Tag Archives: iOS

Train2Game News: Train2Game student developed My Sea Park reaches 250,000 downloads

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My Sea Park, a mobile game developed with significant input from Train2Game students has been downloaded over 250,000 times.

The management title, created with help from Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios, was released worldwide less than two weeks ago.

Seven students worked on the iOS game, with Train2Game game designer Craig Moore serving as design lead.

My Sea Park lets players explore their creativity by building the biggest and best marine-themed amusement park in the world.

Watch the trailer below, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Like it? Then support fellow Train2Game students by downloading My Sea Park from the App Store now!

There’s more on My Sea Park here on The Train2Game Blog, while keep reading for the latest industry experience diaries from Train2Game students on placement at DR Studios.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: My Sea Park, a new mobile game with heavy Train2Game student input released worldwide

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My Sea Park is a brand new mobile game that’s received heavy input from Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios and its available worldwide for iPhone and Ipad now.

Seven students worked on the iOS game, with Train2Game game designer Craig Moore serving as design lead.

My Sea Park lets players explore their creativity by building the biggest and best marine-themed amusement park in the world. The following Train2Game students also aided in development of My Sea Park, using skills learned on the developer, designer and art and animation courses.

Ben Collings – Art
Ezekiel Morris – Art
Jonny Robinson – Design
Matty Wyett-Simmonds – Art
Rudi Will – Design
Tim Woods – Programming

With more than 50 different attractions available, My Sea Park allows players to maintain and fill their parks with wonderful sea animals, rides, restaurants and other special items to entertain their guests.

In addition, My Sea Park allows players to completely customize their sea attractions with an abundance of decorations, cute animals and shows.

Watch the trailer below, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Like it? Then support fellow Train2Game students by downloading My Sea Park from the App Store now!

There’s more on My Sea Park here on The Train2Game Blog, while keep reading for the latest industry experience diaries from Train2Game students on placement at DR Studios.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: “We’re in gaming in a fairly big way” and will only get bigger say Apple

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Apple is a big player in the games industry and will only get bigger, but isn’t interested in producing a console. That’s according to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

“I view that we are in gaming now in a fairly big way.” Steve Jobs successor told AllThingsD.

“One of the reasons people buy an iPod touch is gaming. Some buy it for music. I realize that is not the big screen you are talking about. Gaming has kind of evolved a bit. More people play on portable devices. Where we might go in the future, we’ll see. Customers love games.” Cook continued.

“I’m not interested in being in the console business in what is thought of as traditional gaming, but Apple is a big player today, and things in the future will only make that bigger.” he added.

Mobile gaming has provided a huge platform for game developers to work on, with many independent studios focusing on iPhone or Android games.  Indeed, four Train2Game student teams will soon see their own games based on the Fighting Fantasy series published on the iTunes App Store.

Valve CEO Gabe Newell has previously stated that he believes Apple will launch a living room product that’ll make consoles “disappear”

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest iPhone and Apple gaming news.

What are your thoughts on Apple’s position in gaming? Do you believe they’ll stick to mobile? Or will they make move for consoles after all?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Creative Assembly dev diary on making Total War Battles: Shogun for mobile

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Get behind the scenes of Total War Battles: Shogun, the mobile adaptation of the PC strategy series in a developer diary from The Creative Assembly and SEGA.

Total War Battles: Shogun- Dev Diary #1 sees senior designers Renauld Charpentier and Xu Xiaojun, lead artist Nick Farley and lead programmer Mattijs van Delden discuss the challenges of adapting Total War to mobile, while still ensuring it’s still a “real strategy game.”

For example, the UI needs to be adjusted for a touchscreen, while the art needs to be bright and easily recognisable to distinguish between different types of unit.

Watch the Total War Battles: Shogun developer diary below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Total War Battles: Shogun is available now for iOS and is coming soon for Android.

There’s more on Creative Assembly and their Total War titles here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on bringing Total War to mobile? Can it capture the tactical gameplay of the PC titles?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: New DR Studios title ‘My Sea Park’ has huge Train2Game student input

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Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios have played a big part in developing My Sea Park; the latest title from the Milton Keynes based game producers.

The upcoming free-to-play iOS title allows you to build your own sea park full of penguins, dolphins, killer whales, giant squids and more.  You can find out more by liking the My Sea Park Facebook page.

Find out more about Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios in their industry experience diaries, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Virgin launch 100 day game project contest for aspiring game developers

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Train2Game students have the chance to design and publish a mobile video game if they take part in Virgin Media’s 100 day game project contest.

“We’re looking for amateur and student game designers from across the country to come to us with their concepts for a top quality mobile/tablet game.” reads the announcement.

