yasuda Fumihiko told Gamefront.

He described the Nintendo Wii U’s touch screen control pad to their handheld console, the Nintendo DS.

“The control via a touch screen is like the Nintendo DS, we worked on the NDS with Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, and we would like to take some elements from it and install them in the U Wii version of Ninja Gaiden 3.” said Fumihiko.

The Train2Game Blog has previously reported that Nintendo believe the Wii U’s audience will be different to that of the current Wii console.

Wired Productions Senior Producer Kevin Leathers discussed the Nintendo Wii U in an interview with The Train2Game Blog towards the end of last year.

There’s no specific release date for the Nintendo Wii U as of yet, but reports suggest it’ll be here before the end of 2012.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Team Ninja’s comments about the Wii U? Is the fact it’s apparently easy to develop for something that’s encouraging for you?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: GoNintendo]

Train2Game news: EverQuest goes free-to-play 13 years after launch

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Train2Game students have seen plenty of posts about MMOs going free-to-play, and the original Everquest is adopting that model almost 13 years after its 1997 launch.

Players will be able to use the free-to-play model, a ‘Silver’ model acquired for a one off payment of $5, and a ‘Gold’ model that continues with the $15 a month subscriptions.

“We’re excited to be expanding the EverQuest experience by making the game more accessible to every type of player so that you can choose to play the game in a way that suits you best.” said Everquest producer Thom Terrazas

“Anyone who wishes to start, return or continue to play one of the “Best Games of All-Time” can simply download and play EverQuest on their terms – think of it as Free to Play, Your Way.”

“Recurring subscriptions, non-recurring subscriptions, Silver or Free memberships, item unlockers, and more. The game will now be setup to be flexible so that *you* can decide how much to pay, based on how much fun you’re having.” he added.

EverQuest will go free-to-play for the first time since its 1997 launch in March.

For more information about EverQuest going free-to-play, see the full statement from Producer Thom Terrazas.

EverQuest II made the switch to free-to-play towards the end of last year, a move that saw a 300% jump in new player registrations.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, DC Universe Online and Star Trek Online are among a number of previously subscription based titles that have made a leap to free-to-play.

For the latest news about industry trends, including free-to-play, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on EverQuest going free-to-play? Have you played it in the time since its 1997 launch?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game students win accolades at Scottish Game Jam 2012

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Train2Game students were among the winners at The Scottish Game Jam last weekend. The Scottish Game Jam is part of Global Game Jam 2012, the world’s largest game jam event which took place across the world last weekend.

And as revealed by Train2Game’s Dave Sharp on the Train2Game forum, Train2Game Art & Animation students Fiona Stewart and Corinna Bruce were winners of the Best Art Award at the Scottish Game Jam.

The Train2Game Blog spoke to Scottish Game Jam organiser Romana Khan last year, ahead of the first Train2Game Game Jam. The second Train2Game Game Jam, in association with Epic Games, took place in November.

Train2Game Blog readers may recall that Train2Game Art & Animation student Fiona Stewart is on a work placement at Radiation Burn, and recently spoke in depth to RTI FM about her experiences with Train2Game.

Train2Game Art & Animation student Robert Ramsey also took part in the Scottish Game Jam, he’s previously given a huge interview to The Train2Game Blog about his experiences of the course.

The Train2Game Blog would like to congratulate all Train2Game students who took part in the Scottish Game Jam on their efforts.  Keep an eye on The Train2Game Forum, for posts from Fiona, Corinna, and Robert about how they found the event.

Of course, you can leave your comments and congratulations here on the Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

 

Train2Game industry experience diaries from Train2Game placement student Tim Woods

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Train2Game student Tim Woods has been on a Train2Game work placement.  In his latest industry experience diaries, he details what he’s been up to while working in a game development studio.

Read what Tim has to say about his Train2Game work placement  here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.

Tim’s previous Train2Game industry experience diaries are here on The Train2Game Blog.

As usual, leave your comments here, or on The Train2Game Forum.

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Revelations aplenty as FIFA 12 continues dominance

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Train2Game students see FIFA 12 once again claim top spot in of the UK charts, marking the EA Sports title’s sixth consecutive No.1 and eighth overall.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, FIFA 12 was the UK’s third biggest ever video game launch when it was released last year.

The rest of the top five sees regular titles shifting places with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 up two to No.2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Just Dance 3 down one spot each to No. 3 and No.4 respectively, while EA’s Battlefield 3 is a non-mover at No.5.

Capcom’s Resident Evil: Revelations for the Nintendo 3DS is a new entry at No.6, and the first new release of 2012 to make it into the top 40. Resident Evil: Revelations success makes it the seventh largest launch of the Nintendo 3DS so far.

Both Zumba Fitness titles slip with Zumba Fitness down one to No.7, while Zumba Fitness 2 drops two to No.10. Between them sit Saints Row: The Third at No.8, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations re-enters the top ten to take No.9.

RAGE and Rayman Origins both slip out the top ten to No.11 and No.12 respectively. However, Train2Game students can still read an interview with RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits here on the Train2Game Blog.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 28th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA 12 (EA)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
4. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
5. Battlefield 3 (EA)
6. Resident Evil: Revelations (Capcom)
7. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
8. Saints Row The Third (THQ)
9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
10. Zumba Fitness 2 (505 Games)

The first week of February marks the first week of the year for big new releases, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Soulcalibur V and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection all hitting the shelves this week.

So Train2Game, what do you make of FIFA 12’s continued dominance of the UK Charts? Will one of this week’s new releases become the new No.1 next week? And are you looking forward to any of them?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on The Train2Game forum.

[Source: UKIE Games Charts©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track]

Train2Game industry experience diary from Kimberley Caseres

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Train2Game Game Designer Kimberley Caseres is on a Train2Game work placement at Wired Productions. In her new industry experience diaries, Kimberley details what she’s been up at the Watford based game development studio responsible for the We Sing series.

Read what Kimberley has to say about her Train2Game work placement  here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.

You can Kimberley’s video diaries about the Train2Game course right here. Alternatively, you can find out more about Wired Productions in The Train2Game Blog interview with Senior Producer Kevin Leathers.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.