Train2Game have released a small simple booklet detailing the benefits of DreamSpark and how it is benefiting Train2Game student studio, Gallant Cloud.
You can view the booklet below.
Tag Archives: Microsoft
Train2Game News: Xbox One Tour
Microsoft has announced plans for a worldwide Xbox One promotional tour. If you didn’t get a chance to play it at Eurogamer you still have hope!
Beginning on October 1 and running until the end of the year, the tour will take in 75 cities with the initial phase covering Europe, the US and Canada. While attendance is free of charge, it’s limited to those over 18 years of age and space will be limited.
The tour will give consumers the chance to go hands-on with games including Forza 5, Ryse, Killer Instinct, Dead Rising 3, Kinect Sports Rivals, Crimson Dragon, Max: Curse of the Brotherhood, Zoo Tycoon and Minecraft.
Additionally, custom Xbox One ‘Test Drive’ vehicles will offer hands-on time at festivals, university campuses, retail centers and other locations across the UK, Germany, France, US and Canada in the coming months.
Here’s a select list of tour dates:
- Philadelphia: 3.10 – 6.10
- Paris: 10.10 – 13.10
- Toronto: 10.10 – 13.10
- Chicago: 17.10 – 20.10
- Vienna: 17.10 – 20.10
- Atlanta: 24.10 – 27.10
- Dallas : 31.10 – 3.11
- Berlin: 31.10 – 3.11
- Phoenix: 7.11 – 10.11
- San Francisco: 14.11 – 17.11
- Dublin: 14.11 – 17.11
- Los Angeles: 21.11
- London: 21.11 – 24.11
Keep an eye on the following link for more information of tour dates as they are announced. http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/onetour
Microsoft has confirmed an Xbox One release date of November 22, 2013 in 13 markets. The Xbox One price has been set at £430 / €500 / $500.
Train2Game News: Eurogamer Expo 2013
The past weekend was one I look forward to every year. It was the annual Eurogamer Expo and this year was completely sold out.
I attended the event with a couple of friends of mine, one of whom had never attended a gaming event before so it was nice to see his eyes light up at the sight of the event. There is nothing quite like your first time!
The first game we ended up playing was the new Lego Marvel Super Heroes game from Warner Brothers Interactive. The game was similar to the other Lego games just involving all of your favourite Marvel heroes! The only other Lego game I had played was the Lego Batman game so I was quite shocked when the Lego characters started talking to me. Certainly a fun game to try if you can.
Second one of my friends and I discovered an XBLA game there that we were both interested in which was a game called Foul Play by Medatonic. The game was an entertaining side scrolling hack and slash which has no health bar. The game instead rewards big combos in a similar way to Guitar Hero. I would describe this as Guitar Hero meets Castle Crashers. Foul Play is out now and I will be buying it soon.
Next I decided to start tackling the main objectives I had set myself for the weekend and started with Batman: Arkham Origins. I am a big Batman fan and absolutely loved the other two Arkham games and was a bit worried when I found out that Rocksteady wasn’t going to be doing this game as I imagine most batfans were. My worries were put to rest on playing the game though. It plays exactly like Arkham City, if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it! My other worry was the voice actors for Batman and Joker. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are the characters I hear when reading them so when they weren’t in this game I worried. I have to say though they both have excellent voices and I could find no fault with the small window of the game that I tried. I will definitely be pre-ordering my copy soon.
I then got two birds with one stone as I tried Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on a PlayStation 4. The game was absolutely gorgeous and they have really polished up the ship sections from AC3. I enjoyed the quite open sea feel that I got from the game but couldn’t test much more than that in the time I was given.
The PS4 graphics were of course jaw droppingly stunning but what surprised me was how comfortable the joysticks were on the controller. They have just the right amount of indentation on the joysticks so your thumb slots in and is firmly in place for those more frantic moments.
The final game I tried out for the day was Killer Instinct on the Xbox One. I never played one of the Killer Instinct games before so it was all new to me. I was paired up with a guy I didn’t know to play the game and it turned out we were incredibly evenly matched! We had two and a half games, the first he one with very little health left, the second I one with very little health left and the third one got cut short saw him well in the lead. The game was easy to get on with and just pick up and get to fighting!
Again the graphics of the Xbox One were beautiful with every little detail on display and much like the PS4 the XB1 has an incredibly comfortable joystick for your thumb to fit in to.
It was a great event as it always is but I wish I had more time to get to grips with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. I do certainly advise you to go next year though as in the three years I have been, I have never been disappointed.
You can view all the developer sessions from the weekend at http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/eurogamer-expo-2012-live-developer-sessions
Train2Game News: SpecialEffect Windows Phone 8 app released
SpecialEffect, the UK charity that helps people with disabilities to play computer games, have released a free Windows Phone 8 app.
The charity are confident that the app, designed at no charge to the charity by Des Gayle of Altered Gene Studios (http://alteredgenestudios.com), will form a vital part of their communications strategy in spreading the word about how they raise the quality of life for gamers with disabilities.
