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Train2Game interview: Laurence Kinane of Make Something Unreal Live team Digital Mage

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Train2Game  students are launching four new development studios in 2012 as part of ‘Make Something Unreal Live,’ a competitive process designed to accelerate their careers by giving them the tools and resources needed to release games for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this spring.

The studios are Commando Kiwi, Derp Studios, Digital Mage and Indigo Jam.

The first titles released by the studios will be based on the Fighting Fantasy series of books created by Ian Livingston and Steve Jackson.

We caught up with Digital Mage’s Laurence Kinane to find out how the road to Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show has gone so far. Listen via Train2Game Radio or read it here on The Train2Game Blog.

Hi Laurence, tell us about your team for Make Something Unreal Live, Digital Mage.

We were at the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam and obviously selected as one of the winning teams to go to Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show. We came together as a good team, we had good team dynamics at the game jam. We’ve found it a bit difficult taking that into virtual development, it’s a bit more difficult not being in the same room with everybody, but we do get on well and we’ve learned to work with the virtual restriction.

How have you found working with the prestigious IP of the Fighting Fantasy books, and which particular story is your game based on?

It was quite a big surprise getting such a prestigious IP, the book we are based on is Armies of Death. We’ve got a bit of creative license we can use there but we are trying to stick with the story as much as possible.

And what genre of game are you making around that story?

We were given the strategy genre to work with. We’ve taken it to a tower defence style game, but we’ve put a bit of a spin on it in you’re actually attacking the towers rather than defending them. We’ve also another spin where you’re not actually the good guys, you’re the bad guys.

What gave you that idea?

We were throwing a few ideas around between the whole team, and we just stumbled upon it really. We thought it might be cool if we work this in, being the bad guys, as players don’t play as the bad guys so much, especially in tower defence games.

I suppose it’s just one of many good ideas you’ve had on the road to Make Something Unreal Live.

It’s quite nice when you come up with ideas that maybe you don’t initially think will work, but you have a tweak at an idea which fits in perfectly. We’ve had a few circumstances where that’s happened, and hopefully we’ll have many more before The Gadget Show.

Are there any other achievements you’re particularly proud of so far?

I’d say one particularly was last night. We’d hit a bit of a stumbling block, one of the game mechanics, we were having a few problems. But it all seemed to fall together last night, and we’ve managed to put it onto IOS to show to our mentors.

And it’s a good opportunity for you to put into practice the skills you’ve learned on Train2Game courses.

Oh yeah, definitely. The game design course is more geared to the documentation side, it’s later in the course where they start getting you involved in game engines, but obviously UDK is out there, anybody can use it for free, it’s a good engine to start working in.

How much are you looking forward to the Make Something Unreal Live event in April?

Yeah, I can’t wait to get there, it’s going to be a huge experience, it’s going to be a huge opportunity for not just ourselves, Digital Mage, but also all four teams involved it’s a fantastic opportunity. Also it’ll be good to work in the same room as the team again.

For those who want to follow Digital Mage in run up to Make Something Unreal Live, what are the contact details for Facebook and Twitter?

Do a Facebook search for Digital Mage and they’ll find us there, with a nice black icon with a mage figure inside. On Twitter it’s @TheDigitalMage.

Thanks for your time Laurence, and good luck.

No problem Danny, cheers.

Keep up to date with the latest news from Make Something Unreal Live here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game student industry experience diary: Jonny Robinson at DR Studios – weeks 27& 32

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Train2Game designer Jonny Robinson is on a Train2Game work placement at DR Studios. In his latest industry experience diaries, he details what he’s been up at the Milton Keynes based game developer, in addition to telling us about the latest goings on in his Make Something Unreal Live team, Commando Kiwi.

Read what Jonny has to say about his Train2Game work placement  here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page

Previous industry experience diaries can be found right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game news: Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond offers advice on getting into the industry

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Train2Game students looking for advice about getting into the industry could do worse than listening to Ubisoft’s Jade Raymond. She was responsible for the development of Assassin’s Creed as a new IP and is now charge of the Splinter Cell brand in her role as managing director of Ubisoft Toronto.

In an interview with gamesindustry.biz, Raymond offered useful advice to those looking to get into game development.

First of all, she says it’s important to know what your strengths are when it comes to game development.

“Be honest with yourself about what actually love doing. If you love art and you’re an artist and you’re doodling all the time don’t go into physics. Don’t try and be a bad programmer.” said Raymond.

“But we do have tonnes of jobs for great artists, or music, there’s so many different aspects, so many different specialties that are involved in making a game now almost anything you’re interested in you could focus on that and get a job in games.”

“So I think number one is be honest with yourself about what you actually like and what you’re actually good at and try and become that.” she added.

Of course, Train2Game offers four courses, all specialising in different areas of game development.

The Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director also suggested work placements, something that Train2Game also offers students, are a great way to get your foot in the door.

“And then the second part is to get internships and to really try and get real experience. Even if you’re working for free.” said Raymond.

