Tag Archives: Call of Duty

Train2Game News: Mid-week round up – 31.10.11

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Possibly the biggest news this week is that Disney has purchased LucasArts for $4.05 billion. In doing so Disney now has the rights to everything in the Star Wars vaults. The plan is to release Star Wars episode VII in a couple of years time. LucasArts also makes some of the games in the Star Wars universe so this could mean changes in future games from the company. We will have to wait and see.

Grand Theft Auto V has finally had a release date confirmed. The highly anticipated fifth part of the saga will be coming to PS3 and Xbox360 in Spring 2013. There has been no mention of a PC release as of yet but it is common for Rockstar to release their PC versions several months later.

Another release date has been announced this time for Peter Molyneux’s Curiosity: What’s inside the cube. The release date has been given as November 7 for iOS and Android. The app will be free to download and play.

One of my most favourite games of this year is Borderlands 2 and it has just surpassed five million sales. The sales include retail and digital sales. Take-Two said it has become “one of the most successful releases in [subsidiary] 2K’s history”. In addition Borderlands Legends has been released for iOS today.

The Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 trailer hit the world on Monday. The trailer was directed by Guy Ritchie and has a cameo from Robert Downey Jr. You can watch the trailer here.

Kickstarter, the most popular vehicle for crowdfunding games development projects, is now available in the UK. Previously UK-based developers could only pledge, but not create projects, now they can seek funding on the platform.

A sequel to the terrifying Amnesia: Dark Descent has been announced with a creepy trailer to get you in the Halloween spirit. Frictional games have always asked for fans to record screams, whimpers and blood curdling shrieks to be put in to the game. You can email your screams to piggies@thechineseroom.co.uk. The trailer can be seen here.

Lastly in more worrying news the terrible storm, Hurricane Sandy, that has hit the US has knocked out Activisions data centers and shut down online play for a number of games including Call Of Duty and Guitar Hero. My best wishes go out to all those affected by the storm.

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 – 15.10.12

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On Monday mornings I will now be posting the top 20 UK games chart from UKIE to keep you all updated.

 
Dishonored has come in as the highest new IP this year at number 2 but nothing can knock FIFA off the top spot for the third week running. It is interesting to see that Skyrim and Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are still in the top 20.

Week ending 13 October 2012

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 –  FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 1
2   DISHONORED BETHESDA SOFTWORKS –
3   POKEMON BLACK VERSION 2 NINTENDO –
4 RESIDENT EVIL 6 CAPCOM 2
5   POKEMON WHITE VERSION 2 NINTENDO –
6 JUST DANCE 4 UBISOFT 4
7   XCOM: ENEMY UNKNOWN 2K GAMES –
8 BORDERLANDS 2 2K GAMES 3
9 F1 2012 CODEMASTERS 5
10 THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 8
11 SLEEPING DOGS SQUARE ENIX 10
12 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2013 KONAMI 9
13 FORZA MOTORSPORT 4 MICROSOFT 11
14 ROCKSMITH UBISOFT 7
15 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 NINTENDO 12
16 GRAN TURISMO 5 ACADEMY EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 13
17   CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3 ACTIVISION –
18 NBA 2K13 2K SPORTS 6
19 LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 14
20 DEAD ISLAND GOTY EDITION DEEP SILVER 16

 

Train2Game News: Mid-week round up

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Blizzard Entertainment released Mists Of Pandaria yesterday. The latest expansion for World Of Warcraft. Blizzard have also said that they have no fear of Windows 8 and will release games for any platform their players are on.

Avenged Sevenfold have released a new track that will feature on Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2. The song, Carry On, is the second song the band have released for a Call Of Duty game. They previously released Not Ready To Die with one of the Call Of Duty: Black Ops DLC packs.

Telltale’s five Walking Dead episodic games will be put on disc in December for Xbox360 and PS3. The game is based on the graphic novel turned TV show and through playing them myself I can say, if you are a fan of the series, play this game. You won’t be disappointed.

Nvidia’s head of cloud gaming, Phil Eisler, believes that cloud gaming could take over from consoles. He believes that consoles have one final generation in them before they die out, leaving the world of gaming in the hands of the cloud.

Ubisoft have announced that Assassins Creed 3 will not play on Windows XP. The company has released the specifications needed to play the game. There is a version for Windows 8 in the pipeline though.

Bethesda have released an animated prequel to its upcoming Dishonored. The webseries is called Tales of Dunwall and the gorgeous animated shorts are being released in three parts. The videos can be found on YouTube and they show the downfall of the in game city.