Des is an ambassador of SpecialEffect and has taken part in many fundraising activities for them, including the British 10K run and several footballing events.
“With gaming getting bad press in some quarters it’s even more important that we can increase our communication channels about how gaming can be a force for good,” said the charity’s Communications Officer Mark Saville. “The app contains news, information and links to many wonderful video case studies that show how we’re bringing families together through video games. It’s targeting something that often gets overlooked – that people with disabilities have lives beyond simply ‘being disabled’ and want to enjoy themselves with everyone else.”
The app can be downloaded at
http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=e2802437-3a6c-49b2-91eb-fe5499575b9f
Train2Game News: Derp Studios in The Radio Magazine
Train2Game Student Studio, Derp Studios, has been featured in The Radio Magazine. The Radio Magazine is the only Radio magazine left in print.
Derp Studios is a studio primarily based in Cheltenham Gloucestershire, and they have been working on a project recently to bring small radio stations on to Windows 8 devices. The first radio app that was developed was for RTI which is Eric Wiltshers very own station.
Eric used his own connections in the radio world and mentioned it to The Radio Magazine who loved the idea so much that they have done a two page spread on the story. The Radio Magazine is then shipped out to every major and minor radio station around the country.
Derp Studios has also been heavily supported by Microsoft themselves as they saw this as an incredible opportunity for their Windows 8 platform and have given the team an incredible amount of help.
You can read the magazine at the following link from page 18: www.theradiomagazine.co.uk
Train2Game would like to wish Derp Studios a massive congratulations and good luck for the future.
You can find out more about Derp at their website: www.derpstudios.com
Train2Game News: Eurogamer Developer Sessions
Gamer Network announced what is being referred to as the best ever developer sessions line-up for Eurogamer Expo 2013.
This year features presentations by the studios making Watch_Dogs, Killzone: Shadow Fall, The Witcher 3 and many more blockbuster titles.
Each developer session brings visitors face to face with top game makers, who will showcase new details of their projects in development, and for the first time ever, every single session will be streamed live at http://youtube.com/eurogamer.
Microsoft’s Phil Harrison kicks off the schedule on Thursday 26th September at 12pm with an exclusive Xbox One presentation, followed by Turn 10’s Dan Greenawalt showing Forza Motorsport 5 and Guerrilla Games demoing Killzone: Shadow Fall later in the day.
Highlights on Friday include David Cage presenting Beyond: Two Souls, Techland introducing next-gen open-world zombie title Dying Light and an exclusive look at the next-generation version of FIFA 14.
Things only get better at the weekend as CD Projekt RED shows The Witcher 3, Ubisoft Montreal presents the hugely anticipated Watch_Dogs, WB Montreal talks Batman: Arkham Origins, and Eidos Montreal showcases Thief.
This year’s schedule also features more indie games than ever, including a trio of PlayStation 4 titles: Resogun from Housemarque, Wasteland Kings from Vlambeer and Velocity 2X from FuturLab. Peter Molyneux also returns to the Eurogamer Expo stage to talk about Project Godus.
The full session schedule can be found at http://www.eurogamerexpo.com/whats-on/schedule
Each session will last around 35 minutes and in addition to hundreds of seats in the main auditorium, this year organisers have introduced an overflow area where attendees can watch the sessions in comfort, recharge phones and meet friends.
Eurogamer Expo 2013 (#EGX) takes place at Earls Court, London, from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th September. Tickets have now completely sold out, with over 70,000 gamers expected to attend.
Train2Game News: Xbox One Launch Date
The Microsoft Xbox One will launch in 13 markets, including the US and UK, on November 22 of this year.
The date puts Microsoft behind its rival, the PlayStation 4, in the US, but a week ahead of it in the UK. Sony has set a US launch date of November 15 and a UK launch date of November 29.
“We’re now in a position to share that Xbox One will be available on November 22, 2013 in all 13 of our initial launch markets – Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. Many more markets will follow in 2014,” confirmed Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of marketing, strategy and business.
“We are humbled and gratified by the tremendous interest in Xbox One from game fans everywhere. We sold out of our pre-order supply faster than at any other time in our history and we are on path to have the biggest launch of an Xbox ever. We look forward to celebrating with millions and millions of gamers this holiday.
“November 22 is a special day in Xbox history – on this day, we first launched Xbox 360 in 2005. Our next chapter begins in 79 days, when Xbox One becomes available. We built Xbox One to bring you the best games, unrivalled multiplayer and more entertainment than ever before. It’s nearly time to say ‘Xbox On’ and open a new world of games and entertainment.”
Microsoft has not confirmed its pre-order numbers but Mehdi added that limited number of additional Xbox One Day One consoles would be made available today. If you want an Xbox One on release day, act fast!
Train2Game News: Games Industry News – 30.08.13
It’s the end of the week so it’s time for the games industry news round up.
