Tag Archives: Skyrim

Train2Game students disagree with Kojima on demand for non-FPS games

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Train2Game students gave a huge response to yesterday’s Train2Game Blog post about Hideo Kojima’s belief that the success of shooters means there isn’t a strong demand for other types of game.

It seems that for the most part, Train2Game students believe the Metal Gear Solid creator is wrong about this one, with plenty making comments on the Train2Game Facebook page.

For example, Train2Game student Scott Muir pointed to the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and the growth of mobile gaming.

There’s this game called Skyrim that was released recently, he should go check it out. Fairly sure it knocked a FPS off the top of the UK Charts, so much for no demand for anything else.” said Scott

“I could’ve sworn Angry Birds and the like was pretty popular too. There’s more than just one market to look at and aim for.” he added.

Train2Game student James Pottinger agreed, arguing that Kojima has expressed a narrow view of the market, but also that developers should try to produce more innovative games.

“Pity Kojima doesn’t seem to have a wide view of the market. More people should play games like Psychonauts. Developers need to produce more innovative and exciting titles that aren’t FPS’s to encourage gamers to play different things.” he said.

But according to Train2Game student Laurence Gee, Kojima is right about the popularity of shooters.

“He is right, it is a shame how all these FPS games that are just so similar to each other are eating up our escaping world of gaming fun. Should always be games of pure madness to help us escape.” he said.

Train2Game student David Cull added that modern shooters are far too similar to each other, and that platformers or RPGs provide more fun.

“FPS is an ok genre but it’s too heavily focused on military warfare, I still play some of the older style FPS but even then I’d still rather play a platform game or an RPG.” he said.

Do you how views on Kojima’s comments? If so, you can still get involved with the debate here on The Train2Game Blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, 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: UK Charts – Skyrim dethrones Modern Warfare 3

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Skyrim Dragon Fight screenshotTrain2Game students have come to expect Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to be at No.1 in the charts, but this week there’s a new top dog.

It’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that tops the charts after some heavy discounting from a number of retailers, with Bethesda’s RPG being available brand new for as low as £22.49. It’s the RPGs first week at No.1.

Train2Game students may be interested in the news reported by the Train2Game blog that Skyrim mod tools are coming next month.

The rise of Skyrim means it isn’t a fifth consecutive week at No.1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which slips to No.2.  Just Dance 3 moves up one to No.3, while former No.1 FIFA 12 drops two to No.4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations drops to No.5.

EA’s Battlefield 3 climbs three to No.6, Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call for the DS claims a third week at No.7 and Saints Row The Third drops two to No.8.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception returns to the top ten at No.9 after a three week absence thanks to some discounting, while Mario Kart 7 for 3DS completes the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 10th December 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
4. FIFA 12 (Electronic Arts)
5. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
6. Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts)
7. Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call (Nintendo)
8. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
9. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (SCE UK)
10. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the UK Charts this week? What does Skyrim being discounted so early say about the industry? Are you just pleased to see something new at the top?

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

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod tools coming next month

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Train2Game students will get their hands on official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from next month.  Bethesda’s Creation Kit contains the tools used to develop Skyrim itself and will be available to download for free.

In a post on the Bethesda Blog, the studio also say  they’ll be producing a Wiki and videos to help aspiring Skyrim modders get started.  The Elder Scrolls developer also revealed that they’re going to be working closely with Valve to integrate Steam Workshop into the creation kit.

Using the Workshop, you’ll have free user content with the push of a button. The Creation Kit will bundle your mod and upload it to the Workshop, where everyone can browse, rate, and flag mods for download.” read the Skyrim mod tools post.

“You’ll be able to do this from any web device, including your smartphone. Like a live Netflix queue, when you fire up Skyrim, mods you flagged will be automatically downloaded and installed. Everyone here is really excited about the opportunities and possibilities this opens up for our entire community.” added Bethesda.

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.”

Faliszek’s comments echo those of id Software Creative Director Tim Willits, who as someone that started their career as a modder, also believes it’s a good way to get into the industry.

“Modding is a great way to get into the industry. Most of the key guys at ID come from the mod community – myself, Matt Hooper, Robert Duffy, Jan Paul Van Waveren – and we have numbers of other guys” Willits told the Train2Game blog in an extensive interview.

“What I suggest to people who want to get in the industry is find their favourite engine – Unreal, Source, it doesn’t matter, id tech – find whatever engine they like, what games they like to play, get the mod tools and make a mod. And make sure they complete it!”

“Lots of times we have people who send resumes’ in with 20 half completed mods; we don’t want that, we want a handful of one’s that are actually done, and that’s really important” said the RAGE Creative Director.

