Tag Archives: Activision

Train2Game News: The Amazing Spider-Man developer diary discusses Manhattan as your playground

Posted on by
Reply

Get behind the scenes of The Amazing Spider-Man in a developer diary from Beenox and Activision.

In this ‘Manhattan is your playground’ developer diary Executive Producer Brent Nicholas discusses various features of this movie tie-in including web slinging navigation, combat and interacting with the environment. He also discusses the reasons why these game design elements have inserted into The Amazing Spider-Man.

Watch the Amazing Spider-Man developer diary below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There are more developer diaries, which give you an insight into the work going into development of a variety of games, here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on The Amazing Spider-Man?

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

Train2Game News: Call of Duty: Black Ops II developer diary takes you behind the scenes

Posted on by
Reply

Get a glimpse at development of Call of Duty: Black Ops II in a behind the scenes preview from Treyarch.

The video sees studio head Mark Lamia discuss how Black Ops II is “pushing the boundaries of Call of Duty on every front,” while the team also discuss game design, technology, overhauling the lighting, the zombie mode and more.

The Call of Duty: Black Ops II behind the scenes video features Treyarch developers including director Dave Anthony, game design director David Vonderhaar, and lead animator Adam Rosas, and you can watch it below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Keep reading for the latest Call of Duty: Black Ops II news, while you can see developer diaries for a variety of games here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the Call of Duty: Black Ops II behind the scenes video?

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

Train2Game News: Call of Duty: Black Ops II will ‘rewrite the rulebook’ say Treyarch

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students who play Call of Duty: Black Ops II when it’s released later this year will be playing a game that’s rewritten the rulebook for the popular shooter series.

That’s according to game director David Antony while discussing Call of Duty: Black Ops II and its game design with CVG.

“One of the ways we have been most ambitious is in terms of story. I worked with Hollywood screenwriter David Goyer for about the last three months editing the story on the first Black Ops, and we had a really great time. He genuinely enjoyed it, describing the experience as the most fun he’d had since film school 20 years ago.” he said.

“So we got to the end of the first Black Ops and he’s like ‘Dave, I want to work on the next one from the start. We’ve taken some risks on the first Black Ops; now let’s rewrite the rules about storytelling in games.’ So right from the start it wasn’t a case of thinking how far do we needed to go to satisfy peoples’ expectations… we’re not even thinking about that. We just want to rewrite the rulebook.”

Antony explained how Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’s branching story will work, revealing that there are different outcomes depending on your decisions.”

“So the sandbox levels, these are called Strike Force. Let me explain the overall branching story; you have characters – main characters – in the story who will live or die depending on what you do, and it’s not just what you do – it’s the choices you make and your skill in Strike Force. So depending on how skilful you are on those levels, it’ll actually have an influence on the overall Cold War that’s going on. So that’s one example.” he said.

“You play the game when it comes out in November, and you’re all likely to get different outcomes. So when you get to the end of the game we’re going to make it very clear to you the different things that could have happened.” he added.

Something that Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 won’t be getting, as previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, is a new engine. A team of 300 people are working on the game.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for all the latest news on Call of Duty: Black Ops II?

What are your thoughts on what Antony says about Call of Duty: Black Ops II?

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

Train2Game News: Call of Duty: Black Ops II officially revealed, 300 staff working on it

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students will have noticed that Call of Duty: Black Ops II has been officially been revealed. The latest title in Activision’s highly successful series is being developed by Treyarch, with the story set in 2025 and a branching story.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is scheduled for release on Tuesday 13th November 2012 with over 300 staff working on it.

“There’s over 250 people at Treyarch, but there’s over 300 people working on the project,” Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia told VentureBeat.

“We do have contractors and test teams that aren’t part of the company. Those others aren’t actually employees of Treyarch. But there’s over 300 people working on the game right now.”

He added that due to the size of the project, Treyarch are happy to share resources with other Activision studios.

“We actually do open up anything from our side that they can have access to, but they have their own team with their own creative work,” said Lamia.

“Whether it’s inside of the Call of Duty franchise or, frankly, some other area of essential technology or whatever other area – if there are things that teams can access or leverage, then they do.

“For example, the facial rig and the performance capture was something that we worked with Activision’s central technology team on quite a bit. There are a lot of learnings there that can be applied to other teams.” he added.

