Tag Archives: Sony

Train2Game news: LittleBigPlanet PS Vita beta open for registration

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LittleBigPlanet

Train2Game students can register to take part in the upcoming LittleBigPlanet beta on PlayStation Vita.  The goal of the beta is to get feedback from players about the overall experience of the game.

Those interested in taking part in the LittleBigPlanet Vita beta need to go here for a chance to be selected. Of course, you’ll need to be a PlayStation Vita owner, or someone to plans to buy one in the near future, in order to take part.

LittleBigPlanet Vita is being partially developed by Middlesbrough studio Double Eleven, where Train2Game student Darren Price has been on a work placement.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, over six million community created levels have been produced by LittleBigPlanet players.  There’s more about LittleBigPlanet here.

And for more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, keep reading the Train2Game blog.

Will you be applying to take part in the LittleBigPlanet PS Vita beta? Are you still using the level creation tools of previous games in the series?

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

Train2Game news: God of War: Ascension game director hosting live stream at 4 P.M.

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Train2Game students can get a first look at God of War: Ascension  when Game Director Todd Papy hosts a live stream on The PlayStation Blog at 4p.m.

The latest God of War title for PlayStation 3 is a prequel, which will introduce multiplayer to the series for the first time.

“That’s right. God of War: Ascension will feature a ground-breaking new online multiplayer mode,” said Pappy.

“We wouldn’t do multiplayer in God of War unless we knew we could do it right. That’s why I’m extremely excited to finally be able to talk publicly about it and share all the gory details with you live. I even have some exclusive gameplay footage to share with you, so be sure to tune in to see it all live.” he added.

Train2Game students interested in game design are likely to want to tune into the live stream to find out how multiplayer is going to be implemented, and how the story for God of War: Ascension is taking shape. The stream is scheduled to start at 4 and can be seen here.

What are your thoughts on the introduction of multiplayer for God of War: Ascension?  What do you want to see from the game?

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

[Source: VG247]

Train2Game news: PlanetSide 2 video shows design process for creating rifle scope

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Train2Game Art & Animation students can get a great insight into the modelling process for weapons in PlanetSide 2, thanks to a video released by Sony Online Entertainment.

PlanetSide 2 senior artist Patrick Ho talks us through the construction of the NC Scope 4X in a time lapsed video.  You can watch below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game students can apply for a place in the upcoming PlanetSide 2 beta by visiting http://www.planetside2.com/. As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, Sony Online Entertainment’s Creative Director Matt Higby says beta testing is crucial to the development of PlanetSide 2.

““For MMO games beta is critical. There is a lot we can do to test gameplay and mechanics in studio, but getting the massive scale needed to ensure the game really works requires getting real players in.” he said.

“It’s also critical to determine if our player progression curves are too punishing or too lenient, find exploits, balance issues and so on. Beta for us as a company is an incredibly critical phase of development.” the PlanetSide 2 creative director added.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog, for the latest beta testing opportunities.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the time lapsed modelling video?

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

Train2Game news: Former Sony Exec Phil Harrison joins Microsoft

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Train2Game Blog readers will have seen that Peter Molyneux left his positions at Microsoft last week, but the Xbox 360 manufacturers have moved quickly to announce a new employee,  former Sony Executive Phil Harrison.

Harrison has over 25 years worth of experience in the games industry, who has spent a large portion of his career with Sony. Among other things, it was Harrison who discovered Media Molecule, this securing LittleBigPlanet as a PlayStation exclusive title. He also championed Killzone, SingStar and EyeToy.

His new role will involve mobile and social elements and growing Xbox developments in Europe, in addition to overseeing UK developers Lionhead, Soho Productions and Rare.

“I am excited to be joining the senior team at Microsoft at a pivotal time for our industry,” said Harrison. “

I am really impressed with the company’s long-term vision for growing the market for interactive entertainment globally and also with the incredible wealth of talent, technology and resources the company has available to succeed.”