“Utilising some of the industry’s brightest brains, we’ll select one concept and help the lucky winning team create their game and make their vision a reality. Reaching out to gaming fans everywhere, the project will culminate with the beta game launch at the Eurogamer Expo on 27th September.”

To enter Virgin Media’s 100 day game projects, you need to be in a team of 3 or 4 members aged 18-35, and pitch your iOS or Android game using this entry form.

Entries will be judged by a panel of experts on Tuesday 12th June, with the winning team being taken to game development labs in Dundee to build their game between 18th June and 26th September. The beta of the winning game will be presented at the Eurogamer Expo at the end of September.

FULL information about entry criteria and all terms and conditions are on the Virgin Media 100 day game project website.

Will you and a small team of fellow Train2Game students give this a go? Keep in mind that this isn’t a Train2Game contest, but it’s a great opportunity.

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.  Good luck to any Train2Game student teams who enter!

Train2Game news: Angry Birds Space becomes the fastest growing mobile game ever

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Train2Game students will be familiar with the success of Angry Birds, the casual title that was one of the first huge stars of mobile gaming.

Now Rovio’s latest title, Angry Birds Space ,has become the fastest growing mobile game ever, with 50 million downloads in its first 35 days on release.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all fans of Angry Birds everywhere.” said a blog post from Finnish developer Rovio.

“While numbers like this certainly say something about the popularity of Angry Birds, for us the main goal is to keep creating fun new experiences that everybody can enjoy! We just launched the first free update for Angry Birds Space, with plenty more surprises in stock.” the post added.

Angry Birds Space is currently available for iOS and Android mobile devices, PC and Mac. Angry Birds merchandise is available throughout the High Street!

What are your thoughts on the continued success of Angry Birds? Do you think it has changed the industry?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Mobile developers “ignore Android at your own peril”

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Train2Game students looking to develop mobile games would be best producing them for both iOS and Android devices.  That’s according to mobile developer Mobile Deluxe, in an article posted on Gamasutra.

“Ignore Android at your own peril! Planning an iOS only release strategy is short-sighted and disastrous in the long run.” said Mobile Deluxe’s Sean Thompson.

“Android is too big of an opportunity to leave undeveloped. There are ample resources out there providing best practices for developing for both iOS and Android.”

Towards the end of last year, The Train2Game Blog reported that Android app downloads had topped six billion, a number which will now be even higher. 2011 saw Android significantly increase its user base, closing down on Apple and their iPhone and iPad.

The full Gamasutra piece therefore very much worth a read for Train2Game students.

Keep up to date with the latest Android news here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the report? Is developing for Android on your radar?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: “Atari dream team” to develop for “the new arcade” iOS

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iPhone and iPad games are “the new arcade.” That’s according to games industry veteran  Seamus Blackley who’s brought together some of the original Atari game developers to build games for iOS.

Blackley co-wrote the proposal for the original Xbox console, and assembled the team behind it.

“This is the dream team from Atari,” he told VentureBeat.

“We are looking at the new arcade, and 99 cents on the iPhone is the new quarter. People are playing on all these new devices and are finding the joy of the arcade games.”

Blackley says his team, “”the Jedi Council of videogame design” want to create, quality, original games.

“We are carrying on where Atari left off, focusing on innovation in gameplay,” he said.

“We have to create a quality experience, hone it, and tweak the crap out of it so that you get the same level of gameplay that people demanded in the arcade era. It’s scary as sh*t if you don’t understand gameplay.” Blackley added.

The eleven Atari developers are going to be joined by a team of interns in a company that’ll consist of 30 employees in total. The studio is called Innovative Leisure.

Train2Game students will be aware of the rise of mobile gaming, and the opportunities it can bring.

The Train2Game Blog will certainly be keeping an eye on Blackley’s new studio.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Atari veterens developing iOS titles? Is i OS the new arcade?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Eurogamer via VentureBeat]

Train2Game news: Valve announces Steam mobile beta release for iOS and Android

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Train2Game students will soon be able to use Steam via mobile phones, Valve has announced.

The Half-Life, Portal, Team Fortress and Left 4 Dead developer also announced that a closed beta will be available for iOS and Android devices.

The Steam mobile app will allow you to chat with Steam friends, browse community groups and user profiles, view screenshots and of course, will let you keep up to date with the latest Steam sales.

“The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers,” said Valve co-founder and President Gabe Newell, who as recently reported by The Train2Game Blog, offered some excellent advice to aspiring game developers.

“Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale – these are all features customers have requested.” he continued, before adding that mobile is having a huge impact on the games industry.

“Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone.” said Newell.

Train2Game students who wish to take part in the Steam mobile beta, should download the app for free from http://store.steampowered.com/mobile then use it to log into their Steam account.

Keep up to date with the latest news from Valve, here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Steam going mobile? Will use the Steam via your smartphone?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.