Part 1 of Train2Game Games Developer student Martin’s video diary
Ever since he started programming on his Commodore 64 he wanted to make computer games, he is now realising his dream by learning the skills he needs to develop his own games using the Train2Game Developer course.
For more information http://is.gd/bAApW
Part 1 of Train2Game Games Designer student Jon’s video diary
It’s been a dream of his to get a career in the games industry, ever since he was visited by a Careers Advisor at school who asked him what he wants to do with his life and he said all he wants to do his make computer games.
For more information http://is.gd/bAApW
“Train2game is the name of a new educational course that sets you up for a career in the gaming world. The course has been given the thumbs up by important men in suits and you could end up with a properly recognised qualification. (Bonus!!).”
For more from the BBC 1Xtra Rampage Blog: http://is.gd/bze5p
James
Over the past month I am gob-smacked at the amount I have learnt. Although I have only started the course and done my first modules, I feel like this is what I should of been doing all my life.
Every morning I’ll wake up with answers to problems I had the night before in game designing, even when trying to sleep my mind is buzzing with new ideas.
I would never of thought I would be able to learn and create such games so quickly and to a good standard like http://www.yoyogames.com/games/show/97263
(although the long days and nights are probably the reason!)
I have made great social network on the forum and have even started helping people out with their projects.
Project : Colonisation (World Map Designer)
Project : Soul Wars (Guild Sign Designer)
I hope they lead to more projects as I thoroughly enjoy working with the people.
Over all this has been a great opportunity where I have learnt SO much knowledge and can’t wait for more materials… BRING IT ON!
Satvir
I have never worked hard so as doing this course I think that it is my first time I’ve ever worked hard at something like this. It’s part of my life plan to become a game designer
Simon
Well I have been doing my course while being in a lot of pain from the 20 wires that went through my leg in a frame in recent weeks. I have been doing physio to try and regain the ability to walk even with the pain I have been doing the course to the best of my ability so that in the end I will be able to be a game designer.
Train2Game the future I have been dreaming of
Douglas
I have managed to start work on a few design documents for ideas I have had for years. One of these ideas I have adapted so it can work as a portfolio piece. Nearly all my ideas are my own, apart from one which was thought up with late night chats between me and my girlfriend (she likes to get involved). I am also quite surprised and enthusiastic about a lot of the things I have learnt while revising for the course.
I am currently doing something I never thought I would do, and that is get a library card so I can study a bit more and look up some history for one of my games. I have recently secured a job alongside my studies and feel I am putting even more time into the course than previously. I feel I have taken a positive step towards the future I have been dreaming of.
Train2Game idea is genius
Martyn
Who ever came up with the Train2Game idea is a genius to say the least. Not only does it give people the opportunity to create their own game but it also builds peoples knowledge of gaming and how computer games are created from start to finish. More importantly it actually gives people the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of becoming a computer games designer.
A bit about my background. I grew up with computers as I started out with the old commodore 64 and went right the way through each console to the current day XBOX 360 and PS2. I’m totally I.T literate, which is courtesy of the C64 because where as many people just used to play the tape games, I used it for my typing skills. This paid off as every job I’ve had since leaving school has involved a computer in one form or another. My I.T grades speak for themselves, having achieved a GCSE and a level grade at school in the subject, I also passed my ECDL and got a Merit in an advanced HEFC course at the local college to further my own knowledge which also included designing and creating my own website. So from an early age, I always had aspirations of one day making my own game and now thanks to this course, which has been a little ray of sunshine, I can now have that opportunity. One thing that I did regret was not being able to get my hands on the Nintendo power glove for the original NES, that thing rocked as I believe it was only available in the USA and I still think that it had a lot to do with the creation of the Wii because it used sensors that were place around the TV, kind of like the Wii today.
So far I have found the course challenging but interesting at the same time. I have learned things that I never knew and were quite surprised at. My achievements so far have been steady for most of my TMA’s. As you have noticed I’m sure, I’ve got 85% for 3 of them meaning 3 answers wrong each time with exception of the resubmitted one which I understand fully now where I went wrong. However there is always room for improvement and I want you to know that I always aim to get 100%. Which is exactly where I want to aim for in this course. I want to aim for the top of designing and creating my own computer game but I can’t tell the future and wants going to happen so even if I ended up as part of the team that design games then I would be satisfied with that.
To finish off, I would just like to thank you all for your help as you are always there for me when I call after each TMA to go through the incorrect answers as I do enjoy the chats as they help me to progress furthe
Train2Game mentioned in the Gamespot UK Podcast
Lee
Been incredibly busy these past few months – I brought together a group of individuals from the T2G forums to form Adarakion Games. The group consists 2 developers – myself and “fatefirst”, a designer “hexalot” and also someone who is not on the course, but may well be next year (will be recommending)who is an Artist. The group moulded together well, and as a result we are working on two projects.
The games we are currently developing are “Odds On” and a codenamed game currently called “Project Blast!”, main focus is on Blast! at the moment and this could easily become (we hope) PSN/XBL material if we nail it well enough (and its polished enough).
The next stage was setting up http://www.adarakion.co.uk – which we have just started to publish content and information to.
Also, I feel that volunteering and being accepted as the second Student Mod on the T2G forums is a great achievement for me – I feel that my “Modding” has been fair and consistent and has helped T2G greatly.
Also of course, I have been progressing with the course (of course) but taking the time to revise past studies and ensure that what I may have skimmed through on the first read is “bedded in”. Started work on a C++ manual with all the commands/info contained in the previous lessons.
I also started to write my own Blog – http://coderiffic.blogspot.com and was mentioned in the Gamespot UK Podcast – dated 23/7 which was great.
Train2Game My achievements have surprised me
Thomas
My achievements have surprised me to say the least, aside from the course I have had to deal with some family troubles and beginning of my university education. I needed to be more organised, become more efficient with regard to how I live my life and become more strategic.
Balancing multiple stressful situations and to keep progression with this course is quite an achievement especially when I have never taken an in-depth look at programming before and being able to create a fully playable game that not only myself but my family all enjoy is a very proud moment for me.
It’s as if I have matured in a matter of weeks to cope with these stresses. I don’t mind because I am sure it will help ready me for the gaming industry, Not only mentally but with the improvement in my skills.
I am able to program a fairly complex 3D game which enables competitive gameplay via high scores etc. Soon I will be able to create and program more 3D games using this game as a starting point, for not only for commercial use but also for concept ideas and ideas that can take me places that I have only dreamed of. Being able to do this in itself is a great achievement and I am grateful of the opportunity that Train2Game have given me.
The Train2Game Blog 