So Train2Game, will you be using the Skyrim Creation Kit? How positive is it that Bethesda are releasing it for free? Have you tried modding before?

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

Train2Game news: Modern Warfare 3 is No.1 in UK’s biggest week ever

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Train2Game blog readers saw Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 become the biggest entertainment launch ever last week. It’s therefore not surprising that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the new UK No.1 in the biggest ever week for revenue.

Activision’s behemoth outsells the total opening weekend box office income of the last four Harry Potter films combined. The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 proves to be most popular with 59% of sales, ahead of 40% on PlayStation 3.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim debuts at No.2 and becomes 2011’s fifth biggest launch. It provides Bethesda’s biggest ever opening week, with the fantasy RPG more than twice as successful as Fallout: New Vegas. The combined success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim means its biggest week ever for revenue, with a total of £120.8m made in this week’s chart.

The new entries mean EA’s former No.1 Battlefield 3 –as reported by the Train2Game blog – drops to No.3, while fellow EA title FIFA 12 slips to No.4. Just Dance 3 remains stable, occupying No.5 once again.

PlayStation 3 exclusive Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception drops to No.6 in its second week on sale, one spot ahead of a new entry Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo from London studio Mind Candy on Nintendo DS.

Batman: Arkham City slips to No.8, Zumba Fitness drops one to No.9, while Wii Party jumps 28 places to complete the top ten as part of the Nintendo Wii White Family Edition bundle.

Skylanders: Sypro’s Adventure, Forza Motorspot 4 and Football Manager 2012 all leave the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 12th  November 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
3. Battlefield 3 (EA)
4. FIFA 12 (EA)
5. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
6. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Sony)
7. Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo (Mind Candy)
8. Batman: Arkham City (Warner)
9. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
10. Wii Party (Nintendo)

New releases for the coming week include Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Halo: Anniversary.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the biggest ever week for revenue in the UK charts? Is it inevitable Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 still remain at No.1 for a long time to come?

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

Train2Game news: New Skyrim trailer offers behind the scenes insights

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Train2Game students can get an exclusive look behind the scenes of Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in an exclusive documentary that comes with the Collector’s Edition of the game.

However, those Train2Game students who won’t be able to get their hands on a collector’s edition of Skyrim can get a taste of the ‘Behind the Wall: The Making of Skyrim documentary’ in an extended trailer at the bottom of this Train2Game blog post.

The Bethesda team discuss various behind the scenes information about Skyrim, including the challenges of building such a huge open world title. Indeed, The Making of trailer reveals The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim features no less than 315 places to explore, a number that includes all of the exterior locations and all of the dungeons.

All of these need to be massively detailed because “you don’t know what the player is going to do”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, the Skyrim Creation Kit will allow enthusiasts including Train2Game students to create their own content for what’s already a huge game.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, winner of the ‘One to Watch’ award at the Golden Joysticks, will be released for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on 11th November.

So Train2Game, does the prospect of a Making of documentary tempt you into purchasing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector’s Edition? What feature of the game are you most interested in?

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

Train2Game students may have to wait for Skyrim mod tools

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Skyrim Dragon Fight screenshot

Train2Game students looking to get their hands on modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim may have to wait for a little while after the game is released.

“We put a big premium on our editor, which we then ship with the games,” Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard told Gamasutra.

“It’s going to come out again with Skyrim, the Creation Kit. So when it comes to content creation, we just have so much of it that we have to put a lot of development time into the tools, because the game is so big.

“We’re hoping [the Creation Kit] will be available as a download on launch day. I don’t know if I can promise day-one, but it will be very close.”

Skyrim looks extremely impressive indeed, and it’d be interesting to see what modders can do with the Creation Kit.

You can find out a little more about Skyrim here on the Train2Game blog

In an interview published on the Train2Game blog last month, Red Faction: Armageddon Lead Level Designer Jameson Durall said that modding is an excellent way for those with desires to get into the games industry to practice their skills.

Indeed, Valve, who was reported by the Train2Game blog will be releasing the Source SDK for free have a long history of supporting modders, and as many Train2Game students will know, the popular shooter Counter-Strike begun as a mod for the original Half-Life.

More recently, Valve have allowed Team Fortress 2 community developers a cut of the revenue made from the in-game items sold through digital transactions.

Some amazing games have been made by modders for various engines, who knows what they could come up with when using the Skyrim Creation Kit.

So Train2Game, is the Skyrim Creation Kit something that interests you? Or are you just looking forward to the game itself?

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

[Source: Gamasutra via VG247]