Tag Archives: Games Developer

Train2Game News Life is Strange coming to Android

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SQUARE ENIX® today announced that DONTNOD Entertainment’s award-winning, five-episode narrative-driven adventure, LIFE IS STRANGE, are now available to pre-register for Android players.

All five episodes will be available in full this July with controller support included, exclusive to Android.

All 5 episodes of LIFE IS STRANGE are also available now on iOS.

Enhanced with Unreal Engine 4 and developed by Black Wing Foundation, this faithful adaptation of the original console game features full touch screen integration and in-game photo-mode, giving players the opportunity to photograph Arcadia Bay like never before!

With high quality production values and a unique hand-drawn art style fully optimized for Android, you will follow the story of Max Caulfield, a photography senior who discovers she can rewind time while saving her best friend Chloe Price.

The pair soon find themselves investigating the mysterious disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber, uncovering a dark side to life in Arcadia Bay. Meanwhile, Max must quickly learn that changing the past can sometimes lead to a devastating future.

Key Features:

  • A beautifully written, modern adventure game.
  • Rewind time to change the course of events.
  • Multiple endings depending on the choices you make.
  • Striking, hand-painted visuals.
  • Distinct, licensed indie soundtrack featuring Alt-J, Foals, Angus & Julia Stone, Jose Gonzales and more.

Features Exclusive to Mobile:

  • Complement your mobile experience with full controller support, exclusive to Android players.
  • Enhanced user interface for full touch screen integration.
  • Share your game progress on social media and compare your story choices with friends.
  • An all-new Photo Mode allows you to take pictures, modify them with filters and share them easily.

Visit Google Play to pre-register your copy of LIFE IS STRANGE: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.squareenix.lis

Train2Game News SEGA Saturn Android controller

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Videogame merchandise retailer Merchoid have just unveiled the most compact time machine ever in the form of an officially licensed SEGA android smartphone controller.

Relive all your childhood favourites without having to delve into that attic!

Based on the ergonomic SEGA Saturn controller (the one with six buttons instead of three), this device can be used with any Android phone to play a heap of SEGA games (a lot of which are free on Google Play already).

The phone holder is removable meaning you’ve finally got a loophole for when your parents say you’re too close to the screen. Simply place the phone wherever you please and control from afar, moan-free.

Also, there are absolutely no wires due to the Bluetooth connectivity, meaning the device offers truly wireless play.

Sure, people can brag about their NES Classic but can they use it on the go? Definitely not. After all this time, it still seems SEGA does what Nintendon’t!

Merchoid’s community manager, Jessica Adams, had the following to say, “Can’t talk. Playing Sonic.”

If you want to live in the past today you can purchase the SEGA Saturn Android controller at https://www.merchoid.com/product/sega-android-smartphone-controller/

Train2Game News Dragon Ball Legend available now

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Leading interactive entertainment developer and publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. are pleased to announce DRAGON BALL LEGENDS is now available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.

This new one-finger card action battle game lets players go head-to-head in real time with rivals from around the globe in PVP battles at home or on-the-go.

DRAGON BALL LEGENDS has the legendary Goku and a trio of brand-new characters drawn by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama himself.

  • Shallot, a time-displaced Saiyan from the past
  • Zahha, a magical swordsman sent from a far-flung world
  • A mysterious hooded man

DRAGON BALL LEGENDS was originally announced via a pre-launch campaign in March and since that time it has broken BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment’s all-time record with over 4.5 million total registrations.

In commemoration of this milestone, all users who begin playing the game today will receive Goku, Frieza, a rare character and Chrono Crystals (items used to summon fighters in-game) upon download.

“DRAGON BALL LEGENDS introduces an innovative one-finger battle system that gives players of all experience levels the ability to fight like Goku, Gohan and Vegeta” said Keigo Ikeda, Producer of DRAGON BALL LEGENDS (BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc).

