Tag Archives: games industry

Train2Game News Commando Kiwi Update

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Commando KiwiTrain2Game Student Studio, Commando Kiwi, the winners of the 2012 Make Something Unreal Live competition are back and under new management!

Train2Game Student Adam Sherratt is now the head of Commando Kiwi and they have been working hard since we last heard from them.

After deciding that the project they had started following the Make Something Unreal Live contest was slightly more ambitious than they first anticipated they made the executive decision to start a new IP using the framework they had already created for there winning game at MSUL.

However, with life getting in the way, a few of the original Commando Kiwi members left on to new ventures which left the team struggling until Adam came up with a plan to revitalise the studio. Several of the team volunteered to be mentors at the recent Train2Game Game Jam which put them in excellent position to scout for new team members.

The studio was back up to eight members and ready to get to work on their next game.

When asked about the studios new project Adam said “The game is a 3rd person action adventure RPG style game with cinematic combat sequences that play very similarly to battles in final fantasy 7, 8 and 10. Our aim is to bring a console quality gaming experience to mobile. By using the unreal engine 3 we will be able to offer incredible visuals, a strong sound track and a great story to produce a truly immersive game world on mobile. Initially the game would be released on iOS for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch but if things go well we will port it over to Android too. If you follow Commando Kiwi on Facebook you will see we have just started to leak information and concept art and we have a new company logo.”

Now the next stage for Commando Kiwi is they will be displaying their game at Appsworld and Platform Expo this year to spread the word and receive feedback from the public to make the game as best as it can be. So if you are attending either event go and say hello and give them your support!

The studio is intending to start a Kickstarter campaign in the future as currently everything they are doing is having to come out of their own pockets and they want this game to be the best that it can be.

You can follow Commando Kiwi on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/comkiwi

Train2Game News Big Huge Games returns

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DomiNationsBig Huge Games is back from the dead, once again under the helm of its original co-founder Brian Reynolds and on course to publish its first mobile game next year.

In its first life, Big Huge Games faced a series of troubles. The PC developer was acquired by THQ back in 2008 but the publisher decided to sell the studio just over a year later when it first began experiencing financial difficulties.

Big Huge Games was saved by Kingdoms of Amalur dev 38 Studios. Sadly the latter also went bankrupt last year, with its assets – and Big Huge Games – being sold in an auction last November.

It was in that auction that Reynolds purchased the rights to the Big Huge Games name, now revealing that his previously announced studio SecretNewCo is a revival of the fallen developer, according to GameSpot.

Headed up by Reynolds and his fellow Big Huge Games co-founder Tim Train, the new studio will focus on mobile games starting with strategy title DomiNations, due on 2015 for iPhone, iPad and Android. The game marks a return for Big Huge to the strategy genre and will be released through a partnership with Nexon.

“I have had a history of going where I perceive the biggest market to be,” Reynolds told Gamespot. “I certainly perceive mobile, free-to-play as being the biggest market; the opportunity to reach the largest number of players. And so, that’s exciting to me.

“It’s the same reason I went to Facebook games – boy, were a lot of people playing Facebook games. And then even more started playing. It was certainly interesting when I was at Zynga – it really opened my eyes to ‘Wow, how many different kinds of players play games than used to play them when I started in 1991’. I never would have dreamed both the kinds of players and the numbers of players that are out there.”

You can check out the launch trailer for Dominations below:

This story just goes to show there may be set backs but you are never down and out!

Source: Develop

Train2Game News Insomnia 53

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InsomniaMultiplay, hosts of the UK’s biggest gaming festival is pleased to announce Insomnia53, taking place November 21st – 23rd at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena and set to feature tons of brilliant, focused activities suitable for gamers of all ages and backgrounds.

Everything you’ve come to expect from the Insomnia Gaming Festival will be in abundance; there will be special guests from the world of YouTube and Twitch including SkyDoesMinecraft, TheDiamondMinecart and The Sidemen (featuring KSI, Vikkstar and more).

Also featured are Minecraft-orientated activities, high-level open esports tournaments, a packed exhibition hall featuring playable games galore and of course the UK’s biggest 24hr LAN gaming network featuring thousands of switched-on gamers.

The fun doesn’t end at 6pm though, with activities and parties going on well into the early hours putting the ‘insomnia’ into Insomnia.

Returning for its second year are the Insomnia Awards; a bespoke community-driven ceremony celebrating the last year in gaming, all wrapped up in a night of action and entertainment.

Anyone attending the event can nominate and vote on their selected winners and be in with a chance of winning a copy of the Insomnia Awards Game of the Year.

“Each year, we’re humbled by the passion of our community and their commitment for the Insomnia Gaming Festival,” said Craig Fletcher, CEO & Founder of Multiplay. “This festive gaming show encapsulates another 12 months of incredible growth, driving us to do more, to do better, and to continue to make Insomnia the best weekend of awesome videogame-related fun you can find in the UK.”

