Tag Archives: developer

Train2Game News VS Social media

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Using only a smartphone and a VR headset, cross-platform network vTime allows users to meet and interact with people around the globe.

Networking with friends or alone, users are able to enjoy music, and share images, videos, and spherical media in rich virtual environments. From the majestic beauty of nature through to futuristic urban landscapes, vTime transforms the smartphone into a passport to the metaverse.

vTimers can personalise their experience by customising their avatar’s appearance, creating friends lists, and hosting virtual meet-ups.  Newcomers can quickly expand their social circle and immerse themselves in engaging conversations through vTime Search, which focuses on matching users based on interests and trending topics.

Friends without a headset can still be a part of the conversation by using mono mode – a 2D window into the vTime metaverse. Using a phone or tablet, spectators are able to view live public exchanges happening within vTime, or request an invite to view private chats.

“vTime takes complex technology and makes it simple, beautiful and accessible,” explains Starship CEO Martin Kenwright. “Connecting with friends, old or new, in a wealth of incredible environments couldn’t be easier – simply download the vTime app, put on the headset, and you’re away.

“VR will be huge, but surely biggest of all on mobile where there’s a massive, pre-installed user base. Unlike console and PC headsets, the barrier to entry for mobile VR is low. People are already carrying the devices that will propel VR forward in their pockets. It’s not just for the early adopters, VR is for everybody, and vTime brings social VR to virtually everyone, from virtually anywhere on virtually any device.”

The free and platform agnostic network will launch its open alpha to Android users in November. Compatible with multiple mobile headsets including Gear VR and Google Cardboard, Starship has opened a mailing list for those interested in being the first to experience the network.

Starship will reveal vTime to the press during Oculus Connect in LA in September.

Train2Game News Insomnia55 line up

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Multiplay, organiser of the UK’s largest and rapidly growing gaming festival Insomnia, is delighted to unveil the final line-up for Insomnia55.

Featuring the UK’s biggest line-up of eSports tournaments, live shows from Youtube’s biggest stars and the most anticipated games of 2015, Insomnia55 will be the biggest and best Insomnia festival to date at the Ricoh Arena from August 28th-31st.

Insomnia55 brings attendees closer to the action than ever before, with Microsoft’s stunning Gears of War: Ultimate Edition introducing the original Gears to a whole new audience, while longstanding fans of the 3rd person shooter will relish this remastered classic. Microsoft’s presence doesn’t end there; with Forza Motorsport 6 showcasing the racing enthusiast’s dream of high-octane thrills in some of the world’s most sought after cars.

Nintendo makes its Insomnia Gaming Festivals debut, where Fans of Splatoon can hone their skills in preparation for tournaments taking place throughout the weekend. Gamers with a creative streak can realise their vision with Super Mario Maker and fans excited to take control of Fox McCloud once again will be delighted with the addition of Star Fox Zero to Insomnia55’s exhibition floor.

Complementing Insomnia’s biggest ever games line-up which includes first plays of FIFA 16, HomeFront: The Revolution, Battleborn and Rock Band 4, Insomia55 also features some of the most loved Youtubers. From Yogscast, Lewis, Sjin, Duncan, Sips, Hannah, Martyn, Hat Films and Turps will be sharing some of their unique insight into gaming culture, while stars such as Syndicate and The Diamond Minecraft return after attending previous Insomnia festivals.

First-person shooter enthusiast Ali-A attends for the first time this year and The Sidemen return, featuring KSI, W2S, Vikkstar123, Behzinga, Zerkaa, Miniminter and TBJZL; bringing their unique sense of gaming-focused humour to the event. With Kwebbelkop, Slogoman, The Gaming Lemon and Jelly also attending, Insomnia55 will be the best place to see your favourite stars.

“We’re delighted to bring an amazing line-up of publishers and incredible games, playable for the first time to Insomnia55,” said Craig Fletcher, Founder and CEO of Multiplay. He continued, “With our already announced special guests, including the biggest stars of YouTube, and the UK’s biggest line-up of eSports tournaments, Insomnia55 has more content than ever before, offers more choice to our community, and invites new fans to experience the Insomnia Gaming Festivals for the first time.”