President of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Businesses, Don Mattrick, welcomed Harrison on board.

“Phil has played an instrumental role in shaping modern console history through his keen insights into both hardware and software strategy,” he said.

His addition to our leadership team will impact our global business in innumerable ways, as he aligns our studio development and growing portfolio of entertainment experiences in Europe to drive our continued growth worldwide.” Mattrick added.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on former Sony executive Phil Harrison joining Microsoft?

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

[Source: Major Nelson]

Train2Game news: Win the chance to become an Uncharted 3 character and visit Naughty Dog in Sony competition

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Train2Game students have the chance to become a part of Uncharted 3 and experience Naughty Dog’s impressive in-game motion capture techniques first-hand thanks to a competition from Sony.

The Uncharted Audition gives you the chance to become a new multiplayer character for Uncharted 3, meet the Naughty Dog team and experience the motion capture techniques used to build the Sony game series.

To enter, you’ll need to submit a video audition that shows of your heroic abilities, with ten finalists competing at an event in L.A, the winner of which will become an Uncharted 3 character.

The competition launches on the Sony Facebook Page on Friday 9th March with entries open through to Sunday 18th March.

More for information check out the video presented by Nathan Drake himself below.

You can find out more about the motion-capture techniques used to create Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, are you as good as Nathan Drake? Will you enter this unique competition?

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

Train2Game news: Sony praise “truly next-gen” PlayStation Vita as it launches in UK

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PlayStation VitaTrain2Game students may be among those who now own a PlayStation Vita, with the Sony handheld console now available in the UK.

And Sony believes that the PlayStation Vita already represents next-gen consoles and gamers are going to love it.

agreed: “We have a truly next-gen piece of hardware and a great software line-up,” Sony’s senior VP of Worldwide Studios Europe Michael Denny told CVG.

“There’s no question that gamers have been waiting for something new, something that is truly next-gen, so certainly we expect to start with people who care about their games to want a PlayStation Vita.” he continued.

“You look at the specs of the hardware in terms of a portable device… there’s nothing out there like it – there’s nothing that competes with it. It really is a great device, but when you marry with that the great software – 50 titles announced so far – I think it really will appeal to core gamers.

“But going forward, I think it has enough about it with social connectivity and the touch screens to appeal to a wider audience down the tracks.” Denny concluded.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, indie games look set to have a future on the PlayStation Vita, with Sony handing smaller studios development kits for the portable console.

Indeed, Train2Game students on work placements at Double Eleven are among those developing games for the PlayStation Vita.

Check out the Train2Game Blog for more PlayStation Vita news.

Have you already picked up a PlayStation Vita? If so what are your initial impressions?

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

Train2Game news: PlayStation 4 not coming “anytime soon” say Sony

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Train2Game students waiting for next-gen consoles might be disappointed by this, as Sony say they won’t be launching a PlayStation 4 “anytime soon.”

“In terms of when you talk about [the next generation] and when you announce it, it really depends on the health of the existing platform and the other things you have going on,” Sony Computer Entertainment of America CEO Jack Tretton told IGN

“And right now, we’re focused on PlayStation 3, and I’ve got another platform (PlayStation Vita) to get out the door in seven days, so I don’t want to be thinking about trying to launch new technology anytime soon. I want to focus all our energy on our console business, which is really just hitting its stride, and Vita, which really deserves a dedicated push from us.” he said.

And Tretton added that talking about a PlayStation 4 this year would be distracting.

“I, quite frankly, would be very distracted if I had to be talking about next generation hardware this year.” he concluded.

The Train2Game Blog has previously reported that rumours suggest a next-generation Xbox console will be released in 2013.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest reports on next-gen consoles.

What do you make of Tretton’s comments? Do you believe the PlayStation 3 still has many years of life left in it?

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

Train2Game news: Your chance to join the Twisted Metal multiplayer beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to beta test the upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive Vehicle combat title Twisted Metal.

