Tag Archives: development

Train2Game News War Hospital Supporting Imperial War Museums

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Brave Lamb Studio, a member of the Movie Games family, has partnered with the UK’s Imperial War Museums on War Hospital, a game set in the realities of World War I.

War Hospital is a society survival game set in 1917, where the player takes on the role of Major Henry Wells, a British field medic who becomes the commander of a field hospital located in France, near the front lines.

His job is to manage a medical team, care for the wounded and develop medical technology in the face of limited resources and a deepening conflict. A unique aspect of the game is the triage – the segregation of the wounded based on the patient’s prognosis and personal history, highlighting the difficult choices frontline medics had to make. 

Imperial War Museums is a British organization that includes five branches dedicated to uncovering the causes, course and consequences of war, from the First World War through to present-day. Its experts will consult on the historical aspect of the game and act as advisors for the game developers. War Hospital is the first ever game to be Brand Licensed by Imperial War Museums.

“As a leading authority on 20th and 21st century conflicts, we will be working closely with the Brave Lamb Studio creative team to enhance the world depicted in the game. We are excited to help add realism to a game that depicts the realities of World War I in a way never seen before,”

David Fenton, Head of Retail & Admissions,
Imperial War Museums

“Imperial War Museums is a partner that delivers value in two dimensions. The first is historical accuracy – we are working with the best source of data on World War I, which we will certainly use. The second aspect is reaching out to all members of the history enthusiast community who recognize the Imperial War Museums brand in Europe. In doing so, it should be noted that we are the first game to be Brand Licensed by the IMW. I think this is a special honor for us,” 

Michał Dziwniel, producer and board member,
Brave Lamb Studio

War Hospital is heading to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X platforms.

For more details click here.

Train2Game News Buzz Capital Game Funding

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Buzz Capital is delighted to announce the successful completion of a second-round £500k equity raise for video games studio Dream Harvest and video games publisher Fundamentally Games.

Premiere Capital led the investment round, with support from the team at Buzz Capital.

The raise comes after trade body UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), in it’s annual UK Consumer Games Market Valuation, announced that the UK market for video games reached a record £7bn in 2020, an increase of +29.9% from 2019, beating 2018’s previous record by more than a billion pounds.

“Buzz Capital has again demonstrated its commitment to start-ups and the business sector through helping these exciting companies find the investment they need to scale. The games sector is one of the few industries to have made huge gains during Covid as more and more people embraced video games during the various lockdowns to pass the time and remain connected to friends and family. It’s an ambition we will continue building on over the coming months.” – Adam Betteridge, COO at Buzz Capital

Buzz Capital seeks to support businesses across a range of sectors by providing, simple and straightforward finance solutions. The team has many years of experience structuring bespoke financing arrangements, such as cash flowing facilities secured against tax credits and other receivables across all the creative industries, including film, video games, animation, theatre, as well as for research & development and property development.

  The first of the two investee companies, Dream Harvest, is an award-winning game studio building games that combine rich, deep narrative experiences and expansive, diverse worlds for players to get lost in with mechanics that drive genres in new directions.

“We’re thankful for the continued support from the team at Premiere and Buzz Capital who have been long term partners of Dream Harvest and who believe in the long-term vision we have for the studio; Building worlds filled with amazing characters and stories, told through games that push genres in new, bold directions and doing this with a community centric approach” – Justin French, CEO at Dream Harvest

The second investee, Fundamentally Games, is a video games publisher focused on living games. They offer LiveOps + Publishing + UA. Fundamentally Games started trading in 2019 and is run by Ella Romanos & Oscar Clark, who have industry experience spanning over 33 years.

“We’re thrilled that Buzz and Premiere have doubled down on its support of Fundamentally Games at these early stages of our journey, not only through our recent UA funding partnership for games we publish, but also now a second equity raise. We’ve made good progress over the last year and having a partner who believes in us and who is on that journey with us is something that any company would be lucky to have and demonstrates their commitment not just to us, but to the UK games industry too.” – Ella Romanos from Fundamentally Games

Train2Game News Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster

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SQUARE ENIX Ltd. today announced FINAL FANTASY I, II and III are coming to Steam® and mobile platforms on July 28.

