Tag Archives: Game Design

Train2Game News Injustice 2

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injustice-2Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Injustice 2, the super-powered sequel to the hit game Injustice ™ : Gods Among Us.

The newest game in development from the award-winning NetherRealm Studios features a massive roster of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains and allows players to build and power up the ultimate version of their favourite DC characters.  Injustice™ 2 will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One in 2017.

The official Injustice™ 2 trailer can be viewed on the WB Games UK Youtube Channel at: https://youtu.be/nkQvTv_d-dA

“In Injustice™ 2, we are introducing new features that will change the way fans play fighting games,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios.  “We’re always interested in pushing the genre forward and allowing players to customise and level-up their favourite DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains is a significant leap.”

“Expanding the DC Universe in games continues to be one of our top priorities, and Injustice™ 2 showcases amazing gameplay and an original story to bring the characters to life for players,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “NetherRealm Studios is offering fans an experience of customising and battling with DC’s iconic characters in an entirely new way.”

Injustice™ 2 offers the latest DC fighting game experience that expands on the previous title’s larger-than-life showdowns.  Every battle defines you in a game where players personalise iconic DC characters with unique and powerful gear earned throughout the game.  For the first time gamers can take control of how their characters look, fight and develop across a variety of game modes.

Injustice™ 2 continues the epic cinematic story introduced in Injustice ™: Gods Among Us as Batman and his allies work towards putting the pieces of society back together while struggling against those who want to restore Superman’s regime.  In the midst of the chaos, a new threat appears that will put Earth’s existence at risk.  Players can play from the biggest DC roster ever offered in a fighting game, from classic fan favourites such as Batman, Superman, Supergirl and Aquaman, to astonishing new villains like Atrocitus and Gorilla Grodd.  Battles will take place across arenas that have evolved in scale and span across iconic locations such as Metropolis, Gotham City and Atlantis.

To celebrate the announcement of Injustice™ 2, fans who have downloaded the hugely successful Injustice ™: Gods Among Us mobile game can unlock the Injustice™ 2 versions of Superman and Aquaman through the in-game Challenge Modes.  Released in 2013 and developed from the ground up by NetherRealm Studios, the Injustice ™: Gods Among Us mobile game is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information or to join the Injustice 2 conversation, visit www.injustice.com

Train2Game News The first ever Game Marmalade spread thick with talent

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Game Marmalade

Game Marmalade a complete success in its initial year

Game Jam organised by Train2Game students had a spread of talented entries and some great games are coming out of the event.

This year saw the launch of Game Marmalade, the student organised Game Jam for Train2Game students. It was well attended and the games produced impressed event organisers. The next step in the process will be the judging.

The event was a great chance to meet new people and learn new skills. Organisers can’t wait to see the games finished that had such huge potential. There were four teams in total with three games produced for judging. The theme chosen at random was – The End Is Just The Beginning.

Some unfortunate drop outs meant team members had to adapt to new roles. Three out of four games were completed but the unfinished team are still working to finish its project. The attendees of the Jam are continuing to work on their titles or beginning new projects together.

The event was created and managed by Train2Game forum member Slinks. She was extremely happy with how the event went, especially with the games the students produced and the networking opportunities created.

The next step is the judging process, and then announcement of the winner. There’s potential for another Game Jam in the future but that’s not confirmed at this time.

Train2Game student and Game Marmalade organiser, Slinks: ‘Game Marmalade was an excellent success and from all the positive feedback I’ve had, everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt a great deal. It’s been very rewarding organising Game Marmalade and I’ve learned so much about putting an event like this together. Everyone who took part should be really proud of themselves and what they achieved and I’m sure we will see some awesome games being developed in the future.’

‘Before the event I asked my fellow students to send me their suggestions for a theme and received lots of great entries. The suggestions were put into a hat and I picked one out at the start of the event. The theme chosen at random was – The End Is Just The Beginning.’

‘There are so many awesome things which have come together as a result of Game Marmalade. Two studios have been formed so far who are either continuing to work on the games they entered, or work on future projects.’

‘More students are now in contact with each other, which was the ultimate aim of the event for me. My Teamspeak channel has grown which means we have a greater student to student support network. We’ve had the opportunity to get to know our Tutors, who are all awesome and gave up so much of their own time for the event. But I think the best thing was that everyone really enjoyed it, everyone who took part worked well together and everyone learned so much about game creation.’

‘Most of the teams are continuing to develop their games and are also working on future projects, so the positive energy generated by the event has certainly been good for getting things started and I’m very interested to see where everyone takes things from here.’