Sony Xdev are giving a small studio the opportunity to win £25,000. This new initiative, called Playstation Pioneers, will reward developers for a PlayStation Mobile game concept and will also offer successful candidates the opportunity to work alongside XDev. Further details can be found here.

An extra four titles have been added to the Humble Bundle 6. The titles are: Bit.Trip Runner, Gratuitous Space Battles, Jamestown, and Wizorb. If you have already purchased the bundle, you will get the new games added at no extra cost.

If you are attending Eurogamer this weekend you can get a special surprise when you play Company Of Heroes 2. Everyone that plays the game or attends the developer session at the event will get a code to access a future beta for the game.

Finally Train2Game will be at Eurogamer this weekend. If you are attending go and say hello, it is always nice to meet these people. I will be attending on the Saturday so if you see me feel free to talk to me. I hope everyone that attends has a brilliant time.

Train2Game News: Black Ops II’s story “is better than most movies” says writer David S. Goyer

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Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s story is better than that of many films. That’s according to game writer David S. Goyer – co-author of The Dark Knight Rises – speaking in a brand new behind the scenes video from Treyarch and Activision.

“Even though it’s a first person shooter, it’s got to be sophisticated, it’s got to be funny, it’s got to be challenging and it’s got to have twists and turns. In the case of Black Ops, I would argue the story is better than most movies that are being made” said Goyer.

The video also features Award-winning composer of The Social Network Trent Reznor discussing providing the score for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, while Studio Head Mark Lamia and game director Mark Anthony discuss the relationship between movies, music and games.

Watch Behind the Scenes with Trent Reznor & David S. Goyer – Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There’s more Call of Duty: Black Ops II news here on The Train2Game Blog, including a previous behind the scenes video preview.  Be sure to keep reading for more insights from developer diaries.

What are your thoughts on the high-profile team working on Black Ops II? Could it really have a story that’s better than films?

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

Train2Game News: UK studio developing Call of Duty mobile titles

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Call of Duty games are being developed in the UK. That’s according to UKIE Chairman Andy Payne who revealed iOS and handheld versions of the popular shooter are being produced by Activision Leeds.

“Activision are like a machine. I have to be careful what I say about these guys because I know them so well and they’ll cane me.” he told VideoGamer.

“But Activision are a machine. They’re very good, and you know what, what people don’t realise with Activision is, the two studios working on the Call of Duty franchise are collaborative studios. That’s unheard of. All the assets are reusable, so they’re not wasting time.”

“The two studios are saying, ‘I need a tank, pull it off from the library’. And those assets are also going to be starting to be used by the mobile team, which is going to be based in Leeds.”

“They [kind of always wanted to get the Rockstar team,” Payne continued , adding that Britain is ahead of the curve when it comes to mobile development.

“They wanted some of the Rockstar guys, yeah. Well it’s smart, because Britain’s pretty ahead in mobile programming. We’re pretty good at it. Yet again, we’re good at it but we don’t talk about it too much because we’re British.” he said.

There’s more Call of Duty news here on The Train2Game Blog, while be sure to keep reading for the latest from Activision.

What are your thoughts on Call of Duty being developed in the UK? Do you think it’s a good sign for the industry?

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

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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 doesn’t need a new engine say Treyarch

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Train2Game students are very likely to have seen the official Call of Duty: Black Ops II announcement earlier this month, along with the accompanying trailer.

Eagle eyed viewers will have noticed the in-game engine looks similar to that of previous games, but Treyarch’s Mark Lamia has dismissed the need for a new one in order to improve visuals for Black Ops II.

“People always ask me, “Is this a new engine?” I liken it to people who live in an older house that has been remodelled.” he told One of Swords.

“Just because you’re remodelling the house and it will look new or it will have a new kitchen, you don’t tear out the foundation, or break out some of the framing. You might even go as hardcore as replacing the plumbing, and we will do that sort of thing, as an analogy.”

“It’s a gross simplification, but it’s one way to say that. There’s a lot of good still in that foundation that you wouldn’t get rid of and we don’t. We look to advance in the areas that support our game design.” he said.

Lamia continued to say that the engine doesn’t need to be altered if there aren’t any changes that need to me made.

“Engines, each time they get touched, they change. The creators alter them; they don’t modify what they don’t need to, and then they alter what they need to. You can’t make a competitive product if you’re not upgrading that engine along the way.”

“I think the whole thing about a new engine…sometimes that’s a great buzzword. Well, I have a new graphics engine — is that a new engine? Where does it start and stop? Elements of the code, you can trace back for a very very long time…but whole parts of the code are entirely new. Two areas we did focus on for this game were the graphics and the lighting — a pretty significant amount of work is going into that.” he added.

