Blizzard release Starcraft II custom map ‘Burning Tide’

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Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Burning TideBlizzard have released Burning Tide, the first custom map for their highly successful Real Time Strategy game Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. The 3 vs 3 map was announced on the Starcraft II Battle.net blog. The Starcraft II blog says:

“We’re proud to announce the release of Blizzard Entertainment’s first new StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty custom map: Burning Tide!”

“Featuring timed lava surges and collectable mineral caches, Burning Tide is a 3v3 map that combines several thematic elements from the epic single-player campaign mission “The Devil’s Playground.”

“Like the campaign mission, the goal of this game is greed, and the first team to reach the specified resource total wins! Players hoping to achieve victory on this map will need to work together, carefully managing their team’s unit production and safeguarding their vulnerable workers as they defend against enemy forces.”

Starcraft II players can access Burning Tide in the custom games list in the game client. It’s likely that Burning Tide will be the first of many custom maps released by Blizzard for Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. Any interested Train2Game students can get a taste of Burning Tide by looking at the screenshots on the Starcraft II Battle.net blog.

Activision Blizzard is extremely pleased with the success of Starcraft II, with Wings of Liberty being the fastest selling strategy game of all time, selling 1.5 million copies in the first 48 hours of release. Starcraft II then went on to sell three million copes in the month after its much anticipated release on July 27th.

So Train2Game, will you be playing Burning Tide? Or have you done so already? Are you pleased Blizzard are releasing more multiplayer challenges for Starcraft II?

You can leave your thoughts about Burning Tide and Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

The Train2Game Level Design Challenge – vote for your favourite map!

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A little while back, Train2Game launched a Level Design Challenge. It gave Train2Game Games Design students the opportunity to test their skills by designing and developing a four-player Deathmatch map suitable for a first person shooter. Aside from that key outline, there were no limitations about the theme of the Train2Game student designed maps. Now, YOU can vote for what map is your favourite.

You can see the levels designed by the Train2Game Games Designers in this video montage:


Now it’s up to you to vote for which Train2Game game student wins the Level Design Challenge. To do this, simply vote for your favourite level in this Level Design Vote thread on the Train2Game forum. You’ll need a Train2Game forum account in order to cast your vote, and you have until September 21st 2010 to select your favourite.

There is no prize for the winner, but they will get a sense of self satisfaction that money can’t buy!

So which Train2Game student designed map is your favourite? And why?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game student developed game RoChain now available to play!

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Rochain

Train2Game student led development studio Adarakion Games have released their first game – RoChain.

You may be asking yourself what exactly is RoChain? Well, the official blurb on the Adarakion Games website can explain:

RoChain is designed as a pick up and play ‘brag em up’. Essentially you are presented with a board of ‘cells’ and you pick one to rotate. These rotations then cause chain reactions which effectively build up your score. Depending on your selection skill you may trigger one of the numerous combos. Some of these combos are easy to achieve, some near impossible, but it’s down to you to try and discover them all!

Key Features:

Pick up ‘n’ play – game time is only limited by you. You can literally pick this game up and have a quick turn in less than a minute if you so wish.

Combo Badges – To keep you pushing that bit more there is an extensive list of combo badges to achieve. All help to raise your score which in turn raises your bragging rights.

Competitiveness – If you feel you’ve achieved an especially high score and got yourself an insane combo link then why not declare it on Twitter to all your friends. Better yet, submit it to the online leader board and really show the world your RoChain!

Online Leader board – Track your high score history.

So, you’re no doubt wondering, how can I play RoChain, the game developed by Train2Game students? You can download it for free on the Adarakion Games official RoChain website. All that’s required is that you have the latest version of Microsoft Direct X on your computer. Naturally, if you really like RoChain, you can donate to Adarakion Games.

So what are you waiting for? Go and download RoChain, the game developed by the Train2Game students at Adarakion Games!

Leave your thoughts on RoChain here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

250 GB Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle confirmed

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250 Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle Microsoft has announced a 250 GB Xbox bundle, complete with their new motion controller Kinect, will be released on November 10th.  That’s means the 250 GB Xbox bundle will be the released the same day Microsoft Kinect is released in Europe, and…say it through gritted teeth… just in time for Christmas.

The 250GB Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle – complete with game Kinect Adventures – will cost £299.99. The bundle of course contains a camera for the 250GB Xbox 360 slim that you’ll get with it too.

Microsoft say the 250GB Xbox 360 Slim and Kinect bundle will be limted edition, so if any Train2Game students want to get their hands on one, well you may have to be quick about it.

Of course, if you already own an Xbox 360 or an Xbox 360 slim, you’ll be able to buy Kinect hands free motion controller for £130 in the UK.