Train2Game News Sonic fans start your engines

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SEGA® unveiled Team Sonic Racing™, a brand-new racing experience developed by award-winning studio Sumo Digital.

Combining the best elements of arcade and fast-paced competitive style racing with unique vehicle customisation options, Sonic fans can play solo, team up with friends or face-off against each other in high-stake races between rival teams across the Sonic Universe.

Team Sonic Racing is set to release both physically and digitally this winter on Sony PlayStation®4, Microsoft Xbox® One and Nintendo Switch™, with a digital-only release on PC.

To pre-order the physical edition please visit www.teamsonicracing.com , details of digital pre-order will be available at a later date.

To celebrate the announcement, SEGA has unveiled a new trailer giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come this winter. On your mark, get set, go check out the full reveal trailer for Team Sonic Racing here:

Team Sonic Racing lets fans speed through vibrant circuits from the Sonic Universe as Sonic, Shadow, Tails, and more while taking part in an electrifying multiplayer racing competition. Compete solo or play with up to 12 drivers online in various exhilarating single and multiplayer game modes, including Grand Prix, Time Trial, Team Adventure and more. With unique character types, game modes, and car customisation options, Team Sonic Racing blends the best elements of racing games.

Key Features:

  • Online Multiplayer & Local Co-Op Modes – 12 players per race, 4 player split screen, and various offline / online race modes including Grand Prix Mode, Exhibition Mode, Time-Trial and Team Adventure Mode.
  • Team Racing – Race as a team, win as a team. Use various team moves to assist your teammates, knock out opponents and unleash your Team Ultimate.
  • Performance & Skin Customisation – Alter the appearance and handling of your vehicle.
  • Wisps – 14 spectacular offensive and defensive items to help overcome rival teams and get ahead!
  • Adventure Mode – Unique story experience where players are introduced to basic game features and characters.
  • Various Characters and Types – 15 playable characters from across the Sonic Universe and 3 distinct character types including Speed, Technique, and Power.

To stay current on Sonic the Hedgehog news, follow Sonic on Twitter and Instagram, like him on Facebook, and subscribe to the Twitch channel and the YouTube channel.

For more information, please visit www.sonicthehedgehog.com

Train2Game News Game Dev Heroes

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A new search for excellence in the games industry was announced today as the Game Dev Heroes initiative officially launched.

The only national awards ceremony to celebrate game developers for their individual contributions to their studios, teams and projects, the Game Dev Heroes aim to shine the spotlight on the unsung heroes and hidden visionaries behind our favourite titles. Game Dev Heroes are now calling on industry professionals to nominate their studio’s heroes.

Anyone in the studio could be a winner, with categories spanning development, management, marketing and community, the studio ‘Unsung Hero’, and ‘Diversity Champion’. The submission deadline is Tuesday 19th June 2018. An award will also be given to highlight a member of the industry for their Outstanding Contribution, which will be chosen by the judging panel.

The awards are already garnering support with Aardvark Swift, GamesJobsDirect, Analog and Launchpad announced as the first sponsors. The judging panel is set to be announced shortly, composed of industry professionals across HR and senior management, who’ll be able to dig deep into the applications and really comprehend the achievements of those nominated. Simon Hope, Director and Lead Recruiter at headline sponsor Aardvark Swift, said ‘We’re delighted to be part of such a brilliant initiative. Games, projects and studios can only be as strong and successful as their dev team are, and we should recognise and celebrate those who’re making a personal contribution. We speak to so many talented people every single day who’re personally doing phenomenal things – those individuals deserve to be celebrated.’

The award winners are set to be announced on Tuesday 10th July as part of a Game Dev Heroes networking event, held in Brighton throughout Develop Conference week. The event is free to attend but will be ticketed entry – to be notified when tickets are available head over to http://www.gamedevheroes.co and sign up to the mailing list.

Please direct any queries relating to nominations, judging or sponsorship to
info@gamedevheroes.co and head over to www.gamedevheroes.co to take part.