‘We had one team drop out and one developer who was unable to make it, but 3 out of the 4 teams managed to enter executable games. The team without a developer still worked really hard on producing all the assets needed for a full game and the artists did a really superb job.’

‘The designer of the team put in a colossal effort trying to learn how to program a game engine, with little previous knowledge and it’s a real shame he didn’t quite make it. However the team are determined to see this project through to the end and hope to put the game together over the next few months.’

‘The next event in the Game Marmalade calendar is the Judging. This will take place on Sunday 12th June in Teamspeak and there will be 5 judges giving us their marks and thoughts on each game. It should be a good evening with much discussion and we’ll find out which teams game has won.’

‘If I did it again, there are a few things I’d do differently to improve the event, but they are small changes which wouldn’t affect how the event ran, as it was pretty much a complete success. As to doing it again, I’m really not sure, my priority right now is working on my portfolio and passing the City and Guilds exam.’

‘There is still plenty of time to play the games and vote for your favourite on the website http://slinkydink68.wix.com/game-marmalade#!entries/zboej The Loonys are currently in the lead but it’s neck and neck with the Psyber Sprites. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Straw Poll and it’s been neck and neck between these 2 from the start, exciting stuff.’

For more information contact: mark@train2game.com

Train2Game, bringing City & Guilds to the Games Industry
Read the Train2Game blog at www.train2game-news.co.uk Train2Game is a proud supporter of www.gamatier.com

Train2Game News Twin Town SpecialEffect Challenge Success

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SpecialEffectOne hundred cars costing less than £500, laps around Silverstone and Abbeville circuits, a street party in Le Touquet plus lots of fun and games over the May bank holiday weekend, helped the Twin Town Challenge 2016 to raise over £250,000 for SpecialEffect.

The cars left Blenheim Palace on Friday 27th May and headed for Silverstone before crossing to France and on to Le Touquet, Witney’s twin town. During the weekend they undertook a series of fun challenges like blind driving, car boxing and car booty as well as a treasure hunt. There were also bonus points for the best-dressed car and team, which provided some amazing decorations and outfits from pink suited men, Christmas trees, Mexican bandits, golfers and shell fish.

On the Sunday night, French and English gathered together for a street party in Le Touquet with a live 10-piece band called The Village Idiots who had travelled from Stonesfield in Oxfordshire to play for Twin Town 16.

The welcome home party on Monday 31st May was hosted at Abbott Diabetes who provided a British bake off style tea with cakes made by the staff. Over half the cars were donated for auction at West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions in aid of the charity.

Twin Town is the brainchild of SpecialEffect Vice President Brendon Cross and is organised by a team of volunteers, over 50 of whom acted as marshals, fundraisers, minibus drivers, mechanics, scorers and generally managed the 500 people taking part in the event, both in the UK and in France.

Fundraising also included an online auction of money can’t buy prizes, bucket shakes in Le Touquet and donations from the teams, many of whom also held their own TTC16 events. Brendon said, “When we were planning Twin Town 16, we thought a target of £250,000 was quite ambitious, but with the amazing support of the Twin Town community, the teams and everyone involved with the event, we have not only reached this figure, but are likely to completely smash it.”

The money will be used by Charlbury based SpecialEffect to help more young people with disabilities to play computer games. Dr Mick Donegan, founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, commented, “The success of the amazing Twin Town Challenge 2016 has left the SpecialEffect team both stunned and humbled, not only by the remarkable funds raised but also from the feel-good factor generated by volunteers, sponsors and participants during a weekend that none of us will ever forget. We cannot thank Brendon and every single person involved enough for what they have done to help those who benefit from our life-changing work.”

Event sponsors included Playground Games, King.com, Sumo Digital, SEGA, Ghost Games and Turn 10. Teams from the games industry taking part included GAME, Gamer Network, Sumo Digital, Atomhawk, Green Man Gaming, Insight Studios, Playground Games, Hutch Games and Red Kite Games.

Train2Game News WWE 2k17 Pre Order Bonus

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WWE2k172K today announced that legendary WCW® and WWE® star Bill Goldberg will make his virtual return in WWE® 2K17, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE video game franchise.

Best known for his unprecedented 173-0 singles competition win streak in WCW from 1997 to 1998, Goldberg will appear in WWE 2K17 through two playable characters representing his WCW and WWE personas. The playable characters, along with two playable arenas – WCW Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc – will be available on launch day for those who pre-order the game at participating retailers for the PlayStation ® 4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, as well as Xbox One and Xbox 360. WWE 2K17 is currently scheduled for worldwide release in October 2016.

