Tag Archives: game

Train2Game News: Microsoft unveils new in your face technology

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IllumiroomLast year Train2Game brought you the news that Microsoft were working on a new technology to use your room as a screen for gaming. Today it was revealed they have reached that goal.

The idea of the technology is to project the bits of the game you don’t see on your TV, the periphery, onto the walls and furniture of your living room.

A small Microsoft Research team of four are credited with creating what is known as Illumiroom, and it is still only a proof-of-concept design. IllumiRoom pairs Kinect for Windows with a projector to achieve its results. The proof was shown by video at CES in Las Vegas.

“Our system uses the appearance and the geometry of the room (captured by Kinect) to adapt the projected visuals in real-time without any need to custom pre-process the graphics,” the MS Research team explained.

The video captured IllumiRoom running live rather than added it via special effects in post-production to give viewers their first taste. The videos show the cityscapes of shooters sprawl beyond the television. It shows bullets, sparks and fires spill out into the room giving a beautiful feeling of total immersion. My favourite part was seeing snowflakes cascading down the walls.

More detailed details are scheduled at the CHI 2013 event held in Paris on April 27.

You can enjoy the video below:

Train2Game News: Mid-week round up – 09.01.13

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Xerneas and YvetalThe first news in this weeks Train2Game Mid-Week round up is a follow up to the Pokémon news from yesterday. The two legendary creatures that are briefly seen in the trailer have been named. They are Xerneas and Yveltal.

Video games had the highest total amount pledged out of all other categories on Kickstarter last year.  561,574 backers made 1.3 pledges totaling $83 million. Out of 2,796 video game projects launched, 911 were funded. Video games had almost double the amount of pledges than Films, the second most successful category. They make up nearly a quarter of Kickstarter’s total backers and total money pledged.

Valve have given the first glimpses of  what could be, the media named Steam Box. Code-named “Piston”, the system is still in a development stage and Xi3Coporation states the system will be “optimized for computer game play on large HD televisions”. The specifications have not been released yet, but will be built on Xi3′s Modular Computer chassis which is grapefruit sized, and will support both Steam and their recently released Big Picture mode.

Following the demise of City Of Heroes last year, Missing Worlds Media have decided to create a new superhero MMO, currently named Project Phoenix. Their aim is to build a Superhero game from the ground up and take what was successful from past games and build on it with new technology. If you are missing the super being you created, this could be one to keep an eye on.

Microsoft have sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses to date. The figure represents cumulative sales of Windows 8 including upgrades and sales to original equipment manufacturers for licensing. Windows 8 sales are following a similar trajectory to that seen with Windows 7, according to Windows chief marketing and financial officer Tami Reller. Microsoft also said that over 100 million apps were downloaded from the Windows Store in the two months following the digital distribution platform’s launch with Windows 8 and Windows RT. There are now more than 1,700 certified systems for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Train2Game News: Games Industry jobs – 09.01.13

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It’s a brand new year with brand new jobs for Train2Game students!

DEVELOPER

Job Title Generalist Programmer
Job Category Programming
Skills Required Programming
Location Brighton, South East
Job Description  

Our Client is an independent studio that makes games, apps and interactive media for multiple platforms.

The management team have graduated from some of the industry’s elite development studios, and have a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines and platforms.

From graduate level through to lead positions our client is looking to fill a number of broad reaching roles. We are currently engaged with a number of partners with our work ranging from Mobile to Browser based games / app development.

The successful candidate will join an experienced development team and will gain industry-leading experience on various emerging platforms.

Skills Range

If you have experience in any of the following areas, please get in touch!

Lua
C#
C++
Objective-C
JavaScript and HTML5
Unity 3D
iOS / Android development
ActionScript 3.0 and Flash

Salary: Based on Experience
Attendance: Full-Time

Additional Information: This is a full-time contract role based in our Hove office, contracts range from 6 – 12 months. Permanent positions are also available to the right candidates.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Mark Hope for more details: mark@aswift.com or 01709 834 777

DESIGN

Job Title Mobile Games Designer – Midlands UK – £Neg DOE – Mobile Games
Job Category Game Design
Skills Required Game Design
Location Midlands
Job Description Location: Midlands
Salary: £Negotiable DOE
Job Type: Permanent
Project: AAA games

This Midlands based independent studio has helped create and build some of the biggest game franchises in games over the past 16 years.