Insomnia55, powered by GAME, features more live ‘Lets Play’s’, more exhibition booth gaming, and more interactive gaming content than any Insomnia event to-date. Other regular returning features include the 24hr BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer / Console) LAN areas, the Minecraft zone, Panel Talks, the Indie Zone, the Retro Zone, the Tabletop Gaming Zone, and the burgeoning Retail zone.

The impressive growth of the Insomnia series sees Insomnia55 expand with four external Marquees raised to provide an additional 8000sqm space for the UK’s biggest and fastest growing gaming festival.

Insomnia55 takes place at the Ricoh Arena over Summer Bank Holiday weekend, Friday, August 28th to Monday, August 31st 2015. Tickets are currently on-sale and are available via  http://insomniagamingfestival.com/tickets/.

Train2Game News Keynote Speakers announced at EWIG

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Full programme includes new skill and vocational focussed workshops as part of the day at European Women in Games.

Katherine Bidwell, Co-Founder of State of Play Games and Andy Payne Chairman of Ukie are the Keynote Speakers at this year’s European Women in Games Conference which takes place on 2nd September at the University of Westminster.

Katherine Bidwell established the games company State of Play Games in 2008, and specialises in the development of hand-crafted games, often using pencils, papercraft and laser cutting to create game art. State of Play have developed beautiful award-winning creative games including the BAFTA and Develop winning puzzle adventure game Lumino City, which involved the creation of a miniature city out of paper and cardboard, including working lights and electric motors. She will be talking about the making of Lumino City and her career in the games industry.

Andy Payne, Chairman of Ukie, will be speaking to the conference about his views on the industry as a whole, women in games and the need to promote diversity on a wider scale.

For the first time this year’s conference will run a series of workshops giving delegates a choice of specialist subjects where they get to meet some of the acknowledged leaders of the industry to learn more about and debate a specialist subject. The topics range from the technical such as programming or localisation and testing to the more vocational. These vocational workshops will cover issues such as how to attract more girls on to university games courses, how to benefit from becoming a Video Games Ambassador speaking to schools and how to improve CV’s.

Jenny Richards, CEO of Women in Games WIGJ commented: “This year we wanted to give delegates the chance to do more than just listen to speakers. Meeting new people and developing a network is always an important part of the conference but there is the potential to do so much more. Nowadays there is more awareness of the gender imbalance in games and most people want to do more than just talk about the situation. The classrooms at the University of Westminster facilitate study and we expect learning to be part of the positive experience from attending this conference.”

This year’s European Women in Games Conference takes place on September 2nd at the Cavendish Campus of the University of Westminster in Central London, UK. You can see full details of the programme and speakers at http://www.ewigconf.com/ #ewigconf Tickets are still on sale.

Train2Game News A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming

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A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming includes everything you need to gain a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the modern era of the videogame industry, all in one book.

A year in the making, and benefiting from over 25 years of accumulated knowledge and insight, A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming is out and available now on Amazon, Kindle, and digital distribution service Gumroad.

Written by videogame industry professional Olivers Snyders, A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming includes a treasure trove of information on videogames, the people behind them, the industry surrounding them, the culture that nurtures them, important trends of today, and exciting technologies of the future.

Anyone new to this wonderful, weird, amazing, heart-warming, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring, and at times loathsome world will gain an immense understanding of who makes games, how they’re made, and which six major groups contribute to the growth and evolution of the industry, while learning about the eight major life cycles that a videogame must go through to become a product ready for fans to enjoy.

Even if you’ve been following videogames for years, A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming will help you to expand your appreciation of the industry with detailed, sub-surface answers to questions about what makes a game fun, successful, addictive, and even ‘great’ in the eyes of fans, while spotlighting important trends of today that will dramatically impact future innovations. The book also discusses how the world will react to new technologies, like virtual reality, and how new online services and a few young upstarts are slowly revolutionising how we play, buy, and discuss games in the future, leaving traditional publishers, developers, retailers, and press outlets to struggle to adapt and survive.

And just what are videogames, anyway? What are they today – for better or worse – and what does their potential allow for them to become? And how will the fans themselves radically affect the course of the industry over the next four years?

No matter your familiarity, if you’re curious to learn more about videogames, A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming contains everything you need to begin, continue, and enjoy that journey.