With so much more to be announced, this year’s final Insomnia event will be one to remember, so head online now to book your tickets: http://insomniagamingfestival.com/tickets/

Insomnia53 takes place from November 21s – 23rd at Coventry’s Rich Arena in England.

For more information and to buy tickets for Insomnia53 visit http://insomniagamingfestival.com with more announcements to be made in the coming weeks.

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 27.10.14

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Fifa 15FIFA 15 remains in the number one spot for another week andBayonetta 2 makes its debut at number seven. Towards the bottom of the top twenty, the Borderlands Collection has come in at number sixteen, Civilation: Beyond Earth is number eighteen and Just Dance 2015 is number nineteen.

All formats

Week ending 25 October 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – FIFA 15 EA SPORTS 1
2 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 9
3 THE EVIL WITHIN BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 2
4 DESTINY ACTIVISION 7
5 MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 4
6 BORDERLANDS: THE PRE-SEQUEL! 2K GAMES 3
7 BAYONETTA 2 NINTENDO –
8 FORZA HORIZON 2 MICROSOFT 5
9 ALIEN: ISOLATION SEGA 6
10 SKYLANDERS TRAP TEAM SKYLANDERS 11
11 DRIVECLUB SONY COMPUTER ENT. 8
12 MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION MICROSOFT 13
13 DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 DISNEY INFINITY 15
14 SUPER SMASH BROS. NINTENDO 12
15 F1 2014 CODEMASTERS 10
16 THE BORDERLANDS COLLECTION (1 & 2) XBOX 360 CLASSICS –
17 WATCH DOGS UBISOFT 11
18 CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH 2K GAMES –
19 JUST DANCE 2015 UBISOFT –
20 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE EA GAMES 17
< 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 Marmalade Event

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Marmalade#include is a cosy, informal winter meetup in London for indie developers to share in the magic of mobile game development.

Marmalade have pulled together an interesting lineup of speakers who want to share their knowledge and experience with you, helping you make your projects better and your games fly.

#include is split into 2 parts – Making Games and Selling Games. The event will be taking a close look at what makes games successful, from tech to toolkits to platforms, analytics, services, and discovery on stores. Confirmed so far are speakers from Amazon, Microsoft, Nomad Games, Lemon Moose Games, GameSparks, Ukie, Develop Magazine, and many more to come.

Attend #include for a great day of listening, learning and knowledge sharing with the indie dev community. Win great prizes in the #include challenge (theme ‘Bah! Humbug!’), enjoy a free lunchshare and then some beers at the end of the day!

Sign up here: http://bit.ly/10mJnU0 Tickets are £10 which is fully refunded at the event.

Train2Game News Micro Machines Returns… Sort of

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Toybox TurbosCodemasters have announced Toybox Turbos will bring a new world of retro table top racing to Windows PC from Steam on 12th November priced at £11.99 and will be coming soon to the Xbox Games Store for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and to the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system from the online store.

Featuring gameplay that reflects Codemasters’ fondly remembered miniature racing titles of the ‘90s, Toybox Turbos delivers a pick-up-and-play arcade racing extravaganza as gamers take a nostalgic tour of 18 obstacle and short-cut filled circuits inspired by childhood locations. Players will speed past spilt sticky jam on the kitchen table, dodge flaming Bunsen burners as they take their opponents back to school and zip past the runaway train in races around a railway set and more.

Bursting with classic retro racing fun, Toybox Turbos includes four-player local and online multiplayer options, perfect for turning friends into foes with one-more-go gaming sessions that race into the night. Whether playing locally or online, or with a mix, Toybox Turbos brings alive the glory days of multiplayer score-settling competition with rapid-fire rounds designed for all-action racing.

Toybox Turbos features 35 vehicles to collect and customise, ranging from sports cars and dragsters to emergency vehicles, taxis, ice cream vans, construction vehicles, milk float, moon buggies and more!

Each can be raced in six super-charged game modes; players sprint for the line in Classic Races, set their best time in Time Trial, pass as many turbocharged toys as possible in Overtake, avoid getting wiped out by the tide in Escape, beat the clock in Countdown and take down bosses in Elimination mode. To gain the advantage, gamers can collect and use a range of power-ups spread liberally around each circuit, including, but not limited to, machine guns, mines, electronic pulses and, of course, giant hammers!

Gamers can find out more about Toybox Turbos and keep up with all the latest updates straight from the studio, by speeding over to www.toyboxturbos.com and www.facebook.com/toyboxturbos or by following the team at www.twitter.com/toyboxtu

You can enjoy the trailer for Toybox Turbos below

Train2Game News Video Game Mentoring Network Scheme

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UKIE LogoAfter the success of the first cohort of the Video Game Mentoring Network scheme, which saw eight games businesses start the programme earlier this year, Ukie have once again partnered with Nesta to match businesses with experienced games industry mentors.