“Game companies, it’s a big risk hiring someone who’s never worked anywhere before, so if you can work for them for free while you’re still a student and you don’t need or you’re used to not having much money then do that.  When I was young I hounded people, and obviously there’s a line between stalking… [laughs]”

She added that building up contacts and being persistent is key.

“But you know, build up your contacts, stay in touch, try and find out where you can work for free, where are they willing to take me for a couple of months, get some real experience and then you can put that on your CV, and often that company if you do a good job they’re going to hire you in a real role after.” Raymond said.

“And do that while you’re doing your studies so you’re not just doing the school side of it, you’ve got some real world experience.” she concluded.

Speaking of work placements, you can find out what various Train2Game students have achieved on them right here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Jade Raymond’s advice on getting into the industry?

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

Train2Game news: PC is best platform to begin making games for says Bleszinski

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Train2Game students looking to kick start a career in making indie games should develop games for PC. That’s according to Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, who gave advice to the game developers of tomorrow at a panel session at GDC.

“Xbox Live and PSN, skip both of them because you’re at Sony or Microsoft’s will as to what’s on the dashboard. iOS, maybe, but you have to have Apple’s approval, there’s too much piracy on Android, no one has a Windows phone, Kickstarter’s wonderful, go Tim Schafer. I would go with the PC.” he said.

It’s not the first time Bleszinski has given advice to aspiring game developers, with the Train2Game Blog previously reporting that the Epic man suggests game developers need to make themselves stand out.

“First and foremost, make a great game but also have a personality. Be the guy with the hip glasses, with the one gauge earring and the gamer tattoo all the way to the sleeves with a skateboard. Stand out.” he said.

Keep up with Cliff Bleszinski here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game and Epic Games are working together to host Make Something Unreal Live, a contest taking place at The Gadget Show live which will see one Train2Game student team walk away with a licensed Unreal Development Kit.  Find out more here on The Train2Game Blog.

So, what are your thoughts on Bleszinski’s advice? Do you agree that the PC is the best platform for indie devs to begin with?

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


Train2Game interview: Ben Stoneman of Train2Game & Epic Games Make Something Unreal Live team IndigoJam

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Train2Game students are launching four new development studios in 2012 as part of ‘Make Something Unreal Live,’ a competitive process designed to accelerate their careers by giving them the tools and resources needed to release games for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this spring.

The studios are Commando Kiwi, Derp Studios, Digital Mage and Indigo Jam.

The first titles released by the studios will be based on the Fighting Fantasy series of books created by Ian Livingston and Steve Jackson.

We caught up with IndigoJam’s Ben Stoneman to find out how the road to Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show has gone so far. Listen via Train2Game Radio or read it here on The Train2Game Blog.

First of all, tell us a bit about your studio for Make Something Unreal Live.

We’re a group of ten; we have three artists, three designers, three programmers and we have a QA Tester. We were forged just after the November Train2Game & Epic Game Jam.

Let’s talk a bit about the history of the team, how did you all get on at the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam?

Well, we actually formed afterwards. Basically, I was in a team then I was chosen as an individual, coming into IndigoJam then was voted to be team captain.

How have you found working with the Fighting Fantasy IP, and which story have you been given to make a game about and what genre is it going to be?

We’ve got Deathtrap Dungeons and it’s going to be an action adventure, and Fighting Fantasy in general, I love it. I’m a big Dungeons and Dragons player, and in a way the worlds relate. When I was a kid, I used to read them all the time and my dad has got loads of the books, he’s very much into that sort of thing anyway. So, it’s been something from my childhood I can bring to the game.

You mentioned your dad has a strong interest in games, how does he feel about you heading up a team, making a video game at The Gadget Show Live?

He’s very proud. He’s happy about the theme we received and of course he’s basically been the person who’s headed my Dungeons and Dragons past, as in playing it and he’s chuffed to bits really.

And how do you feel about making a Fighting Fantasy game using Epic’s Unreal Engine for IOS?

I think the Epic Unreal Engine works really well for the theme due to things like the graphics. The engine in general is really good to use, but bringing it to life is…I’d say it’s always a challenge, to want to bring something that these writers have made in the past, like books that are so good, that we’ve got to meet that and we’ve got to deliver the excellence that has come before us as it were.

Of course, the skills you and your team have learned on Train2Game courses are helping the team to achieve that.

Definitely, yeah.  Really, all of the course material helps towards everything we do for Make Something Unreal Live.

What have been the biggest landmarks for IndigoJam so far on the road to Make Something Unreal Live?

Our Alpha version of the game has been our biggest landmark; it’s really our first rush to hit a deadline as it were. And there was also the concept stage where we had to basically design the concept, what we’re going to do, where we’re going to go, what direction the game would take in design.

And how do you feel about developing the game at The Gadget Show Live, potentially in front of thousands of people?

I’m looking forward to it and of course a bit nervous as well, but I think it’ll be really good and I’m confident in my abilities as well as the team’s abilities to show thousands of people that we’re good at game development and show them how exciting and fun it can be to actually do it.