“After 12 years away from the business, I’m incredibly honoured to work with WWE and 2K while following in the footsteps of such greats as Ultimate Warrior, Sting and Arnold Schwarzenegger,” said Goldberg. “My son was a big part of this coming together, and I can’t wait for him to see his dad kicking ass in a WWE ring through the magic of video games. I encountered the likes of The Rock, Triple H, Brock Lesnar and Ric Flair during my WWE career, and now through WWE 2K17, I’ll be taking on the biggest and baddest Superstars of today – showing them once and for all that I am still ‘Da Man!’”

During his WCW and WWE career, Goldberg held several notable championships, including the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship alongside WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart. In 1998, as a result of his in-ring success and growing popularity, WCW began counting Goldberg’s consecutive wins on television. In addition, his popular catchphrase, “Who’s Next?” quickly caught on with fans and in part defined his career.
Following his WWE retirement in 2004, Goldberg appeared in a number of films, including The Longest Yard and Universal Soldier: The Return. He also remained a national television fixture, joining the ninth season cast of the popular NBC reality series, The Celebrity Apprentice, and serving as host of Garage Mahal for two seasons on DIY Network. In addition to his film and television endeavors, Goldberg served as a colour commentator for several mixed martial arts promotions and developed his own podcast, Who’s Next with Goldberg, via PodcastOne. Goldberg was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

“Goldberg’s return to WWE action through two WWE 2K17 playable characters, along with the WCW Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc arenas, collectively delivers a unique opportunity to experience one of WWE’s true living legends,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing at 2K. “Fans can now relive many of their favorite Goldberg moments, as well as create brand new ones, as they decide ‘Who’s Next?’ in the virtual ring.”

Developed collaboratively by Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, WWE 2K17 is not yet rated by PEGI. WWE 2K17 is currently scheduled for worldwide release on the PS4™ and PS3™ systems, Xbox One and Xbox 360 in October 2016.

Train2Game News Additional Pokémon Go Details

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wpid-pokemon_go_logo_rgb_900px_150ppi.pngThe Pokémon Company and Niantic, Inc., today revealed new details about their upcoming mobile release, Pokémon GO.

Pokémon GO will allow players to find and catch more than a hundred different Pokémon as they explore their surroundings. As players move through the world around them, their phones will vibrate to let them know a Pokémon is nearby. Once they have encountered a Pokémon, they can attempt to catch it by using the phone’s touch screen to throw a Poké Ball. Poké Balls and other special items can be found at PokéStops, which are located at interesting places such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments. During gameplay, Pokémon GO players will be encouraged to join one of three teams and engage in Gym battles with other teams. After joining a team, players will gain the ability to assign their Pokémon to Gyms. Like PokéStops, Gyms can be found at real locations in the world.

Battling is essential to any Pokémon game, and Pokémon GO is no different. Players can battle using the Pokémon they’ve caught to gain control of a Gym. By using their own Pokémon’s attacks and dodging incoming attacks by swiping left and right on the screen, Pokémon GO players can defeat the defending Pokémon to reduce the Gym’s Prestige. Once the Gym’s Prestige reaches zero, the defending team loses control of the Gym, and the victor’s Pokémon can be assigned to defend the Gym. When a team has control of a Gym, team members can increase its Prestige and level by training their Pokémon with other defending Pokémon. As the Gym gets to a higher level, the defending team gains the ability to assign more Pokémon to defend it. They can also team up with friends and battle together at a rival Gym to take down stronger Gyms faster.

In Pokémon GO, players will interact with the world through their in-game Trainer avatar. Fans can make their Trainer unique by customizing its appearance. They will be able to choose from a variety of different clothes and accessories to make their Trainer stand out from the rest. The customized Trainer image will appear on the map as the player moves around, as well as on the profile page. Trainer avatars will also appear in Gyms under their team’s control.

A portable device called the Pokémon GO Plus will enable Pokémon GO players to enjoy the game even while they’re not looking at their smartphones. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and notifies the player about events in the game—such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby—using an LED and vibration. In addition, players can catch Pokémon or perform other simple actions by pressing the button on the device.

Pokémon GO will be free to download on the App Store and Google Play. In-app purchases will be available for fans who would like to enhance their Pokémon GO experience. Players can purchase PokéCoins, the in-game currency of Pokémon GO. PokéCoins can be exchanged on the App Store and Google Play for power-ups and extra items.