You can listen to the full 40 minute One of Swords interview with Treyarch’s Mark Lamia here.

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

What are your thoughts on the Call of Duty: Black Ops II engine? Do you think it could do with an upgrade?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Sniper Elite V2 takes No.1

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Train2Game students see Sniper Elite V2 by Oxford based studio Rebellion topping the charts in its first week on sale.  Get an insight into how the sniping based shooter was made in a developer diary here on The Train2Game Blog.

Last week’s No.1 Prototype 2 drops to No.2, with FIFA 12 once again a non-mover at No.3. FIFA Street drops two to No.4, while fellow EA title Mass Effect 3 slips one to No.5.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 moves up one to No.6, leapfrogging Kinect Star Wars which drops two to No.7. Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games moves up to No.8, switching positions with Battlefield 3 which is No.9.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 completes the top ten, after re-entering it from No.14. As reported by The Train2Game Blog, the next instalment in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops II was announced last week.

Saints Row The Third and The Witcher 2 leave the top ten, falling to No.13 and No.16 respectively.  The PlayStation Vita version of Mortal Kombat only manages to reach No.33 in its debut week.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 5th May is therefore as follows:

1. Sniper Elite V2 (505 Games)
2. Prototype 2 (Activision)
3. FIFA 12 (EA)
4. FIFA Street (EA)
5. Mass Effect 3 (EA)
6. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (EA)
7. Kinect Star Wars (Microsoft)
8. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Sega)
9. Battlefield 3 (EA)
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)

Releases this week include StarHawk for PlayStation 3.

What are your thoughts on Sniper Elite V2 taking No.1? Have you played the game? And which title do you think will top the charts next week?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – SSX is No.1

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Train2Game students see SSX reach the summit of the UK Charts in its first week on sale. The snowboarding title from EA Sports is the first in the SSX series to reach No.1, with a previous best of No.3 with SSX 3 all the way back in 2003.

EA Sports also take No.2, FIFA 12 climbing up the table once again. Mario Party 9 for the Nintendo Wii debuts at No.3, and sits one spot ahead of last week’s No.1, Uncharted: Golden Abyss for PlayStation Vita which drops to No.4. Mario appears for a second time in the top five, after Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games moves up one.

Former No.1 UFC 3 drops to No.6, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues to bounce around the top ten, this week moving up one spot to No.7.  EA Sports’ PlayStation Vita title FIFA Football drops to No.8, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations re-enters the top ten at No.9, while Battlefield 3 slips to No.10.

Syndicate, Rayman: Origins and recent chart topper Final Fantasy XIII-2 are among those games to drop out of the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 3rd March 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. SSX (EA)
2. FIFA 12 (EA)
3. Mario Party 9 (Nintendo)
4. Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Sony)
5. Mario & Sonic and the London 2012 Olympic Games (Sega)
6. UFC Undisputed 3 (THQ)
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
8. FIFA Football (EA)
9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
10. Battlefield 3 (EA)

New releases this week include Street Fighter X Tekken and something called Mass Effect 3.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on SSX taking top spot? Played any of this week’s new releases? And will Mass Effect 3 be No.1 next week?

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

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Revelations aplenty as FIFA 12 continues dominance

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Train2Game students see FIFA 12 once again claim top spot in of the UK charts, marking the EA Sports title’s sixth consecutive No.1 and eighth overall.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, FIFA 12 was the UK’s third biggest ever video game launch when it was released last year.

The rest of the top five sees regular titles shifting places with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 up two to No.2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Just Dance 3 down one spot each to No. 3 and No.4 respectively, while EA’s Battlefield 3 is a non-mover at No.5.

Capcom’s Resident Evil: Revelations for the Nintendo 3DS is a new entry at No.6, and the first new release of 2012 to make it into the top 40. Resident Evil: Revelations success makes it the seventh largest launch of the Nintendo 3DS so far.

Both Zumba Fitness titles slip with Zumba Fitness down one to No.7, while Zumba Fitness 2 drops two to No.10. Between them sit Saints Row: The Third at No.8, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations re-enters the top ten to take No.9.

RAGE and Rayman Origins both slip out the top ten to No.11 and No.12 respectively. However, Train2Game students can still read an interview with RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits here on the Train2Game Blog.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 28th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

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

The first week of February marks the first week of the year for big new releases, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Soulcalibur V and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection all hitting the shelves this week.

So Train2Game, what do you make of FIFA 12’s continued dominance of the UK Charts? Will one of this week’s new releases become the new No.1 next week? And are you looking forward to any of them?

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

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