Tag Archives: THQ

Train2Game News: WWE 13 Trailer

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The new WWE game from THQ boasts an incredible roster including many fan favorites such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, The Rock and CM Punk.

An official press release describes the game:

“Positioned to offer the most authentic, extensive and fervent experience to date, WWE ’13 will transform gameplay through WWE Live™, a brand-new audio and presentation system designed to produce the most authentic and vibrant commentary, sound effects and crowd participation levels ever heard in a WWE videogame. In addition, players will experience the atmosphere, spectacle and fervor of a WWE live event through attention-grabbing Spectacular Moments, including ring breaks and barricade crashes.

WWE ’13 will also debut a franchise-first single player campaign based on an unparalleled and groundbreaking period in WWE history: the “Attitude Era.” Set during a time of pure raucousness, grandiose personalities and colossal revolution, players will focus on eight purveyors of attitude during the famed television “Monday Night Wars,” including WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.”

I am a big fan of WWE and have been playing the games for many years. I am incredibly excited for this.

Enjoy the trailer and then join the revolution.

The game is released 2-11-12

Train2Game News: Metro: Last Light will cure “shooter fatigue” with a “story driven single player experience”

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Metro: Last Light aims to stand-out from other shooters by its campaign not being a training mode for multiplayer, but a story driven experience, which can stand alongside the likes of BioShock. That’s according to the games’ global brand manager Mark Madsen in a recent interview.

“We see shooter fatigue as a multifaceted phenomenon right now, and I think what we’re speaking of is the dilution of the single player campaign.” he told Shadowlocked when asked to explain what publisher THQ referred to as shooter fatigue.

“The single player campaign in the FPS genre is being relegated to more of a shooting gallery – or even a training mode – for multi-player. We’re definitely not that; we’re intently focused on delivering a vividly memorable, story driven single player experience”

Madsen added that its game design means Metro: Last Light can stand alongside BioShock and Dead Space.

“If you’re tired of the same old post-apocalyptic, run and gun type of shooter; if you’re tired of looking for something completely different, Metro is an atmospheric breath of fresh air.”

“It will stand proudly alongside the likes of BioShock, Borderlands, and Dead Space, and it’s going to be something we’ll be talking about for years to come…” he said.

The Metro Last Light brand manager recently offered Train2Game students advice on getting into the industry, which you can see here on The Train2Game Blog.

For more on Metro: Last Light, read our interview with Metro: Last Light producer John Block at Gamescom.  The game is scheduled for release during the first quarter of 2013.

What are your thoughts on Metro: Last Light and its focus on single player?

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

Train2Game News: Metro: Last Light brand manager on getting into the industry

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Those looking to move forward into the games industry need play a lot of video games, but need to do more than playing the big box office hits; they need to play independent titles too. That’s according to Metro: Last Light global brand manager Mark Madsen.

“Play the Hell out of video games, continue to gather your own opinion.” he told The Train2Game Blog when we asked his advice on getting into the industry at a recent press event by THQ.

“And while the mass market games are a lot of fun, just understand that you need to take those with a grain of salt. They drew their inspiration from elsewhere, and from elsewhere is where you should really get your gaming base.” he added.

The advice is somewhat similar to that of Mass Effect 3 senior writer John Dombrow, who previously said “You should play games all the time.”

Find out more about Metro: Last Light from our interview with senior producer John Block in which he discusses developing the game and offers his own advice on getting into the industry.  Metro: Last Light is scheduled for release early next year.

There’s more advice from industry professionals on getting into the industry here on The Train2Game Blog.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: THQ appoint Naughty Dog founder Jason Rubin as president, Danny Bilson leaves

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Publisher THQ has appointed Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin as new president of the company, with EVP of Core Games Danny Bilson leaving his position in the company.

“Jason’s proven track record in the industry speaks for itself, and he is one of the brightest minds in the business,” said THQ Chairman and CEO Brian Farrell.

“We believe he can be a game changer and can contribute immensely to executing on our strategy of delivering quality connected core game experiences.”