Some launch titles for Kinect for Xbox 360 include Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures, Kinectimals and Kinect Joy Ride.

Microsoft will be hoping the Xbox 360 250 GB console and Kinect bundle will prove successful enough to catch up to PlayStation Move sales, with the Sony motion controller being released on September 15th. Reviews for PlayStation Move have generally been positive.

So Train2Game, are any of you buying Kinect when it’s released on November 10th? Could the 250GB Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle tempt you? Perhaps you’re planning to buy PlayStation Move instead?

Or are just not interested in any type of motion controller at all, be it for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3? Would you rather get your hands one of the recently announced new Xbox 360 controllers?

You can leave your thoughts on the 250 GB Xbox 360 & Kinect bundle, or motion controllers in general here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Hollywood cast revealed

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Gary OldmanActivision has announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops’ will star award winning actors Gary Oldman and Ed Harris, while screenwriter David S. Goyer will be providing script consultation and story developer support for the much anticipated game.

Gary Oldman will be reprising his role as Russian soldier Victor Reznov who returns in the Cold War era based Black Ops’. Reznov featured in Treyarch’s previous Call of Duty title, World at War. Oldman is best known for his work in The Professional, Dracula and, Batman: The Dark Knight.

Ed Harris will make his Call of Duty debut in Black Ops’ by voicing one of the game’s main characters, CIA operative Jason Hudson. Harris is best known for his roles in films including The Abyss, A History of Violence, Pollock, Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff.

Filmmaker David S. Goyer’s writing credits include the blockbusters Batman: Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Blade and the upcoming Superman: Man of Steel.

Despite two integral members of the Batman: The Dark Knight appearing in Call of Duty: Black Ops’, its unlikely Batman himself will be making and appearance…

Of course, Studio Head of Treyarch Mark Lamia is pleased with the fine cast of Call of Duty: Black Ops’

“Oldman, Harris and Goyer are considered some of Hollywood’s finest talents and they perfectly complement Call of Duty: Black Ops’ ambitious and immersive single player experience”

“Their contributions have helped us to push the boundaries of our story telling and character development far beyond anything we have ever attempted before in the franchise.”

The news comes after Activision recently revealed Call of Duty: Black Ops’ multiplayer features at a high profile event in Los Angeles.

Call of Duty: Black Ops will be released worldwide on 9th November.

So Train2Game, with Call of Duty: Black Ops’ boasting such an impressive cast, how important do you think the quality of voice actors is to games?

Would an impressive cast ever persuade you to buy a game?

And does the fact that games’ like Call of Duty: Black Ops’ can bring on board well known actors show that gaming is becoming a larger entertainment medium?

You can leave your thoughts on the cast of Call of Duty: Black Ops’ here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

Duke Nukem Forever release next year – Not a joke!

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Duke Nukem ForeverThirteen years. Yes, thirteen years after Duke Nukem Forever looks like it’ll finally see the light of day. The Duke is set to return next year in Duke Nukem Forever thanks to 2K Games and Borderlands developer Gearbox Software.

Duke Nukem Forever, which last year was officially cancelled when developer 3D Realms collapses, featured as a playable demo at the Penny Arcade Expo. Pigs might be flying as Gearbox Software say development of Duke Nukem Forever is complete. Meanwhile, a press release from 2K Games about Duke Nukem Forever is certainly setting the right mood for The King’s return.

“Duke Nukem, the interactive entertainment industry’s most irreverent and quoted character of all time, will bring his signature brand of babe-lovin’, cigar-smoking, beer-chugging and ass-kicking action as he once again saves the Earth and our babes from hordes of invading aliens.”

They also point out that Duke Nukem Forever was first announced before Bill Clinton had started his second term as President of the United States.

President of 2K, Christopher Hartmann, says Duke Nukem Forever will be worth the wait.

“All great things take time… a lot of time, after a hiatus from the video game world; Duke Nukem is back and better than ever. The return of the King from the glory days of shooters will satisfy our patient, die-hard fans, as well as a new generation of bubble gum-chewing, flat top and shades-wearing bad-asses. Make no mistake about it – Duke Nukem Forever is a testament to the era of when shooters were bodacious and fun.”

President of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford said Duke Nukem Forever will definitely be released.

“Hail to the king, baby! It’s unbelievable, it kicks ass and it’s totally going to happen!”

“Gearbox has enabled die-hard key Duke Nukem franchise builders and skilled veteran game makers to stand together and deliver. All gamers deserve a happy ending and after all of us gamers feeling the full range of emotions about Duke Nukem Forever, I am thrilled to be in a position with the trust, power and means to make it happen. Am I crazy? Balls of steel, baby, balls of steel!”