Train2Game News New Fallout Game

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Fans were glued to Bethesda’s daylong Twitch stream and were rewarded when the game publisher dropped a bombshell on Wednesday.

After teasing the world by streaming a TV showing a “Please Stand By” test pattern on the Bethesda Twitch channel, the company announced the latest entry in the Fallout universe: Fallout 76.

The annual E3 video game trade show is just weeks away, but it seems Bethesda couldn’t wait that long to make its first big announcement.

The company has also recently updated a few of its biggest franchises, releasing VR and Nintendo Switch versions of Skyrim and Doom, and a VR version of 2015’s Fallout 4.

The short trailer showed nothing more than a resident of one of the game’s unground vaults putting on a Pip-Boy wearable computer and getting ready to celebrate “reclamation day.” His jumpsuit had the number “76” stitched on the back.

No other details were available about the new game, but more information may be available at E3. And this may not be the only new Bethesda game news you’ll be hearing soon. The company is planning an E3 press event in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 10.

You can enjoy the teaser below https://youtu.be/-ye84Zrqndo

Source: Cnet

Train2Game News Huge Pokémon Game Announcement

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During a special Pokémon press conference in Tokyo today, The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced three new ways to play Pokémon for Nintendo Switch™—Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, and the free-to-start Pokémon Quest.

With the addition of these new titles, Pokémon is broadening the scope of video game offerings from the franchise to appeal to its wide variety of fans at all player levels. Pokémon also announced that the next introduction to its popular core RPG series, which was teased last year at E3, will arrive in late 2019 on Nintendo Switch for the first time.

Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!

With Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon is inviting fans on a new journey by taking them back to a familiar setting. Inspired by Pokémon Yellow, which was originally released in Japan on Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1998, these two new titles feature many of the intuitive gameplay functions offered to players in the hugely popular Pokémon GO and are designed for players taking their first steps into the Pokémon video game world. Trainers will embark on an epic adventure set in the iconic Kanto region joined by their trusty Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Eevee in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! They feature brand new gameplay to make the most of the unique capabilities of Nintendo Switch, such as throwing Poké Balls to catch Pokémon by swinging Joy-Con™ controllers, as well as the opportunity for family and friends to battle and explore together in a new two-player mode. The games were unveiled in partnership with GAME FREAK, the games’ developers and original creators of the Pokémon video game franchise.

“With the launch of Pokémon GO in 2016 and the global sensation that ensued, millions of new players were introduced to the world of Pokémon,” said Junichi Masuda, director at GAME FREAK inc. “For many people, Pokémon GO was their first experience with the Pokémon brand, so we have crafted these two new titles to be an accessible entry point to our core RPG series while giving our longtime fans a new way to play Pokémon.”

The connection between these two new titles and Pokémon GO doesn’t end there – literally. GAME FREAK and The Pokémon Company teamed up with Niantic to bring next-level innovation by offering players the ability to connect their Pokémon GO to their Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! game. Players can catch Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region in Pokémon GO and then transfer them into their Nintendo Switch adventure. Something special will also be coming to the world of Pokémon GO, making the connection between both games even more appealing for Trainers. Details for this will be revealed in the near future.

The Poké Ball Plus a device that can be used to play Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! in place of a Joy-Con or alongside Pokémon GO instead of the Pokémon GO Plus, was also unveiled, continuing the innovative ways to connect the games. The Poké Ball Plus features motion controls, lights up with a variety of colors, vibrates, and plays sounds. When catching a Pokémon in the Nintendo Switch games, players will be able to feel it moving within the device. It also does more than function as a controller—using the Poké Ball Plus, players can bring one of their Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! with them as they explore the real world, giving Trainers the opportunity to spend time with favorite Pokémon even when they’re not playing the game. Additionally, Trainers can receive a variety of rewards once Pokémon are returned to the Nintendo Switch games.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will launch on November 16, 2018, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. The Poké Ball Plus will be available at participating retailers on the same day.

