Train2Game news: Zumba Fitness top for 8th week running

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In news that’ll continue to befuddle some Train2Game students, Zumba Fitness continues its domination of the UK charts with its 8th consecutive No.1 and 11th top spot overall.

Zumba Fitness outsold the next four chart positions combined and its 11 weeks at the top put it joint 3rd with FIFA: Road To The World Cup 98 and FIFA Soccer ’96 when it comes to time at No.1.

Dirt 3 jumps from No.6 to No. 2, while a very different vehicle based game, Cars 2, drops one to No.3  Just Dance 2: Extra Songs remains at No.4, while there’s also no change for LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean which remains at  No.5.

FIFA 11 moves up to No.6 in its 45th week on sale, with Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part a non-mover at No.7. Harry Potter fever also sees LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 re-enter the top ten at No.8.

Former No.1 – as reported by the Train2Game blog – L.A. Noire remains at No.9, while Call of Juarez: The Cartel drops to No. 10 in just its third week of release.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 30th July 2011 is therefore as follows:

  1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
  2. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
  3. Cars 2 (Disney Interactive)
  4. Just Dance 2: Extra Songs (Ubisoft)
  5. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney Interactive)
  6. FIFA 11 (EA Sports)
  7. Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (EA Games)
  8. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner Bros. Interactive)
  9. L.A. Noire (Rockstar)
  10. Call of Juarez: The Cartel (Ubisoft)

It’s another slow week for game releases, with titles including Fruit Ninja Kinect.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the continued dominance of Zumba Fitness? And with so many big games scheduled for release during October and November, why aren’t some being released over the summer?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

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

Kinect is ‘garbage’ and Game Design is what matters says Super Meat Boy dev

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Train2Game students may be split on the impact Kinect will have on the industry, but Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen hates it. Absolutely hates it with a passion.

Unfortunately for him, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect featured heavily in the Microsoft E3 presentation.

McMillen believes that more focus should be put on Game Design, rather than creating peripherals such as Kinect. He passionately believes it…in a very sweary fashion.

“Gameplay is what matters. Good game design” McMillen told Eurogamer.  “It’s almost as if they thought developers said ‘s**t, we’ve hit a wall and we can’t design fun games anymore, and can’t innovate through game design itself, we need all these crazy-ass peripherals that are going to help break through barriers and find new uncharted territory”

“No, just f***ing sit down and come up with a new genre. Chris Hecker came up with a new genre – Spy Party – so I guarantee other people can too. Minecraft – a creative MMO. And Katamari too. We don’t need peripherals.”

Speaking about Kinect specially, McMillen was just as ‘passionate’ in his views.

“That thing is a piece of garbage. There is absolutely nothing good for it. It’s a joke. It’s a f***ing joke. It doesn’t make any f***ing sense. It’s painful because they justify it by saying ‘a lot of people bought it’, but that’s just marketing.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect has been a success in that over 10 million units have been sold.

“I’m telling you, there’s not going to be anything for it that’s so compelling that 10 years from now you’ll tell your friends ‘wow, I really want to break out the Kinect and play this’. It’s just not going to happen.” McMillen said of Kinect games.

Microsoft have previously stated that all their future first party games will come with Kinect support.

“Buttons. Buttons and game pads. Just give me my f***ing game pad back.” He replied when asked what he wanted from the next generation of consoles.

So Train2Game, do you agree with the Super Meat Boy devs comments? Should the industry focus more on games then things like motion control?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game news: Games industry should adopt one console as standard says Bethesda Exec

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The games industry should move towards adopting a single console.

That’s according to Bethesda Softworks game director Todd Howard whose view is likely to split Train2Game students.

“I’d like there to be only one platform. It’s a lot of work to make the games look good on ever platform you’re on,” said Howard told PSM3.

He compared it to being able to use DVDs and Blu-Rays with multiple outlets.

