Tag Archives: E3

Train2Game News: Etoo coming to London

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EtooNot making it to E3 this year? Fear not: London will be getting its own indie gaming alternative, which will coincide with the major LA-based gaming convention.

Taking place at the Loading Bar in Soho from June 10 – 13, the brilliantly named, EToo will feature over 30 game developers showing off their latest projects on big screen TVs around the venue. The event is being sponsored by PlayStation, with GameStick, the forthcoming Android console from British tech company PlayJam, as a partner sponsor.

Developers set to show off new titles at the event include New Star Games (with an unseen new build of New Star Soccer!), Hello Games (Joe Danger), Mediatonic (showing forthcoming title, Foul Play), Nyamyam Games (Tengami), Big Robot (Sir You Are Being Hunted), Simon Roth (Maia), Tom Francis (Gunpoint), Tiniest Shark (Redshirt), Alistair Aitcheson (Slamjet Stadium), Curves Studios and Projector Games (Fortress Craft). Capcom will also be in attendance, running playable demos of Lost Planet 3 and the new HD version of classic platformer Duck Tales. More mainstream publishers are to be announced.

As headline sponsor, PlayStation will be in attendance, with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us playable, as well as innovative platform adventure Rain and perhaps some surprise extras. David Wilson, Head of PR for PlayStation UK said, “PlayStation is pretty excited about EToo. As well as giving attendees the chance to witness our E3 conference live, there’ll be loads of time to get hands on with a range of awesome games from the blockbuster, The Last Of Us, to the small but beautifully formed Rain”

PlayJam will be showing off its innovative Android console, GameStick, set for launch in July. Sameer R. Baroova, head of games at PlayJam commented, “What better way to celebrate the most exciting week in gaming than to spend it playing awesome games, meeting developers and gamers, and discussing all things gaming. We are  excited to show off GameStick at EToo, and are very glad to be a part of it. Cheers to Keith and Georg for putting this together.”

“This started off with me sulking on Twitter about not being able to go to E3,” says co-organiser Keith Stuart, the games commissioning editor at The Guardian. “Game developer Georg Backer replied and said we should do our own event. It probably should have ended there, but somehow it didn’t. The next thing is, Jimmy Dance, the owner of Loading Bar in Soho, was offering to host it. It was sort of like one of those Hollywood musicals – ‘hey, let’s put a show on right here’. But with less dancing.

“We’re hugely grateful to Sony and PlayJam for covering the costs of this crazy endeavour so I don’t have to explain to my wife why I’ve spent most of our life savings on hiring video equipment.”

Developers will demo their latest games throughout the day, as well as taking part in mini-talks and maybe even workshops. During the evenings, the event will also be running a live-streamed TV show from one corner of the bar, presented by Keith Stuart, Georg Backer and co-hosts including Rock Paper Shotgun writer Cara Ellison. Streamed via a dedicated YouTube channel and set to be embedded on the Guardian site, the programme will include E3 news and trailers, as well as developer interviews. Several guest stars are set to appear, including famed GoldenEye designer Martin Hollis. Popular gaming radio show OneLifeLeft will also stage a takeover event and mini-disco. More details soon!

EToo takes place from June 10-13. The daily developer event is free to attend for the public, but anyone interested needs to pre-register. The evening livestream show, taking place between 7pm and midnight every night, will cost £6 to attend. This includes a free drink. Tickets and pre-registrations are available at http://etoolondon.eventbrite.com.

For more information and regular updates, head to the official website  www.etoolondon.com and follow us on twitter @etoolondon

Train2Game News: Xbox One Launch Games

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Xbox OneInstead of the normal news round up on a Friday I thought, with the announcement of the Xbox One I would do a round up of the games announced for the next generation machine.

First of is the one that everyone guessed, Call Of Duty: Ghosts. Published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, and developed by Infinity Ward, the studio that created the original Call of Duty and the seminal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series, Call of Duty: Ghosts ushers in the next generation of the franchise. The new title delivers a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation. Call of Duty: Ghosts releases globally on November 5, 2013. You can enjoy the trailer for the game here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4pqW0Mtc9c

