Tag Archives: Modding

Train2Game news: Grand Theft Auto IV iCEnhancer mod looks very impressive

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Grand Theft Auto IVTrain2Game Blog readers will know what we’re big fans of mods, which can be used to make subtle changes to PC games, or alter them entirely.

This post is about an example of the latter. The Grand Theft Auto IV iCEnhancer 2.0 mod is available for free and transforms the environment into a superb looking, almost fully realistic looking version of Liberty City.

Of course, you’ll need a hefty PC to be able to run iCEnhancer 2.0, but you can see it in action in the video below.

There’s much more about modding, and the benefits it could have for Train2Game students, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Grand Theft Auto V was officially announced last year, with the trailer available to watch here. There’s no launch window for GTA V as of yet, but as reported by The Train2Game Blog, Rockstar say it’s their “largest and most ambitious game so far”

The Train2Game Blog will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest news about Grand Theft Auto V.

What are your thoughts on the iCEnhancer 2.0 mod for GTA IV? What does it say about the power of modding?

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

Train2Game news: Bethesda’s Skyrim Creation Kit tutorials can get you started with modding

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Skyrim Dragon Fight screenshotTrain2Game Blog readers may have seen this post last week about official mod tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, finally being released.

While there are number of Train2Game forum users that are already trying their hands at making mods for Skyrim using the Bethesda Creation Kit, there may be those among you that have no idea where to begin with using the tools.

Fortunately, Bethesda has released tutorial videos for absolute beginners that provide help with using the Skyrim mod tools. There are three so far, with part one available to watch below.

The Skyrim Creation Kit Tutorial series is designed for modders, but it’s sure to be an interesting watch for anyone interested in how Bethesda made the latest Elder Scrolls title.

The Train2Game Blog has previously shown you some of the stranger Skyrim mods, including ones that let you turn Dragons into My Little Pony or “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and a mod that turns Mudcrabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.

And for those interested in what goes on behind the scenes at Bethesda, see this post featuring a video that shows what the team did with their internal week long game jam.

So, what do you make of the Creation Kit tutorials? Or have you already begun to make mods?

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

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod tools showcased in Bethesda Creation Kit trailer

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Train2Game students looking forward to using official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can see the Bethesda Creation Kit in action in a new video, and boy does it look impressive.

The Skyrim workshop is completely free and offers modders the same creation tools Bethesda used to create Skyrim. It also comes with full Steam functionality, allowing users to easily share, rate and download mods. Train2Game students can see the Skyrim mod tools in action in the video from Bethesda below.

Much more information about the modding tools is available on The Elder Scrolls community page.

A number of Train2Game students are looking forward to making Skyrim mods using Bethesda’s Creation Kit, and if you can get involved too. See this thread on the Train2Game forum for more information.

The Train2Game Blog has previously shown you some of the stranger Skyrim mods, including ones that let you turn Dragons into My Little Pony or “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and a mod that turns Mudcrabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog about of modding.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Skyrim mod tools? Are you gearing up for their release?

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

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod tools almost here

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Train2Game students will soon be able to their hands on official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, according to a post on the Bethesda Blog.

“The Creation Kit and Steam Workshop are nearly ready. We’re currently working with members of Valve and our modding community to do some final testing, and we’re on track for a public release near the end of the month.” reads the Bethesda update.

“We think Skyrim modding is one of the game’s best features, and we have the best modders of any game. It’s been a lot of exciting work for us, and we can’t wait to unleash it.”

The Skyrim Creation Kit contains the tools that were used to develop The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim itself.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, the free modding tools will allow users to create and share content, and will also integrate Valve’s Steam Workshop. Train2Game forum users are already gearing up for the release of Skyrim’s official mod tools, which will provide them with a great opportunity to practice their skills.

The Train2Game Blog has previously shown you some of the stranger Skyrim mods, including ones that let you turn Dragons into My Little Pony or “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and a mod that turns Mudcrabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog about of modding.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.

