Tag Archives: Game Development

Train2Game students can learn from this: Splash Damage reflect on Brink

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Train2Game students will know that reflecting on your work is an important part of game development, even for the biggest studios.

As a result, Brink developers Splash Damage have discussed their game at the Game Developers Conference in Germany, pointing out what they could have done better. This is despite, as previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Brink reaching No.1 in the charts.

Lead Game Designer Neil Alphonso analysed Brink’s four key design concepts: blended game modes, objective and team based gameplay, the SMART system, and player customisation and persistent levelling.

As reported by the Train2Game blog last year, Splash Damage claimed Brink would ‘end the genre as we know it.’

Looking back however, Alphonso acknowledged that they may have been too ambitious with certain Game Design ideas

“Brink tried to be something new and different in several areas, In hindsight we perhaps strayed away from convention a bit too much in some areas.” he said.

“But several of Brink’s key features resonated really well with our audience, along with continuing to work on tweaking and refining the gameplay now the game is out in the wild. We’re taking a lot of these lessons on board for our future projects.”

Alphonso also said the story, the Game Design of Brink, “had to take a back seat”.

“People reacted pretty differently to the way we approached our narrative,” Alphonso said. “Some would say there’s no story to speak of, which I would beg to differ with. But some loved the setting and the context we’d given the action.”

“There’s a lot there for people to read into it. But we don’t spoon feed it to people, which is maybe what some people were looking for.” He continued.

“So in the end, essentially when the game is viewed as a highly contextualised multiplayer experience, it does really well. But if you view it as a cinematic single-player cinematic experience, it doesn’t really hold up.” Alphonso concluded.

For more information on how Brink was developed, see the Train2Game blog. There’s also an in-depth look at the Art & Animation of the game.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Splash Damages anaylsis of Brink? How do you think the game could be have been improved? And how important is reflecting on a game post development?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game developed student game Postal Panic proceeds go to The Prince’s Trust

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 Train2ame students have created a touch screen puzzle game called Postal Panic which is being sold on iTunes, with 50% of the profits going to The Prince’s Trust.

Train2Game Art & Animation student Robert Ramsay speaks to Train2Game Radio (Part 2)

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Robert Ramsay is studying to become a Game Artist & Animator with Train2Game. Train2Game Radio caught up with him to find out why he chose to study with Train2Game, and how he’s finding the course.

 In part 2 of a 3 part interview, Robert tells us how he’s helping other Train2Game students with their courses. Listen to the interview at www.audioboo.fm/train2game.

Read part 1 here on the Train2Game blog and leave your comments here, on the Train2Game forum.

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

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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.

Train2Game news: FPS is the ‘best’ genre say id Software

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Many Train2Game students will be very familiar with Id Software; the game developer is arguably the father of the first person shooter with the likes of Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake and soon, RAGE, coming from the studio.

However, despite the amount of competition in an FPS market – with Call of Duty currently the most successful – Id Software still believe the genre still has a massive future.

“The FPS I feel is the very best genre because it places you, the game player into the experience like no other type of genre does.” creative director Tim Willits told Quakecon.

The comments from Id software echo those made by Irrational Games Ken Levine earlier this, as previously reported by the Train2Game blog.

“It’s one less barrier to the experience,” The Bioshock  creatorsaid on the subject of making games immersive through a first person view.

“It’s a strange thing to be in someone else’s shoes. It’s something we do very naturally as children, but it’s something that is much more difficult for adults. I think that games give us enough of a nudge in the right direction to have that childhood experience of play.”

While RAGE will be played from a first person perspective, Id Software’s title will feature driving and RPG elements, and Willits believes this is a positive step for the games industry.

“Even the word genre is a bit too constricting and I think that people should remove labels from games and let games just be games.” He said.

“I’ve always felt that the future is very bright for first person shooters. We have so many fans and there are so many different directions it could take that I believe that in itself, it’ll be around for years and that id software will be around for years too.” Willets added.

RAGE will be helped along by the fact that graphically, the games Art & Animation looks very good indeed, and as reported by the Train2Game blog this week, id Software believe that “graphics will always matter.”

RAGE could provide a great opportunity for Train2Game students, given that modding tools will be available for the PC version.

So Train2Game, do you think the FPS is the ‘best’ genre? Or is genre becoming an obsolete word?

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

[Source: CVG]

Train2Game student Darren Price industry experience diary No.6

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A new week means a new batch of Train2Game student placement diaries. This time, we kick of with Train2Game Game Development student Darren Price who is on a work placement at DR Studios.

In the latest diary, Darren discusses creating a user interface for a game and some of the programming that goes into it. Read it here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

Darren’s previous diary is available here on the Train2Game blog.

