Tag Archives: Games Development

Train2Game News Elder Scrolls Online subscription free

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Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, today announced that its long awaited, award-winning multiplayer roleplaying game, The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, will release worldwide on 9th June, 2015 for the PlayStation 4 system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.

For the first time in history, players will explore the legendary world of Tamriel with their friends on console. In the latest and biggest Elder Scrolls game ever made, players will be able to adventure alone, quest with friends, or join an army of hundreds in epic player vs. player battles as they explore and discover the secrets of a persistent Tamriel.

The studio are also pleased to announce that The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited players will no longer be required to pay a monthly game subscription for extended play. Players will make a one-time purchase of the game and can then enjoy hundreds of hours of content without the requirement of a monthly game subscription fee when The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited becomes available on console in June and beginning 17th March for PC/Mac players.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited includes all the great gameplay from the original PC/Mac game, plus all the updates and content additions, including the exciting new Justice and Champion systems.  All existing PC/Mac game accounts, open or closed, will be updated to the Tamriel Unlimited edition in March and former players will be invited back to the game at that time to experience all that is new in the world. New players will make a one-time purchase of the game and play, without restrictions, for as long as they like – without game subscription fees. Tamriel Unlimited will be supported with special, optional downloadable content available for purchase and an in-game Crown Store for convenience and customization items. Regular updates and new gameplay will be offered to all players to enjoy free of additional charges.

In addition, Bethesda will offer ESO Plus to players who wish to pay a single monthly charge for  a premium membership service, providing exclusive in-game bonuses, a monthly allotment of crowns to use in the store and access to all DLC game packs while a member. PC/Mac players with active subscriptions on 17th March will be automatically enrolled into ESO Plus and begin enjoying its membership privileges.

“Our fans are our biggest inspiration, and we’ve listened to their feedback on the entertainment experience they want,” said Matt Firor, Game Director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “We know that Elder Scrolls fans want choice when it comes to how they play and how they pay, and that is what they will get. We have made numerous changes to the game over the past year, and are confident this is a game that Elder Scrolls fans will love to play. Players can explore Tamriel with friends, battle creatures, craft, fish, steal, or siege. The choice is theirs. The game offers hundreds of hours of gameplay with unlimited adventures with one single game purchase. We can’t wait for everyone, whether they’ve played before or will be experiencing it for the first time, to begin adventuring in The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.” 

For more information on the different ways players will be able to experience The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, you can watch the livestream on twitch.tv/zenimaxonlinestudios today at 5pm GMT or visit: www.elderscrollsonline.com/faq.

Train2Game News Devils inc studios releases Snowmageddon

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Train2Game Student Studio, Devils inc studios, released a game just before Christmas that relates to how we all feel from time to time around winter.

Snowmageddon has all the fun of a first person shooter with tower defence features to add to your enjoyment. The game sees you defending the mystical Star of Dreams, a magical star that while in play keeps your dream world alive, if it falls you are returned to the humdrum of reality. With your towers and an  exciting, inventive array of weapons, including snow balls and exploding presents, you must protect your fantasy world.

The story begins when you make a wish one snowy night feeling the pressures of an adult life’s day to day struggles and so you wish for a simpler time like when you were a child, inadvertently your wish is made as a shooting star passes overhead. When you wake you are in a village being attacked by a horde of rampaging snowmen and you must protect your land of dreams. You rally up the other citizens of your dream world and prepare to fight back to save your town!

The game has been created in Unity by the talents of Devils inc Studios which consists of Train2Game students and a few others who have been recruited to the team.

Mark Plant, Co founder and Lead Designer, said “It’s been a huge learning curve for us in terms of what you can or can’t achieve early on, only when we scaled back to a small seven day project did we really find our feet, this was awesome for use as we found traction, and in doing so we turned out a great game.

Train2Game really taught me respect for developers and games all round, you moan and complain about so much in games that when you begin to look beneath and actually create them you release even something that appears to be a simple change truly can be a workload all by itself, one small task can quickly spiral into a dozen more. I’m thankful for that respect it was a good lesson to learn.

Of course without Train2Game, Devils Inc Studios, wouldn’t have been formed” on the development of the game and there studio.

The studio are about to release an update that will improve balancing and gameplay. The 1.2 patch adds the last few things that couldn’t be added in the initial stages. The studio are also hoping to implement a story mode in the near future

If you would like to play this enjoyable game for free, with no pay to win aspects, you can do so at http://www.kongregate.com/games/shaun_Devilsinc/snowmageddon

You can visit the studios website  and learn more of this up and coming Student Studio at http://www.devilsincstudios.com

Train2Game News Brighton Game Collective

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Brighton Game Collective, a non-profit company dedicated to the creation of community space for games industry SMEs and freelancers based in Brighton and Hove, is pleased to announce the opening of new premises at The Dock Hub, Wilbury Villas, Hove, BN3 3EL.