So Train2Game, are you looking forward to the Skyrim Creation Kit? Will you be using it?

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

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod turns dragons into My Little Pony

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Train2Game student fans of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can now replace its dragons with My Little Pony.

That’s if you install the Pony Dragon mod which changes the dragons into a My Little Pony, Fluttershy if we’re being precise about these things. The mod even alters the dragons sound to sound more like a Pony’s neigh.

At the time of writing on The Train2Game Blog, The Pony Dragon mod has been downloaded over 450 times. You can see the mod in action in the video below.

Like what you see? Then you can download it from Skyrim Nexus here.  However, you’ll have to choose between this, or the “Macho Man” Dragon mod which has previously appeared on The Train2Game Blog. That changes Skyrim’s dragons into the late, great, wrester “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

And if changing your dragons into a Macho Man or a Pony isn’t enough, then as previously reported on The Train2Game Blog, there’s a mod which changes Mud crabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, official modding tools for Skyrim, featuring Valve integration, are set to be released sometime this month.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog on the subject of modding.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the My Little Pony mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? Will you be installing it? Or is it a bit silly?

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

[Source: VG247]

Train2Game news: Half-Life mod Dear Esther gets trailer ahead of full release

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Train2Game students should be interested in upcoming indie title Dear Esther for two reasons. First of all, it throws the rulebook for traditional game design out the window, and secondly it started life as a mod.

In terms of game design, Dear Esther is a first person ghost story in which you wander an island uncovering the reasons why you’re there and what’s going on as you explore the environment.  There are no guns, no weapons; Dear Esther is all about discovering the narrative, so it might prove to be an interesting experience for Train2Game students who  play it.

While Dear Esther is getting a full release, as mentioned above it started life as a mod built using Half Life-2’s Source engine and originally released in 2008 by Dan Pinchbeck, a researcher based at the University of Portsmouth. However, by 2010 the mod had been given support by Valve for a full, independent release, with a team of six people behind it.

Dear Esther is set for release on 14th February and Train2Game students can watch the trailer below.

You can find out more about Dear Esther on the game’s official website.

Dear Esther isn’t the first mod to get an official release. Heck, it isn’t even the first Valve mod to be officially released with huge titles such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress starting life as mods.

And in an interview with The Train2Game Blog, Valve’s Chet Faliszek said modding is a great way to break into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” he said.

“Normally modders have to work as a team and that’s important, and they also have to be able to finish something and that’s really important. So those two things together are a really good way to demonstrate that you’re ready to work in the industry.” Faliszek added.

For all the latest news about modding, and how it can be a great benefit to you, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Dear Esther? What does it say about the potential of modding?

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

Train2Game news: Dead Space 2 designer offers advice on getting into the industry

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Dead Space 2 Train2Game blog imageTrain2Game game designers should definitely be interested in this, as Dead Space 2 Combat & Control Designer Brian Bartram offers advice on how to get into the industry.

In an EA feature titled Breaking into the Industry, the Visceral Games man says experimenting with game engines and modding are great ways for aspiring game designers – such as Train2Game students – to practice their skills.

The Train2Game Blog regularly posts about the benefits of modding.

“The best advice is to give it a try. Download a game engine and try building your own levels, modifying existing games, and creating original content.” Bartram told EA’s The Beat.

“There are many communities online for people who are creating games of all types. Game engines like Unity, Unreal, Torque, and Panda3D all make good starting places.”

It was the Unreal Development Kit that Train2Game students used to produced games at last November’s Train2Game & Epic Game Jam.

The Dead Space 2 Combat & Control Designer added that creating user generated content – in using games such as Team Fortress 2, LittleBigPlanet 2  or Infamous 2 for example – is also a great way to gain experience with game design.

“Creating multi-player maps for games is another channel. Some games allow you to create “user generated content,” and I advise aspiring designers to give them a try.” Said Bartram, who also suggested designing board games is a good idea.