 

 

Train2Game students on ‘garbage’ Kinect comments of Super Meat Boy dev

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As reported by the Train2Game blog on Friday, Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen labelled Kinect for the Xbox 360 as ‘garbage’ and that it’s ruining game design.

As you might expect from such a controversial comment – and the manner in with was said – it’s split opinion amongst Train2Game students

A number of Train2Game students made their voices heard on the Kinect issue on both the Train2Game Facebook page and the Train2Game forum; here’s a selection of some of their comments.

“He is right though they are bringing out all this stuff when there is no need” said Ian Casper Dale on the Train2Game Facebook page. “For the Kinect you have no controllers and the only games for it is things I can do in real life like running, fighting etc it’s a load of BS if you ask me and I agree with Super Meat Boy”

“I have to agree people are worrying too much about Kinect and losing the TRUE meaning and game play of what thay started out as”  Darren Williams agreed on Facebook.

“I couldn’t agree more with Edmund McMillen” added Steven Brashaw “Motion control is unnecessary, why do you think games like Mario Kart Wii & Smash Bros Brawl have Gamecube controller compatibility? I’ll stick to pads thank you & have a nice day”

However, not all Train2Game students see Kinect as a novelty, and some have very positive to say about the Xbox 360 motion controller.

“I suppose aiming for the casual gaming Market ( as they seem to be ) is always a safe bet. After all they are biggest spenders. Give it time am sure something good/better will rear its head and if not it’s at least a good direction for gaming in the future.”  Brian Malm replied on the Train2Game Facebook page.

Catriona Smith also praised Kinect on the Train2Game Facebook page, adding that it’s great for her child.

“I have the Kinect and I love it and my 3 year old loves it as well the games that you can get for the Kinect all good and fund to play plus you have the star wars game for it as well and it is a good way to get fit if you don’t have time to go to the gym” she said.

Meanwhile, on the Train2Game forum, Vampire Duck agreed that Kinect is great for fitness, and no one is forcing the Super Meat Boy developers to use Kinect.

“Well I’ve lost half a stone or more playing Kinect Adventures, so I don’t think I could agree. I like losing half a stone or more. 

“As for the rest, it is an option, no one is forcing him to use it, it’s not even as if all or the majority of Xbox games use it, and nothing can get sold without it. I think he may still be a little pissed with Microsoft’s broken promises on Super Meat Boy promotion, which is fair enough.”

So there you have it, a little insight into what you, the Train2Game students think about Kinect. But what are your thoughts on the matter?

You can get involved in the discussion on here on the Train2Game blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Games industry should adopt one console as standard says Bethesda Exec

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The games industry should move towards adopting a single console.

That’s according to Bethesda Softworks game director Todd Howard whose view is likely to split Train2Game students.

“I’d like there to be only one platform. It’s a lot of work to make the games look good on ever platform you’re on,” said Howard told PSM3.

He compared it to being able to use DVDs and Blu-Rays with multiple outlets.

“I often equate it to DVD or Blu-Rays. Once I’ve bought a DVD I can use it in my TV, in my computer, in my car, here, whatever. And I think it would be good for gaming if it was like that,” he said.

However, Howard admits his wish is rather unlikely.

“They spend billions of dollars selling consoles at a loss for years, but then make the money back with games,” he commented. “It’s not like the industry is hurting, we’re doing really well. But if I had one wish, you know, we would have better games for a single platform.”

The idea of one console certainly raises an interesting prospect, and not just because it’d mean the death of console exclusive titles! But it could potentially make games easier to develop and allow them to get to a wider audience; both are things Train2Game students are likely to approve of!

On the other hand, the idea of a single console does seem to overlook the PC, which as the Train2Game blog reported last month, has ‘shot by’ consoles according to Epic.

“We’re at the stage in the life of the consoles where the PC has shot by them in terms of capabilities.”  said Epic Games VP Mark Rein

“With the PC you can simulate the future – you can put enough hardware in a PC to show you what a future console will look like.” he added.

The Train2Game blog has previously lavished praise on the PC for being the best platform for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, is the idea of a single gaming device too farfetched? Or could you see it happening in future? How could it benefit developers?

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

[Source: CVG]

Train2Game student Fabiano video blog No.1 – transcript

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Train2Game student Fabiano’s first video blog is now available on the Official Train2Game YouTube channel

His first video blog is also available in text form! Read it below here on the Train2Game blog.

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

Train2Game student Fabiano video blog No.1

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Train2Game student Fabiano Dias brings you his first video blog in which he talks about why he chose to study with Train2Game.

Watch it here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2GameUK YouTube channel.

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