Train2Game news: UK Charts – FIFA 12 takes first No.1 of 2012

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Train2Game blog readers asw FIFA 12 take the final No.1 of 2011 and 2012 has started in the same way with EA Sports’ popular football title remaining at the top of the pile.

It’s the fifth time FIFA 12, which as reported by the Train2Game blog was the UK’s third ever biggest launch when it was released, has taken top spot.

EA also take second place in this week’s chart with Battlefield 3 moving up one spot to No.2, switching places with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which drops to No.3. Just Dance 3 remains at No.4, while The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim raises three places to No.5.

Zumba Fitness, which Train2Game Blog readers saw dominate the charts last summer, returns to the top ten at No.6, one place ahead of non-mover Need for Speed: The Run. Saints Row: The Third drops to No.8, while moves up from No.12 to re-enter the top ten at No.9.

Train2Game students can read our interview with RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits, which contains some great advice about getting into the industry, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations completes the top ten this week, after dropping down five spots from No.5.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 7th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

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

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this weeks charts? For how long will FIFA 12 continue to dominate?

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

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

Train2Game news: Shooters have “biggest window of entry” says Binary Domain producer

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Train2Game blog readers would’ve seen this recent post which reported Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima believes the success of shooters means there isn’t much demand of other types of games.

It’s a view that ultimately wasn’t shared by Train2Game students, with many responding on the Train2Game Facebook page.

However, appeals of shooters include the fact they’re popular and relatively simple to jump in and play, and according to the producer of SEGA’s upcoming title Binary Domain, that’s the studio decided to develop the game.

“The genre was chosen to have the biggest window of entry for as many gamers as possible. Yes it’s the studio’s first shooter and there’s a lot of challenges. Within the studio there are so many who are total enthusiasts and who play a range of western titles.” Binary Domain producer Masayoshi Kikuchi told CVG.

However, he explained that SEGA also want to bring something new to the table with Binary Domian which features voice commands and an in-game consequences system.

“I’ve looked at a lot of shooters for good references. But also there’s a good point of comparison: identifying where the genre lacked and trying to bring something new to it. We wanted to contribute to the ‘gap’, and this is where having robotic enemies comes in. It ties heavily into the gameplay and with the very detailed procedural damage, giving you a different sense of feeling.” said Kikuchi.

And he added that SEGA have used both Japanese and English speaking writers to aid with the appeal of Binary Domain.

“For Binary Domain a Japanese and UK writer collaborated on the story and all the little dialogues, Subtle differences were discussed so as not to alienate anyone despite where they’re from.” Kikuch said.

Binary Domain from SEGA “puts players in the middle of a fast paced and intense battle for humanity in a robot-invaded 2080 Tokyo” It’s scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on 17th February.

So Train2Game, do shooters have the biggest window of entry? And what are your thoughts on Japanese and English speaking writers working together to smooth out dialogue?

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

[Source: CVG]

Train2Game news: PopCap provide advice on becoming a better game designer

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Train2Game game designers should definitely have a look the latest article in Develop Online’s ‘New Year, New Job’ feature, as social game developer PopCap provides advice on how to be a better game designer.

PopCap are responsible for a huge number of games including Plants vs. Zombies, Bejewled and Peggle, and the guide to becoming a better game designer comes from their Senior Designer Dave Bishop. Check out his advice below.

1. Look at/play as many games as you can; not just ones you would naturally gravitate towards.

2. Circulate your thoughts/findings/learnings, especially  where you believe a game breaks new ground and/or does something particularly well – or badly – where lessons can be learnt.

3. Publish the above on your own design related, blog.

4. Organise/run board game evenings (and make sure you play King of Tokyo J)

5. Look for any way to get/be involved in the creative process – ask to be invited to/included in brainstorm and design review sessions. Do your homework so you are well placed to contribute in a meaningful and ‘memorable’ fashion.

6. If already in a design team then offer to help/support/review the design work of your peers.

7. Study design trends and best practices, especially in emerging areas such as social gaming, and position yourself as the company’s expert in one or more of these specific areas of game design.

8. In your own time, create new design ideas/concepts that might fit into your company’s future produce strategy. Look for ways to present these to the key stakeholders within your organisation.

