Train2Game News Faceware version 2.0

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Version 2.0 of Faceware Live is now available, adding new features and enhancing those of the original real-time facial animation product.

The tool, created by Faceware Technologies, was first announced at Siggraph 2013 and allows devs to track a performer’s face in retail and apply that capture data instantly to in-game models. It has been tested by several games developers, visual effects studios, broadcasters and advertising solutions.

New features include the ability to track multiple characters, capture data with high framerate cameras, and integrate the Faceware tools with Unity, enabling devs to check out their captured performance in the Unity editor.

The accuracy of the facial tracking has also been improved, capturing nearly 180 degrees of motions and 22 more facial points than the previous version. Calibration has also been streamline, taking between one and three seconds for any new performer.

“For the past 12 moths, we’ve been vetting Faceware live in a handful of studios, collecting feedback that has been invaluable in the evolution of the products,” said VP of business development Peter Busch.

“We’ve rolled much of that feedback into the product and are now ready to release Faceware Live 2.0 to any studio or content creator in need of real-time facial animation.”

Faceware Live 2.0 is available as a 30-day free trial on the firm’s website and will be demonstrated at next week’s Siggraph 2014.

Train2Game News Boss Key Productions

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Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski has opened a new studio named Boss Key Productions.

Bleszinski recently teased he was coming out of retirement, with the official announcement of the new company and its debut project due to be announced shortly.

As spotted by Polygon, documents filed to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State also list Guerrilla Games co-founder Arjan Brussee as the studio’s chief operating officer.

Another document filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office also suggests the developer will focus on online titles, referencing “downloadable multiplayer interactive computer game programs”.

Bleszinski left his former studio Epic Games in October 2012 after 20 years at the company.

Train2Game News: My Sea Park, a new mobile game with heavy Train2Game student input released worldwide

My Sea Park is a brand new mobile game that’s received heavy input from Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios and its available worldwide for iPhone and Ipad now.

Seven students worked on the iOS game, with Train2Game game designer Craig Moore serving as design lead.

My Sea Park lets players explore their creativity by building the biggest and best marine-themed amusement park in the world. The following Train2Game students also aided in development of My Sea Park, using skills learned on the developer, designer and art and animation courses.

Ben Collings – Art
Ezekiel Morris – Art
Jonny Robinson – Design
Matty Wyett-Simmonds – Art
Rudi Will – Design
Tim Woods – Programming

With more than 50 different attractions available, My Sea Park allows players to maintain and fill their parks with wonderful sea animals, rides, restaurants and other special items to entertain their guests.

In addition, My Sea Park allows players to completely customize their sea attractions with an abundance of decorations, cute animals and shows.

Watch the trailer below, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Like it? Then support fellow Train2Game students by downloading My Sea Park from the App Store now!

There’s more on My Sea Park here on The Train2Game Blog, while keep reading for the latest industry experience diaries from Train2Game students on placement at DR Studios.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Party games “important to the console market” says We Sing Rock dev

Train2Game students, or at least a large percentage of them, are likely to consider themselves hardcore gamers.

And while they get enjoyment out of playing the latest titles, it could possibly be difficult for those around them – parents, partners, children – to join in playing likes of Portal 2 or Minecraft.

It’s because of this party games like We Sing and We Dance are important to the console market. At least that’s according to Wired Productions Kevin Leathers, Senior Producer of We Sing Rock for Nintendo Wii.

“I think party games are quite important for consoles.” he told the Train2Game blog in a soon to be published interview.

“While it’s fun to play single player games – your RPGs, shooters, things like that – you do need something else every so often that everyone else can join into and this is what we try and do with our We Sing and We Dance range of games.”

“They’re games that everyone can play – everyone can pick up a Wii remote and start singing – and it’s just nice and easy and fun.” added Leathers.

The full Train2Game blog interview with We Sing Rock Senior Producer Kevin Leathers will be published tomorrow morning, and it should make interesting reading for Train2Game students.

What are your thoughts on Leathers comments?  Are party games important to consoles? Would you consider working on them?

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

Train2Game’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier interview with Ubisoft

Train2Game was at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from 17th August to 21st August. While there, we spoke to three members of the Ubisoft Ghost Recon: Future Soldier team. They were Game Director Eric Couzian, Lead Game Designer Roman Campos Oriola and Associate Producer Thomas Leroux-Hugon.

In an in-depth interview with Train2Game they discuss new game design features for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, taking co-op into account during game development and adding Kinect motion controls to the game.

They also reveal how they got into the games industry and suggest how Train2Game students can follow in their footsteps.

Read the Train2Game Ghost Recon: Future Soldier interview below,  here on the Train2Game blog.

Train2Game at Gamescom: Interview with Star Wars: The Old Republic Associate Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi

 

Train2Game was at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from 17th August to 21st August. We caught up with Star Wars: The Old Republic Associate Lead Game Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi to discuss a variety of subjects.

These include, tailoring game design for an MMO, keeping the narrative in check with the Star Wars universe, the importance of community testing and the reasons behind PvP sport Huttball.

Lusinchi also revealed how he started in the games industry and gave Train2Game students advice on how to get in. Read the full interview below, or listen to it on Train2Game Radio. Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game industry experience diaries: the latest from Georgij Cernysiov & Laurence Gee

Train2Game student  Georgij Cernysiov is on a Train2Game work placement at Caspian Learning, while Laurence Gee is also on a Train2Game industry experience placement.

Read their latest Train2Game industry experience diaries here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

 

Train2Game Facebook page hits 4000 fans

 

The official Train2Game Facebook page now has over 4000 fans, with this impressive milestone achieved over the weekend of 14 August.

The Train2Game Facebook page offers the 4000 fans regular updates about Train2Game, features interviews with students, work placements and offers a place for Train2Game students to see and discuss games industry news.

It features content from the Train2Game blog, the official Train2Game website and respected games industry websites around the web.

The 4000 Fan of the Train2Game Facebook fan page also offers a great hub of information for those wishing to enter the games industry.

In addition to the Train2Game forum, the Train2Game blog and the Train2Game Twitter, the Train2Game Facebook page will continue to offer the best content to Train2Game students, as it grows ever more popular.

Train2Game would like to thank every single FAN for their support.

Train2Game Game Developer Darren Price – Industry experience diary No. 7

Train2Game Game Designer Darren Price is on a Train2Game work placement at DR Studios. In his latest Train2Game industry experience diary, Darren writes about  coding during a sprint, and his time at the Develop Conference.

Read Jonny’s latest industry experience diary here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experiences website.