The pixel remaster series brings all the magic of the originals combined with quality-of-life upgrades while staying faithful to the retro design of these masterpieces. Fans can look forward to enjoying a host of updates including:
 

  • Redrawn 2D pixel character and background graphics, featuring iconic FINAL FANTASY character pixel designs created by Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist and current collaborator.
  • Beautifully rearranged soundtracks, overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu.
  • Improved gameplay, including controller and touch controls, modernized UI, auto-battle options, and more.
  • Dive into the world of the game with supplemental extras like the bestiary, illustration gallery, music player, and the ability to save at any time

Looking back at the long history of the beloved series, the “Father of FINAL FANTASY” Hironobu Sakaguchi states,

“When working on the originals, I didn’t think that the FINAL FANTASY series would be remastered almost 35 years later. The video game industry had only just been established. So, with nobody else leading the way, we had to keep moving forward at the front line. I remember how we went through a lot of trial and error at that time. I’m very happy and grateful that Final Fantasy has continued for such a long period of time.”

FINAL FANTASY Brand Manager and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Producer Yoshinori Kitase adds,

“Every time a new Final Fantasy title is released, I think there are those who want to return to the origin of the series. This project began because we wanted to create a convenient way for fans and new players to enjoy these original classics, with consistent graphics and a unified user interface.”

Further, in regard to the renowned soundtrack of the FINAL FANTASY series, series composer Nobuo Uematsu also confirmed,

“We are rearranging all the music tracks this time. One of the first ideas I had was to make sure to stay faithful to the originals, but of course I couldn’t just leave it in the original 3-tone sound, so they have been built up into full-scale tracks. I have made sure that the original atmosphere has been retained and each can be listened to as separate music pieces, so that fans can enjoy.”

  Those who pre-purchase the titles on Steam® will receive two exclusive wallpapers, three music tracks, and 20% discount per each respective title. All six titles are also available for pre-purchase as the FINAL FANTASY I-VI Bundle for a further discount. More information on the bundle is available on Steam at: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/21478.

  *Games in bundle to be available upon respected release timings

View the FINAL FANTASY PIXEL REMASTER | Promotional Trailer at: https://youtu.be/XdLsIQEGj-E

Train2Game News Video Game Characters Reinagined As Female

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With only 18% of games releasing in 2020 with a female main character, and with female main characters noticeably lacking from the most popular releases of each year, DiamondLobby worked to reimagine how games could’ve looked if they opted for female protagonists instead of male.

Working with artist Hossein Kalantari, DiamondLobby created the designs to encourage diversity and to promote non-sexualized female characters. 

“Whilst male characters in games can often look rough and rugged, female characters are almost exclusively used as eye candy to please a predominantly male audience” said Brittney Lin, the brains behind the piece.

“We wanted to show that female characters can look great without being hyper-sexualized, and this is demonstrated no better than with our Master Chief redesign — that we dubbed ‘Madam Chief’ — who looks almost identical to her male counterpart.

“It only takes a quick Google search to see that when most people think of a female version of Master Chief, they think breasts, legs and more. But why? Master Chief wears full body armor. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if you’re wearing full body armor you’re going to look pretty similar on the outside,” Brittney added.

Each design was created to be in keeping with the original game’s aesthetic, but each character had the license to be unique. They aren’t just a female version of the male character, instead they’re their own women that share some common characteristics as their male counterparts. 

Luke Roberts, founder of DiamondLobby commented “Whilst this content is relatively lighthearted and easy to digest, it also highlights deep-rooted issues within gaming (and tech in general) and aims to encourage greater diversity both directly and subconsciously as the industry moves forward in the future.”

If you want to see the original article, you can visit https://diamondlobby.com/geeky-stuff/video-games-reimagined-with-female-protagonists/

Train2Game News Contra Returns

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Contra Returns, a new addition to the legendary KONAMI run-and-gun action franchise Contra, is available for pre-registration on mobile devices starting today.

Developed by TiMi Studio Group and KONAMI, Contra Returns will be bringing a fresh twist to the iconic retro arcade shooter. Players can pre-register on Google Play and the Apple Store today to gain exclusive rewards.

Contra Returns will be launching on July 26.

Contra Returns brings fans of the franchise an authentic new take on the Contra series, enhanced with all new graphics, gameplay upgrades, and more. New characters, storylines and customizable weapons allow players to unlock skills and conquer the battlefield with the same thrill of the arcade originals.

Contra Returns offers over 200 levels, new game modes including One Life Mode, 1v1, and 3v3 modes, player and equipment upgrades and customization, and more, creating the ultimate Contra experience!

For more information on Contra Returns, visit https://www.contrareturnsm.com/en/ and follow on Twitter @ContraReturns_

Train2Game News Final Fantasy XIV Teaming Up With Twitch

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SQUARE ENIX® is today launching a new programme with interactive livestreaming service, Twitch, to distribute a number of FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online in-game items.
 