The scheme aims to advise and nurture games businesses with an appetite for growth and mentoring will officially start in December. Businesses who join the Games Mentoring Network will receive:

· One-to-one business mentoring in the form of 10 two-hour sessions over a 6-12 month period

· An induction workshop at the start of the programme to get the most out of your mentoring sessions

· Workshops and events designed to meet other members of the wider creative Network

· Coaching support – in addition to mentoring

Ukie and Nesta want businesses of all sizes to apply to be mentored, from start-ups who have been established for less than two years, to established and high growth potential business who are looking to scale. The minimum criteria for applying are simply that you must be a registered business that:

· Has made or sold a game in the UK in the last 12 months or have a game ready to bring to market in the next six months.

· Or you can also be a business that has launched a product or service in the UK that supports the creation and selling of games within the last 12 months.

· Being a Ukie member automatically qualifies you to apply.

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “Building on the success of the first wave of games mentoring, our partnership with Nesta will give even more games businesses an amazing opportunity to get first hand expert advice from people with proven track records in the games industry. Mentoring is invaluable for both mentees and for mentors and they learn a great deal from each other throughout the process.”

Ukie and Nesta are inviting games businesses to apply for mentoring by contacting mentoring@ukie.org.uk.

Train2Game News Former CEO of EA takes over at Unity

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unity-logoUnity Technologies announced today that Co-founder David Helgason has stepped back from his role as CEO and welcomed John Riccitiello, former CEO of Electronic Arts, into the position. Helgason will continue at Unity as Executive Vice President in charge of strategy and communications.

John Riccitiello steps into the role of CEO of Unity Technologies having served on the Board of Directors from November 2013. Previous to his work with Unity, Riccitiello served as the CEO of Electronic Arts and co-founded investment firm Elevation Partners. He has also served as advisor to, and invested in, several startups including Oculus VR and Synertainment.

“I’m so proud of everything Unity accomplished in the last decade but now it’s time to look forward to an excellent future. Our mission is an important one, so I’m incredibly happy that John has agreed to lend his formidable experience to the role of CEO at Unity,” said David Helgason. “We’ve had the chance to work together over the last year-and-a-bit and come to recognize how similar our views are on the importance of the democratization of development to a thriving developer ecosystem and healthy games industry. We’re in great hands.”

“Unity has been a hugely positive force in the games industry for years. Now it’s my incredible fortune to have the opportunity to help guide Unity going forward.” said John Riccitiello. “Unity is more than a great engine or packages of services, it’s an amazing and diverse community of developers, many of which are changing the way we think about game design and production. Unity’s mission – to democratize development – is an important one that I’m very happy to help drive forward.”

Train2Game News GameCity 9

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GameCity 9GameCity is throwing a giant housewarming party at its main festival venue in the middle of Nottingham town this coming Saturday 25 October to celebrate moving in and taking it over for the week.

Located at 24-32 Carlton Street, just one minute from the Lace Market tram stop, the GameCity venue covers five floors, has three galleries of brilliant stuff and will be full of like-minded video game fans.

For the whole of the opening weekend, the GameCity venue will be the place to be to make and play games in the Open Arcade, eat cake, make a tribute to your favourite game character to be displayed on the Wall of Game, build a cardboard arcade machine and generally have a brilliant time. Did we mention eating cake?

Most of all, this is an opportunity to put yourself into GameCity. Bring along something to stick on the walls – an old game magazine, manual, or your own artwork – and help us turn it into a colourful world of relentless brilliance.

Be there at 10am on Saturday 25 October and you can literally start a festival. To find out more go to http://gamecity.org/festival/gauntletsignup/

Train2Game News Live Game Board

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logo_title_wbAfter months of hard work the Live Game Board has been announced, the first Augmented Reality gaming platform, released to both players and developers.

Live game board comes with 5 games you can enjoy playing in Augmented Reality. All are available for free for Android at http://www.livegameboard.com/apps/.

“Live Game Board is a platform for games and educational applications. That means you can play many games and apps on one single board. Augmented reality way of playing games makes things look much more real and part of your real world. Gaming is also more social, similar to classic table games with Live Game Board you can play the games together with your friends or family.” Stan Kuhn, Founder.

Although it is possible to download Live Game Board for free for self printing, it is recommend to order larger and better quality boards at http://www.livegameboard.com/shop/. Boards are available as hard paper or water resistant plastic banners. There are 3 available sizes to maximize AR experience, remember size of the board dictates the size of the game in real world. Smaller boards are better for table play, larger boards are best to use on a floor in your room.

Together with publishing Live Game Board there is also a developer section with tutorials and SDK for Unity3D to help developers to easily add Augmented Reality play mode into their games. All game developers are welcome to get the SDK for free and publish their games for all Live Game Board players. The developer section is available at http://developer.livegameboard.com/

Enjoy the video of the Live Game Board in action below