Over the last three years they have developed and self-published nine games on the iOS and Android Stores all brand-new IPs achieving worldwide features and fantastic chart success Metacritic and player ratings. Their games have been downloaded by over 9 million people so far with repeated success in reaching #1 ‘All Apps’ in multiple territories.

Having recently moved to their new studio in Warwick they are in need of at least one experienced mobile games designer to work on their unannounced titles

The successful candidate will have shipped multiple game titles across all mobile platforms. You will be passionate have an excellent understanding of what makes a great game and a strong knowledge of game balancing and pacing. You will be working alongside other amazingly talented team members to create great gaming experiences aimed towards a variety of audiences.

Duties/Responsibilities:
• Define the overall creative vision and specific feature requirements to the team.
• Communicate the overall creative vision and specific feature requirements to the team.
• Write clear and concise game design documents.
• Drive the initial prototyping tuning gameplay pacing and first user experience and difficulty ramp of a mobile game.
• Research develop and design new games and features.
• Analyze and improve existing game mechanics and features based on playability user preferences and trends.
• Provide expert knowledge and implementation on social/mobile mechanics.
• Make sure the games are fun!

Skills/Experience Required:
• Must have mobile games design experience preferably ios and Android or other handheld (DS/3DS…)
• Awareness of Social Gaming and ideally have been involved in the creation of a social game using multiple purchase mentality
• Proven track record of successful game design from concept through to implementation
• Unity experience would prove an advantage

For the opportunity to be part of this team please send your cv (MS Word Format) and work examples FAO Catherine to officemanager@opmjobs.com or call +44 1206 214416

ART

Job Title Game UI Artist
Job Category Art / Animation
Skills Required 2D / Concept / Texture Artist, UI Artist
Location Warwick, Warwickshire, Midlands
Job Description Position Overview:
• This position involves designing and creating 2D Artwork and Graphics for our Games. In game and UI elements for primarily iOS and Android platforms.

Key Responsibilities:
• Working with the entire Development team to design and implement focussed, practical solutions within a realistic time frame.
• Design Icons and logos within the style constraints of the product.
• Work efficiently and at a speed representative of the platform.
• To be responsible for all 2D art aspects of any given project
• Be able to create all levels of Art from palette controlled pixel sprites up to hi Res Marketing Assets.

Skills and Experience:
• Excellent 2D background, including ideally pixel work.
• Use of Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Willing to work with Engineers to work within the technical limitations of the platform.
• Self Organised and willing to participate in team meetings.
• The ability to draught out a variety of concepts styles at speed to fit within the design constraints before game assets are created.

 

To find out more information and apply you can contact them HERE.

 

QA

Type: Permanent
Location: Edinburgh
Salary: Competitive
Company: Rockstar North
Contact: Michelle McKnight
Posted: 09/10/2012 10:12:00
Reference: GR/GR/GR/Test

 

Rockstar North is looking for enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals to join our Games Test teams in Edinburgh. You will be expected to play through our latest games looking for problems and reporting errors, to ensure game quality before release.

Responsibilities

You will be finding and reproducing bugs, errors or problems in-game as directed. The role will require accurate, detailed and complete reporting to the required standards and subsequent revision of those errors or problems.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team. You will have good general computer skills and be a confident learner working with word processing, databases and spreadsheets. You will be able to show consistent attention to detail and have the ability to remain focussed when approaching repetitive tasks. We will be looking for flexibility regarding unsociable and extended working hours to meet the demands of the role.

Additional Information

Candidates must be 18 years of age and above and provide two references. The position will be a full-time short term contract. Applicants will preferably be educated to further or higher education standards.

This is a two stage application process. You will first be asked to complete an application pack from which you may be asked to attend an interview.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE VIA www.rockstargames.com/jobs

Train2Game News: Marvel LEGO, Assemble!

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Marvel LegoYour Train2Game blogger was very excited to get the news that there is going to be a Marvel Lego game coming later this year.

Marvel Super Heroes are assembling for an action-packed, brick-smashing good time!  Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment announced that LEGO Marvel Super Heroes will be available from autumn 2013 on all platforms. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is the first instalment in the highly successful LEGO video game franchise to feature famous Marvel characters.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes offers an original storyline in which Nick Fury calls upon Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other heroes spanning the Marvel Universe to save Earth from such threats as the vengeance of Loki and the hunger of Galactus, Devourer of the Worlds.  LEGO and Marvel fans will enjoy classic LEGO video game adventure and humour, while playing as their favourite Marvel characters.

Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games Publishing said “We’re very excited to bring a myriad of classic Marvel characters to life in LEGO form for some fun, family-friendly game play in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes.

“Players will brave the ultimate mission to save the world as they explore famous landmarks in LEGO New York and take the adventure beyond Earth to iconic locations in the Marvel Universe.”

TQ Jefferson, Vice President, Games Production, Marvel Entertainment added “Fans of both LEGO and Marvel have wanted this game for years, and we’re addressing that demand with more Marvel Universe characters than ever in a console game,

“If you’re a fan of Spider-Man, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy or scores of other Marvel characters, this is the game for you.”

In LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, players will unlock more than 100 characters from across the Marvel Universe, including fan favourites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Deadpool, Loki and Galactus. The game will pack in a plethora of super-cool character abilities, combat-like action sequences, epic battle scenes, puzzle-solving and a unique story told with playful LEGO humor.

I for one, being a big fan of Comics and the Marvel universe, am really looking forward to this game.

Train2Game News: New Pokémon game announced

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Pokemon X & YTrain2Game and other Pokémon fans around the world were delighted to hear the next generation of the popular game is being released in October with some big changes.

The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced that the next generation of Pokémon video games, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, will launch worldwide in October for the Nintendo 3DS system. This is the first time in the history of the series the game will be released around the World on the same day. The game introduces new Pokémon, a new storyline set in a spectacular 3D world, and dynamic battles.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of The Pokémon Company said “The worldwide launch of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y this October allows players to begin their adventures at the same time. Now, Pokémon fans across the globe can discover the secrets of Pokémon games and can collect, battle, and trade with each other immediately.”

Junichi Masuda, video game director at Game Freak Inc. added “We brought Pokémon into an entirely new dimension and we’re incredibly excited to bring Pokémon X and Pokémon Y to fans. The stunning visuals, a completely redesigned environment, game scenario, music, and communication features will bring smiles to the faces of video game players around the world.”

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will be the blueprint for an exciting array of new animation, Pokémon TCG, and toys debuting around the world.

Train2Game News: New Nvidia hand-held console announced

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Project ShieldTrain2Game has discovered that Nvidia just announced Project Shield, a new gaming console that looks like a controller attached to a 5 inch HD screen.

The new hand held console runs on the Android operating system but what sets it apart from the other android platforms is that it has a controller similar to a current console controller for ease of use.

Project Shield is powered by a custom 72-core Nvidia A15 GeForce GPU and features a 5-inch 720p retinal multi-touch display, integrated speakers, wi-fi connectivity and the Android operating system. It’s also designed to interface as a controller with an Nvidia GPU-equipped PC, allowing you to play games from your couch.

Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia said “Project Shield was created by Nvidia engineers who love to game and imagined a new way to play. We were inspired by a vision that the rise of mobile and cloud technologies will free us from our boxes, letting us game anywhere, on any screen. We imagined a device that would do for games what the iPod and Kindle have done for music and books, letting us play in a cool new way”

No word yet on what the device will cost. A post on the official GeForce website lists a tentative release window of Q2 2013. The site states “It will first launch in the US and Canada, with a worldwide rollout to follow. Pricing and final specs will be unveiled closer to availability.”

The Android gaming platform seems to be a big player in 2013 with the OUYA games console, the recently announced GameStick and now Project Shield from Nvidia.

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 – 7.1.13

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fifa13Over the Christmas break Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was knocked off of the top spot by Far Cry 3 with Fifa 13 taking number two but now it has shifted again. Fifa 13 is the number one game with Far Cry 3 at number 2.

Week ending 5 January 2013

POS.  TITLE 

PUBLISHER

 LAST
WEEK 

1

FIFA 13

EA SPORTS

2

2

FAR CRY 3

UBISOFT

1

3

– 

 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II

ACTIVISION

3

4

– 

 HITMAN ABSOLUTION

SQUARE ENIX

4

5

– 

 NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED

EA GAMES

5

6

HALO 4

MICROSOFT

7

7

JUST DANCE 4

UBISOFT

6

8

FORZA HORIZON

MICROSOFT

10

9

– 

 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE

9

10

   THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS

12

11

ASSASSIN’S CREED III

UBISOFT

8

12

 

 SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED

SEGA

16

13

 – FOOTBALL MANAGER 2013

SEGA

13

14

WWE ’13

THQ

11

15

DISHONORED

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS

14

16

MEDAL OF HONOR: WARFIGHTER

EA GAMES

15

17

– 

 SKYLANDERS GIANTS

SKYLANDERS

17

18

FORZA MOTORSPORT 4

MICROSOFT

20

19

 – DISNEY EPIC MIKEY 2: THE POWER OF TWO

DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS

19

20

LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE

18

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd

Train2Game News: SpecialEffect Charity video

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SpecialEffect Over the past few months I have been updating you with all the good work that SpecialEffect have been doing and trying to get their video up to 25,000 views.