Unity Technologies unveiled new 2D tools and workflow for the Unity engine and editor to meet increased demand for features designed to address the specific challenges of creating 2D games. Now in beta, the first iteration of the 2D tools, many of which are included in the free version of Unity, will be released with the Unity 4.3 update this fall. The charge to improve workflow begins with the introduction of a dedicated scene view, which includes specialized 2D scene manipulation tools. Scene view can be toggled between the traditional view or set as the default when creating a project. Importing, manipulating, and working with 2D assets are made easier with the addition of a new sprite texture importer type, automated atlasing, and dedicated 2D renderer component. Adding 2D art to a scene is as easy as dragging a sprite from the asset library into the scene where Unity will then automatically create an object. If you are a fan of 2D games and work with Unity you now have no excuses to get a game out there!
Wizards of the Coast announced that the Magic 2014 – Duels of the Planeswalkers Expansion will release on September 18, 2013. Adding depth to the latest installment of the wildly popular Duels of the Planeswalkers franchise, the Magic 2014 Expansion will give players the opportunity to explore new planes, fight new enemies and face new challenges. Just like the full game the expansion will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PC via Steam, PlayStation Network, iPad, and Android via Google Play and the Amazon App Store. The new expansions includes; five new decks, new campaign levels, five new challenges and more persona portraits.
Activision Publishing, Inc., in association with Nickelodeon and developer Red Fly Studio, announced, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows – a new, team-based, third-person action-brawler debuting on the Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft for Xbox 360 as a part of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2013, and on Windows PC via Steam. Starring Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows puts the focus on combat, characters, and co-op. Its swift and tactile fighting system affords players dynamic choices on the battlefield, rewarding successful combo flourishes, expert counterattacks, and brutal takedowns. The Turtles’ full range of personalities are on display throughout this original story in the TMNT universe, bringing humour and attitude to the unfolding narrative and influencing each character’s unique fighting style. The game will be released on September 25.
NEXON Europe had the pleasure to announce that global pop sensation, media personality and all-round gentleman, PSY, is appearing in the enormously successful online free-to-play games MapleStory and Combat Arms. PSY took the world by storm with his hit single Gangnam Style, inspiring everyone from news readers to the UN Secretary General to join in with his unique brand of K-pop humour. Over a billion YouTube views and global chart domination is not enough for the dance phenomenon however; starting this month and following another huge hit single, Gentleman, PSY will be bringing his outrageous personality to NEXON Europe’s most popular titles.
Steve Ballmer is to retire as Microsoft CEO within the next year, the company revealed, adding credence to the rumours of a management reshuffle which accompanied Don Mattrick’s departure earlier this year. Ballmer will oversee the choice of his successor before taking retirement and remain as CEO during that process. The Microsoft board has appointed a special committee chaired by lead independent director John Thompson and including chairman of the Board Bill Gates, chairman of the Audit Committee Chuck Noski and chairman of the Compensation Committee Steve Luczo. Microsoft has said that it will be looking both internally and externally for candidates.
Train2Game News: Xbox Live using local currency
The latest Xbox 360 system update has retired Microsoft points and now all transactions on the platform will make use of local currency.
The change is effective in all regions, and brings Microsoft’s digital console platform into closer step with its direct rival by eliminating the virtual currency.
The hope for some developers is that without the need for an intermediary currency, users will be more likely to purchase digital games and goods through Xbox Live. While this is certainly a possibility, exchange rates are a new and potentially troublesome consideration for developers publishing games to multiple regions.
Users will receive the equivalent value of their Microsoft Points in local currency (80 points to the dollar) the next time they make a transaction.
Microsoft says the change hasn’t affected any other part of their online business, and has published some FAQ to help guide customers through the transition.
Train2Game News: Where could Oculus Rift lead?
The founder of Oculus Rift, Palmer Luckey, has stated that VR tech may be able to achieve “Matrix level virtual reality” within just a few years.
In a talk with Eurogamer Mr Luckey predicted a bright future for VR technology: “VR tech is still very crude,” he said, “but it’s advancing rapidly.”
The Oculus Rift device is going from strength-to-strength this year. Over 20,000 dev units have been shipped, and the company recently recruited id veteran John Carmack as its CTO. Oculus is now working on making the device compatible with Android mobile devices.
The next step beyond that would be to bring the device to games consoles. It’s simplicity means it would be a relatively easy thing to accomplish. “From our point of view you just need an HDMI input, and both consoles have HDMI,” said Laird Malamed of Oculus. “My experience has been that to get access to the USB side, that’s typically where you need software level support and that’s where you need their help.”
This could be nixed if Microsoft and Sony choose to release their own VR headsets for their respective next-gen consoles. Malamed said that the competition would be a positive thing for the technology.
“They’re big companies with lots of resources. For us we’d say good. With John Carmack coming over as our CTO, we’ve had a great Kickstarter campaign, they continue to be great supporters, but we’re still a start-up. VR’s had a lot of failures in the past, and so the more people that enter the market is good because developers that ultimately have to develop the content, they know they’ll have people playing their games which is better for all of us.”
It’s conceivable then that VR headsets could become commonplace during the next console generation. This would open up a whole new world of development.
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