Tag Archives: Modern Warfare 3

Train2Game news: Sequels bad for developer creativity says LucasArts Clint Hocking

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students are avid games and many will be looking forward upcoming sequels such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. However, the rushed yearly release schedule of huge titles such as the Call of Duty series may be negative for the industry.

That’s the view of LucasArt Creative Director Clint Hocking who believes that not only will audiences become bored, but making sequels isn’t good for individual game developers either.

“You may sell lots of copies of two or three sequels,” he wrote on the subject of sequels in Edge.

“But you will bore the audience very quickly and will have likely already spent all your money on the fourth sequel before realizing the audience is tired of the game and won’t buy it at all.”

Hocking also argues that churning out sequel after sequel isn’t good for game developers as limits their ability to be creative. While producing more of the same may lead to a successful game, it can come at the expense of the developers creativity.

“It might generate easy revenue” he said of sequels “But the long-term costs to the creative well-being of our workforce and the risk it places on our pipeline and workflow development, and on the skills we nurture and develop and will then need to leverage in making future games and (hopefully) new brands and franchises, should not be underestimated,”

Hocking previously worked on Far Cry 2. An interview with the Narrative Designer of its upcoming, er, sequel, Jason Vandenberghe, is available to read here on the Train2Game blog.

Creativity still exists in the games industry of course, and as the Train2Game blog recently reported, Ninja Theory believe the rise of digital distribution means that creativity will only increase.

Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 still contains the potential for creativity, as community produced multiplayer modes could make their way into the official game.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Hocking’s comments? Is developing sequels on a yearly basis boring for gamers and bad for developer creativity?

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

[Source: Edge]

Train2Game student created multiplayer modes could become part of Modern Warfare 3

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students will be aware that community created content can provide a way into the games industry. Indeed, the Train2Game blog has previously reported that LittleBigPlanet developers Media Molecule often the best community level creators.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is likely to be the biggest game of the year, it’s a game that’s popular among Train2Game students, and may prove even more so as members of the Call of Duty Elite community will have the chance to create new game modes.

“Community feedback is what drives most of our decision-making for post-launch support especially.”  Infinity Ward’s Rob Bowling told NowGamer.

“Because we want to see what they want more of, what they want tweaks on – be it more Spec Ops Survival, more multiplayer maps, new weapons, new game modes.”

Modern Warfare 3 will feature customisable multiplayer settings,  and it’s possible the most popular could end up as official game modes on official servers.

“Call of Duty: Elite is going be a massive help for us, because now, since you can create your own game modes in [a] private match, you can share those on Elite” said Bowling

“We’re going to be seeing the ones that are voted the highest, and we’ll see if we want to incorporate them into the public playlist,” he added.

Activision say Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will bring ‘the most advanced multiplayer ever’ when it’s released later this year.  See the Modern Warfare 3 trailer here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the possibility of community created modes being added to the main game? Would it encourage you to pay for the Call of Duty elite service?

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

[Source: NowGamer]

Train2Game news: Activision say Call of Duty players “more engaged” than Facebook gamers

Posted on by

Train2Game students will be highly aware that social media gaming is one of the fastest growing areas of the games industry. Indeed, it’s an area that could provide Train2Game students with jobs in future.

Activision however, despite being one of the biggest game publishers on the planet, have so far steered clear of the social media gaming race. The reason? They believe people are spending more time playing triple-A titles, such as their Call of Duty games, rather moving towards Facebook.

“Call of Duty has more players who pay-to-play online than any Facebook game and our players pay more per player on average than any Facebook game,” said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshber, speaking t the 13th Annual Pacific Crest Global Technology Leadership Forum

“They’re also more engaged – the percentage of Call of Duty’s monthly unique players that play the game every day is higher than that of the top three Facebook games.”

Activision are very happy to remain a console specific games publisher, and who can blame them with the biggest gaming franchise in the world under their belt. As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Call of Duty: Black Ops was the top selling video game of 2010.

“We feel [Activision’s] strategy continues to be very well aligned with the market opportunity,” Hirshberg said.

“Despite all the hand-wringing in our industry right now, people aren’t gaming less. In fact, they’re gaming more than ever. They’re just doing it with fewer games, and they’re spending more time playing those games than ever before.”

“Last year, of the top 10 best-selling games, all 10 of them were based on strong existing franchises, and nine of those 10 were online enabled” he concluded.

The trend of successful Call of Duty titles looks set to continue with Modern Warfare 3, which as previously reported by the Train2Game blog, “will bring the most advanced multiplayer ever”

“The passion and energy of our developers is reflected in everything about the title.  From the innovative gameplay, to the cinematic intensity, to the most advanced multiplayer ever, Modern Warfare 3 will raise the bar for this already incredible franchise.” Hirshberg said following the reveal trailer.

