Tag Archives: games industry

Train2Game News Games Careers Week

Posted on by

Games Careers Week, the free online festival for inspiring people from every background to discover prospects in one of the UK’s most lucrative careers, has announced its initial lineup for the year. 

Over 20 events from Grads in Games, BGI / National Videogame Museum, Into Games, Ukie, Women in Games and Tranzfuser have been scheduled between 26 March and 2nd April 2021. 

Games Careers Week is packed with events aimed at reaching millions of parents, learners, teachers and job-seekers. Designed to inspire and inform diverse people about career opportunities available within the games industry, the week will showcase scores of online events for all ages and levels of expertise. 

Games Careers Week is organised and funded by the charity the BGI, and nonprofits Grads in Games and Into Games. The week is trying to tackle low awareness of career opportunities in the British public, especially amongst diverse groups, and low diversity in the UK games workforce through a pan-industry public education campaign. 

The first events are detailed below, with nearly 100 organisations interested in hosting careers events during the festival. 

Key events for Games Careers Week 2021 

Games Careers Exhibition at the National Videogame Museum [March 26th onwards]: An online careers exhibition for families in which children ask games developers about games careers and educational choices. 

Ukie Student Conference [March 26th]: Ukie’s huge event for college and university students returns with a packed programme of talks, keynotes, and Q&As from games developers and educators. 

Into Games Portfolio Pitstop [March 27th]: A day of free, essential portfolio advice and tips from dozens of industry professionals for any learner posting their games portfolio on Twitter with the hashtag #portfoliopitstop. 

Career Talks at the National Videogame Museum [March 27th onwards]: Livestreams by new Sumo Digital developers for young people and parents to ask questions about how to start games careers.

The Grads In Games Student Conference [March 29th]: A day of speakers from leading studios talking to students about the work they do and what life at a games studio is really like. Includes panels featuring recent grads on how they got their first games job, and a live masterclass session where you can create a perfect CV for applying to games industry roles. 

Grads In Games Education Fair [March 30th] 

Dozens of universities that offer game development courses will be congregating at our education fair ready to talk with FE, A-Level, and GCSE students about the courses they have to offer. 

Gamesindustry.biz Careers Week Features [all week]: A series of careers week content, interviews and discussions will run online during the week. 

Grads In Games Career Connector [March 30th]: A new format of online careers fair for the games industry, providing opportunities for studio professionals to be skills-matched with students for private meetings. 

Women in Games Career Pathways [all week]: Developers from Women in Games’ pioneering ambassador programme will share their career pathways in a series of online talks for young adults. 

Games Education Summit March [31st March to 1st April]: 30 speakers from top studios and games universities gather to share state of the art tips and hear students, mentees, and recent hires reveal their career pathways. 

The Grads In Games Awards 2021 [March 31st]: Recognising the people, studios, and educators that have made a real impact in improving the links between the games industry and education, the GiG Awards celebrates the valuable work of those behind the scenes of games education and employability. 

Tranzfuser Career talks [all week]: Tranzfuser are hosting a series of live chats for university students focusing on bolstering career paths into professional video game development. 

Into Games Champion Sessions [all week]: Into Games’ 12 industry champions, each a diverse representative of their discipline (art, programming, QA, etc) will be running talks and events throughout GCW. 

Digital Schoolhouse Games Careers Lesson Pack [all week]: A videogames careers lesson pack in partnership with Into Games bursting with expertise and insightful support for schools including a database of 50 One Minute Mentor careers videos, lesson plans and assembly scripts.

Search For A Star & d3t Rising Star 2021, Winners Announcement [April 1st]: Check out the future stars of the games industry as we announce the winners of this year’s student game dev challenges across programming, art, animation and VFX. 

Studios, publishers, educators and members of the industry can get involved by registering at gamescareersweek.org. 

Train2Game News Post Malone Joins P25 Music Celebration

Posted on by

Pokémon unveiled plans today for a virtual music concert celebrating its 25th anniversary. The pop-culture brand broke the news with help from headliner and Pokémon fan Post Malone in a video that can be seen here. 

Taking place on Saturday, February 27—better known as Pokémon Day—the event will be an online party not just for Pokémon fans but for all music fans around the world. It will also serve as the launch activation for the franchise’s yearlong P25 Music program. The Pokémon Company International has teamed up with Universal Music Group to bring this concert and more music surprises to life throughout 2021 as part of P25 Music. P25 Music is a collaboration with some of music’s biggest names to create new songs, styles, and pop-culture moments, all through the lens of Pokémon. Pop icon Katy Perry was announced last month as the program’s premier artist.