From today until 24th August, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online players can get their hands on both the Heavenscracker in-game item and the Fat Black Chocobo in-game mount by making use of Twitch’s gift subscription service when select streamers are broadcasting their adventures in Eorzea.
 

The Fat Black Chocobo In-Game Mount

 
Viewers that gift one subscription in participating channels will receive 100 of the in-game Deluxe Heavenscracker items, while gifting four total subscriptions will grant them the Fat Black Chocobo Whistle, used to summon the in-game mount of the same name. Gifted subscriptions can be distributed in one channel or multiple channels, and the items can be received only once per Twitch account.
 
Participating streamers must be broadcasting FINAL FANTASY XIV Online at the time the gifted subscription is given. If the gifted subscription is given outside of a FINAL FANTASY XIV Online broadcast, it will not count towards the program.
 
Further details on the programme along with the full list of participating streamers can be found here: https://sqex.to/r6qAf
 
More details on Twitch’s gift subscription options, including pricing, can be found here: https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/gift-subscriptions?language=en_US
 

The Deluxe Heavenscracker In-Game Item

 The recently announced fourth expansion pack of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga, Endwalker, is scheduled to release 23rd November, 2021 for PC, Mac, the PlayStation®5 system, and the PlayStation®4 system. Endwalker is the culmination of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, in which Warriors of Light will encounter an even greater calamity than ever before, and will bring an abundance of new content, including multiple new jobs, an increased level cap, vast new areas, adjustments to the battle system, as well as a variety of new battle, crafter and gatherer content.
 
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker’s full trailer can be found here: https://youtu.be/I4uwkvxsUac
 

Visit the official FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker site here: https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/endwalker/

Train2Game News Legend of Mana Remastered Edition

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Square Enix Ltd., today announced that Legend of Mana™, the remastered edition of the fourth instalment in the Mana series is now available to play on modern consoles Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 console and STEAM®.

In Legend of Mana, players will embark on a journey to find the mystical Mana Tree seen in a dream, only to discover that the world map is empty. Throughout their adventure, they will acquire special artifacts, which can be placed on the map to bring towns and dungeons to life via the unique Land Creation system. Players can also capture eggs and hatch pet monsters to help with battles, and progress through the story in different ways based on the choices they make, offering a more personal and unique gameplay experience.

  Legend of Mana features remastered visuals and a rearrangement of selected songs from the beautiful soundtrack, including ‘Hometown of Domina’. Players will also be able alternate between the new and original soundtrack. The game also introduces the “Ring Ring Land” mini-game which will be available to the West for the first time. During their travels, players will encounter a colourful cast of characters, square off against fearsome monsters in real-time combat and explore the vast world of Fa’Diel, all while experiencing Legend of Mana’s timeless story.

  Legend of Mana is now available digitally for £24.99 on the Nintendo Switch™ system, the PlayStation®4 console and PC (STEAM®). Players who purchase Legend of Mana before July 23 will receive an early purchase reward, including ten avatars and a custom Legend of Mana theme on the PlayStation®4 console or Legend of Mana Wallpaper on PC (STEAM®).

For more information visit: https://square-enix-games.com/en_GB/games/legend-mana

Train2Game News Worms Rumble Launches

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Team17 has today completed docking procedures and launched Worms Rumble, the first real-time action instalment in the beloved, multi-award-winning Worms series, onto Nintendo Switch, Epic Games Store, and on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One (via the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass.

The release of the game, which first launched on PlayStation consoles and Steam for PC in November last year, will coincide with the availability of a brand-new and free arena – Spaceport Showdown – across all platforms.

  Enjoy ‘orbit’ of the new space-age Worms Rumble trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgNw0yqu7U&ab_channel=Team17 

  Set far above the stratosphere, the Spaceport Showdown features a new, randomly generated, low-gravity mechanic that slows the action down during battle and joins the existing available maps: Deadly Dockyard, Battlegrounds Bank, Missile Mall, Portal Park, and Transforming Towers. New extra-terrestrial premium skins, banners, and emotes will help acclimatise the weapon-toting annelids to their new surroundings. A free exclusive outfit, the Series Green Hoodie, will be available to Xbox players, while those on Nintendo Switch can enjoy the free Patchwork Bear outfit.

