Tag Archives: Game Development

Train2Game News BlizzCon from home

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BlizzconGrab your most comfortable chair and invite a few friends over to join Blizzard Entertainment’s epic gaming convention from home with the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, now available to order at www.blizzcon.com.

The BlizzCon Virtual Ticket provides comprehensive live online HD coverage of Blizzard’s Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo community celebration, taking place November 7 and 8 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Available for £ 24.99, the Virtual Ticket grants access to two exclusive channels of BlizzCon content on both days of the show, making it the next best thing to being there live. The BlizzCon 2014 Virtual Ticket includes:

Developer Panels & Exclusive Interviews Get the latest World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm news straight from the developers, and witness all of the epic moments as they happen live from the Main and Panel stages. In between, dig deeper into your favorite games in exclusive one-on-one interviews with Blizzard Entertainment designers, artists, and producers.

Community Contests—Hosted by Chris Hardwick Witness the spectacle of the legendary BlizzCon Costume Contest and Talent Contest on Friday night. This year’s festivities will be emceed by stand-up comedian and podcaster Chris Hardwick, host of Comedy Central’s late night Internet-spelunking game show @midnight and creative head of geek-minded media network Nerdist Industries.

Closing Ceremony—Behold the closing festivities on Saturday night, capping off two full days of Blizzard gaming and eSports action—more details to be announced later.

On-Demand Replays—Rewatch epic moments with the Virtual Ticket’s DVR functionality, and catch content you might have missed for up to two weeks after the show’s over.

Epic Bonus Loot Unlock this year’s commemorative BlizzCon in-game goodies for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm (details coming soon). The Virtual Ticket also grants early access to this year’s online BlizzCon merchandise sale, which will run from October 17 through November 11 and feature a selection of commemorative items that will be available for purchase at the show.

Even if you don’t purchase a Virtual Ticket, you’ll still be able to catch plenty of BlizzCon action online. Coverage of the opening ceremony and this year’s eSports tournaments—including the StarCraft II World Championship Series Global Finals, World of Warcraft Arena World Championship, Hearthstone World Championship, and Heroes of the Storm exhibition matches—will be streamed for free in HD at www.blizzcon.com.

More information on BlizzCon 2014 and the Virtual Ticket can be found at www.blizzcon.com.

Train2Game News Indie Game Show and Tell

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BeefJackBeefJack, the creative games company, officially announced Indie Game Show & Tell – an event for which tickets are already shifting fast!

The event, which takes place on the first evening of EGX London, invites developers, journalists and members of the public to pop along to show off their latest project, get industry feedback, and generally have a good old free drink.

Indie Game Show & Tell takes place from 19:00 on Thursday 25th September at the Troubador Gallery on Old Brompton Road – just round the corner from EGX London at Earls Court. Tickets are free, though attendees need to register via the Eventbrite page – http://bit.ly/indieshowandtell

“This is our first event as BeefJack and we’re really excited to see such an enormous response to it only a few hours after we announced it,” said BeefJack’s Lewis Denby. “Already one of our ticket types is sold out – though we’re hoping to have more availability in the run-up to the event.”

BeefJack is a multi-faceted games company, which champions the weird and wonderful in games. It is both a games development studio and a games marketing agency, with a focus on indie, creative and alternative gaming experiences.

For more information on BeefJack, visit www.beefjack.com

Train2Game News UKIE outlines new manifesto for games industry

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UKIE LogoOn Tuesday, Ukie, in partnership with Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft, hosted its largest ever Westminster Political Reception to announce a range of policy recommendations and to celebrate the cultural and economic importance of the UK games sector.

The event, held at Millbank Tower, was attended by more than 200 members, MPs, Peers, policy makers and industry figures from a range of creative industry sectors.

The event saw the launch of the new Ukie Policy Manifesto for the next Parliament that outlines initial plans for how to further grow the UK games sector following the introduction of tax breaks earlier this year, and the introduction of the new Computing curriculum earlier this week.