For those who want to follow your progress in the run up to Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show, what are IndigoJam’s Facebook and Twitter contact details?

Follow us on Twitter at @IndigoJamGames and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IndigoJamGames

Great Ben, thanks for your time and good luck.

Thank you very much.

Keep up to date with the latest news from Make Something Unreal Live here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game Videogames Courses Awarded Full City & Guilds Qualification Status

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Train2Game Games Development, Games Design and Industry Specific Art and Animation for the Computer Games Industry – now City & Guilds accredited

The UK’s leading vocational education organisation, City & Guilds, has today approved Train2Game courses, designed to develop videogames industry professionals, as recognised qualifications. The courses, offered exclusively by Train2Game, are specifically designed to provide people seeking to pursue a career in videogames with an unrivalled, yet affordable, combination of blended learning and practical experience.

Train2Game will now offer qualifications in: Industry Specific Games Development for the Computer Gaming, Industry Specific Games Design for the Computer Gaming and Industry Specific Art and Animation for the Computer Gaming. The enhanced status qualifications are available to all students who enroll on Train2Game courses as of the 1st March 2012.

Train2Game, Principal, Myra Smallman, said: “To have the Train2Game qualifications recognised by such a reputable organisation as City & Guilds is a testament to their quality. We are fully committed to equipping our students with the very best skills and experience to help them fulfill their dreams of a career in the videogames industry, and this accreditation is a significant milestone in realising this goal.”

Portfolio Manager for ICT at City & Guilds, Ken Gaines said: “We were impressed with Train2Game’s blended learning program and their huge emphasis on helping people gain employment on completion of their training. It was a natural fit with the City & Guilds approach to vocational education. We hope that this industry-oriented programme, backed by a City & Guilds qualification will help attract a new generation of talent to drive the videogames industry in the UK to new heights .”

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

Train2Game student industry experience diary: Rudi Will

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Train2Game student  Rudi Will has started a Train2Game work placement. In this industry experience diary, Rudi details how he’s been settling in and some of the tasks he’s been set in his first week on placement.

Read what he has to say about his Train2Game work placement  here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.

Read more Train2Game student industry experience diaries here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game news: Go behind the scenes of Journey in thatgamecompany developer diary

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Train2Game students can go behind the scenes of Journey in a developer diary from thatgamecompany.

Journey is a PlayStation 3 downloadable title, that sees plays go on a mystical adventure. In the world of Journey, it’s entirely possible to encounter others playing the game, but there’s no way of voice or text communication, and you’ll never know who they actually are.

The developer diary details the story behind Journey, how it came to have its distinct artistic style, why there is no communication and more.

Watch the video from thatgamecompany below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Journey is available now to PlayStation Plus subscribers and from 14th March if you’re not.

Thatgamecompany previously produced much praised indie title Flower, and as previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, studio co-founder Kellee Santiago says testing is an integral part of their game development.

So Train2Game, have you played Journey, if so what are your thoughts? And what insights have you gained from the developer diary?

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

Train2Game news: Peter Molyneux leaving Lionhead and Microsoft

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peter-molyneux-train2game-blog-imageTrain2Game students will be aware that Peter Molyneux is one of the most respected figures in the industry…and he’s just announced he’s leaving Lionhead of Microsoft.

Despite leaving the studio he co-founded and parting ways with Microsoft, Molyneux will still finish his upcoming Kinect title Fable: Journey.

“It is with mixed emotions that I made the decision to leave Microsoft and Lionhead Studios, the company that I co-founded in 1997, at the conclusion of development of Fable: The Journey” Molyneux told Kotaku.

“I remain extremely passionate and proud of the people, products and experiences that we created from Black and White to Fable to our pioneering work with Milo and Kate for the Kinect platform.

“However, I felt the time was right to pursue a new independent venture. I’d like to thank the team at Lionhead, as well as our partners at Microsoft Studios for their support, dedication and incredible work over the years.”  said the influential game developer.

Molyneux is to set up a new company, 22 Cans, alongside former Lionhead CTO Tim Rance. Lionhead will now be run by Molyneux’s fellow studio co-founder Mark Webley.

“As co-founder of Lionhead and an integral part of Microsoft Studios, Peter was the creative visionary behind the blockbuster Fable franchise, and one of our most passionate and influential developers for the Xbox 360 platform.” said a statement from Microsoft.

“He has made an indelible mark on the games industry and we wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavours.” it added.

The Train2Game Blog has previously reported that Peter Molyneux belives the industry should put more focus on up and coming talent. There’s more wisdom from the now former Lionhead man, right here.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Peter Molyneux leaving Lionhead and Microsoft? What are your favourite Molyneux moments?

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

Train2Game industry experience diary: Fee Stewart at Radiation Burn

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Train2Game Art & Animation student Fee Stewart has been on a Train2Game work placement at Middlesbrough based game developer Radiation Burn.  Here, you can read all of Fee’s industry placement diaries, written as she worked at Radiation Burn on Newton vs The Horde for Nintendo Wii.

Read what she has to say about her Train2Game work placement  here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.