With real-life surroundings providing a backdrop for encounters with wild Pokémon, this unique Pokémon game represents the next generation of Niantic’s “Real World” gaming platform, which combines mobile location technology and Augmented Reality to create a gaming experience that motivates players to go outside and explore the world around them. Because Pokémon GO is still in active development, features, available languages, design, and overall appearance are not finalized. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/.

Train2Game News Resonate festival Glasgow

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ResonateScotland’s newest and largest gaming festival, Resonate Total Gaming, is set to power its way into Glasgow for the first time this summer.

From 29–31 July 2016, the highly anticipated festival of eSports and gaming will take over the SECC offering an exciting range of programming to satisfy all ages. From the casual player to diehard gamer, there will be something for everyone so prepare to poise those gaming thumbs.

With eSports giants Gfinity, Versus Scotland and Xtreme Gaming on board, visitors will enjoy participating in exciting gaming tournament action with games including Halo, TrackMania, Street Fighter V and FIFA.

The ‘Bring Your Own Computer’ (BYOC) LAN area provides an inclusive gaming-focused environment for gamers who just want to game! Visitors can plug in their own kit and play pre-set games or catch some of the live action on screens around the Festival. The Resonate Game Jam hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University will also be held alongside the Festival and will see students create brand new games following a pre-set theme in just 48 hours.

Children aged 12 and under can enjoy the dedicated Resonate Juniors area designed with 110% Gaming. As an interactive zone, it will let kids ‘live the games’ while they learn tactics, compete and win prizes. From Super Mario to Temple Run and Minecraft to Lego – it’s all to play for as the kids let loose and explore their favourite characters and challenges.

There will also be the chance to meet YouTubers from Yogscast and Hat Films hosting signings, live Q&As and promotions, alongside the bespoke, custom-made Razer GamerBus that has unique on-site gaming facilities.

To top it all off, visitors will be able to get their hands on the latest kit and check out the Indie specialist showcase before heading to the purpose built MEGAbytes Café to relax, relive and enjoy retro arcade games while indulging in some Festival food and drink.

Set in a high-tempo, exciting environment, festival-goers will explore new, retro and indie games while competing alongside their peers on Scotland’s biggest gaming stage! They’ll also meet their favourite YouTube & broadcast champions plus the developers responsible for creating some of the world’s leading games.

Families and friends can spend hours, or days, playing their favourite games and meeting their gaming heroes. With both day and weekend tickets available it’s going to be a three-day celebration of all things gaming that will mark Glasgow and Scotland as a global leader in the gaming industry.

For more information and ticket bookings please visit www.resonatetotalgaming.com .

Train2Game News AppGameKit HTML5

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AppGameKitThe Game Creators today launched the AppGameKit HTML5 version – a significant release which adds yet another dimension to the already successful development engine.

Lee Bamber, CEO of The Game Creators, said, “HTML5 is the latest version of Hypertext Markup Language, the code that describes how web pages look and operate. More crucially, it’s the first version which fully supports native execution of 3D games content, which means no more plugins to install. With the new version of AppGameKit, you can now export your creations directly to HTML5 compatible files which can be run locally or uploaded to a server, allowing your users to play your apps and games instantly through their browser.

Thanks to the WebGL, a component of HTML5 technology, you can even run 3D games under hardware acceleration and optionally switch to full screen to create a smooth immersive experience for everyone.”

The Game Creators Development Director, Rick Vanner, said “Combined with a host of new commands, functional tweaks and bug fixes, version 2.0.19 continues to expand the AppGameKit universe with the capabilities you need to create awesome applications across multiple platforms.”

Towerbots (http://www.appgamekit.com/HTML5/Towerbots/Towerbots.html ) is a great example of an AppGameKit HTML5 game, produced by Blendman (www.dracaena-studio.com ).

The Game Creators used AppGameKit to develop Driving Test Success Theory, Hazard Perception and Highway Code apps for UK publisher Focus Multimedia, deploying them onto the App Store, Google Play, Amazon, Mac Store and Blackberry World – all from AppGameKit’s executable code. These Driving Test Success apps are now one of the UK’s #1 ‘Learning to Drive’ apps.

Train2Game News Insomnia58 Bank Holiday Weekend

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i58-central-key-art(dates)Insomnia58, organised by Multiplay (subsidiary of GAME Digital plc), is taking place over the bank holiday weekend, August 26-29 2016 at the NEC in Birmingham, and is set to be the largest gaming event of the summer.