Created with input from Ukie’s members, the Policy Manifesto calls for action on three headline areas of policy support:

· Support to help UK games companies grow across the UK – including regulatory stability, better infrastructure and a long term roadmap where games businesses can access public funding and support proportionate to the other screen industries

· Promotion of the UK games industry abroad – demonstrating that the UK is one of the leading videogame industries in the world, including a focus on funding, fully supporting and working with industry on trade and investment activity such as trade missions and helping UK businesses to reach overseas marketplaces

· Building a strong and diverse talent pipeline – including supporting the new Computing Curriculum, investing in careers guidance and extending and making permanent the Skills Investment Fund

The reception heard from Justin Tomlinson MP, PPS to Ed Vaizey, on the work that the coalition government has done to support the UK games sector.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: ““The UK games industry is going from strength to strength, recovering some of the ground lost to other countries over the last few years. This growth has been helped very much by the hard work put in by Ukie and the major policy initiatives introduced by this government, such as a new computing curriculum and the recent introduction of production tax relief. However, more can of course be done and in my new role working closely with Ed Vaizey I very much welcome Ukie’s new Policy Manifesto and look forward to discussing its recommendations with Jo and her team in more detail over the coming months.”

The guests also heard from Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, and Roy Stackhouse, General Manager for Activision Blizzard UK and Ireland, discussing Ukie’s manifesto proposals and the strength of the UK as a place to make games.

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “We were delighted by the introduction of games industry tax relief earlier this year but quickly realised that it is essential that we maximise the opportunities that the new scheme presents. We have therefore spent the last six months speaking to our members from across the breadth of our sector about the measures that they would like to see the UK government introduce to truly put the UK’s games industry on the global map. Our Policy Manifesto outlines our members priority asks and we will be following this up with more detailed papers and briefings to MPs to continue our push to make this the best country in the world to make and sell games.”

UK MD of Ubisoft, Rob Cooper commented on the importance of the Westminster Reception in maintaining a positive view of the UK games sector: “Events like these are vital in showing the significance of the UK games industry, both culturally and economically, to a high profile audience of policy makers and other VIPs. We are delighted to support this year’s event and Ukie’s work generally in giving a voice to UK games businesses of all sizes from multinationals like Ubisoft, to smaller developers, making and selling some of the most vibrantly creative interactive entertainment in the world.”

Guests at the reception had a chance to play some of Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard’s latest titles including Valiant Hearts: The Great War, Just Dance 2014, Diablo III and Skylanders: Trap Team. Charity Special Effect were also there demonstrating their latest innovations to help young people with different abilities enjoy games.

You can find Ukie’s Policy Manifesto for the New Parliament here: http://ukie.org.uk/news/2014/09/ukie-westminster-reception

Train2Game News 1000+ devs sign anti abuse letter

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Peace GamingSeveral developers have signed a letter in an attempt to put an end to anti social behaviour on social media in gaming communities.

EA, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Guerrilla, Epic, Crystal Dynamics, Deep Silver, Double Fine, Lionhead, Bohemia, Blizzard, Infinity Ward, TellTale, Disney, PopCap, Harmonix, Traveller’s Tales, Sony, 2K, DICE, Google, Riot and Apple – as well as dozens of independent developers – are already signed up in an attempt to make the internet a place where your views can be heard without your personal character being attacked.

“We believe that everyone, no matter what gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion has the right to play games, criticize games and make games without getting harassed or threatened. It is the diversity of our community that allows games to flourish,” the letter reads.

“If you see threats of violence or harm in comments on Steam, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook or Reddit, please take a minute to report them on the respective sites. If you see hateful, harassing speech, take a public stand against it and make the gaming community a more enjoyable space to be in.”

You can read the full letter and all who have signed it here.

Train2Game News Gaming review show coming soon

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Bored Gamers‘Bored Gamers’ launches Friday September 5th at 9pm. Let the games begin.

‘Bored Gamers’ is a weekly 1 hour show premièring on The Latest TV on Freeview channel 8 from September 2014. Taking a humorous and irreverent look at all things gaming – in a British television first – Bored Gamers combines the exciting worlds of video and adult board gaming, to bring the viewer up to date news, reviews, interviews and much more.

Incorporating an easy-going every-man style, presenters, gaming enthusiasts and self proclaimed ‘non-experts’ Jim Devereaux and Greg Marshall review the latest video and board game releases as well as previous classics. Utilising the ‘out of five stars’ reviewing method, Bored Gamers also introduces the ‘Boredometer’, a gauge based tool to review the re-playability and longevity of game play, in short – the boredom threshold.