SpecialEffect is a wonderful charity that helps the disabled to play games. This means that they can interact with other people and play together on a level playing ground.

The SpecialEffect website describes themselves as “Doing whatever it takes to help everyone with disabilities to have a better quality of life. For some, this means access to fun and leisure activities like computer games. For others, it’s giving them a voice at a time when they can’t even speak.”

SpecialEffect help people by using there loan library which is where all the specially made controllers are loaned to those in need. For example a specially created Wii mote for a girl who lost her limbs to Meningitis.

The charity also uses their StarGaze project to help people who can move nothing but their eyes. StarGaze is, perhaps, the most labour-intensive and demanding element of SpecialEffect’s work. A huge amount of care and sensitivity is required to ensure that the person we support has a gaze controlled computer system – as quickly as possible – that is personalised to meet their specific and often complex needs.

Dr Mick Donegan, the CEO of SpecialEffect said “Time after time, people with disabilities tell us what they want and need most is to find a way to enjoy themselves – a way to interact, compete and make new friends.

“It’s difficult or impossible for them to access mainstream videogames and leisure technology, and before we started there was nowhere to go for independent and expert advice and support to help them use technology to actually have fun!

“At the heart of the charity is the determination to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to help each individual, and that necessitates a huge range of services. On the one hand, our GameBase website is giving information to many people who might need immediate specialist advice about accessible games and controllers. On the other, we have an increasing waiting list of very severely disabled individuals with complex problems that we know will take us years of support visits and equipment loans to achieve any level of success.

But that’s why we’re here. If the charity had been set up to support just one individual, it would have been more than worthwhile.”

The charity has been trying to get this video to 25,000 views by Christmas day. It isn’t far off so please keep watching and sharing the video as much as possible to spread the word of the amazing work SpecialEffect do.

Train2Game News: Train2Game in 2012 – April to June

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Train2Game at Gadget Show Live gets a surprise visit from a Dr Who Dalek

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live gets a surprise visit from a Dr Who Dalek

The second quarter of 2012 was especially good for me as it was in April that The Gadget Show live was held.

The Make Something Unreal Live was possibly the biggest thing Train2Game had done up to that point. It brought much media coverage and gave the students involved a highly valuable experience.

The 4 teams at the event got to meet such industry professionals as CliffyB, then from Epic Studios, Peter Molyneux who had just launched 22Cans and Jon Hare the man behind Sensible Software,

The event started in November of 2011 following a Train2Game Game Jam which was sponsored by Epic. The top 4 teams from there then had 6 months to create a game which was to be released on the iOS store.

The games that were created were based on the Fighting Fantasy books. This gave the teams more time as it took story creation out of the equation and it already had an existing fan base to work from.

You can check out the video from the 2012 Make Something Unreal Live contest below:

Train2Game News: Train2Game in 2012 – January to March

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Train2Game2012 has been a good year for Train2Game and the students and I am going to take you through some of the best bits.

At the end of January some Train2Game students entered a game jam in Scotland.

The Scottish Game Jam is part of Global Game Jam 2012 and at the event Train2Game Art & Animation students Fiona Stewart and Corinna Bruce were winners of the Best Art Award at the Scottish Game Jam.

It was at this jam where the game Shplem was created and nominated for a BAFTA award.

The first quarter of the year was also the run up to the Make Something Unreal Live competition.

Four student studios: Commando Kiwi, Derp Studios, Digital Mage and Indigo Jam were working hard trying to get together their games which were based on the Fighting Fantasy books which would be displayed at The Gadget Show live in April.

It is a time I remember well as I was a proud member of Digital Mage and it was one of the greatest times of my life.

Possibly the most important part of early 2012 was the government announcing that they would implement the Games Tax Relief. Just the mere announcement of this has seen the games industry grow to new heights.