“I’ve been a Pokémon fan for a long time, so the opportunity to headline the Pokémon Day concert celebrating 25 years is awesome,” said Post Malone. 

The concert will be free to view on the official Pokémon YouTube channel, Pokémon’s official Twitch channel, and on Pokémon’s 25th anniversary website beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST / 4:00 p.m. PST on February 27 (0:00 a.m. GMT on February 28) . Pokémon will unveil more P25 Music details at the end of the concert, so fans will want to tune in for more upcoming collaboration surprises.

In anticipation of the concert, The Pokémon Company International will host several celebratory activations across the brand in the week leading up to the virtual music event. In addition to the previously announced Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto event on Saturday, February 20, The Pokémon Company International will distribute a special password on February 25 for players of the Pokémon video game franchise to add a special Pikachu to their Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games. In keeping with the music theme for the year, this Pikachu knows the move Sing, which it can’t ordinarily learn. On February 27, fans can tune in to Pokémon TV, either on the web or by downloading the app, for a curated selection of music-themed episodes of the popular Pokémon animated series as they prepare for the big Pokémon Day concert with Post Malone in the evening. Fans can expect more announcements that week from across the franchise.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as Pokémon celebrates 25 years, fans can visit Pokemon.com/25 and join the conversation online with #Pokemon25.

Train2Game News Pixel Ripped 1989 Pink Cassette Edition

Posted on by

Brazilian developer and publisher ARVORE and British Retail Publisher Perp Games are proud to announce that awarded VR retro adventure Pixel Ripped 1989 (trailer) will receive an extremely limited Pink Cassette Physical Edition on April 12th for PlayStation VR owners.

With only 1500 copies, the Pink Cassette Edition will be exclusively available to purchase on the Perp Games Store (link). 

The Pixel Ripped 1989 Pink Cassette Edition will cost £29.99 and the Pixel Ripped 1989 Physical Edition will cost £19.89 (yes, this time we made it!).

Pre-Orders are open here: Perp | Store (perpgames.com)

As well as the Pink Cassette Edition, Perp Games are also happy to announce that they will be selling a standard physical edition of Pixel Ripped 1989 on PlayStation VR. This standard edition will be sold only through the Perp Games Store, is not limited, and will be available for as long as there is demand. 

The Pixel Ripped 1989 Pink Cassette Edition will include an exclusive, limited-edition retro-styled 1980’s game box which includes a physical boxed edition of Pixel Ripped 1989.

This edition is something special for fans of Pixel Ripped 1989, but it will limited to only 1,500 copies. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good! The Pink Cassette Edition contains the long sought after PlayStation VR physical edition of Pixel Ripped 1989, but it will be presented in an authentic, 1980s style game box. Also included in the box is a limited edition retro pink cassette USB drive, which is packed with digital goodies, like the official soundtrack for Pixel Ripped 1989, wallpaper and exclusive art. There will even be a limited edition set of 3 postcards, one of which is signed by the Game Director, Ana Ribeiro.

“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for the Perp Games Store. We know fans have been eager to learn more about our plans with Pixel Ripped 1989 and the Pink Cassette Edition is something we can’t wait to share with you when it releases this April 12“. –Mickey Torode at Perp Games.

Pre-orders are open globally from today. If you’re ordering from the UK, simply go to the Perp Games Store and fill in the order form.
Pixel Ripped 1989 is an award-winning, multidimensional homage to retro gaming and is a highly original take on the 8-bit generation only possible through the power of Virtual Reality.
A game within a game, Pixel Ripped 1989 is packed full of surprises as you play 2nd Grade Student Nicola who tries to help Dot and her pixelated friends save the world from Cyblin Lord on her handheld console, all while trying not to get caught by her teachers when sat in class.

Launched in July 2018, and with over 17 award wins and nominations, Pixel Ripped 1989 is a wacky multi-dimensional homage to the early days of gaming. The player embarks on a journey into the screen of a classic video game and beyond. Set in the era of portable 8-bit consoles, this game-within-a-game follows the adventures of Dot, an in-game character who sees her world torn apart by the Cyblin Lord, a villain able to break through the video game screen and invade the real world.

