Tag Archives: Microsoft

Major Nelson reveals new Xbox 360 controller

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New Xbox 360 controllerMicrosoft has revealed a new Xbox 360 controller in a video hosted by Larry ‘Major Nelson’ Hryb on the Xbox Youtube channel.

While furiously waving the new Xbox 360 controller around, Major Nelson explains:

“The engineers have come up with an ingenious solution with a d-pad that can go from a plus to a disc with the twist of the wrist.”

“In addition to the new d-pad, the matte silver controller also features concave analogue sticks and grey A,B,X,Y buttons for added style.”

“The controller will only be available with the new Play & Charge Kit that will launch on November 9th for US $64.99.”

The d-pad can be raised by twisting it 90 degrees, and will be much appreciated by fans of fighting games such as Street Fighter IV, where precision is the key to success.  Have Microsoft developed the new Xbox 360 controller specifically for fans of a specific genre?

The new Xbox 360 pad has also seen the control buttons toned down to a grey colour rather than the red, green, blue and yellow that we’re all used to.

The new Xbox 360 controller will be available in the United States from November 9th at a cost of $64.99. Unfortunately Xbox 360 owners in Europe won’t be able to get their hands on the new Xbox 360 controller until February next year. Expect Microsoft to reveal the price of the new Xbox 360 controller on this side of the Atlantic nearer the time.

You can watch Major Nelson explain everything you need to know about the new Xbox 360 controller in the video below.

So Train2Game students, what’s your opinion on the new Xbox 360 controller? Is it the radical overhaul that Microsoft claims it is or is it too similar to the regular Xbox 360 controller to your liking? Will you be buying a new Xbox 360 control pad?

You can leave your thoughts about the new Xbox 360 control pad here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

EA’s GamesCom Presentation: The Big Announcements

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EA have made several big announcements and revealed some impressive trailers during their presentation at GamesCom 2010.

The big news is that Mass Effect 2 will be released on the PlayStation 3 in January next year, while Bioware also showcased an impressive looking Dragon Age 2 trailer. Dragon Age 2 is due for release on March 11th 2011, will apparently be more responsive to players controls and will be featuring a revamped artistic direction.

EA also revealed that The Sims 3 will be released on the PlayStation 3 on October 26th and will include new ‘karma’ features and an achievement system.  Not only that, but The Sims Medieval, an all new stand alone Sims title is scheduled for release in March next year.

The Sims Medieval will allow life simulation enthusiasts to give their Sims quests and even partake in duels.

We also discovered that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be Kinect compatible. (Kinect’s UK launch date was earlier confirmed as November 10th) The announcement was made through making the guys who play the Weasley twins in the film demonstrate the game. The motion controller was used to cast different types of spells and looks like it could be the first ‘hardcore’ Kinect title on the Xbox 360. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released in November.

There were also gameplay Demos for Dead Space 2 and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit which were both rather intense. EA also showcased a Medal of Honor video which featured elite soldiers explaining how their work as consultants is helping develop the war themed first person shooter. Medal of Honor is released on October 15th 2010.

So Train2Game, that’s a quick round up of the big announcements from EA’s GamesCom presentation. What news stands out from the news? Is it Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3? Dragon Age 2? Or perhaps it’s The Sims Medieval or even Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows being Kinect compatible!

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft announce Kinect launch date and Xbox Live for Windows Mobile

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Kinect – the controller free device for the Xbox 360 – will be available in the UK from 10th November Microsoft have confirmed.  They’ve also revealed that Xbox Live will be coming to Windows mobile phones before Christmas, which could in theory provide Train2Game students with more opportunities to publish games. The announcements about Kinect and Xbox Live for mobile phones come before Microsoft’s pre-Gamescom event today.

Kinect for Xbox 360 is having its European premiere at Gamescom 2010, where several new games for the hands free device are expected to be launched. Microsoft say this will include more than fifteen exclusive Kinect titles.

Speaking before the show, Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Europe was of course keen to speak about Kinect.

“We are bringing the Kinect experience to Europe for the first time at Gamescom because this is the biggest show in the region and we’re committed to investing in Europe and the critical role it plays in Xbox’s global success.

With Kinect launching on November 10, it’s set to not only transform our business but also change how we use entertainment.

With Kinect, YOU become the controller, giving you the choice in how you and your friends navigate entertainment and gaming experiences. We’re already seeing a high level of anticipation in Europe with sales of the Kinect ready Xbox 360 250GB creating an all-time record weekly market share.”

The Microsoft Europe Vice President then moved away from Kinect and went on to discuss Xbox Live coming to mobile phones.