“THQ has incredible internal and external game development teams, and an exciting slate of games in its development pipeline.” added new President Jason Rubin, who has developed games including Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Dexter.

“The recent transformation of THQ into a creator of wholly-owned IP has placed it in a perfect position to leverage future trends in the game business. I look forward to working with the management team and board to realize the company’s goals.” he said.

Along with Danny Bilson, SVP of Core Games Dave Davis is also leaving THQ who has been replaced by former Activision man Jason Kay.

“Danny has made significant contributions to THQ, and we thank him for his efforts,” said Farrell. “Along with Danny, Dave has been instrumental in getting our strong pipeline into production.”

Games currently in development to be published by THQ include Darksiders II, Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, and WWE ’13.

There’s more news from THQ right here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the restructuring at THQ?

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

Train2Game News: “A tonne of research” going into Company of Heroes 2 to produce authentic experience

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Relic Entertainment game designers have visited eastern Europe in an effort to make Company of Heroes 2, their upcoming RTS title, as authentic as possible.

“We do a tonne of research at Relic. We had a core group of guys go to actual Eastern Europe, to Leningrad, to some of the battlefields like Sinyavino Heights, and Germany to Berlin so it’s incredibly important.” Company of Heroes 2 lead campaign designer Jacen Torres told Shadowlocked.

He added that the trips to Russia and Germany were key to make the player get a feel of what it was like fighting on the Eastern Front during World War 2.

“Now, there’s always a difference between authenticity and realism, and we try to get realistic where we can, especially in things like visuals.” said Torres.

“But obviously gameplay is not going to completely mirror the realism or war, necessarily, but in that particular case we tried to make it authentic and we try and get the tone and a feel and the look or what is the Eastern Front, how does it feel to be fighting in these small Russian villages, and that’s a big part of it.” the Relic lead campaign designer added.

Company of Heroes 2 is scheduled for release in the early part of 2013. Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest Company of Heroes 2 news it developers.

What are your thoughts on the effort Relic are going to research Company of Heroes 2? How important do you believe good research to be for game development?

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

Train2Game News: Darksiders II Creative Manager on getting into the industry

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Train2Game News recently went to a Darksiders II preview event organised by THQ. While there we had a quick chat with Vigil Games Creative Manager Jeremy Greiner, who told us how he broke into the games industry and offered advice to those looking to get in.

“My gateway into the industry was through community.” He told The Train2Game Blog.

“I was very active on the Microsoft forums, in the shooter forums, and ended up on becoming community manager and from there moved forward on the path.”

“Once you get your foot in the door, it’s all about what you do with it, so just get that foot in the door and keep trying hard.” Greiner added.

Getting a foot in the door can be a very important step towards a career in the games industry, and it’s something that Train2Game can provide students with thanks to the work placement scheme.

There’s more advice from industry professionals about getting into the industry here on The Train2Game Blog.

Also, keep reading for the latest Darksiders II news. Vigil’s action adventure game is scheduled for release for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in August. A Wii U version will arrive at a later date.

What are your thoughts on Greiner’s path into the industry and his advice?

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

Train2Game news: Darksiders II developer diary focuses on game design

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Train2Game students can get behind the scenes of Darksiders II’s story in a new developer diary from THQ.

Titled ‘Behind the Mask: Death’s story’ the video sees the Darksiders II development team discussing the story of protagonist Death, and how the narrative runs parallel to that of  fellow member of the four horseman, War in the original Darksiders.

And in what will be especially interesting to Train2Game game designers, the developer diary details how THQ and Vigil Games ensure that their “deep story” has rules, which ensure everything makes sense and comes together.

Watch the Darksiders II developer diary curtsey of GameSpot, below here on The Train2Game Blog.

The video features, among others, Lead Designer Haydn Dalton. You can find out what a day in his life working on Darksiders II involves right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Darksiders II is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on Tuesday 14th August 2012.

There’s more Darksiders II news here.  

What are your impressions of the game design and story behind Darksiders II? Are you looking forward to this one?