The full Call of Duty: Black Ops II interview with Treyarch’s Mark Lamia is over on Venturebeat, while you can watch the Black Ops II reveal trailer below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your initial thoughts on Call of Duty: Black Ops II and the size of the team behind it?

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

Train2Game news: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to get 9 months of DLC

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game student Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 players will see nine months of downloadable content for the hugely popular shooter.

The DLC will include new multiplayer maps, special ops missions and new game modes, and be available for Call of Duty Elite Premium members using Xbox LIVE before being released to those on other systems at a later date. Activision promise 20 ‘content drops’ for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 during the nine month period.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, it’s possible that user-created multiplayer game modes could find their way into Modern Warfare 3, possibly via this newly announced plan for DLC.

“The mammoth launch of Modern Warfare 3 and the breakout success of Call of Duty Elite were just the beginning.  Call of Duty Elite provides an ‛always-on’ connection to our fanbase, and the MW3 Content Season is the ultimate way to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Call of Duty community and provide tremendous value to Call of Duty Elite premium members,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing.

“With the Call of Duty®: MW3 Content Season for Call of Duty Elite we are delivering on our promise of more new content, more often, and with more variety than ever. With three studios collaborating on the first season, the breadth and depth of material on tap is truly extraordinary. It’s rare you can successfully execute both quantity and quality, but thanks to the expertise of our developers, the reach of Call of Duty Elite and the passion of our fans, we intend to deliver.

Train2Game students can find out more about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s ‘Content Season’ from the developers themselves in the new video below

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 became the biggest entertainment launch ever when it was released in November, as reported here by The Train2Game Blog

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Activision’s plans for Modern Warfare 3 DLC? How important do you think DLC to game developers?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Skyrim dethrones Modern Warfare 3

Posted on by
Reply

Skyrim Dragon Fight screenshotTrain2Game students have come to expect Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to be at No.1 in the charts, but this week there’s a new top dog.

It’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that tops the charts after some heavy discounting from a number of retailers, with Bethesda’s RPG being available brand new for as low as £22.49. It’s the RPGs first week at No.1.

Train2Game students may be interested in the news reported by the Train2Game blog that Skyrim mod tools are coming next month.

The rise of Skyrim means it isn’t a fifth consecutive week at No.1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which slips to No.2.  Just Dance 3 moves up one to No.3, while former No.1 FIFA 12 drops two to No.4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations drops to No.5.

EA’s Battlefield 3 climbs three to No.6, Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call for the DS claims a third week at No.7 and Saints Row The Third drops two to No.8.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception returns to the top ten at No.9 after a three week absence thanks to some discounting, while Mario Kart 7 for 3DS completes the top ten.

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

1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
4. FIFA 12 (Electronic Arts)
5. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
6. Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts)
7. Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call (Nintendo)
8. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
9. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (SCE UK)
10. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the UK Charts this week? What does Skyrim being discounted so early say about the industry? Are you just pleased to see something new at the top?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 stays top

Posted on by
Reply

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 stays No.1 for the third consecutive week, holding onto the position it’s claimed since it launched three weeks ago.

It’s an achievement which betters previous game in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, which  as reported by the this time last year, lost top spot to Gran Turismo 5. Another No.1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 means Assassin’s Creed: Revelations stays at No.2 in its second week on sale.

Saints Row: The Third and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim switch positions and sit at No.3 and No.4 respectively, while FIFA 12 remains at No.5.

WWE ’12 enters the charts at No.6 in its first week on sale. The Train2Game blog interviewed Lead Designer Brian Williams about the main changes for WWE’12 over its predecessors earlier this year. WWE ’12 sits one spot ahead of another new title, Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call, with the Nintendo DS title debuting at No.7.

Just Dance 3 moves up two to No.8, former chart topper Battlefield 3 drops to No.9, while Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS drops to No.10 in its second week on sale.

In both games second week on sale, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword drops from No.7 down to No.19, while Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary goes from No.6 to No.21. Train2Game students can see an interview with Halo: Anniversary developers 343 here on the Train2Game blog.

Zumba Fitness 2, Rayman Origins are among a number of new releases that failed to make the top 40. Lord of the Rings: War in the North only manages No.38 in its first week.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 26th November 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
2. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
3. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
5. FIFA 12 (EA)
6. WWE ’12 (THQ)
7. Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call (Nintendo)
8. Just Dance (Ubisoft)
9. Battlefield 3 (EA)
10. Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo)

Releases this week include Mario Kart 7 and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations for PC.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Modern Warfare 3 staying No.1? And why do you believe the likes of Lord of the Rings, Rayman Origins and Zumba Fitness 2 have sold rather poorly in their first week?