Insomnia58 is to be the biggest and best Insomnia event to date, with the introduction of GAME Fest alongside the festival, showcasing the latest games and the most anticipated titles of the year. Insomnia58 will have more content, more stage shows, the biggest YouTube and Twitch stars, a greater retail experience, larger Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC) LAN Hall, and more Esports tournaments with larger prize pools than ever before. Insomnia Gaming Festival continues to expand and encapsulate everything that gaming culture has to offer, as it is now firmly positioned as the largest celebration of gaming in the UK.

Insomnia58 will see stars of YouTube and Twitch taking to the stage, such as the immensely popular TheSyndicateProject, who boasts an incredible 9.8 million subscribers on YouTube, as well as YouTube stars Sqaishey Quack, Bigbst4tz2 and ECKOSOLDIER. The Yogscast, one of the largest YouTube gaming groups, are coming out in force as special guests to Insomnia58, with personalities from Duncan, Hannah, Kim, and Lewis to Martyn, Sjin, Turps, Hat Films, and Caffcast. More content creators will be revealed in the build up to the event.

“We are gearing up to be what is will the most exciting and eventful Insomnia yet,” said Craig Fletcher, Founder and CEO of Multiplay. He continued, “We’re going bigger and better with the addition of GAME Fest, giving visitors more ‘first to play’ opportunities with some of the most anticipated games of the year and more exclusive content. We’ve the biggest YouTube stars as special guests at the largest UK gaming festival; we’ve also expanded on our already vast BYOC LAN Hall, various feature zones and Esports tournaments, meaning Insomnia58 is without a doubt the place to be this summer to celebrate all things gaming.”

Insomnia58 takes place August 26-29 at Birmingham’s NEC. Tickets will be available to purchase online at InsomniaGamingFestival.com/tickets and in store at GAME. For more information visit InsomniaGamingFestival.com.

Train2Game News Batman Return to Arkham

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Hit Videogames Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City  are being remastered Using Unreal Engine 4 and being bundled Into One Package.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Batman: Return to Arkham. The new title bundles Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, two of the most critically acclaimed videogames on the last generation of gaming consoles. Both are being remastered for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One using Unreal Engine 4, a first for the award winning Batman: Arkham series. Remastered by Virtuos, this set offers fans a chance to play the first two Batman: Arkham titles including all Game of the Year edition bonus and downloadable content from both games, now with improved graphics, as well as upgraded models, environments, lighting, effects and shaders. Batman: Return to Arkham will be available beginning July 29 for a suggested retail price of £39.99.

To watch the official Batman: Return to Arkham trailer, please visit the WB Games UK YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/pwViLw8ok1s.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is where it all began. Originally developed by Rocksteady Studios and released in 2009, the game pushed the envelope for action, adventure and super hero games and exposed players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure taking them to the depths of Arkham Asylum. Featuring an original story, gamers can move in the shadows, instill fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City’s most notorious villains, including Harley Quinn, Bane, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow, who have taken over the asylum.

Batman: Arkham City is Rocksteady Studios’ 2011 follow-up to Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring through the expansive Arkham City – the maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze and many others, the game allows players to experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight and deliver justice to those confined within Arkham City.

Batman: Return to Arkham is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license and is rated PEGI 16. Fans can visit http://Facebook.com/batmanarkham for more information about the game.

Train2Game News Free WoW with Warcraft Movie

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Warcraft MovieWhen the credits roll in the theater, a new adventure awaits at home—Blizzard Entertainment today announced an epic promotion that gives moviegoers a chance to continue the journey they began in Legendary Pictures’ Warcraft® movie.

In celebration of the film’s upcoming theatrical release (visit http://media.wow-europe.com/landing/wow/movie/ for European release dates), anyone who buys a ticket to see Warcraft from participating partners across Europe will receive a free digital copy of World of Warcraft®—the acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game played by millions of people worldwide.

“A whole new audience will experience the war between the Alliance and the Horde when the Warcraft movie hits theaters,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re excited to give moviegoers a chance to participate in that conflict firsthand and explore Azeroth for themselves after seeing it on the big screen.”

For a list of participating partners in Europe, visit here.

In addition, World of Warcraft players around the globe can celebrate the movie’s release by customizing their in-game weapons with four movie-inspired looks, including the ornate sword and shield carried by soldiers of the Alliance, a massive and menacing Horde axe, and the staff of the fel-twisted orc warlock Gul’dan. Players who log in to the game between May 25 and August 1 will automatically receive this free set of cosmetic gear to permanently add to their collection.

Find out more about World of Warcraft and this promotion at www.warcraft.com/movie .