For the war game fans that don’t enjoy the Call Of Duty series, Battlefield 4 was also announced. Developed by DICE, an EA owned Studio, the game will be availble this holiday series for Xbox One and PS4. Powered by the advanced Frostbite 3 engine, Battlefield 4 delivers a genre-defining all-out war experience brought to life with unmatched visual and audio fidelity, superior character animations and dynamic destruction that ensures no two matches are alike. Players that pre-order Battlefield 4 will receive the Battlefield 4 China Rising premium digital expansion pack at no additional cost. In this sprawling expansion, players fight for dominance across the vast and majestic Chinese mainland in four massive multiplayer maps, using all-new vehicles and high-tech military equipment. Separately, players that pre-order the Battlefield 4 Digital Deluxe exclusively on Origin will receive the base game, bonus in-game digital items, the Battlefield 4 China Rising digital expansion pack and access to the exclusive Battlefield 4 multiplayer beta. More information will be released on the game at E3 in June. You can view the trailer for the game here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y1PhCzUe2w

Electronic Arts Inc. announced that it has developed EA SPORTS IGNITE, a new game engine that will power EA SPORTS games on Xbox One and PS4. One of which being launched with the Xbox One is FIFA 14. Fuelled by EA SPORTS IGNITE, EA SPORTS games will be alive with players who think, move, and behave like real athletes and dynamic living worlds, transforming the way people play and experience games on next gen consoles. With the new engine players are alive with contextual awareness and instincts—thinking, anticipating, and reacting—just like real athletes, and players are conscious of their environment. In FIFA 14, a player’s sense of urgency increases as the match draws on and a goal is needed, rushing to take a free kick, corner, or goal-kick if time is running down. You can enjoy a trailer for the EA SPORTS IGNITE engine here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bexvqjJ9TD4

One of two new IP’s to launch with the Xbox One is the next project from Bungie, Destiny. In the game, you are a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth, able to wield incredible power and have to defend the City and the World. The game features an incredible story set within a newly-imagined, always-connected universe filled with action and adventure where you can create your character. You forge your legend by defeating powerful foes and earn unique, customizable weapons, gear, and vehicles. There is an unprecedented variety of FPS gameplay, including story, cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes combined with public and social activities. You can enjoy a sixty second trailer for the game here, http://www.youtube.com/embed/ChicpIzV5vM?rel=0

Finally, the second new IP to launch with the Xbox One is Quantum Break. Created by Remedy Entertainment, the game will feature live-action videos blended with regular gameplay. A Quantum Break television series is also in production, with Remedy stating that “how you play the game impacts the show, and the show informs how you play the game.” This is the same as how the Defiance game for PC is working. Remedy didn’t reveal more than this teaser trailer, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYcHyOo6AWU&feature=player_embedded You can look forward to more information at E3 on this game and, hopefully, many more.

Train2Game News: Games Industry News – 19.04.13

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Connor AdamsIt is the end of the week so it is time for the Train2Game end of week round up!

The first bit of news this weeks come with the release of Injustice: Gods Among Us, the new DC Universe fighting game. Train2Game student Connor Adams did some of the concept art for the game at the company he works at Atomhawk in Newcastle. Congratulations Connor! You can view some of his art work, which I highly suggest, in the following link: http://crayonmechanic.deviantart.com/

The Pokémon Company International recently revealed a mysterious new Pokémon that looks strangely familiar to Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo. Nintendo have now confirmed that this new Pokémon is connect to Mewtwo! How this connection will play out when Pokémon X and Pokémon Y launch in October is still to be confirmed. You can enjoy a short clip, that makes the connection clear, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tSVBVQzNMg&feature=player_embedded

Bethesda have recently uploaded a couple of six second long clips to the video sharing site, Vine. These little teaser clips had the internet buzzing about what could be coming. It has now been announced that it is the new game from Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami. Mikami’s studio Tango Gameworks will reveal ‘project Zwei’ via a debut trailer set for release at 5:00 a.m. Pacific / 8:00 a.m Eastern. Mikami has previously described Zwei as “a true survival horror” in which the player “confronts and overcomes fear”. Mikami has also said this will be his last game as director.

Activision social media manager Dan Amrich has said he expects 2013’s entry in the Call of Duty series, which is most likely going to be Modern Warfare 4, to be revealed no later than E3 in early June. Amrich noted that the last two Call of Duty games were revealed in May 2011 and May 2012. It has been rumoured that Microsoft are revealing their next Xbox on May 21 so it is likely the new COD will be announced around the same time.

Finally, Microsoft reports that Xbox Live now has around 46 million members worldwide. This, is according to the firm’s Earnings Release for FY13 Q3. It represents an 18 per cent increase from the prior year period. Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division posted revenue of $2.53 billion, an increase of 56 per cent from the prior year period. Microsoft sold 1.3 million Xbox 360s during the quarter, which is down 9 percent from the same period but it is still impressive that so many consoles are still being sold, even at the end of this generations cycle.