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

Train2Game news: Modern Warfare 3 becomes biggest entertainment launch ever

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game blog readers are among the many who’ve rushed out to buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which according to Activision makes the launch bigger than Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sold more than 6.5 million units in North America and the United Kingdom alone in its first 24 hours on sale, breaking the previous records set by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops

“We believe the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium, and we achieved this record with sales from only two territories,” said Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.

“Other than Call of Duty, there has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records three years in a row. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings,” two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time.”

“Call of Duty is more than a game. It’s become a major part of the pop cultural landscape.” added Activision publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg

“It is a game that core enthusiasts love, but that also consistently draws new people into the medium. It is the most intense, adrenaline pumping entertainment experience anywhere. I would like to thank our incredible teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games for making a brilliant game. But most of all, I would like to thank our millions of passionate fans worldwide. We made this game for you.” he said.

See more about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the record breaking success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3? What does it say about the games industry?

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

Train2Game news: Tesco & Sainsbury’s compete with cheap Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 discount deals

Posted on by
Reply

MW3Train2Game blog readers, along with swathes of others, are preparing for the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 tomorrow. Supermarket giants including Tesco and Sainsbury’s are once again lowering the price of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 deals in order to secure as many sales as possible.

They’ll be competing with the likes of GAME and HMV who are promoting their own deals.

Britain’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco are selling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for £25 when bought with a £16.99, 2100 Microsoft points card, a £34 year long Xbox LIVE membership, or a £25 PSN Card.  Sainsbury’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 offer sees the game cost £28.99 when purchased with £30 or more shopping.

Like Tesco, Morrisons will sell Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for £25 when purchased with a 12 month Xbox Live membership which costs £34.99. ASDA sell Modern Warfare 3 for £38.97 with no deals.

HMV looks to be the retailer that’ll sell Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for the lowest price, with the game available for just £9.99 if you trade in Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3 or Goldeneye.

Meanwhile, GAME will be selling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for half-price when Gears of War 3, Dead Island, FIFA 12, Batman: Arkham City, Resistance 3, F1 2011, Forza 4, Dark Souls, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon,  or X-Men Destiny are traded in.

As reported by the Train2Game blog, developer Sledgehammer say Modern Warfare 3’s game design makes it the “most accessible Call of Duty yet”

Train2Game blog readers can get an in-depth insight into the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 here.

But what’s perhaps most interesting to Train2Game students is the fact that community created multiplayer modes, could find their way into the full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game.

So Train2Game, will you be purchasing Modern Warfare 3 tomorrow? Perhaps you’re attending a midnight launch? Is it still the biggest game of the year?

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

[Sources: MCV & CVG] 

Train2Game news: Insomniac Games reveal social games influencing their Triple A titles

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students will be well aware what impact social games have had on the industry, but their influence isn’t just limited to Facebook and other networking sites.

Insomniac Games, developer of the Ratchet & Clank series , formed social games division Insomiac Click earlier this year, and believe it’s already influencing their Triple A products.

“Things are changing every day in that space. I think that is what’s so exciting about dipping our toes into that particular ocean,” Insomniac Games CEO Ted Price told GameSpot.

“We are learning lessons that we probably wouldn’t have learned if we were purely focused on our console games.”

“I think it’s opening our eyes to the necessity of more social hooks. And when I say that, I mean more focus on community, more focus on sharing within and across games. These are big topics that we discuss frequently at Insomniac when it comes to looking to the future, and we want to make sure that we are not stuck in the traditional console development set of rules.”

There is no right way to do it,” he added. “That’s what is exciting about it.”

Regular Train2Game blog readers may remember that a number of Triple A developers and publishers are planning to integrate social aspects into their games. Activision believe social is the future for consoles, and are plotting a ‘methodical’ entry into the social games sector.

Meanwhile, the Train2Game blog has also reported that Bioware are exploring the ‘experimental’ social media and mobile markets.  Could big publishers such as EA and Activision therefore be influenced by social games?

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Triple A titles learning from social titles? Is it something that’s positive for the industry?

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

[Source: GameSpot]