In the game, the player inhabits Nicola, a second-grade student who must help Dot save both realities from this menace by facing challenges in the retro-gaming 2D world, all while distracting the cranky teacher and escaping from the furious headmaster in her own 3D world.

The game received funding from Oculus and multiple international awards and nominations:

  • New Face Award at the 22nd Edition of the Japan Media Arts Festival
  • Most Innovative Game – BIG Festival 2019
  • Best VR Games Showcase – SIGGRAPH 2019
  • Best VR Game at GDC 2018 – Tom’s Guide
  • Best VR Game Selection 2018 – VR Awards
  • IndieCade 2018 – Official Selection
  • Most Innovative Game 2018 – Lisboa Games Week
  • Most Innovative Selection 2017 – Proto Awards
  • Best Original Score Selection 2017 – Proto Awards
  • Best Virtual Reality Game 2015 – AMAZE Festival 
  • IndieCade 2015 – Official Selection
  • Best Demo Pitch 2014 – Intel

Pixel Ripped 1989 is available in the following stores:

  • Steam Store (LINK)
  • Oculus Store (LINK)
  • PlayStation Store (LINK)

Train2Game News Blood Bowl 3 Bugman Beer

Posted on by

The most watched sporting event on American television has just come to an end.

Despite the large number of ads, keen-eyed observers will have noted the absence of a top brand, Bugman’s Beer!

Head brewer, Joseph Bugman, was eagerly awaiting this occasion to promote his best beer, Bugman’s XXXXXX, the most refreshing and refined beer in the Old World. But alas, the beardling brewery courier didn’t get the tape to the network on time – he’s now a trollslayer.

Bugman’s XXXXXX is a brewed beer distributed all across the Old World. From the tip of the froth to the bottom of the mug, each sip is pure delight. At the mere sight of a Bugman’s XXXXXX, even a clumsy dwarf can take out an entire opposing team and sprint 25 yards just to get a taste.

If you don’t believe it? That’s because you’ve never drunk a Bugman’s XXXXXX! Discover its unique flavour before your next Blood Bowl match!

Funnier, bloodier, and more spectacular than ever, Blood Bowl 3 will be a hit with fans of the universe and strategy games alike. At launch, the game will include 12 teams’ each with their own pitch and cheerleaders, Campaign and Multiplayer modes, and more customization options than a Blood Bowl game has ever received before. 

Planned for release in August 2021, Blood Bowl 3 will be available on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, and Nintendo Switch™.

Train2Game News Update Prepares For Expansion

Posted on by

Following the reveal of Endwalker™, the highly-anticipated fourth expansion for FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online, SQUARE ENIX® revealed first details for Patch 5.5—the next major update for the critically acclaimed MMORPG, scheduled to release on 13th April.
 

Additionally, the recently announced PlayStation®5 console version of FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is scheduled to launch into open beta on 13th April, 2021. The  PlayStation 5 version will feature numerous upgrades from the PlayStation 4 version, including significantly improved frame rates, faster load times, 4K resolution support and more. Players whose FFXIV service account has a registered license for the PlayStation 4 version may download and play the PlayStation 5 Upgrade Version at no extra cost at the start of the open beta period, while new players can experience the game on the PlayStation 5 through the Free Trial. The full version of the game will be available on PlayStation 5 following the conclusion of the open beta.

  Titled “Death Unto Dawn,” Patch 5.5 will be split in two parts and set the stage for the Endwalker expansion. Part one is headlined by the third chapter of YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse—the NieR-inspired alliance raid featuring the work of guest creators Yosuke Saito and YOKO TARO—alongside an abundance of new story and battle content, system updates, and more.

  Additional details on Patch 5.5 content are outlined below:

  • New Main Scenario Quests – The story update—split into two parts—will pave the way for the Endwalker storyline.
  • New Alliance Raid – The third chapter of the NieR-inspired YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse alliance raid series.
  • “Sorrow of Werlyt” Questline Update – The thrilling conclusion of the Warrior of Light and Gaius’ quest to thwart the Empire’s warmachina development project.
  • New Trial: The Cloud Deck – Players can face off against the fearsome Diamond Weapon in this latest trial, which will be available in both Normal and Extreme difficulties.
  • New Dungeon: Paglth’an – Players can tackle this new story dungeon alongside fellow adventurers or a party of non-player characters via Trust System compatibility.
  • “Save the Queen” Questline Update – Alongside the addition of a new field area, “Zadnor,” players can further upgrade their Resistance Weapons to their final and most powerful stage.
  • New Unreal Trial – The next powered-up version of an existing primal will be unleashed upon level 80 heroes, providing players with a new challenge and a chance to collect unique prizes.
  • Crafter Updates – High-level crafters can look forward to new content in Patch 5.5 that will earn them special achievements and unique crafting tools.
  • Ishgard Restoration Update – Locals of The Firmament will periodically hold Fêtes to celebrate the completion of the restoration.
  • “Explorer Mode” Update – The Explorer Mode feature will be expanded to all Level 70 dungeons. Explorer Mode allows players to explore dungeons free from danger to capture striking and fun screenshots while enabling the use of mounts and minions. Players will also now be able to use performance actions while in dungeons, such as playing musical instruments.
  • Performance Action Updates – Players will now be able to change instruments at any time while performing, and a new instrument will be added.
  • Job Adjustments for PvE and PvP Actions, New Custom Deliveries, Ocean Fishing Update, New Mounts and more.

  The recently announced fourth expansion pack of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga, Endwalker, is scheduled to release Autumn 2021 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Mac. Endwalker is the culmination of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, in which Warriors of Light will encounter an even greater calamity than ever before, and will bring an abundance of new content, including multiple new jobs, an increased level cap, vast new areas, adjustments to the battle system, as well as a variety of new battle, crafter and gatherer content.

  The FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker cinematic trailer may be found here: https://youtu.be/HsVraq-v0JI

Train2Game News LEGO Sonic

Posted on by

Sonic the Hedgehog is getting his own Lego set, thanks to a dedicated Sonic fan and support from the Lego community.

The Lego Group and Sega have given the green light to produce an official Sonic Lego set — officially known as the Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone Lego Ideas design — conceived by 24-year-old fan Viv Grannell.

The above image shows Grannell’s idea, which was submitted to the Lego Ideas website. Lego Ideas is a testing ground where brick enthusiasts can propose new sets, which are then voted on by the community, and can eventually become official Lego releases.

Grannell’s Lego Ideas submission received widespread community support.

“I’ve been invested in the world of Sonic for almost my entire life, and it’s such a perfect fit for the Lego system that I spent about a year rallying support for it to happen,” Grannell said in a news release.

“Having 10,000 people back my design was overwhelming enough, even with friends and family behind me, but having it be selected for further development was the most exciting secret I have ever had to keep!”

A finalized version of Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone is in development. Price and release date were not announced.

Sonic the Hedgehog got the Lego treatment back in 2016, when he appeared in Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Lego Dimensions.

That toys-to-life game gave fans a Sonic minifig, Sonic Speedster, and Tornado biplane, all in Lego form.

Train2Game News GameStonk T-Shirts

Posted on by

GAME, the UK’s largest high street retailer of video games today announced their homage to the headline hitting GameStop fan reddit page with ‘GameStonk to the moon’ t-shirts!

Available to pre-order now exclusively via the GAME website – www.game.co.uk/en/merchandise/gamestonks, the newly launched short-sleeved t-shirts have sizes in stock ranging from small to XL and are made from 100% cotton.

These black unisex t-shirts are available from the 12th February 2021 and have been produced to stand with supporters of gaming retailers.

All t-shirts are priced at £12.99.

For more information about GAME products please visit www.game.co.uk or follow GAME on twitter for loads of deals, competitions and news.

Train2Game News Judgement Coming To XSX & PS5

Posted on by

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio are returning to the streets of Kamurocho, Tokyo, to present Judgment’s tale of murder and mystery in remastered form on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Google Stadia on April 23 for $39.99.

Judgment takes advantage of the new hardware with refined visuals in 60 frames per second along with improved load times and includes all previously released DLC on these three platforms.

Praised as ‘the best crime drama not on TV’ by the Hollywood Reporter, Judgment was originally released on PlayStation 4 in 2019. The remastered Judgment marks the gritty tale’s debut on Xbox and Stadia.

Investigate the new trailer here:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlLURGxlQmk

Judgment is an action thriller that puts players in the shoes of Takayuki Yagami, disgraced attorney turned rugged private detective, as he uncovers the mystery behind a grisly series of murders. Joined by his partner, ex-yazuka Masaharu Kaito, Yagami must claw his way through Kamurocho’s criminal underground to unravel the truth – as painful as it may be.