For more information, and to read a lengthy excerpt from the book regarding what makes a game ‘fun,’ visit the official A Gamer’s Guide to Gaming website:

www.AGamersGuideToGaming.com

Train2Game News Sheldon Gilmore in The Advertiser

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Train2Game student Sheldon Gilmore featured in local newspaper

Iron Man enthusiast interviewed in Herts Advertiser newspaper and online video

After originally appearing on the official Train2Game blog, Train2Game’s resident Iron Man has received a write up in his local paper and a video interview on the paper’s website.

Sheldon Gilman has featured many times on the Train2Game blog and even contributes regular blog updates charting his progress in creating awesome Cosplay. His local newspaper in Hertfordshire has now featured him in the newspaper in a story all about his cosplay ambitions and also interviewed him at his family home for the paper’s website.

Sheldon has been working with the Train2Game Communications team who are regularly charting his progress on the blog. The Train2Game team bought the story to the attention of The Herts Advertiser as part of Train2Game’s ongoing commitment to supporting students and their development as professionals in the video games and related industries.

If you would like to hear more about Sheldon and his progress creating the ultimate Iron Man suit, make sure to keep an eye on the Train2Game blog.

Read the full interview and watch the video here

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Train2Game, bringing City & Guilds to the Games Industry

Train2Game is a proud supporter of www.plasisgamesportal.com

Train2Game News UK Stand at Gamescom Immensely Popular

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UK stand at gamescom expo generates £31m in potential business for exhibitors at Ukie’s most successful event to date

Ukie’s royal stand at the gamescom expo in August has achieved a record £31m potential business for UK games businesses and attracted over 2,500 visitors, making it the games trade network’s most successful since they started running the UK stand in 2012.

The UK was also the official country partner for this year’s expo, further raising the profile of the UK’s games and interactive entertainment sector to an international audience. Fittingly, the stand this year was the biggest that Ukie has ever had at gamescom, with 60 companies represented on the stand during the three day event.

Ukie held networking events on the stand, with a drinks reception sponsored by Multiplay and Dovetail Games, and a second networking event sponsored by UKTI Germany and UKTI Korea. Visitors to the stand topped another Ukie high, with over 2,500 people visiting, including investors, overseas platforms, VIPs and international press.

The Royal Box presentation area was a new addition to the stand, and was used by companies to showcase new games, host press announcements, and deliver industry insider seminars, covering a range of subjects including UK tax credits, investments, and a talk from Women in Games. 

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, said, “We are always proud to represent the community of UK games companies at gamescom, and to do so this year as the official country partner made it an even better opportunity to promote the fantastic work that is being done in the UK. The size and buzz of this year’s stand is a real testament to the growth that we are seeing in the sector and being able to bring these businesses to a global audience is something that Ukie is really honoured to do every year. We look forward to making 2016 even bigger and better than this year’s brilliant achievement.”

The stand also saw the return of the UK Game of the Show Award, sponsored by Green Man Gaming, which was awarded to Robo Pixel Games’ upcoming release Gunnihilation. James Batten, Art Director at Robo Pixel Games, said “We’re thrilled and amazed Gunnihilation won UK Game of the Show, there are so many other amazing projects going on out there – we’re in disbelief! Thanks so much to everyone in, on and around Ukie at gamescom 2015!’

The Ukie staff on the stand were once again joined by three student helpers, who were sponsored to attend the expo as part of the Ukie Student Membership Scheme. The students were selected as part of the programme’s sponsorship award to get the next generation of games talent attending relevant games events.

Train2Game News Pokkén Tournament worldwide release

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The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo today announced the upcoming release of Pokkén Tournament for Nintendo’s Wii U.

Currently an arcade game available only in Japan, Pokkén Tournament for Wii U will be released worldwide in spring 2016.

Developed in collaboration with BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., producers of TEKKEN®, one of the most successful fighting-game franchises in history, Pokkén Tournament brings Pokémon to life in a way never before seen, where Pokémon in battle move in direct response to the player’s actions. The intuitive controls make this fighting game accessible to players of all skill levels, and the stunning visuals emphasise the size and power of each Pokémon.