“I often equate it to DVD or Blu-Rays. Once I’ve bought a DVD I can use it in my TV, in my computer, in my car, here, whatever. And I think it would be good for gaming if it was like that,” he said.

However, Howard admits his wish is rather unlikely.

“They spend billions of dollars selling consoles at a loss for years, but then make the money back with games,” he commented. “It’s not like the industry is hurting, we’re doing really well. But if I had one wish, you know, we would have better games for a single platform.”

The idea of one console certainly raises an interesting prospect, and not just because it’d mean the death of console exclusive titles! But it could potentially make games easier to develop and allow them to get to a wider audience; both are things Train2Game students are likely to approve of!

On the other hand, the idea of a single console does seem to overlook the PC, which as the Train2Game blog reported last month, has ‘shot by’ consoles according to Epic.

“We’re at the stage in the life of the consoles where the PC has shot by them in terms of capabilities.”  said Epic Games VP Mark Rein

“With the PC you can simulate the future – you can put enough hardware in a PC to show you what a future console will look like.” he added.

The Train2Game blog has previously lavished praise on the PC for being the best platform for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, is the idea of a single gaming device too farfetched? Or could you see it happening in future? How could it benefit developers?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: CVG]

Train2Game students take note – one third of UK population using smartphones

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One third of people in Great Britain own a smartphones, while gaming is the fastest growing online pastime.

That’s according to a report from Ofcom, which argue confirms something the Train2Game blog has reported on a number of times – that mobile gaming is becoming a huge phenomenon. It’s therefore an area that Train2Game students would be wise to think about pursuing a career in.

And while the Ofcom report states the iPhone, with its easy to use App store, is still the preferred choice of smartphone for many, the Train2Game blog previously reported that Android devices are increasing their share in the market.  Indeed, many Train2Game forum users own Android smartphones themselves.

Interesting, the Blackberry is the most popular smartphone among teenagers.

Meanwhile, the Ofcom report reveals that there’s been a 23% increase in online gaming over the last year, with smartphones likely to have contributed to this too. Online social media games are also becoming more and more popular, with the Train2Game blog reporting that more and more developers are using it as a platform to release games.

Indeed as reported by the Train2Game blog earlier this week, Civilization developer Sid Meier said games ‘will take over the world’ and social media gaming will play a part in this.

“I think now is one of the most exciting times to be a Game Designer” said Meier.

“With the rapid growth of social network games there are new opportunities for smaller indie developers to make and distribute games, so we’re seeing a wider variety of games on all kinds of cool devices than ever before. That’s great for the whole industry.”

And as previously reported by the Train2Game blog, both smartphone and social media gaming, free-to-play could provide a viable model for making revenue from games.

“The guys who are making more money are allowing people – if they like the game – to keep upgrading. And instead of the maximum amount of that money you can make from customer being 99c you can make $5, in some cases $30.” Industry analyst Nicholas Lovell previously told the Train2Game blog.

So with one third of Brits using a smartphone, that’s a huge potential audience for any iPhone games produced by Train2Game students; it could very much be your future.

So Train2Game, do you see developing games for smartphones as a good career path?  Is the potential audience just going to keep growing?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game student Fabiano video blog No.1 – transcript

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Train2Game student Fabiano’s first video blog is now available on the Official Train2Game YouTube channel

His first video blog is also available in text form! Read it below here on the Train2Game blog.

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game student Fabiano video blog No.1

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Train2Game student Fabiano Dias brings you his first video blog in which he talks about why he chose to study with Train2Game.

Watch it here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2GameUK YouTube channel.

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Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game Art & Animation student Amanda Blatch from Portsmouth to Train2Game Radio

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Amanda Blatch is studying to become a Game Artist & Animator with Train2Game. Train2Game Radio caught up with her to find out why she chose to study with Train2Game, how she’s finding the course and how it differs to her time at uni. Listen at www.audioboo.fm/train2game

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game student developed iOS game Bug Wings gets free Lite version and update

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Train2Game students on industry experience placements at DR Studios have helped produce Bug Wings throughout its game development and update cycle.