Train2Game News: PS4 and Xbox720 likely to be announced before E3

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PS and XboxTrain2Game has discovered that Microsoft and Sony may reveal their next generation of consoles prior to E3 which takes place in June.

Rumours published in the February edition of Game Informer suggests that both companies are working on a press conference that is to be held near the time of the Game Developers Conference in March.

Sources have confirmed that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 systems will be revealed before E3, though specific dates or events have not been finalised.

“We hear that both Sony and Microsoft are targeting special Apple-style press conferences to unveil their platforms near the Game Developers Conference in late March,” reads the Game Informer report.

“E3 in June may be the industry’s biggest event, but both companies want to give their systems their own limelight,” the piece adds.

Analyst Colin Sebastian of Baird Equity Research also suggested that the PS4 price and Xbox 720 price could be £225 to £275 if the prices are equal to the American predictions.

“Our checks suggest that next-generation console hardware will be largely built from ‘off the shelf’ high-end PC components, along with hybrid physical/digital distribution models, enhanced voice controls and motion sensing (Kinect integration with every Xbox), and broad multi-media capabilities,” Sebastian added.

“The cost of production and retail price points should be lower than prior console launches.”

Sebastian also estimated that the Xbox 720 release date is expected for November, while the PlayStation 4 release date may be later than November due to “early production issues”.

Train2Game News: Square Enix show off next-gen Final Fantasy tech demo

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Square Enix has used E3 to show off a tech demo of what will be powering their games on next-gen consoles, and it’s really quite impressive.

Agni’s Philosophy, the Final Fantasy real time tech demo gives us a glimpse at what Square Enix are developing behind the scenes with Luminous Studios.

“The Luminous Studio game engine aims to bring about greater productivity within game production teams, while simultaneously offering an environment to create games of fantastic quality,” said a statement from Square Enix.

“Furthermore, the Luminous Studio game engine is planned to support game consoles, PC, smartphones, and the web, encapsulating the many platforms of the next generation of quality”

Watch the Final Fantasy tech demo from Square Enix below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There’s more Square Enix news here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the Agni’s Philosophy tech demo? Does it make you more excited for next-gen consoles?

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

Train2Game News: Nintendo Wii U is the “Swiss army knife” of gaming

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E3 saw Nintendo reveal more about the Wii U, with one analyst dubbing the upcoming console the “Swiss army knife” of video games.

The one hour presentation saw Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime and Shigeru Miyamoto discuss how the tablet controller can be used in conjunction with the current Wii-remotes and how a “social window” allows new ways to play while allowing users to connect with others.

“For 30 years, game machines … couldn’t take on a more important role than the TV itself,” said Miyamoto  “We knew our next system was going to have its own dedicated screen even if it had to be small. We wanted it to be the first screen people went to when they went into the living room.”

Using the mini-monitor on the game pad was demonstrated by Pikmin 3 and how it uses it to monitor your strategy and the game world as you play through a TV, along with showing off a variety of other things the Wii U can do.

Nintendo has made the console a “Swiss Army knife” said P.J. McNealy of Digital World Research. “Nintendo has a history of creating hardware devices that it takes advantage of over time, whether it was voice commands, the touch panel, the accelerometer, or the gyroscope.”

As of yet there are no price or release date details for the Nintendo Wii U. Games shown for the console however include Nintendo Land, Pikmin 3 and a Wii U version of Batman: Arkham City.

What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Wii U? Do you have a clearer idea of what its about after the E3 presentation?

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


Train2Game News: Take-Two not worried about a lack of next-gen consoles at E3

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There’s no need to panic if no new console systems are shown off at E3 next week. In fact, an extended life cycle for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is good for game developers and publishers.

That’s the view of Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick in an interview with MCV.

“There is still ample opportunity in the market with the current generation, provided that you deliver the highest quality entertainment experiences – which we always aim to do,” he said.

“We’re seeing some evidence of an ageing console cycle, which generally is a good thing for a company with very high quality titles, like Take-Two.”

Games coming from Take-Two in the near future include Borderlands 2, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, BioShock Infinite and Grand Theft Auto V, the latter of which doesn’t have a release date as of yet.

“Hardware transitions historically have created both challenges and opportunities for third-party publishers. In order to succeed, it seems to me that any company needs: talent, tech, IP, and a strong balance sheet.” Zelnick continued.

“Take-Two has all four. As always, we’ll need to make triple-A titles that delight consumers. Frankly, our creative folks will be thrilled to have an opportunity to do just that.” he added.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news on next gen consoles.