Watch the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! announcement trailer here.

For more information about Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, please visit: Pokemon.com/PokemonLetsGo.

Pokémon Quest

Pokémon Quest, a rambunctious action RPG game, was also revealed at the press conference, along with the surprise for fans that it is available today on Nintendo eShop. Developed by GAME FREAK, Pokémon Quest takes players across Tumblecube Island, where everything’s a cube—including the Pokémon. Travel the length and breadth of the island hunting for treasure, battling with wild Pokémon, discovering unexplored territories, and even cooking tasty treats to tempt new Pokémon to join your party.

Gameplay features of Pokémon Quest include:

  • Battle by tapping—Pokémon Quest uses simple touch controls that can be enjoyed by everyone.
  • Befriend many Pokémon—Use items collected throughout expeditions to befriend a wide array of Pokémon.
  • Create your Pokémon dream team—Partner with three of your Pokémon friends to battle through diverse environments.
  • Pokémon unique to you—Use different Power Stones to personalize your Pokémon friends however you want and give them unique stats.
  • Customize your base camp—Decorate your home with cute and fun collectibles that not only look good, but can provide in-game benefits.

“This new Pokémon title, developed by GAME FREAK, lets players explore the island of Tumblecube with their team of cute, cube-shaped characters known as Pokéxel,” said Shigeru Ohmori, director at GAME FREAK. “Players will be able to personalize their Pokémon and develop a strong bond with their Pokémon friends while battling their way through the adventure. With the simple touch-screen controls, Pokémon Quest is a game that Pokémon fans of all ages can pick up and play.”

Watch a trailer for Pokémon Quest here: https://youtu.be/j0AEUmgGHRE.

For more information about Pokémon Quest, please visit: Pokemon.com/Quest.

Train2Game News Guide on Unity VR

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Explore the latest features of Unity 2018 to create immersive VR projects for desktop and mobile devices using this practical guide written by Jonathan Linowes.

The second edition of this popular how-to book has just been published. It has been updated, revised and expanded to 200 more pages than the first edition.

Unity has become the leading platform for building virtual reality games, applications, and experiences for this new generation of consumer VR devices.

Unity Virtual Reality Projects walks you through a series of hands-on tutorials and in-depth discussions on using the Unity game engine. With its practical and project-based approach, this book will get you up to speed with the specifics of Virtual Reality development in Unity. You will learn how to use Unity to develop VR applications that can be experienced with devices such as Oculus, Daydream, and Vive. Among the many topics and projects, you will explore gaze-based versus hand controller input, world space UI canvases, locomotion and teleportation, software design patterns, 360-degree media, timeline animation, and multiplayer networking. You will learn the Unity 3D game engine via the interactive Unity Editor as well as C# programming. By the end of the book, you will be fully equipped to develop rich, interactive virtual reality experiences using Unity.

What You Will Learn

  • Create 3D scenes with Unity and other 3D tools while learning about world space and scale
  • Build and run VR applications for specific headsets, including Oculus, Vive, and Daydream
  • Interact with virtual objects using eye gaze, hand controllers, and user input events
  • Move around your VR scenes using locomotion and teleportation
  • Implement an audio fireball game using physics and particle systems
  • Implement an art gallery tour with teleportation and data info
  • Design and build a VR storytelling animation with a soundtrack and timelines
  • Create social VR experiences with Unity networking

To order your copy: https://goo.gl/iLuVf4

Train2Game News BAFTA Young Game Designers Game Jam

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Multi award-winning games studio and creators of the Total War franchise, Creative Assembly, invited local students into their Horsham-based studio and turned their game concepts into reality in a first-of-its-kind game jam.

Students from the West Sussex all-girls school Millais, created their own game concepts as part of an exercise to help inspire them about the opportunities within the fields of science, technology, arts, engineering and math (STEAM), through the process of game design. The activity was hosted in partnership with BAFTA’s Young Game Designers initiative.