The game for iPhone,iPad  and iPad touch has received some positive reviews with the Train2Game blog previously reporting on a score of 4/5 from 148apps. Bug Wings also received 4/5 from high profile American website GamePro.

DR Studios has released a free Lite version of their tilt-controlled arcade adventure Bug Wings.  Featuring six levels set across a unique pond in a single player Solo Mode, Bug Wings Lite gives players a tantalizing free taste of the complete game.

Bug Wings Lite is available to download for free from the iTunes App store.

Also released today is version 1.2 of the full version of Bug Wings that introduces a number of game play improvements. These include:

  • New and improved virtual joypad controls
  • Improved tutorials for new players
  • Increased number of bug sound effects

For more information about Bug Wings, visit the official Bug Wings website or the official Bug Wings iTunes app store page.

Support fellow Train2Game students and give it a go!

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Train2Game]

Train2Game Animators get excited: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations tech could surpass that of L.A. Noire

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Train2Game students will be familiar with the impressive facial Art & Animation of L.A. Noire, with many wondering if it could be beaten in future.

Well, the facial animation of Assassin’s Creed: Revelations could surpass that later this year, thanks to the Mocam technique used to capture footage.

“One of the elements that’s really interesting about Mocam is that, while  it creates a lot of high-fidelity character expression and movement, the actor doesn’t need to look like the character he’s playing.” Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Lead Game Designer Alexandre Breault told Now Gamer.

“It’s a system that’s able to interpolate the facial movements of one person and apply them to any model. That gives us a lot of flexibility with our actors.” He added.

That means the in-game character doesn’t have to look like the actor who plays them, useful for Assassin’s Creed: Revelations which features a number of historical characters.

Another way the motion capture used for Assassin’s Creed: Revelations could beat that of L.A. Noire is that it incorporates the entire body. Team Bondi’s method, while very impressive, only captured the face of the actor or actress.

“They’re also able to act with their whole body, as the system isn’t just limited to the head” explained Breault.

“ Mocam doesn’t create a clash between facial expression and body movement – it’s all integrated. It allows realistic facial expression, but not at the cost of actor expression as normal mo-cap does.”

It certainly sounds impressive, much like the fact the Train2Game blog reported earlier this year that the Ubisoft team behind Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is over 200 people strong.

And while it isn’t being used to capture facial animation, Uncharted 3 is also using advanced motion capture techniques.

So Train2Game, could Revelations surpass the tech of L.A. Noire? Would it improve the game? Is motion capture the way forward?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Now Gamer]

Train2Game student lesson for the future? id Software’s fans ‘sometimes drive them nuts’

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All Train2Game students are gamers, and they’ll all have different ideas about various games with some even voicing opinions on the Train2Game forum.

Of course, not all comments about games are positive with gamers demanding various things that for one reason or another won’t be in a particular game.

The upcoming RAGE from ID Software contains shooting, driving and RPG elements, but creative director Tim Willits believes that fans of the game will still find problems with it, things that they believe should be added.

“The worst thing is that everyone wants the kitchen sink and everything else too,” he told Xbox World 360 Magazine.

“For Rage, we’re doing all these things and yet people are like ‘Well I can’t blow up these boxes’, and I’m like ‘Are you serious? We have driving, racing and all these cool characters!’ ‘But in this other game I can blow up boxes’, and I’m like, ‘This other game doesn’t have any racing in it!’

“It’s crazy. Fans: I love them but sometimes they drive us nuts!” he concluded.

Train2Game students probably have criticised certain games, and they may even find fans demanding things from their own games in future!

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, RAGE will be released with mod tools potentially allowing the community to add the things they believe should be in the game.

As Train2Game students will know, modding is also a great potential path to a full-time role in the games industry.

Rage is scheduled for release on October 7th for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC

So Train2Game, how important is fan input into game development? Would you accept it for your games?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: CVG]