Tag Archives: iPhone

Train2Game News: Gaming potential. Apple iPhone 5 almost here

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The Apple iPhone 5 is expected to be released next wednesday.

For gaming and games development this means a more powerful platform to work with.

The invitation to the launch event in San Francisco was a bit special – it had a twelve casting the shadow of a five and the words “its almost here”.

The new iPhone release is the first big advance by Apple since the death of Steve Jobs and it seems to be a big step forward from the 4S.

Leaked photos from some of Apples Chinese manufacturers show the device to have a bigger 4.2 inch screen and a slimmer body. It is expected to support the awaited 4G high speed wireless broadband. The mobile network Orange hopes to set up 4G for the UK the day before the launch of the iPhone 5, according to Ofcom.

4G gives the added bonus of downloading the games you want faster.

Phil Schiller, head of marketing for Apple, testified in court during the legal battle with Samsung, said: “Each new generation of iPhone sold approximately equal to all previous generations combined.”

If this keeps up it means that the market for games on iOS will rise to even greater heights.

Of course the most exciting thing coming next week is the Train2Game Game Jam which starts on the 14th. If you do get an iPhone 5 on release day there is just enough time to get it charged and ready before the weekends fun begins.

Train2Game News: Epic veterans form mobile studio BitMonster

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Epic Games veterans including Gears of War gameplay designer Lee Perry have formed a new mobile studio and will release Unreal powered titles on iOS devices.

BitMonster studios have signed a long term agreement with Epic Games to use their tech to produce iPhone and iPad games. Their first game, Lili, is currently in the final stages of development as is described as an adventure game RPG hybrid.

“Epic has been extremely supportive of our new studio and in helping us build the game of our dreams,” said BitMonster president Lee Perry

“We set out to create an adventure that is appropriate for nearly anyone. As a designer, it’s exciting to see that the Unreal Engine 3 tools are better than ever, and they provide everything we need to achieve a gratifying and imaginative experience.” he added.

“BitMonster is set to deliver the triple-A production values that appeal to discerning players,” said head of North American licensing at Epic Games Joe Kreiner.

“Given this team’s crazy mix of passion, talent and chemistry, and with the latest Unreal Engine tools in their hands, BitMonster has a winning recipe for success.”

Watch the trailer for Lili from BitMonster below.

As regular readers will know, Train2Game student team Commando Kiwi are currently developing an iPhone and iPad game using Unreal Technology after winning Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show. Their game, based on Fighting Fantasy book The Warlock of Firetop Mountain will be released soon. There’s more about Make Something Unreal Live here on the Train2Game Blog.

Be sure to keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest from Epic Games and Unreal.

What are your thoughts on the Epic veterans forming mobile studio BitMonster?

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

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: “There’s a potential for mobile gaming to kill console gaming”

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Mobile could kill console gaming by taking the largest percentage of the market. That’s the view of Ngmoco general manager Ben Cousins, formerly of DICE, Sony, and Lionhead.

Ngmoco just happen to develop mobile games.

“There’s a potential for mobile gaming to kill console gaming. I’m talking about a significant reduction of market share with no chance of return.” he said during a keynote at GDC Taipei, report Gamasutra.

“I believe that sometime during the next console generation, globally, both the revenue and the market share for games will be larger in mobile than it is for console.”

“I believe Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo won’t produce dedicated hardware past the next generation. Further, I believe traditional game companies like EA will be purchased by existing digital companies, or close entirely.” Cousins added.

There’s much more about the increasing rise of mobile gaming here, but will it ever eradicate console gaming? Or do you think it’s impossible that’ll you’ll throw your consoles away for mobile instead?

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: “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: GTA developer criticises money focused mobile games

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Train2Game students have seen a huge rise in studios producing mobile games in recent years, and will be aware that it’s potentially a great way to get a product into the market. (Just ook at how well micro studio Hogrocket has done in this Train2Game blog interview)

However Grand Theft Auto developer Dan Houser believes a lot of publishers and studios have turned to mobile only to make money, with less focus on developing quality titles.

“This is my personal opinion, but I think a lot of people in the general mobile industry are more focused on making money than making good products,” the Rockstar man told Japan’s Famitsu Magazine.

And Houser revealed he believes the focus on making money ‘depresses’ him, and thinks games are more than an exercise in making money.

“We’re a business, too — we have to think about how to build revenue and we value the knowledge you need for that, but we want to conduct business with superior products. Focusing on nothing but business is depressing to me; it’s boring. I want people to understand that we make games for more than just to make money.”

“Our mobile strategy is not at all different from our console strategy — in other words, we don’t have one,” he said.

“Our focus is purely on making games that we can be confident on the quality of. We’ve never made something because we felt it was a business opportunity or because we thought there was some niche in the marketplace we could fill.”

Big developers including Bioware and Activision have recently looked into the possibility of developing for mobile.

Some believe mobile, and Apple in particular, are a threat to consoles, Houser argues that while an important area, in won’t swallow up the entire games industry.

“I don’t think mobile is going to swallow up video games, but it’s an important topic. The massive phenomenon we saw when portable game systems came out has already spread over the mobile market, but we’ve experienced successes and failures in portables in the past.” Houser concluded.

Rockstar have had a high profile week, with the Train2Game blog reporting that the developer finally officially revealed Grand Theft Auto V. See what Train2Game students want from Grand Theft Auto V here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game Facebook page.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Housers’ comments? Are some developers focusing on making money from mobile rather than producing quality products? What’s your opinion on Rockstars commitment to making quality games?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Industry Gamers]