  Worms Rumble key features:

  • Fast-paced, arena action: Open fire in six varied arenas in up-to-32-player, real-time combat across five solo and team-based game modes, including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and the battle royale mode, Last Worm Standing
  • Take aim across the platforms: Take on friends, frenemies, and unfamiliars whatever the platform, with cross-play matchmaking
  • Make your Worm its own: Choose and unlock over 1000 options to full customise your worm, from outfits and hats, to eye colour and teeth shape; further personalise the weapons they wield with additional skins to unlock
  • Lock and load your arsenal: Crates across the arenas contain a host of weapons and items, including fan favourites like the Sheep Launcher, Holy Hand Grenade, and Grapple Gun.
  • Regular Lab events: The time-limited event Lab mode provides preset maps, weapons, and gameplay mechanics for players to master and unlock new skins

A physical release for Worms Rumble is coming to all console platforms on 13th July.

To keep up to date with all the information on Worms Rumble please like Team17 on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and join them on Discord.

Train2Game News D&D Dark Alliance

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Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, Inc (NASDAQ: HAS), is proud to announce that DARK ALLIANCE, the explosive four-player, co-op action brawler is now available for PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10 PC with Xbox Game Pass. Developed by Wizards of the Coast and Tuque Games, DARK ALLIANCE is the first Dungeons & Dragons video game published by Wizards of the Coast, and a new CGI trailer was released to celebrate the launch:

“Whenever I’m at the table playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends, I always anxiously await that moment in a scenario when the Dungeon Master says, ‘Roll for initiative’. That’s when you know things are about to get fun and interesting,” said Jeff Hattem, Studio Head at Tuque Games and Creative Director for DARK ALLIANCE. 

“We designed DARK ALLIANCE from those moments in D&D campaigns; our game puts combat at the center of the experience and we can’t for players to feel what it’s like to battle a Frost Giant up close and personal.”

Featuring real-time combat and dynamic co-op gameplay, Dark Alliance pits Drizzt Do’Urden and his legendary companions – Catti-brie, Bruenor, and Wulfgar – against some of the most iconic monsters from the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons. Frost Giants, Beholders, and White Dragons roam the frozen tundra of Icewind Dale in search of the Crystal Shard— and it’s up to the companions to muster the strength to stop them from claiming and using it to destroy their home. 

“Gathering a party and having fun with your friends is what Dungeons & Dragons is all about,” said Chris Cocks, President, Wizards of the Coast. “Launching DARK ALLIANCE today marks a big milestone for Wizards of the Coast, in that we’re opening up new ways for friends to experience D&D together whether they’re at the table or behind a screen.”

Dark Alliance is available digitally [$39.99 / £34.99 / € 39.99, DarkAlliance.com] and at retail, with an exclusive Steelbook® edition for $59.99 / £49.99 / €59.99 at select retailers. The Steelbook edition includes a Steelbook case, a printed art book, a downloadable Dungeons & Dragons soundtrack, a Beholder and Lich weapon set, and the forthcoming expansion “Echoes of the Blood War” which is set to release later this year.

Wizards of the Coast is making it easy to assemble your party. Players who purchase DARK ALLIANCE on PlayStation®4 will receive a free digital download code so that they can upgrade to the PlayStation®5, and vice versa. Players who preordered on Xbox One Consoles or Xbox Series X|S only must buy the game once and receive it on both platforms through Smart Delivery. DARK ALLIANCE is also available for Xbox Game Pass.

To learn more about DARK ALLIANCE and to watch the all-new CGI trailer, visit the official website at www.DarkAlliance.com.

Train2Game News An Introduction To Game Writing

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Steve Ince is proud to announce the release of his new book, An Introduction to Game Writing; a Workbook for Interactive Stories, which is now available.

With a foreword written by Stephen E. Dinehart IV, a renowned and respected writer and narrative designer, the book is primarily aimed at students aged 10 and upwards, but anyone curious about game writing and interactive stories will benefit from this introductory volume.

This book introduces the reader to the exciting nature of game writing in a step by step process that any person can pick up quickly.

Requiring no previous knowledge or outstanding English skills, the eager novice will learn to create interactive stories in next to no time.

Steve is an award-nominated writer and game designer with 28 years of development experience. After 11 years with Revolution Software, he turned freelance and has worked for a large variety of international clients. He speaks at conferences around the world, runs game writing workshops and wrote his first book, Writing for Video Games, a number of years ago.

The first steps of any journey are always the hardest, but An Introduction to Game Writing will help smooth the path.

The book can be ordered from your local bookshop or online book sellers as well as from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.