What are your thoughts on the possibility of next-gen consoles not turning up at E3? Do you think their needed yet? Or are developers doing just fine with the current crop?

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

Train2Game news: No next-gen Xbox console reveal this year say Microsoft

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Kinect for Xbox 360 Train2Game blog imageTrain2Game students hoping for a new console reveal at E3 this year, especially a new Xbox, are seemingly out of luck, because Microsoft say they won’t be showing off next-generation hardware anytime soon.

“While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon.” said a Microsoft statement released to Kotaku.

“For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360-and it’s the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever-a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide.”

“Xbox 360 didn’t just outsell other consoles, it also outsold all other TV-connected devices like DVD players, as well as digital media receivers and home theatre systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention.”

The statement added that titles including Halo 4 point Xbox 360’s game release schedule being the “strongest ever.” You can get a look behind the scenes of Halo 4 in a developer diary, right here on the Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Microsoft statement? When do you think we’ll see the next generation of consoles arriving?

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

Train2Game news: Nintendo Wii U not a ‘transitional platform’

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EA’s Peter Moore doesn’t believe the Nintendo Wii U is a stop gap between current consoles and the next-generation of consoles.

As reported by the Train2Game blog, the Nintendo Wii was revealed at this year’s E3 conference.

“People will start talking about it being a transitional platform. And I don’t think that’s going to be the case, and here’s why,” EA COO Moore told Industry Gamers.

The Nintendo Wii U’s controller looks like a tablet computer, similar to the Apple iPad, but the EA man doesn’t think its’s an issue

“I think the controller [is huge]. This is not about specs anymore… In the early days of our industry, this stuff was absolutely about how much better the games looked… Now it’s about interfaces. Now it’s about building a community in a rich, powerful way.

“Nintendo’s job, quite frankly, is to build a better mousetrap with regards to the way that we use the controller. So I don’t know what Xbox and PlayStation’s plans for their next platforms are, but it’s not going to be hanging on graphic fidelity. I guarantee you that.”

Moore also added that Nintendo ‘totally gets’ the importance of online multiplayer to modern gamers. Many Train2Game students play games together, often organised through the Train2Game forum.

“It’s critically important to us and we are relieved, if anything else, that they have made a huge [online] commitment that they have presented to us,” Moore said.

“Online certainly was not a factor with the Wii, as you know; although they had capabilities, it just wasn’t there at the level that both Xbox Live and PlayStation had. But I think Nintendo totally gets that multiplayer, building community, co-op play, having the ability to bring games that are deeper – all of these things are now very important.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Nintendo believe gamers will love the Wii U.

So Train2Game, do you think the Wii U will rival the next generation of software? Or is it going to fall away once the next Sony and Microsoft consoles arrive?

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

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Kinect is ‘garbage’ and Game Design is what matters says Super Meat Boy dev

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Train2Game students may be split on the impact Kinect will have on the industry, but Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen hates it. Absolutely hates it with a passion.

Unfortunately for him, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect featured heavily in the Microsoft E3 presentation.

McMillen believes that more focus should be put on Game Design, rather than creating peripherals such as Kinect. He passionately believes it…in a very sweary fashion.

“Gameplay is what matters. Good game design” McMillen told Eurogamer.  “It’s almost as if they thought developers said ‘s**t, we’ve hit a wall and we can’t design fun games anymore, and can’t innovate through game design itself, we need all these crazy-ass peripherals that are going to help break through barriers and find new uncharted territory”

“No, just f***ing sit down and come up with a new genre. Chris Hecker came up with a new genre – Spy Party – so I guarantee other people can too. Minecraft – a creative MMO. And Katamari too. We don’t need peripherals.”

Speaking about Kinect specially, McMillen was just as ‘passionate’ in his views.

“That thing is a piece of garbage. There is absolutely nothing good for it. It’s a joke. It’s a f***ing joke. It doesn’t make any f***ing sense. It’s painful because they justify it by saying ‘a lot of people bought it’, but that’s just marketing.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect has been a success in that over 10 million units have been sold.

“I’m telling you, there’s not going to be anything for it that’s so compelling that 10 years from now you’ll tell your friends ‘wow, I really want to break out the Kinect and play this’. It’s just not going to happen.” McMillen said of Kinect games.

Microsoft have previously stated that all their future first party games will come with Kinect support.

“Buttons. Buttons and game pads. Just give me my f***ing game pad back.” He replied when asked what he wanted from the next generation of consoles.

So Train2Game, do you agree with the Super Meat Boy devs comments? Should the industry focus more on games then things like motion control?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]