In addition to locale, Judgment takes on the classic hallmarks of the Yakuza series through the eyes of Yagami. Fans will recognize rough-and-tumble street fights, engrossing side missions with locals, and comedy breaks with mini-games. Judgment ups the ante with emphasis on investigative gameplay tracking suspects and discovering clues as Yagami walks the thin line of justice in a world of corruption. Packed with a thrilling story, filmic combat and a cast of intense characters, Judgment will keep all aspiring private detectives on their toes.

Train2Game News Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary

Posted on by

Square Enix® and Crystal Dynamics® today kicked off a year-long 25th anniversary celebration of TOMB RAIDER®, the iconic videogame series that debuted in October 1996.

Fans can access the 25th anniversary webpage at https://tombraider.com/25

Tomb Raider’s star, famous archeologist-adventurer Lara Croft, has become a powerful force in the gaming industry and beyond, and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment.

From being named an ambassador for scientific excellence to appearing live on tour with U2, Lara Croft has touched the lives of tens of millions of people around the world. With over 30 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine has been a cultural icon for 25 years on gaming screens and Hollywood silver screens alike, battling T-Rexes, unearthing ancient artifacts, and saving the world from an apocalypse or two.

Lara has had adventures in dozens of countries, explored the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Andaman Seas, ventured to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, and rediscovered Atlantis and the lost island of Yamatai.

“Over the last 25 years Tomb Raider has become more than a game and Lara Croft has risen to become a cultural icon,” said Scot Amos, Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We’re so proud to be a part of this rich tapestry of adventure, but we recognize the true credit belongs to the fans! The amazing Tomb Raider community has made all of this possible and we look forward to celebrating with them his historic milestone and for many decades to come.”

Tomb Raider’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary will feature in-depth explorations of the major games released in the franchise, including nostalgic media deep from the archives, developer interviews, community activities, live playthroughs, and more.

Over the coming months, developer Crystal Dynamics will re-visit the lineup of major Tomb Raider games, focusing on one game each month. Fans of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft can look forward to additional franchise announcements over the course of the year.

Tomb Raider games are currently available on all modern gaming platforms, from PC to console, Stadia, and mobile.

Train2Game News Interactive Futures

Posted on by

February’s Interactive Futures event will welcome Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture, to open the conference’s discussions about talent in the games industry – and the career opportunities available to children and young people in Leamington Spa and beyond.

Interactive Futures (www.interactive-futures.com) takes place from Tuesday, February 16 to Saturday February 20 as a virtual event. It will provide practical advice and guidance to students, young people and children – plus their parents – on how to navigate their pathways into the games industry.

Conservative MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, Caroline Dinenage was appointed Minister of State for Digital and Culture at the DCMS in February 2020. She has also held roles in Government within the Women, Equalities & Early Years departments, amongst others.

Her keynote at Interactive Futures will take place on the morning of Wednesday, February 17.

Other confirmed Interactive Futures 2021 speakers include:

Rick Gibson, CEO of the BGI – which runs the annual Games Education Summit – will be hosting a keynote panel session discussing how Leamington Spa studios are working with educators to support and nurture the next generation of video games creators.

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, will deliver a keynote speech outlining how the games trade body is working hard to provide educational resources for all ages – and why it’s important that the UK games industry nurtures its future pipeline of talent.

Declan Cassidy, Chief Executive of Into Games, will discuss why it’s important for the industry to support and advise children from as young as primary age about a career in games.

Interactive Futures is hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council.

Sarah Windrum, board director at the CWLEP and chair of its Digital and Creative Business Group, said: “This is a really exciting line-up of speakers led by the Minister of State for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage MP which is a real coup for the event in its third year and testament to the hard work of the team.

  “Interactive Futures is an ideal opportunity for students and parents to find out more about a sector which offers a really wide range of careers and to hear about the importance of the industry throughout the UK and particularly in Coventry and Warwickshire.”

The full Interactive Futures programme (https://interactive-futures.com/conference-2021/) will include a series of dedicated conference sessions for primary school children, secondary school children and young people, Further Education and Higher Education students.

Interactive sessions will also be featured, courtesy of Digital Schoolhouse and Into Games, while one-to-one Portfolio Reviews and Advice Clinics will run throughout the four days.

It’s free to attend and tickets are available now – https://interactive-futures.com/tickets-2021/.