See the first Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailer here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, is Activision taking a risk by not investing in social media gaming? Or are they right to keep all of their eggs in the console basket?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Bobby Kotick believes traditional retail crucial for games industry future

Posted on by
Reply

While some publishers – which as the Train2Game blog previously reported includes EA – believe digital is the future of the industry, Activision don’t agree.  They believe traditional retail still has a huge part to play in selling games.

“Retail is going to play a critically important role in the future success of entertainment,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told CNBC.

“When you see people lined up at store before a launch, that in itself creates the popular cultural awareness,” he added.

“I don’t think the theatre experience you have in a store is going away anytime.”

Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that Kotick revealed that special editions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be available. The trailer for the next Call of Duty title was revealed last month, and can be seen on the Train2Game blog.

Activision are still hesitating to enter the social and mobile market, but see it as “an opportunity” said Kotick.

OnLive see mobiles as more than just an opportunity, with the Train2Game blog reporting earlier that their service will be available on them this year.

So Train2Game, do you…agree with Kotick? Is there still a strong future for traditional retail? Or will digital take over in the near future?

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

[Source: MCV]

Train2Game E3 news: Microsoft goes Kinect heavy

Posted on by
Reply

Mass Effect 3 will have Kinect support

Microsoft’s two hour E3 presentation focused on a range of improvements and new uses for Kinect.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, the hands free motion controller broke the 10 million sales barriers in March.  Microsoft’s E3 conference shows their looking to both consolidate and increase this market with Kinect news for both hardcore games and more casual applications.

Massive upcoming titles including Mass Effect 3 will see Kinect integrated into gameplay with the use of voice recognition technology.  It’ll mostly be used for selecting dialogue during conversations, with the option of commanding squad mates too. Of course, Mass Effect 3 will still feature regular control.

The introduction of Kinect compatibility for Mass Effect 3 does two things; firstly it allows Microsoft to take a step towards bringing Kinect to a hardcore audience – the Bioware title is highly anticipated by Train2Game forum users – while the voice commands are step towards making gaming a more interactive experience.

Interestingly, the Train2Game blog reported in April that Kinect developer Rare believe that voice commands are the future. The future may be here with Mass Effect 3 is released next year.

Microsoft’s E3 conference also revealed that Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will be adding Kinect compatibility. Players will be using it to customise weapons and then test them on a virtual shooting range. It’ll be interesting to see how it works first hand, and then to see if’s implemented for the full-game. Again, it’s evidence of Microsoft attempting to bring Kinect to the hardcore.

Kinect Star Wars

However, in what may be disappointing news for Train2Game students, the Kinect Star Wars demo showed that it appears to be an on the rails game with a lightsaber instead of a gun – not the hardcore title many were looking for.

The press event also demonstrated that Microsoft are very much attempting to use Kinect to tap into the casual market that the Nintendo Wii has held for some time.  Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster, and Kinect Fun Labs all demonstrated a family friendly direction for Kinect. We also got more casual titles in the form of Kinect Sports 2 and Dance Central 2.

At least when it came to non-Kinect titles there was something for the hardcore gamer, with live demos of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Tomb Raider looking very impressive. It very much looks like the Train2Game blog is justified in listing Tomb Raider as one of the most anticipated games of the year. (That is, if it’s released this year. There’s no date yet)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Kinect heavy nature of the Microsoft presentation? Does it demonstrate Kinect is the future of the industry? Or are Microsoft just attempting to force it into as many titles as possible? How would you implement it into ‘hardcore’ games?

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will bring ‘most advanced multiplayer ever’

Posted on by
2

Modern Warfare 3 gameplay trailer image

The first gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – which you can see here on the Train2Game blog – sparked more debate than excitement on the Train2Game forum, but Activision have vowed it’ll have the ‘most advanced multiplayer ever’

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is by far the most epic Call of Duty experience yet.  The teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have worked tirelessly to create for the Call of Duty player a scale that is unimaginable with a level of polish and creativity that will push the genre forward,” said, CEO of Activision Eric Hirshberg

“The passion and energy of our developers is reflected in everything about the title.  From the innovative gameplay, to the cinematic intensity, to the most advanced multiplayer ever, Modern Warfare 3 will raise the bar for this already incredible franchise.”

 The question many Train2Game students – especially those on the Game Design course – will be asking is what will developers Sledgehammer and Infinity Ward do to make the multiplayer of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 the most advanced ever?

As previously mentioned by the Train2Game blog, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is reportedly influenced by the destructible environments of the Battlefield series.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is scheduled for release on 8th November 2011.

So Train2Game, what game design changes do you believe need to be made to the Call of Duty formula? Does it need to change? And can the title live up to Activision’s hype?

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

First Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailer revealed! What do you think Train2Game?