“This is a crucial time in expansion for Xbox 360, in terms of new audiences, new markets for Xbox LIVE and multiple platforms. With Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 we are bringing the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.”

With Xbox Live games launching on Windows phones, Microsoft will be looking to compete with the highly successful iPhone which has seen games sold in the millions. Could Xbox Live for Windows phones also perhaps provide Train2Game students with another avenue to promote games?

Of course, Microsoft have more than Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live for Windows Phone to promote at GamesCom, as Chris Lewis points out

“With Age of Empires Online, Fable III and new games still in development, we’re also bringing social, connected gaming experiences to all new audiences on the PC. When you look at what we are bringing to the market this year, with the magic of Kinect, alongside our blockbuster line-up of games, including the biggest game for 2010, Halo: Reach, we’re confident that Xbox 360 has something for all the family and will be the gaming and entertainment console of 2010 and beyond.”

So Train2Game, what do you think about Microsoft’s pre GamesCom announcements? Will you be buying Kinect for Xbox 360 on November 10th? And do you believe developing games for Xbox Live for Windows Phone would benefit your future career as a Games Designer, Games Developer or Games Artist & Animator?

Leave your thoughts about Microsoft, Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live for Windows mobile here or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft defends Kinect price

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The Kinect motion controller is ‘very competitively priced.’ That’s according Microsoft UK Marketing Manager Brett Siddons who also says out that Xbox 360 device offers a full multiplayer experience when compared to its rivals.

Speaking at the Kinect stand at an Amazon event, Siddons told Techradar:

“The price thing itself depends on how you look at it, its £129.99 RRP but it comes with a game within that price – so Adventures will be packed in with the camera.”

“If you buy it with the console which normally costs £149.99, [the package price is] £249.99 with the Kinect and the games – another 100 pound on top.

“The camera tracks six people – with two active gamers – you don’t have to buy anything else.

“I’ll let you do the maths but when you say Nintendo Wii or PlayStation Move you buy this and this, even for a two player games.

“What do you need and what do actually have to spend for a two player game for this device versus that device. You actually find that [Kinect] is very competitively priced.”

TechRadar helpfully do ‘the maths.’  They point out that while a basic PlayStation Move pack consisting of a controller and a PlayStation Eye costs just £49.99, buying another motion sensor controller and two sets of navigation controllers for multiplayer games brings the PlayStation Move price up to £150. Of course, Sony could still announce other packages before Move is released.

It appears Mr Siddons wasn’t asked why Kinect costs more in the UK than in the United States. If the price was directly converted from the $150 US price, Kinect would cost £95. It’s very unlikely that VAT on its own adds the additional £35.

So, Train2Game universe, do you agree with the Microsoft UK Marketing manager that Kinect is competitively priced. Or do you think the PlayStation Move, or indeed, Nintendo Wii offers more value for money? And what do you think of the difference between the UK and US prices?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Crackdown 2 retains chart lead

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Crackdown 2: Still top gun.

Microsoft’s title Crackdown 2 has claimed top place in the UK sales charts for the second week running.  The sandbox action title fended off competition including Disney’s Toy Story 3 which debuted at Number 5 – and is the only new entry to break into the Top 40 this week.

The biggest mover in the Top 10 this week is Ubisofts’ Dance on Broadway which jived up from forth to second place.

Hit titles including Super Mario Galaxy, Red Dead Redemption and FIFA World Cup South Africa all dropped one place, while UFC 2010: Undisputed has been knocked out of the Top 10. The full top ten reads:

01. Crackdown 2 (Microsoft)
02. Dance On Broadway (Ubisoft)
03. Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner)
04. Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar)
05. Toy Story 3 (Disney)
06. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (EA)
07. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo)
08. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (EA)
09. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision)
10. Just Dance (Ubisoft)

Have you bought any of these titles this week? What do you think? As usual, leave your comments here or on the Train2Game forum.

Crackdown 2 tops UK chart

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Ruffian Games’ Crackdown 2 has topped the GFK UK games chart in its debut week. Microsoft’s sandbox shooter sequal is the 15th Number 1 of the year and beats the number 2 debut position of it’s predecessor.

Warner Brothers Lego Harry Potter: Years 1 -4 drops down to Number 2 while Red Dead Redemption slips to third spot.

The ELSPA GfK Chart-Track All Formats Top Ten in full is:

01. Crackdown 2 (Microsoft)
02. Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner)
03. Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar)
04. Dance On Broadway (Ubisoft)
05. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (EA)
06. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo)
07. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (EA)
08. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision)
09. Just Dance (Ubisoft)
10. UFC 2010: Undisputed (THQ)

Have any of you Train2Game Games Designers, Games Developers or Games Artist & Animators had a chance to play Crackdown 2. Do you believe it deserves its position at the top? As usual, let us know here or on the Train2Game forum.