If somehow you’re a Train2Game students who’s unfamiliar with Duke Nukem Forever (or the Duke Nukem Franchise in general) this release from 2K Games should tell you all you need to know…

“Put on your sunglasses and prepare to step into the boots of Duke Nukem, whose legend has reached epic proportions in the years since his last adventure. The alien hordes are back and only Duke can save the world, again. Pig cops, alien shrink rays and enormous alien bosses won’t stop our hero from accomplishing his one and only goal: to save the world, save the babes and to be a bad-ass while doing it.”

“The King of All Shooters is back with over-the-top weapons, massive aliens and unprecedented levels of interactivity. This game puts pedal to the metal and tongue firmly in cheek, among other places. Shoot hoops, lift weights, read adult magazines, draw crude messages on whiteboards or ogle one of the many beautiful women that populate Duke’s life; that is if you can pull yourself away long enough from kicking ass and taking names. Duke Nukem was and will forever be immortalized in gaming history, and this is his legend.”

Duke Nukem Forever is set to be released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC during 2011. Yes, really.

So Train2Game, do you believe it that Duke Nukem Forever will finally be released? Or will you only believe it when you see Duke Nukem Forever on the shelves? And do you want Duke Nukem Forever when it’s released. (If it is)

Leave your thoughts about Duke Nukem Forever here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

UK Charts: Mafia II is still the boss

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Mafia IIGangster shooter Mafia II holds its position as Kingpin of the UK Software charts for the second week in a row.  It may have suffered a drop in sales compared to its first week of release, but Mafia II isn’t sleeping with the fishes yet.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days still remains the biggest threat to Mafia II, with the Square Enix title at number two for the second consecutive week. Nintendo Wii Sports Resort takes third place, securing its highest chart position since December 2009.

Toy Story 3 and Red Dead Redemption continue their gradual declines in the UK sales charts, dropping one place each to fourth and fifth respectively. Meanwhile, there are no changes in sixth or seventh with Ubisoft’s Just Dance and Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy both non-movers in this week’s chart.

Somehow Sniper: Ghost Warrior moves up one to eighth place, while Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands also rises one position into ninth. The only new entry into the top ten this week is another Ubisoft game, Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X 2 which claims tenth position in its debut week.

The only other new entries to enter the charts this week were Metroid: Other M in 12th place, while Tetris Party Deluxe on the Nintendo DS enters in 23rd.

The full top ten of the UK Software chart for the week ending September 4th is as follows:

1. Mafia II (2K Games)
2. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (Square Enix)
3. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)
4. Toy Story 3 (Disney)
5. Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar)
6. Just Dance (Ubisoft)
7. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo)
8. Sniper: Ghost Warrior (City Interactive)
9. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Ubisoft)
10. Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2 (Ubisoft)

So Train2Game students, do you think Mafia II is deserving of holding onto top spot? And will it do it again next week? Why on earth is Sniper: Ghost Warrior climbing the charts? And is can Metroid: Other M only entering the charts in 12th place be seen as a failure?

Leave your thoughts on Mafia II, Kane & Lynch 2 or any of the other games in the UK Software charts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer features revealed

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Call of Duty Black Ops

Activision has unveiled  full details about Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer mode at a high profile event in Los Angeles.

The evidence suggests that traditional  features familiar to Call of Duty players such as killstreaks, levelling up and perks will be mixed with new features including a Black Ops Combat Training mode, new weapons, and the ability to gamble points earned through playing.

Combat Training mode has been introduced for Black Ops in an effort to encourage the 30% of Call of Duty owners who never play online to do so.

Black Ops Combat Training will allow you to hone your skills against AI bots or your friends before making the jump into the big bad world of Call of Duty: Black Ops online multiplayer.

Treyarch revealed there will be unique weapons in Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer that can only be found in random supply drops including the death machine – a huge machine gun – and the grim reaper – a rocket launcher. The remote control car that featured in last months Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer teaser trailer can also be found – among other things – in the random supply drops.

Another new introduction for Call of Duty: Black Ops is CoD Points which you’ll earn while you play then use to buy abilities and perks that previously were only made available through gaining experience and levelling up.

These CoD points will be able to gambled in an all new game mode for Call of Duty: Black Ops in the form of the Wager Match.  Wager Matches will allow Call of Duty: Black Ops players to gamble their points in four different games revealed in a new trailer at the event.

One in the Chamber will equip each Black Ops player with three lives but just a pistol and one bullet. You can add another bullet by killing another player, but if you miss you’re reduced to just a melee weapon.