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

Train2Game news: A day in the life of Darksiders II lead designer Haydn Dalton

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Train2Game students can get an insight into what it’s like working on Darksiders II for Vigil Games thanks to a ‘Meet the Team ‘feature with Lead Designer Haydn Dalton.

In a blog interview with THQ, Dalton describes a typical day in the life of a lead game designer for Darksiders II, and as Train2Game game designers may already expect, it’s a busy life!

“I’ll get in the morning, get the latest version of the game code and start playing the game. Depending on what’s the current priority; up-coming demo, milestone, stability, encounters, combat, what have you – that’ll dictate how I focus my time with the game.” he said.

“I write up feedback on the content, sit with designers and provide guidance on a whole variety of design components.” the Darksiders II lead designer continued.

“This also extends out to animators, programmers, etc. Sometimes I may go into some of the script files and tweak numbers myself, but most of my time is set on the broad view of the game, and it’s a BIG game.” Dalton added.

The full interview with Darksiders II lead designer Haydn Dalton is here, and also features talk of where he started in the industry, and balancing in-game weapons.

There’s more on Darksiders II here on The Train2Game Blog. The game is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC later this year.

What are your thoughts on a day in the life of Haydn Dalton? Does it give you a greater insight into what it’s really like being a game designer?

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

Train2Game news: Darksiders II ‘Create a Weapon’ contest prize is your work in the game

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Train2Game Art & Animation students have a chance to use their skills to create a weapon for Darksiders II, one that’ll be included within the game at launch. The competition is from THQ and runs on the Polycount forum.

“We are extremely happy to announce our latest contest – The Darksiders II ‘Create a Weapon’ Contest!”reads the announcement.

“For this contest you will be creating a Mace, Axe, or Hammer that would fit in the world of Darksiders. One entry from each category will be chosen to be included in the release of Darksiders II! — That’s right! Not in a future DLC release or a digital download of any sorts – the winning entries will be shipped with the game when it launches!”

Full details about the Darksiders II Create a Weapon Contest, which closes on Monday 26th March, can be found over at Polycount.

It surely provides a great opportunity not only for Train2Game Art & Animation students to show off their skills, but also see their work appear in a major title.

It wouldn’t be the first time Polycount users have seen their content used in a game, with a previous contest providing weapons and accessories for Team Fortress 2.

Will you enter the Darksiders II Create a Weapon Contest? What are your thoughts on THQ and Vigil Games allowing users to submit content?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – UFC Undisputed 3 knocks out the competition

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Train2Game students see THQ’s UFC Undisputed 3 take top spot in this week’s UK Charts, marking the publisher’s first No.1 since Homefront in March last year.

The Train2Game Blog recently interviewed UFC Undisputed 3 senior game designer Wes Bunn, who spoke in depth about development of the game, and offered some excellent insights into the games industry.

Last week’s No.1, Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning drops out of the top ten entirely, slipping to No.12.

FIFA 12 continues to sell strongly, climbing three to No.2, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 also sees an increase in sales moving up to No.3.  A new Nintendo 3DS version, and discounting on other platforms, sees Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games jump to No.4, while Battlefield 3 is up one to No.5.

Former No.1 Final Fantasy XIII-2 slips to No.6 this week, sitting one place ahead of Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure which reaches its highest ever chart position at No.7. Last week’s debutant The Darkness II drops five to No.8, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim remains at No.9, while Just Dance 3 moves up two to complete the top ten.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection join Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning in leaving the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 18th February 2012 is therefore as follows:

1: UFC Undisputed 3 – THQ
2: FIFA 12 – EA
3: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – Activision
4: Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games – Sega
5: Battlefield 3 – EA
6: Final Fantasy XIII-2 – Square Enix
7: Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure – Activision
8: The Darkness II – 2K
9: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Bethesda
10: Just Dance 3 – Ubisoft

Releases for the coming week include a large amount of PlayStation Vita titles, alongside the launch of Sony’s new handheld console.

What are your thoughts on the charts this week? Is it a well deserved No.1 for UFC Undisputed 3?

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

[Source: UKIE Games Charts©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track]