This is the first time a studio has developed student concepts into playable games. Nine teams of expert developers from Creative Assembly spent an hour sitting down with the 14-year-old students to understand their concepts as part of the discovery process. The teams then had 48hrs to create the games, ready for the students and their parents to play.

Creative Assembly has published a short video documenting game jam here: http://bit.ly/CAgamejam

Tim Heaton, Creative Assembly’s Studio Director and EVP of Sega Studios, said: “Working with BAFTA, we’ve been able to challenge students’ perceptions of games and give them a valuable first-hand insight into the development process. We know that diversity breeds innovation and we want to inspire more young people from all backgrounds to consider careers in the games industry and to recognise that it is an incredibly creative and professionally rewarding place to be.”

Melissa Phillips, Games Event Producer at BAFTA, said: “It has been fantastic to work alongside Creative Assembly to bring the BAFTA Young Game Designers initiative to Millais School. It is so important to provide visible role models for young people and encourage them to express their creative ideas. We’ve enjoyed helping to connect the students with industry professionals to turn their game concepts into reality.”

Sammi McEwan, Concept Artist at Creative Assembly, said: “Meeting the students from the local girl’s school was a great experience. When I was their age, being in the games industry was my dream so I wanted to share some of my experiences with them and give them some advice. It was fun to meet them and I hope that they liked the game we made.”

Zongyi Chen, Lead Character Artist at Creative Assembly, said: “It was an absolute joy to meet the students at the end and see how pleased they were with what we made for them. This game jam has been such an incredibly positive experience for us and I really hope it has made a difference to how these young people see the industry.”

Creative Assembly’s game jam, FrancoJam, is now in its 4th year but 2018 is the first time it has included an educational aspect, as part of the studio’s commitment to UK STEAM education via its Legacy Project.

The UK continues to face a digital skills gap with Engineering UK estimating the shortfall of UK engineering graduates to be 20,000. Additionally, only 8% of the UK’s current engineering workforce are women – the lowest number across the whole of Europe. Creative Assembly’s Legacy Project aims to educate and inspire young people into the industry through a number of initiatives with local schools, leading UK partners like BAFTA and Digital Schoolhouse, and on University-level curriculums, like the East London Academy of Music and Arts.

Creative Assembly has written about the digital skills gap and their work to address this as part of the Legacy Project here: bit.ly/gameseducation.

Find out more about BAFTA’s Young Game Designers Competition and discover resources on how to come up with your own game concept at http://ygd.bafta.org/

Train2Game Fight in the streets again

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Hadoken your way through gaming history with Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, now available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.

This collection of 12 arcade-perfect Street Fighter games encapsulates a walk down memory lane with the video game phenomenon that impacted arcade culture, established the fighting game genre, and paved the way for esport events such as Capcom Pro Tour.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection marks the first time many of these arcade essentials are playable on consoles and PC. Street Fighter players can recreate the classic arcade gaming experience by competing against the CPU and friends locally, or challenge an opponent online in four online-supported games. An ultimate tribute to Street Fighter arcade legacy, this all-in-one package includes 12 classic titles with arcade-perfect balancing including:

Street Fighter
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II: Champion Edition
Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting*
Super Street Fighter II
Super Street Fighter II: Turbo*
Street Fighter Alpha
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Street Fighter Alpha 3*
Street Fighter III
Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact
Street Fighter III: Third Strike*

*Online play and Training Mode supported

While the collection stays true to the original arcade experiences, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection also includes some new features and options. New since the original arcade versions is a robust Training Mode that offers numerous options for players to customize their experience and train more effectively for their next match. Some of the options that are universal amongst all four games are the ability to turn on damage display, input display, dummy controls, and more.

When players need a break from the action, the collection invites fans to explore the franchise’s history with early game design documents, see how their favorite characters have evolved through character bios and sprite viewers, and even listen to some of its most memorable soundtracks via the game’s built-in music player.