Alongside reviews, the programme includes exciting feature segments as the Bored Gamers attend conventions, meet manufacturers and designers and much more, to explore every facet of gaming. Each week also features an interviewed studio guest, as we delve into their insights and experiences in the world of gaming and invite them to take the communal guest retro video game challenge, as we monitor each series who has the requisite skills to top the leader board!

In keeping with its technological content, Bored Gamers encourages viewer input via dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages as well as releasing content via various media to supplement the weekly program, including podcasts, web episodes and live Q&A sessions.

Programme producers and presenters Jim Devereaux and Greg Marshall have over 30 years experience between them, both behind and in front of the camera, as well as a plethora of stage and entertainment work.

Let the games begin!

Train2Game News Blizzard hire Hearthstone player

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HearthstoneA professional gamer has been hired by Blizzard to work on updates for the massively popular Hearthstone.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is the card game based on the MMO World of Warcraft. Announced at the Penny Arcade Expo in March 2013, the game entered open beta in January 2014, and was released in March 2014. Hearthstone is available on the Microsoft Windows and OS X operating systems and on iPad and Windows 8 Touch devices. iPhone and Android tablet platform releases are planned for the second half of 2014. As of March 2014, Hearthstone has more than 10 million player accounts registered worldwide.

One of those players, Ryan Materson, has now been employed by Blizzard as an associate designer and is expected to help with balancing the game for the new updates.

Materson, who is known as Realz, was the team leader of professional Hearthstone team, Mana Grind, before they disbanded. He is one of the most respected and talented professional players and this is what caught the eye of Blizzard.

On Reddit Materson said “This is a truly exciting opportunity for me, and (to rephrase from the words of someone I have long admired, who once entered a similar position) I hope my association with the continuing development of Hearthstone will serve to comfort fellow ladder grinders, competitors and players at large that ‘one of us’ is behind the scenes looking out for the interests of the play. I really can’t wait to get started”.

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 01.09.14

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Metro ReduxThis weeks charts sees a new number one. Metro Redux knocks Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls Ultimate Evil down to number two. There seems to be a trend of remastered collected editions of games rejoining the charts at the moment. Lower down the chart Madden NFL 15 enters the chart at number six with the new season starting in just under a weeks time.

All formats

Week ending 30 August 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 METRO REDUX DEEP SILVER –
2 DIABLO III REAPER OF SOULS ULTIMATE EVIL BLIZZARD 1
3 THE LAST OF US: REMASTERED SONY COMPUTER ENT. 2
4 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE EA GAMES 3
5 – CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 5
6 MADDEN NFL 15 EA SPORTS –
7 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 9
8 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 4
9 WATCH DOGS UBISOFT 6
10 TITANFALL EA GAMES 11
11 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION 3 EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 7
12 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 8
13 FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 MICROSOFT 17
14 TOMODACHI LIFE NINTENDO 15
15 SNIPER ELITE 3 505 GAMES 14
16 TERRARIA XBOX 360 CLASSICS 19
17 BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 13
18 FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 12
19 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 18
20 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 16
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News Assassin’s Creed Unity release date delayed

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Assassins Creed UnityUbisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed Unity will be released on November 11 in the US and on November 13 in EMEA.

The two extra weeks will help ensure that the quality of the game meets fans’ — and the team’s — lofty expectations. This news has no impact on the company’s full year financial targets, which Ubisoft also confirms today.

“As we got close to the finish, we realized we were near the target but still needed a bit more time to hone some of the details to make sure Assassin’s Creed Unity is exceptional,” says Vincent Pontbriand, senior producer at Ubisoft. “We sincerely appreciate players’ commitment to the game and their patience. It’s just a couple more weeks. And it’s going to be worth it.”

The US release date for Assassin’s Creed Rogue remains unchanged (November 11). In EMEA territories, Assassin’s Creed Rogue will now release November 13, alongside Assassin’s Creed Unity.

You can enjoy the trailer for Assassin’s Creed Unity below to wet your appetite for the games release

The trailer still shows the old release date for the game

Train2Game News Unity Award Winners 2014

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unity-logoUnity Technologies, the creator of Unity, a flexible and high-performance development platform used to make creative and intelligent interactive 3D and 2D experiences, announced the winners of the 2014 Unity Awards at the 2014 Unite Conference in Seattle, WA.