The future of gaming, according to Stan Lee

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Video games are not only one of the greatest forms of entertainment, but will in future, become a key part of a single system – That’s the opinion of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee.

Speaking to a BBC reporter at Activision’s impressive E3 event, the veteran comics publisher spoke very positively of video games.

“I love games, I’m no good at them myself, but I love to watch people play them and I love to watch people play the games.

And I think it’s one of the greatest methods of entertainment, and I think it’s only at the beginning now, it’s burgeoning, growing.

….There was a survey and it said the average age of game players now is mid 20s to mid 30s, it’s no longer just a kids thing and it’s a wonderful form of entertainment.

Because you’re seeing the story, but you’re participating in the story and what can be better than that?”

Stan Lee is certainly right about the growth of the games industry. It’s amazing to think how far it’s come in such a relatively short space of time – just compare how Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Nintendo Wii looks compared to the first ever Super Mario Bros, released on the NES just over 20 years ago!

And with new innovations in recent years like motion controllers – including PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect –  and 3D gaming, in addition to ever  more photo-realistic graphics, who knows where the games industry will be in another 20 years time! The big name Games Designers, Games Developers, and Games Artist and Animators of the future – who could very well be current Train2Game students – could be revealing absolutely mind blowing new innovations at E3 2030! (In case you’ve somehow managed to miss the key events from the current E3 2010, you can catch up with developments here)

When asked about the future of video games by BBC reporter Daniel Emery, Stan Lee only sees great things:

“I think they’ll get better and better. I think the whole of entertainment is coming together, sort of homogenising.

You’re going to have comic books, you’re going to have cartoons, movies, television, video games and music.

They’re all becoming one thing and you’ll be able to watch it on your little telephone screen when you’re travelling, then everybody’s going to want the biggest TV set, bigger than his neighbour.

It’s incredible. Everybody wants the biggest TV set and the smallest little thing to watch it on, but everything will be on one screen eventually, including video games and everything else.”

If Stan Lee’s predictions do come to pass, it’s entirely possible that Train2Game course graduates could be designing games that will be accessible to anyone through a single multi-purpose entertainment system.  Are the first steps towards this already happening? Possibly, with OnLive going live tomorrow (Thursday 17th June) we could be seeing the future of gaming, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Of course, smart phones such as the iPhone already provide people with multiple forms of entertainment – including games – in one place, and as we’ve discussed previously on the Train2Game blog, the iPhone could give a Train2Game student their big break.

The video games industry has a very bright future, and as a Train2Game graduate, you could very well be a part of it. Do you think you could end up developing games for a home entertainment hub? As usual let us know here on this blog, or on the Train2Game Forum.

Microsoft E3 Press Conference – The key announcements

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Last night saw Microsoft present the first major presentation of E3, and boy did they deliver.  The press conference kicked off with Senior Vice President Don Mattrick saying that 2010 will be “a year of transformation” and will ‘transform the way you play games and connect to friends and family.’

Of course, Microsoft’s biggest claim to transforming the way we play – and perhaps design and develop games – comes with the introduction of the Kinect, the motion controller for the Xbox 360.

Kinect – the device formerly know as Project Natal – will be released in the United States on Thursday, November 4th with 15 exclusive title’s including the Rare developed Kinetic Sports. No European date has been announced yet, but it’s likely it’ll be some way behind the USA if it follows the pattern of the new Xbox 360 Slim. While the new console is ships in the United States today, it won’t be available this side of the Atlantic Ocean until July 16th.

Train2Game Game Designers, Game Developers and Game Artist & Animators will no doubt be encouraged by Microsoft’s Phil Spencer stating “Microsoft Games Studios is constantly looking to partner with talented new development partners.” Perhaps if you play your cards right, you could be developing games exclusively for the Xbox 360 in the years to come.

In addition to announcements about Kinect and the Xbox 360 Slim, a number of highly anticipated games were given release dates.  Peter Molyneux himself took to the stage in Los Angeles to reveal that Fable III will be available on October 26th this year. Meanwhile, Dead Space 2 executive producer Steve Papoutsis revealed that the horror sequel will be released on January 25th 2011.

These are just some of the many announcements made last night, and E3 isn’t even in full swing yet with Nintendo and Sony still to give presentations today at 5 p.m. and 8.pm. respectively – that’s the British times anyway!

So it’s over to you. Are you impressed by Microsoft’s announcements? If so, what are you most looking forward to? Kinect The Xbox 360 Slim? As usual, let us know either in the comments section below, or on the Train2Game Forum.