The Twisted Metal multiplayer beta is available to download for free from the PlayStation Store, and gives players a taste of the following:

  • 8 vehicles to choose from, each with their own unique special weapons.
  • 2 multiplayer modes: Classic free-for-all Death Match, and team-based Nuke mode—a Twisted take on Capture the Flag that’s brand new to the series.
  • Challenge mode, where you can practice with each vehicle to hone your destructive skills.

The Twisted Metal multiplayer beta on PlayStation 3 runs through to February 7th. The Twisted Metal series has been running since 1995 and has appeared on all generations of the PlayStation console. The current title is being developed by Salt Lake City based studio East Sleep Play!

Twisted Metal is scheduled for release later this month.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Twisted Metal series? Will you get involved in the multiplayer beta?

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

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

Train2Game news: Beta testing “critical” to development says Planetside 2 Creative Director

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Train2Game students will be aware that developing video games can be a long and complicated  process, in which QA Testing is hugely important.

However, no matter how many QA Testers a game has, sometimes it’s a beta that’s really needed to eliminate bugs and problems. Indeed, it’s something that’s particularly important for MMOs and Planetside 2 developer Sony has label beta testing as critical for that genre in particular.

“For MMO games beta is critical. There is a lot we can do to test gameplay and mechanics in studio, but getting the massive scale needed to ensure the game really works requires getting real players in.” Sony Online Entertainment’s Creative Director Matt Higby told NowGamer.

“It’s also critical to determine if our player progression curves are too punishing or too lenient, find exploits, balance issues and so on. Beta for us as a company is an incredibly critical phase of development.”

Higby also told NowGamer that during the Planetside 2 beta, Sony will be keeping a close eye on player feedback and that big betas have great benefits to game developers.

“Once we get to beta, we’ll be looking both at players’ direct feedback via bugs and message boards, as well as analyzing data that will be collected and aggregated.” he said

“The biggest benefits to a big beta are load and stress testing, testing across a diverse collection of hardware configurations, getting large sample sizes to determine if weapons and vehicles are balanced, and so on. We won’t be shipping anything until we’re all proud of it.” he added.

Train2Game students can apply for a place in the Planetside 2 beta here.

The Train2Game Blog has previously posted about the importance of beta testing, with Star Wars: The Old Republic developer Bioware stating that beta testers can really help with game development.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

Stay tuned to The Train2Game Blog, for the latest beta testing opportunities.

So Train2Game, are you looking forward to Planetside 2? Do you agree that beta testing is critical to the game development process?

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

Train2Game news: PlayStation targeting ‘younger demographic’

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PlayStation 3PlayStation will be targeting a younger audience in future, but emphasise that core gamers won’t be neglected. That’s according to SCEE CEO Jim Ryan in an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine.

“If you look back at the history on PS1, PS2 the vast majority of the business that we did on both those platforms was done at the sub £129 price points,” said Ryan, who said that many more PS3’s are still waiting tp be bought, even if a future price drop is needed for it to happen.

“Now we’ve only got to £199 in the UK a couple of month back so you can see there’s still a lot of PS3’s potentially to be sold.”

He added that Sony were looking to market the PlayStation 3 to a younger audience.

“I think you’ll see us taking the console more towards a slightly younger demographic,” said Ryan.

“More family market. The core gamer will absolutely not be neglected. There’s going to be tons of great stuff for the core gamer but from our own studio, third parties there’s some quite interesting stuff happening in a number of areas which would allow us to open up a market that we accessed pretty successfully on both PS1 and PS3 but haven’t yet got to on PS3.”

Earlier this year, the Train2Game blog reported that Ryan doesn’t believe the time is yet right for download only consoles.

So Train2Game, what do you make of the idea of PlayStation aiming for a ‘more family market’? Is it an area Sony can tap into?

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

[Source: OPM]