“ Another thing that many System Designers do in their spare time is create board games, card games, and other “analog games.” I highly recommend Stone Librande’s speech from GDC entitled “15 Games In 15 Years.” (Which you can read here)

Bartam’s advice is similar to that given to The Train2Game Blog by Red Faction: Armageddon game designer Jameson Durall in an interview last year.

It might be lengthy, but EA’s interview with The Dead Space 2 Combat & Control Designer provides an excellent behind the scenes insight into the industry. You can read it in full here.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Bartram’s advice? Do you produce your own user-generated content?

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

[Source: EA]

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod changes dragons into “Macho Man” Randy Savage

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Train2Game student fans of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can replace the game’s dragons with the late wrestler, “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

That’s if you install the ‘Macho Dragons’ mod which has been built by a modder going by the handle of FancyPantz. It replaces all dragons’ skins with the man himself, and even changes their shouts to his “Yeah!” catchphrase.

See the ‘Macho Dragon’s mod in action in the video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Like it? You can download the Skyrim Macho Dragon mod here.

Last week, The Train2Game Blog showcased another slightly surreal Skyrim mod, one that allowed you to change Mud Crabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, official modding tools for Skyrim, featuring Valve integration, are set to be released sometime this month.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog on the subject of modding.

A more realistic depiction of “Macho Man” Randy Savage is available with WWE ’12, you see our interview with Lead Gameplay Designer Brian Williams here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, do you use Skyrim mods? Will you make your dragons macho?

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

Train2Game news: Mod adds Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg to Skyrim

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Train2Game blog readers will know that here, we’re fans of modding, because not only does it allow you to practice your game development skills,  but it gives you a portfolio to show potential employers.

However, it’s also a way to add more silliness and fun to games, and that’s exactly what a modder named Snoopey has done with his Doctor Zoidberg Mudcrab mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It was released was released towards the end of last month.

The mod does exactly what it says it will, replacing the skins and sounds of Skyrim’s mud crabs with the likeness and voice clips of Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.  You can see the Zoidberg Mudcrabs in action in the video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Want to use the Doctor Zoidburg Mudcrab mod? Download it here.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, official modding tools for Skyrim, featuring Valve integration, are set to be released sometime this month.

Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog on the subject of modding.

“Normally modders have to work as a team and that’s important, and they also have to be able to finish something and that’s really important. So those two things together are a really good way to demonstrate that you’re ready to work in the industry.”

Id Software’s Tim Willits has also previously told the Train2Game Blog that modding is a great way to get into the games industry.

So Train2Game, what would you use the Doctor Zoidberg mod? Is modding something you’d like to try in 2012?

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

[Source: Beefjack]

Train2Game news: Final Fantasy VII intro remade using Unreal Development Kit

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Train2Game blog readers may have seen this post last week where Square Enix said a Final Fantasy VII remake would take too long to develop.

Final Fantasy VII is a game many have called to be remade for the current generation, and it seems one enthusiast has got fed up of waiting. They’ve used the Unreal Engine to show what a Final Fantasy VII remake could potentially look like.

You can see the video at the bottom of this Train2Game blog post.

The video shows the first section of Final Fantasy VII and is played from a first person perspective. While the animation and interaction is a little on the stuff side it offers an interesting glimpse and what could be.

Unfortunately, it’s likely this fan created game will be pulled offline by Square Enix in the near future. Still it’s an impressing showing of the variety of things that can be one with Epic’s Unreal engine.

Epic Games of course were heavily involved with last month’s Train2Game & Epic Game Jam, which saw four winning teams win places to the Make Something Unreal Contest at the The Gadget Show Live next year. The winning team will talk away with a fully licence Unreal Development Kit for Ios.

For more information on what that means for the winners, check out our interview with Epic Games Mike Gamble.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the fan make Final Fantasy VII remake?

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