“Pokkén Tournament combines the best elements of a traditional fighting game with an authentic Pokémon experience,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “Fans will be thrilled to see their favourite Pokémon battle in a whole new way.”

For more information, please visit: http://pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-video-games/pokken-tournament/

Train2Game News IndieDevKit launched

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IndieDevKit, an online destination offering expert guidance to self-publishing video game developers, launches today.

Founded by Leonie Manshanden, owner of SouthPaw Strategy, former VP of Irrational Games and Tim Ponting, owner of agency Renegade PR, the website provides downloadable guides on a variety of marketing and operations subjects, priced between $5.00 and $15.00. Additional tools include interactive wizards with a ‘pay-what-you-want’ donation model, plus resource listings to help developers save time hunting down the same information. For teams that require hands-on support, the site offers a variety of highly competitive and transparently costed services, but for studios on a tight budget, IndieDevKit is designed expressly to help developers to help themselves.

“My co-founder Tim and I have been manning the frontline for well over 200 game launches,” explains Leonie Manshanden, CEO. “We created IndieDevKit because we passionately believe no one should have to rely on anecdotal information to make critical decisions for their studio or game launch. After watching people make the same mistakes over and over again because they could not afford help, we wanted to make our experience accessible to all studios, even those who are bootstrapping.”

Topics covered by the site range from operational guides on Legal Basics to specific marketing and communication documents such as Anatomy of a Modern Press Release. Alongside this are a set of interactive tools, for example a Budget Wizard designed to help studios get started, as well as resources such as a vendor directory for commonly needed support services. More material and iterations on the existing offerings will be added over time. All IndieDevKit’s materials have been carefully crafted by the founders and vetted by other experts, developers and official data sources.

Train2game News Curse Voice success with gamers

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Online gaming is a constant struggle in innovation and finding new ways to make a game successful and build a thriving community around any title is hard work.

Curse wanted to discover not only what players wanted from a VOIP service but what helps build a stronger community for the gamers that spend so much time trying to make the most from their time online. In a survey of 1,001 gamers, Curse has discovered that VoIP does in fact improve the online gaming experience.

Voice Communication and Gaming Go Hand-in-hand
·         78% play video games more than 10 hours a week.
·         100% use  some type of voice communication.
·         64% sometimes used voice, while 36% always used voice communication.

Players “Enjoy the Game” More When Using Voice Communication
·         90% played 2 or more PC games with the majority focusing on 2-4 different games.
·         48% use a voice communication service over 50% of the time while gaming.
·         72% had a more enjoyable experience in-game when using voice communication services.

Voice Communication Makes A Game’s Playerbase Stronger, More Engaged and More Positive
·         67% play more frequently when using a voice communication service.
·         74% experienced longer and more successful sessions when using voice communication.
·         70% had more positive game experiences when using voice communication and would prefer using a standardized service through the games in which they play.

Gamers Crave Great Features From Their VoIP
·         70% choose their communication software based on its Features and Performance. 
·         Free to use, Friends list and Friends Sync were also considered very important features in choosing a VoIP service for online gaming.

This data is based on a survey conducted by Curse.com. The sample consisted of 1,001 people to give an accurate representation of the VoIP market. The survey questionnaire was written by Curse.com and administered through Survata.com. A small, +/- 4% margin of error is accounted for within all results.

Train2game News Hansoft Team Helper Updated

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Hansoft, award-winning tool for agile team collaboration and management, releases Hansoft Enterprise 9.0.

The latest release comes with a new UI which allows for even smoother team collaboration. Hansoft 9 makes it easier for both managers and team members to understand and participate in large and small projects thanks to better contextualization and clearer visuals.

“We have had some customers running their agile portfolio, program, and project management in Hansoft but who had their issue tickets in other tools. The improved capabilities now makes it easy for these teams to migrate also their defect tracking process to Hansoft to help them minimize technical debt,” said Patric Palm, Hansoft Chair and CEO.

In a blog post today, he also talked roadmap forward for the company.

“We have gathered a large amount of great feedback from our community of users for smaller improvements. One small improvement can mean a lot for the person who really wants it and all those small improvements together makes a big difference for everyone. We recognize the need to focus on putting all this input into action.”

In the blog post Patric Palm also announced that Hansoft will be moving into a new headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, by the end of the year.