Unity Technologies began the Unity Awards to honor the developers creating the best video games and interactive 3D and 2D applications using the Unity development platform. This year’s winners were chosen by a combined vote between Unity Technologies and the Unity community of developers. The winners are:

Best Student Project – The Rift: U.R.I.D.I.S. by URIDIS Team from ISART Digital
Best 3D Visual Experience – Monument Valley by ustwo
Best 2D Visual Experience – The Bridge by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild
Best Gameplay – Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment
Technical Achievement – Shader Forge by Joachim Holmér
Best VizSim Project – Minto Longbranch Visualization from NVYVE
Best Non-game Project – Art and Skin by Alexx Henry Studios
Community Choice – Monument Valley by ustwo
Golden Cube – Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment
The Unity Technologies team was the judges for the awards. In spring 2015, open nominations for the next Unity Awards will begin.

Train2Game News World Series of Video Games relaunched

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World Series of Video GamesThe World Series of Video Games (WSVG), an internationally recognized gaming and electronic sports name, has announced its official comeback with the release of their new website (www.wsvg.net), software (WSVG BattleRoom) and mission.

Gaming is now a global phenomenon, and this new platform expects to improve the gaming experience of both casual and hardcore gamers around the world.

The WSVG was initially released in 2006 by Games Media Properties Inc. and achieved amazing success over the course of two seasons, with a special highlight being the main event held in China with more than 100.000 visitors. WSVG was also featured on the CBS network with its own TV show for four seasons, with each episode having 1 hour of broadcasting.

Luis Prata was recently appointed as CEO of the World Series of Video Games, Inc. He has been an influential entrepreneur in gaming and electronic sports since 1998, leading some of the first professional eSports teams, and organizing gaming events since 2006. Besides his position at WSVG, he is also a consultant to several sports organizations around the world.

Message from the CEO, Luis Prata:

“It has been a privilege to lead many young men and women throughout the years in the gaming industry, creating along the way the foundations for gaming as a competitive sport, available to anyone, anywhere, regardless of any physical disabilities, color, race or beliefs and bringing together people that otherwise would never meet. I will continue to promote gaming as a social platform for youth development, to end racial or other forms of segregation and offer a new vision on the importance of video games to society. I am dedicated to these goals and I would like to thank you for your continuous support.”

Now, the waiting seems to be over and WSVG appears ready to show the world its new face. With the increasing importance of electronic sports today, the WSVG is invested in bringing something innovative to a market that has much untapped potential. A major part of that innovative side will be their brand new gaming software called WSVG BattleRoom, which features proprietary technology and a powerful multi-game anti-cheat system.

WSVG is making its message loud and clear: no cheating! As electronic sports expands quickly, with increasing audiences and professional players, WSVG feels the absolute need to run cheat-free online competitions, which is increasingly important as the prize moneys have grown exponentially over the past couple of years. That’s what WSVG is aiming to achieve with this brand new software; WSVG BattleRoom will bring equality and justice to every online competitions: not only on the WSVG website and championships. Another innovative goal that the WSVG is looking to achieve is to supply their software to everyone. The software will be made available for free, not only for gamers around the world but also for league and tournament organizers. WSVG recognizes that there are only a few reliable anti-cheat tools and that none of them is openly available to everyone.

Besides that, all players, whether hardcore or casual, can find a great competitive variety of tournaments and leagues. Moreover, by registering on the website and playing in the competitions, players will be able to request on demand, private gaming servers, in order to play friendly or official matches for free. Those servers are already safe to play on, with the WSVG BattleRoom installed and setup in all of them. As noted on the server page, the WSVG BattleRoom is required for players to be able to play on both the public and private WSVG servers.

WSVG also has a ranking system available for the teams who participate in the competitions, making it even more fun. It is well known that gamers, like any other athletes, want to be the best, and with the ranking system, teams have yet another reason to participate in the competitions.

Part of building a community means that all the players and fans need to know the history of electronic sports as well as all the facts, teams, players, events, and platforms that helped in making eSports a real sport. In order to introduce such a rich history, WSVG also presents an eSports Wiki that features a variety of content, which most importantly gives everyone the opportunity to participate and contribute in building the community.

The goal is simple: WSVG wants to once again become a reference in the world of electronic sports. As a start, they have already acquired many international partners that will feature WSVG BattleRoom as mandatory software in their competitions and events.

World Series of Video Games, Inc. is currently seeking other eSports organizations, such as Live Events and Online Championships, in order to provide support and sponsorship with equipment, know-how and software, empowering the development of this new sport, worldwide.