9. Try to attend conferences/seminars etcetera. that will broaden your experience base; for example GDC.

10. Look for opportunities to attend any relevant training likely to enhance you skill set and standing within your organisation; for example, scrum master, product owner, running successful brainstorm sessions etcetera.

It’s excellent advice for Train2Game game designers, who along with all other Train2Game students should keep an eye on Develop Online’s jobs feature for more excellent advice from industry professionals.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the advice from PopCap? Has it given you some new ideas?

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

[Source: Develop Online]

Train2Game launches Train2Game TV

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Train2Game are pleased to announce a new addition to our media network in the form of Train2Game TV.

Train2Game TV features every Train2Game video to date, divided into three separate categories for viewer convenience.

‘What The Experts Say’ features advice from industry professionals on how to get into the games industry, and their views on current industry trends.  ‘Putting Skills To The Test’ features footage and interviews from the Train2Game Gam Jams, and shows Train2Game students using the abilities they’ve learned on Train2Game courses to develop games. Meanwhile, ‘Student Diaries’ features Train2Game students talking about their experience on Train2Game courses.

Check out the brand new Train2Game TV website here.

Remember, you can also listen to interviews with industry experts and Train2Game students on Train2Game Radio.

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

Train2Game news: Game Developers Choice Awards nominees revealed

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Train2Game students can now see the finalists for the 12th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the leading peer-based video game industry event celebrating the industry’s top games and developers.

Nominations this year are led by three studios and their games, each of which received five Choice Award nods, including Bethesda Game Studios’ long awaited open-world fantasy RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Valve’s cunning, charming sci-fi puzzle action title Portal 2.

Also nominated five times was newcomer Supergiant Games and its acclaimed downloadable action RPG Bastion, which saw nominations in four categories, plus one for the studio itself, for Best Debut.

Both Portal 2 and Skyrim were nominated for Game Of The Year as one of their nods. The other Game Of The Year nominees are Rocksteady Studios’s dark superhero game sequel Batman: Arkham City, From Software’s immersive hardcore RPG Dark Souls, and Eidos Montreal’s acclaimed franchise update Deus Ex: Human Revolution, also all multiple award-nominated.

Check out Train2Game’s huge interview with Deus Ex: Human Revolution writer Jim Swallow, here on the Train2Game blog.

Other titles with multiple nominations include Naughty Dog’s action adventure Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, and Team Bondi’s detective title L.A.Noire. A diverse set of overall nominees include titles with digital-physical crossover (Toys for Bob’s Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure – for Innovation), free-to-play elements to the fore (NimbleBit’s Tiny Tower – for Best Handheld/Mobile Game), and even no visual display at all (Die Gute Fabrik’s Johann Sebastian Joust – for Innovation).

Overall, the Game Developers Choice Awards are open to any video game, with no restrictions or payment for game submission, with open nominations from a plethora of game professionals helping to choose this year’s finalists. Winners will now be selected by the Game Developers Choice Awards-specific International Choice Awards Network (ICAN), which is an invitation-only group comprised of 500 leading game creators from all parts of the video game industry.

The complete list of nominees for the 12th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards are as follows:
Best Game Design
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo)
Portal 2 (Valve)
Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady Studios)
Dark Souls (FromSoftware)

Innovation
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Toys For Bob)
Portal 2 (Valve)
Bastion (Supergiant Games)
Johann Sebastian Joust (Die Gute Fabrik)
L.A. Noire (Team Bondi)

Best Technology
Battlefield 3 (DICE)
L.A. Noire (Team Bondi)
Crysis 2 (Crytek Frankfurt/UK)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog)

Best Handheld/Mobile Game
Tiny Tower (NimbleBit)
Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo)
Jetpack Joyride (Halfbrick)
Infinity Blade II (Chair Entertainment)
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capy Games/Superbrothers)

Best Audio
Bastion (Supergiant Games)
LittleBigPlanet 2 (Media Molecule)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios)
Dead Space 2 (Visceral Games)
Portal 2 (Valve)

Best Downloadable Game
Stacking (Double Fine)
From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier)
Bastion (Supergiant Games)
Outland (Housemarque)
Frozen Synapse (Mode 7)