The Collective provides an environment for small companies and freelance developers to work side by side, sharing their resources, experience and talent. Its aims are to build strong ties within the Brighton game development community and foster opportunities for collaboration between local developers and the industry at large.

Brighton Game Collective is offering affordable desk space alongside its founding members at the new premises. At the time of writing three desks are available, with the option to expand to neighbouring office suites, depending on availability and demand.

The building is accessible 24/7 and has a dedicated fibre optic connection. It includes a coffee shop, meeting and conference rooms with catering available, showers, bike racks, kitchen facilities and bookable parking.

Roberta Saliani, founder of Brighton Game Collective said: “I’m excited to bring the games industry a little closer by providing a space where we can prosper and meet similar minded people. I’d love to see our initiative grow to include all major cities.”

The premises are located a quarter of a mile away from Hove Station, with great connections to Gatwick Airport, London, Brighton, Portsmouth, and Ashford International.

Train2Game News Pokemon Shuffle

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The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo have announced Pokémon Shuffle, a new game for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems that can be downloaded by players from Nintendo eShop at no cost.

In Pokémon Shuffle, players will put their puzzle-solving skills to the test as they battle wild Pokémon across a variety of stages. Match three or more Pokémon in the Puzzle Area to deal damage. The aim of the game is to reduce the wild Pokémon’s HP to zero within the number of moves available.

Clearing Pokémon efficiently is the key to success, and players will be able to take advantage of their own Pokémon’s type during gameplay. Each Pokémon has a specific type, such as Fire, Water or Grass, with each type having its own strengths and weaknesses. What’s more, players will also be able to raise the level of their Pokémon as they play, enabling them to deal even more damage.

Just as in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, some Pokémon can even Mega Evolve! Mega-Evolved Pokémon are able to remove many wild Pokémon from the Puzzle Area at a time.

Players start the game with five Hearts, and one is used up for each stage played. When players run out of Hearts, they’ll need to wait for their Hearts to replenish in order to re-enter battle. Optionally, players will be able to keep playing immediately by using items earned in-game through regular gameplay or purchased at Nintendo eShop. Other items that players might find useful will also be available via the same methods.

Train2Game News Oddworld coming soon

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Following on from the critically acclaimed and much loved PlayStation 4 release of Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty – Oddworld Inhabitants Inc are excited to announce the release dates for Steam, Xbox One and PlayStation 3 versions.  

Oddworld fans will be delighted to learn that Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty will be releasing for Windows PC, Mac and Linux on Steam on February 25th, while the Xbox One and PlayStation 3 versions are planned for release early March.

All versions will take advantage of the post-launch improvements and tweaks made to the PlayStation 4 version, including the fan-requested ‘old school’ control settings, feature the same celebrated QuikSave and QuikLoad functions and of course offer a full rack of achievements and online leaderboards for speedrunners, and cloud saves on Steam.

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty includes art direction from the original Abe’s Oddysee team, music from series staple Michael Bross and a whole host of tweaks, improvements and brand new areas throughout, whilst remaining true to the game fans have loved since the original PlayStation

New ‘n’ Tasty will be available on Steam for $20 / £15 / €20, with a further 10% discount on pre-purchases.  Further details on the pre-purchase offer, date and specs for the Windows PC, Mac and Linux versions will be available soon.

Train2Game News The Princess Bride game

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Gameblend Studios today announced the launch of  The Princess Bride – The Official Game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Prepare to play!

Based on William Goldman’s romantic fantasy-comedy, famously brought to life in Rob Reiner’s 1987 film, The Princess Bride – The Official Game takes players into this classic story to experience its best and boldest moments firsthand. There are four games to play within the adventure:

    Survive the Shrieking Eels!
    Scale the Cliffs of Insanity!
    Cross swords and duel with Inigo!
    Wrestle against a Giant!

Each mode features its own unique leaderboard, challenges and rewards, including genuine images and audio clips to unlock from the film. The game is designed with Retina-display art crafted to pop vividly on iPhone 6 and iPad devices.  Future free updates will test the players’ wits and have them running through the dreaded Fire Swamp.

Mars Williams from English rock band The Psychedelic Furs composed the music for the game.

The Princess Bride – The Official Game is available for $3.99 on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Train2Game News Outplay Entertainment Hiring

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Outplay Entertainment, creators of some of the brightest and most addictive games on smartphones and tablets, is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting and fastest growing game developers in the world.