Posted on by
Reply

MW3

Yesterday, the Train2Game blog reported that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 engine would ‘move beyond’ that of its predecessors.

Well, you can now get a glimpse of the very first Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 gameplay trailer and see if the engine shows any sign of being tweaked yourselves!

You can also see if Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 contains the supposed influences from Battlefield 3 – as previously mentioned on the Train2Game blog.

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailer not only reveals London, France and Germany as locations, but also confirms the involvement of Sledgehammer as one of the studios involved with game development.

Earlier this year, the Train2Game blog reported that Sledgehammer may be one of three studios aiding in the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Watch the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailer below, here on the Train2Game blog.

What are your thoughts on the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailer? Can you see any immediate evidence of a tweaked in-game engine? Do you have high hopes for the Game Design in the new locations?

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

Next Call of Duty will ‘move beyond the Modern Warfare 2 engine’

Posted on by
Reply

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s game engine will feature plenty of improvements over the previous game in the series.

That’s according to a Tweet from Infinity Ward Creative Strategist Robert Bowling. When asked if Modern Warfare 3 would feature a brand new game engine, he replied:

“We haven’t gone into detail on the engine yet but we’ve moved beyond the MW2 engine and added a lot of cool stuff for #MW3.”

As the Train2Game blog reported earlier this month, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 appears to be influenced by Battlefield’s Game Design which features destructible environments.

Meanwhile, EA has claimed that Battlefield 3 will be superior to the next Call of Duty game in every single way.

And with the two titles reportedly both being released in November, it looks like we’ll have a bit of a fight on our hands.

Given that the ‘cool stuff’ news came from Twitter, it’s worth pointing out that it’s worth following the Train2Game Twitter page for all the latest Train2Game news updates.

So Train2Game, do you think Modern Warfare 3 needs a new engine? Could Infinity Ward use the same one they used to produce Modern Warfare 2? Or does it need updating?

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

[Source: CVG] 

Modern Warfare 3 reportedly influenced by Battlefield Game Design features

Posted on by
1

Call of Duty: Black Ops Train2Game blog image

Call of Duty is popular among the Train2Game community, so many are keen to hear about any news about the franchise.

If you’re one of those Train2Game students then you’re in luck, because according to Kotaku ‘sources’ suggest the as of yet unannounced Modern Warfare 3 will feature some key Game Design changes. These reportedly include bigger maps, destructible environments and a bigger story which follows on from that of Modern Warfare 3.

“We’re told that Modern Warfare 3will take place on a much larger, epic scale” say Kotaku “It appears the game will explore the lead up to a blossoming set of engagements that could pull in other countries, creating a potential World War III scenario. The game will also feature large, urban destructible environments.”

It’d appear that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 may be looking to use similar Game Design features to another popular game series among Train2Game students; the Battlefield franchise made a name for itself with large scale, destructible environments.

EA has already targeted beating Activision’s Call of Duty with the upcoming Battlefield 3.  As reported by the Train2Game blog, EA believe their title will be game of year and ‘superior’ to what’s likely to be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Kotaku’s source also suggests established characters Captain John Price and Captain John ‘Soap’ McTavish will return in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Earlier this year, the Train2Game blog reported that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is being developed by three separate studios. A formal reveal of the title is expected at E3 next month.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the reports?  Would you welcome Modern Warfare 3 moving in the direction of Battlefield 3? Is it a sign Activision are intimidated by EA? And what would you like to see in the next Call of Duty title?

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

[Source: Kotaku] 

Report: Modern Warfare 3 being developed by three studios

Posted on by
1

Modern Warfare Train2Game blog image

Rumours that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is in production is bound to cause a stir with a number of Train2Game students. And if the LA Times is to believed, the game is in development with no less than three studios aiding in its production.

Activision has called upon Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software to work on the next title. No official announcement has been made about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 but the LA Times alleges the information comes from inside sources.

Treyarch produced Black Ops, the most recent game in the Call of Duty series.  Sledgehammer, founded by ex-EA developers Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey has apparently postponed its own Call of Duty ‘spin off’ title to work on Activisions’ next project.  Raven are also said to have delayed one of their own projects to work on the multiplayer section of what is apparently going to be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

It’s a new move from Activision who’ve traditionally left Infinity Ward to develop the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series without the help of others.

It’ll also be the first Modern Warfare game produced since the high profile departures of Game Developers f Jason West and Vince Zampella who then set up their own studio under the banner of Respawn Entertainment.

If the project truly is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the extra reinforcements could spark speculation whether the game will be ready or not in time for Christmas. This year it was Call of Duty: Black Ops which claimed the UK Christmas Number one

So Train2Game, if Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is in development, are you interested in it at all? Do you think three studios working on the same project will have any outcome on the project? Do you think this is a bad sign for Activision?

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