Best Narrative
Portal 2 (Valve)
The Witcher 2 (CD Projekt RED)
Bastion (Supergiant Games)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog)
Saints Row: The Third (Volition)

Best Debut 
Supergiant Games (Bastion)
Team Bondi (L.A. Noire)
Re-Logic (Terraria)
BioWare Austin (Star Wars: The Old Republic)
Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)

Best Visual Arts
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog)
Rayman Origins (Ubisoft Montpellier)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios)
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron (Ignition Japan)
Battlefield 3 (DICE)

Game of the Year
Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady Studios)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios)
Portal 2 (Valve)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal)
Dark Souls (FromSoftware)

In addition to the awards for individual games, the Game Developers Choice Awards committee will be announcing its Special Award recipients in the near future, including honourees for the Pioneer, Ambassador and Lifetime Achievement Special Awards – as well as revealing the identity of this year’s Game Developers Choice Awards host.

Winners in all major categories will be honoured at the Game Developers Choice Awards show, attended by more than 3,000 of the world’s leading video game developers, and taking place Wednesday, March 7th at 6:30 pm at the Moscone Convention Center during the 2012 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

In 2010, the Game Developers Choice Awards added a sister ceremony, the Game Developers Choice Online Awards which honors online and connected games, held during Austin’s GDC Online . Highlights from the 2011 ceremony, which awarded Trion Worlds’ Rift as Best New Online Game and Mojang’s Minecraft as Best Live Game, will be shown during the main Choice Awards ceremony in March.

For more information about the 12th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards, visit http://www.gamechoiceawards.com.  For information about the 2012 Game Developers Conference visit http://www.gdconf.com.

So Train2Game, which games do you think deserves to win awards at the Game Developers Choice Awards?

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

Train2Game news: Gabe Newell offers advice to aspiring game developers

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Train2Game students will know Gabe Newell as one of the most respected  veteran developers in the industry.

The Valve founder has spoken to Develop Online as part of their New Year, New Job feature and offers advice to those looking to begin their path into the games industry as an independent developer. It’s a must read for Train2Game students looking to found their own businesses.

The man behind the Half-Life series says the most important thing for an independent game developer is to treat their customers fairly.

“Do not focus on anyone but your customers. Your reputation will follow you forever so always be fair to your customers, and certainly one thing you need to always remember is that your customers are not going to be fooled.” Newell told Develop.

“Some people think they can get away with something and just hope people won’t see it through the bullshit. The internet is way smarter than any of us.”

“In terms of business, do not take out huge advances to fund projects, because they are only loans, and have strings attached.” he added.

Train2Game students have received advice about getting into the industry from Valve before, as part of to The Train2Game Blog interview with Chet Faliszek. The game writer told us that modding is “a really good way” to get noticed in the industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” he told The Train2Game Blog.

“Normally modders have to work as a team and that’s important, and they also have to be able to finish something and that’s really important. So those two things together are a really good way to demonstrate that you’re ready to work in the industry.”

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Gabe Newell’s advice? Will you be taking it on board?

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

[Source: Develop Online]

Train2Game students disagree with Kojima on demand for non-FPS games

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Train2Game students gave a huge response to yesterday’s Train2Game Blog post about Hideo Kojima’s belief that the success of shooters means there isn’t a strong demand for other types of game.

It seems that for the most part, Train2Game students believe the Metal Gear Solid creator is wrong about this one, with plenty making comments on the Train2Game Facebook page.

For example, Train2Game student Scott Muir pointed to the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and the growth of mobile gaming.

There’s this game called Skyrim that was released recently, he should go check it out. Fairly sure it knocked a FPS off the top of the UK Charts, so much for no demand for anything else.” said Scott

“I could’ve sworn Angry Birds and the like was pretty popular too. There’s more than just one market to look at and aim for.” he added.

Train2Game student James Pottinger agreed, arguing that Kojima has expressed a narrow view of the market, but also that developers should try to produce more innovative games.

“Pity Kojima doesn’t seem to have a wide view of the market. More people should play games like Psychonauts. Developers need to produce more innovative and exciting titles that aren’t FPS’s to encourage gamers to play different things.” he said.

But according to Train2Game student Laurence Gee, Kojima is right about the popularity of shooters.