Venture-backed, the company recently announced over 20 million downloads and has more than doubled its family of employees throughout an unstoppably successful 2014, with six games currently live across multiple platforms – including the App Store Editors’ Choice and BAFTA nominated Monster Legacy and Best New Game Alien Creeps TD – and three more exciting titles in development.

Outplay HQ is based in right in the heart of Dundee’s beautiful £1 billion waterfront project, where the team of 75+ staff has attracted talent from all over the world, including team members from Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Iran, Bulgaria, Greece and Germany. As their plans get even bigger and better for 2015, they’re still on the look-out for gifted game-makers and team players the whole world over, to join their ranks. Outplay make some of the most addictive and enjoyable social games across all gaming platforms – and have a great time doing it.

To find out how you can become a part of Outplay Entertainment’s continuing success story, head on over to outplay.com/careers and get in touch – to be in the game, you just have to press ‘Start’…!

Train2Game News Versatile student finds home at T2G

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Student who tried many careers finds Train2Game is the place where he can accomplish his life’s ambition to work in the Games Industry You name it, he’s tried it.

James Hardman has attempted many directions in his life: Seven years in Education, Franchise Manager, The Navy, Tattoo Artist, Events, Bank Employee and many more. But he’s finally found where he belongs, creating creatures and art in the Games Industry.

It has been an interesting journey for the 30 year old who has roots in Prussia and Egypt. James Hardman has tried everything to get a job and a career that he enjoys, but it took him a great deal of time and effort to find his ideal arena of employment.  Working in hotels, events and working in data processing in a bank. He tried work experience with Jenny Clarke Design Ltd as a Flash Tattoo artist and Aphelio Ltd as a Creature Designer (3 month unpaid internship). He tried to join the Navy and also trained as a franchise manager.

Since birth he’s loved gaming but struggled to make it his career. After many attempts in other directions it was when he joined Trai2Game that he rediscovered his love of gaming and found the passion to get into games.

“To enter the game industry is more than a job to me; it’s a sense of identity and my place in life. I noticed through each job role generates a certain type of person. I am specific type of individual needing to be a specific type of environment to really take off. I feel mis-understood in many job roles due to my style of thinking and how I approach subjects to produce solutions.

It is really important to me to around great people who support each other and understand each other without constant questioning of one’s self. I’ve had seven years in education and two at T2G. Proving it’s not just qualifications but you also need experience, that is why I am now looking to work and gain experience in art.”

“My experience with Train2Game has been the best course I’ve entered. The course not also teaches essential techniques but provides many opportunities of job placements. Also get your name out there. The course itself already has done so much for me, I am forever grateful. They have really improved my self-esteem and I can see hope finally. The content is up to date and explains all vital processes very clearly.”

James is now completing his studies with Train2Game and looking for an internship/employment at a games studio. James is a great conversation; ask him about his roots in a country that no longer exists or how he created an energy loop that he was going to build with a team of Belgian Nuclear Physicists.

You can find James on the Train2Game Forum or reach him through the Train2Game blog.

Train2Game News Hardest Games of 2014

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The people at Console Deals have sent me this infographic which gives a look back at some of the most frustratingly challenging games of 2014. With the year coming to a close it’s good to look back. Do you agree with these games or was there any more difficult that was released this year?

Enjoy the infographic below:

Hardest Games of 2014 - Infographic

Train2Game News WeWanaPlay Game Jam

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Gaming industry professionals and students from across the West Midlands will be heading to Birmingham City University on 23 January to make new computer games – in just one weekend.

Hosted by the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment and co-organised with Birmingham gaming app-makers WewanaPlay, the event forms part of the Global Game Jam (GGJ) – the world’s largest game jam event which last year saw almost 3000 games created.

Taking place at Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus, participants from the West Midlands will join more than 7,000 people worldwide as they compete to make the best computer games in 48 hours.

“Computer games are of growing importance to our regional economy and we are very fortunate to have so many great innovative indie game studios so close to our City Centre Campus. Our highly respected computer games technology course is leading the way in providing exceptional young talent to these companies”, said Andrew Wilson, Programme Leader for Computer Games Technology at Birmingham City University.

“This event will emphasize both the regional and global importance that computer games play and it’s an amazing opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn new skills and share best practice.”

On arrival at the event, a secret theme will be announced which must form part of all of the games created. Attendees will be invited to explore new technology tools, take on new roles in games development and test their skills as they design, develop, create and test new games over two days.

To find out more visit http://www.blog.wewanaplay.com/