In Sticks and Stones mode, Call of Duty: Black Ops will see players equipped with a rather unfamiliar crossbow and tomahawk set up. If you’re killed by a tomahawk, you’ll lose all of the Cod Points you gambled.

Meanwhile, Treyarch have also lined up a standard Gun Game mode for Call of Duty: Black Ops Wagers Matches where every kill gets you a better weapon. The winner is the first person to have got a kill with every different weapon available in this Black Ops multiplayer mode.

The last Wager Match mode for Call of Duty: Black Ops is Sharpshooter which sees every player equipped with the same random weapons and perks.

Of course, the gambling element of Wager Matches means someone has to lose, so only the top three players in each of these Black Ops multiplayer modes will walk away with points, the rest will leave with nothing.

You can watch the Call of Duty: Black Ops Wager Match trailer below, complete with commentary for the developers.


One disappointment however for Call of Duty fans is that no Zombie Mode for Black Ops was announced.

Nonetheless, Call of Duty: Black Ops is set for release on November 9th 2010.

So Train2Game, what do you think about the details Activision has revealed about Call of Duty: Black Ops Multiplayer mode? Will the new features encourage you to pick up Call of Duty: Black Ops? Are you a gambler who fancies a flutter with Wager Matches?

You can leave your thoughts about Call of Duty: Black Ops here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

Batman: Arkham City multiplayer confirmed and new screenshots released

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New look Harley with Batman

Batman: Arkham City will feature multiplayer gameplay, at least that’s according to  appropriately named Batman: Arkham City fan site Arkham City.

The news comes as screenshots  of Batman: Arkham City have appeared online through Flickr.

A news post on Arkham City says that multiplayer is confirmed by Batman: Arkham City developers Rocksteady in a feature from this month PSM3 Magazine. The developers claim “Multiplayer is a certainty, but no details on this yet” with no further details about how this would actually fit into Batman: Arkham City.

Rumours have been circulating ever since Batman: Arkham City was announced, that Catwoman would feature as a temporary ally of The Dark Knight in co-operative gameplay. Or perhaps players will be able to experience Batman: Arkham City as Robin or Nightwing in a co-op mode.

On the other hand, could the multiplayer element of Batman: Arkham City be the competitive player vs player experience that some gamers would rather not see included?

With Batman: Arkham City – the sequel to the highly successful Batman: Arkham Asylum – not scheduled for release until autumn 2011, it’s likely we’ll be waiting for quite some time before solid details appear.

Batman: Arkham City will be available in PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

So Train2Game students, how do you feel about a Batman: Arkham City multiplayer mode? Would you welcome co-operative or competitive online play? Or do you think Batman: Arkham City should stick to the format of Batman: Arkham Asylum and leave multiplayer gameplay alone?

You can leave your thoughts about Batman: Arkham City multiplayer here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

Starcraft II sells over three million in a month

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Starcraft IIStarcraft II: Wings of Liberty has sold over three million copies worldwide in just its first month on release according to publisher Activision Blizzard.

The long anticipated Starcraft II was released simultaneously worldwide on July 27th with many eager Starcraft fans attending midnight launches in order to be among the first to get their hands on the RTS sequel.

Starcraft II was a massive success, with 1.5 million copies Blizzard’s title being sold in the first 48 hours of release, making Starcraft II the fastest selling strategy game of all time.

Naturally, Starcraft II had no trouble topping the UK Charts in its first week on release, an impressive achievement given that downloaded copies of Wings of Liberty weren’t counted in the chart at the time.

These strong sales have given Starcraft II the momentum required to push past the three million copies sold mark, further cementing Wings of Liberty’s position as the most successful PC game of 2010 so far. With three million copies sold, it seems unlikely that anything will be removing Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty from its position of most successful PC game of the year.

Activision Blizzard will no doubt be well on the way to recouping the supposed $100 million Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty cost to produce.

Naturally, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment Mike Morhaime is pleased with the success of Starcraft II.

“We appreciate all the enthusiasm that players around the world have shown for StarCraft II.”

“It was important to us to deliver an overall gameplay experience that was accessible, balanced, and fun, and it’s been gratifying to see how strongly the global community has already embraced the game.”

With Starcraft II being divided into three instalments, it’s likely that Activision Blizzard will have more success with the franchise in future. However, there’s no word yet on when the second part of Starcraft II will be released.

So Train2Game, have you picked up a copy of Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty in the month it’s been on sale? If so, is it really that amazing?  How much are you looking forward to the next instalment of the Starcraft II franchise? And will anything else released this year topple Starcraft II from its position of most successful PC game of 2010?

You can leave your thoughts on Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, or the Starcraft franchise in general, here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.