“He is right, it is a shame how all these FPS games that are just so similar to each other are eating up our escaping world of gaming fun. Should always be games of pure madness to help us escape.” he said.

Train2Game student David Cull added that modern shooters are far too similar to each other, and that platformers or RPGs provide more fun.

“FPS is an ok genre but it’s too heavily focused on military warfare, I still play some of the older style FPS but even then I’d still rather play a platform game or an RPG.” he said.

Do you how views on Kojima’s comments? If so, you can still get involved with the debate here on The Train2Game Blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game student Fee Stewart presents her 2nd Video Diary

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Train2Game student video diary from  Train2Game Artist & Animator Fee Stewart. In her second Train2Game video diary, Fee tells us about her time at The EuroGamer Expo and Women In Games Conference, and reveals her latest TMA score. Watch Fee’s video diary below, right here on The Train2Game blog.

You can also see Fee’s first Train2Game video diary here.

What are your thoughts on Fee’s second Train2Game video diary?

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

Train2Game news: FPS success means ‘there’s not really a strong demand for anything else’ says Hideo Kojima

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Train2Game students will be well aware that some of the most iconic characters in gaming, Mario, Donkey Kong, various Final Fantasy protagonists and many more came out of Japan.

However, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima believes the success of First Person Shooters means there isn’t much demand for other types of video game, and therefore Japanese developers will struggle to be successful in future.

“It’s much more competitive now: if you look at triple-A titles on a worldwide scale there’s maybe only ten really big games that can get gamers’ attention, and I’m not sure how Japan can compete on that level,” Kojima told Official PlayStation Magazine.

“I think it’s more consumer demand – right now, consumers are happy with what they have. First-person shooters sell like crazy, so there’s not really a strong demand for anything else, and that’s why [original ideas] stop being made.”

“People are satisfied with making minor upgrades and tweaking things here and there – as long as that’s the landscape, it will keep on happening. I don’t see a problem necessarily, but at the same time it is nice to see new things come.” the Metal Gear Solid man added.

Kojima is currently working on Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D for the Nintendo 3DS.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Kojima’s comments? Is the success of FPS titles harming development of other types of game? Or does the rise of indie titles show that this is far from the case?

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

[Source: Official PlayStation Magazine]

Train2Game news: Epic Games provide CV writing advice in Develop feature

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Train2Game students who are already attempting to find work in a games industry should definitely check out Develop Online for advice from Epic Games on how to write the perfect CV.

The article sees Epic Games recruiter Tim Johnson give anyone job hunting in the games industry ten tips for an excellent CV. The tips, listed on Develop Online as part of a New Year, New Jobs feature, make excellent reading for Train2Game students who are keen to take that first step into the industry.

Epic’s tips for an excellent CV are as follows:

1. Use spell check.

2. Make sure that your CV is put into a universally accepted format (MS Word, PDF). Please don’t use a text editor to write your CV.

3. Clearly and concisely list your responsibilities; four or five bullet points are a lot easier to read than a paragraph of text.

4. Include links to work you have created or authored.

5. Make sure you include a link to samples or a portfolio on your resume.

6. Include both your phone number and e-mail address. Sometimes, a hiring manager or recruiter will actually want to call you.

7. Leave the fancy fonts and tables for your portfolio. A lot of companies store resumes in an applicant tracking system, so the more straightforward your resume is, the better.  In short, make it easy to read.

8. Include the companies you have worked for along with the title you have held at each company.

9. Make an effort to use industry standard key words to explain your job duties and responsibilities.

10. Use spell check. Yes, I said it twice, but a resume with misspelled words is a really bad way to make a good first impression.

They’re all important things Train2Game students should consider when compiling a CV!  Of course, as reported by the Train2Game blog, there are some Train2Game students who’ve already been fortunate enough to find work in the industry.

If that isn’t enough advice for you, Epic Games Cliff Bleszinski has also given his own unique guidance on how to stand out in the games industry, which you can see here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game the Epic Games worked together to host the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam over the first week of November. The Train2Game Blog interviewed Epic’s European Territory Manager Mike Gamble at the Game Jam. You can also read his take on the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam on the Unreal Insider Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the advice on writing a CV from Epic?

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

[Source: Develop Online]