Tag Archives: UK Games Industry

Train2Game News Unknown Number Chosen For London Games Festival

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Indie studio godolphin games are thrilled to announce that their voice-controlled puzzle adventure game, Unknown Number, has been chosen as part of London Games Festival’s Official Selection.

Combining cutting edge voice recognition technology with an explosive thriller narrative, Unknown Number is scheduled to launch in Q2 2022 on Steam.

An innovative voice-controlled adventure told entirely through interactive phone calls, Unknown Number has been picked for the London Games Festival Official Selection, and will be showcased as part of the 10-day in person and online event, from Friday 1st April to Sunday 10th April.

The game is part of this year’s ‘Narrative Excellence’ category, where Unknown Number and other titles tell gripping stories in innovative and experimental ways.

Watch the Unknown Number Gameplay Trailer

“We’re thrilled that Unknown Number has been selected for ‘Narrative Excellence’ at the London Games Festival”, said Thomas Keane, Creative Director of godolphin games. “Voice control puts players at the heart of the action like never before. After all, who needs a fancy avatar when you can speak to characters directly?”

“In Unknown Number, you’ll receive phone calls from a full cast of colourful personalities – from eco-warriors to oil barons. But it’s your words, and your voice, that really take centre stage. Heck, at the end of this, you’ll probably deserve an award for ‘Best Vocal Performance’. We’ll have a word with the LGF to see if they can make it happen.”

The first game in an all-new genre that the developers are calling a “First Person Talker”, Unknown Number combines elements from puzzle adventure, interactive story and augmented reality games to create a high-octane gameplay experience. Make your voice heard as you talk, sing, whisper and shout your way through the captivating narrative, and interact with a plethora of morally complex characters.


In this genre-defying thriller, use your voice to…

  • SOLVE complex puzzles to unlock treasure vaults
  • NAVIGATE a maze-like oil rig under serious time pressure
  • IMPERSONATE high-profile oil execs on conference calls
  • TRICK henchman into abandoning their guard posts
  • JOIN an underground eco-movement run by kids
  • MAKE crucial moral decisions that impact the story
  • TELL knock-knock jokes… and maybe even SAVE the world

More information about Unknown Number:


Add Unknown Number to your Steam wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1692340/Unknown_Number_A_First_Person_Talker/
Visit the Unknown Number website: http://www.godolphingames.com/
Follow godolphin games on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/godolphin_games
Like godolphin games on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/godolphin_games
Join the godolphin games Discord channel: http://www.godolphingames.com/discord

Train2Game News Games Talks Live Scotland Returns

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After a two year ‘IRL’ hiatus, Games Talks Live: Scotland makes its long-awaited, in-person return this month with three dates confirmed in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Created by industry veteran Colin Macdonald in 2018, the Games Talks Live: Scotland event is an evening of short talks from guest speakers interspersed with general networking opportunities, aimed at encouraging collaboration and communication between local Scottish developers and visiting guests. 

The events run over three days, one in each of Scotland’s games hubs of Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow

  • Tues 8th March; Edinburgh (4pm till late, at The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HE)
  • Weds 9th March; Dundee (4pm till late at Beat Generator, 70 North Lindsay St, Dundee DD1 1PS )
  • Thurs 10th March; Glasgow (4pm till late at Revolution, 84 Mitchell St, Glasgow G1 3NA)

Each evening will have an array of speakers from local developers, visiting publishers and others to be announced nearer the time. Speaking sessions will be interspersed with networking breaks to encourage everyone to get to know as many people as possible and help foster potential future collaborations. The golden rule of the event is there should be no recruitment activity – even from companies that are kindly sponsoring or speaking at the event.

“I started running the events pre-Covid because it seemed ridiculous that everyone in the Scottish games industry often only met in Brighton, San Francisco or Cologne.” said Colin Macdonald, Games Talks Live: Scotland organiser. “ I wasn’t sure what the appetite would be for bringing them back, but the number of incredible speakers who were eager to come and talk to all the talented developers in the Scottish games industry has blown me away. Although virtual events will now always have a place going forwards, it’s simply not the same as getting to meet people face to face.”

This year, Games Talks Live: Scotland is delighted to welcome Rami Ismail as the event keynote speaker for all three events. Rami is a Dutch-Egyptian industry ambassador and independent games developer with over 20 titles across PC, console, web, and mobile. His development of tools like the industry-standard dopresskit.com, his prolific and popular public speaking, and highly-regarded consultancy and insights have helped shape industry opportunities for game communities and independent game developers all over the world. 

In addition to Rami, Games Talks Live: Scotland is proud to announce the full in-person speaker line up for the three events. (E/D/G after each speaker signifies if they’re speaking at all cities, or just one/two events)

Tickets for the in-person events can be purchased here with pricing set at £10.00 for each event or £25.00 to attend all three. The talks will be streamed live on YouTube for people unable to attend in person. The link to this is available by signing up for a (free) livestream ticket here. Please note that there will not be any hybrid meeting opportunities for those watching virtually.

There will be a charity raffle held at each of the events with all proceeds going to theUkrainian Red Cross. 

Additional information on the events can be found here 

Train2Game News Street Fighter 6 & Capcom Fighting Collection

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Get ready, another fight is coming your way!

Capcom, the powerhouse behind 35 years of the video game industry’s most legendary fighting games, today delivered a one-two punch during the Capcom Pro Tour 2021 Season Final with a sneak peek at the highly-anticipated Street Fighter™ 6 and the reveal of Capcom Fighting Collection™.
 
Watch the teaser trailer here: https://youtu.be/SwPzuBj01AM
 
Street Fighter 6, the next evolution of the renowned Street Fighter™ series which has sold more than 47 million units since it charged onto the scene 35 years ago, is now in development. The teaser trailer showcased a glimpse of the future of Street Fighter™, as series mainstay Ryu locks horns with new challenger Luke.

The 45th and final character in the Street Fighter™ V roster was teased to have a key role in the next Street Fighter project, which has now been confirmed.

More details will be shared this summer. Stay tuned to the official Street Fighter 6 website for all the latest info.
 
While the excitement for the next chapter in the Street Fighter saga builds, fans can kick off celebrating 35 years of Capcom fighting games with Capcom Fighting Collection, an anthology of 10 classic titles – including the full Darkstalkers™ series together for the first time ever outside of Japan.

Each of the 10 titles in the collection has been revitalized with online multiplayer, enhanced features, and quality of life updates.
 
Capcom Fighting Collection will be released digitally on June 24, 2022 for PlayStation® 4, Nintendo Switch™, Steam and Xbox One.

Capcom Fighting Collection will also join forces with Street Fighter™ 30th Anniversary Collection and unleash a heavy-hitting combo in Capcom Fighting Bundle, launching digitally on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Xbox One

Train2Game News Pocket Gamer Connects Returns

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Pocket Gamer Connects, Europe’s leading b2b mobile games industry conference, returns to London for its flagship show after more than two years of digital conferencing.

The event takes place on February 14-15 and will welcome 1,500 professionals representing more than 700 leading companies spanning the entire games industry ecosystem.


This February, the Steel Media team is embarking on their most ambitious conference yet, with Pocket Gamer Connects London not only standing tall as the flagship show in the series, but this edition also offers a brand new experience as a fully hybrid event.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and connect with one another both on-site in London and virtually through Zoom, as well as have full access to seminars, talks and panel discussions delivered by more than 225 industry experts across two days.


Pocket Gamer Connects is an unparalleled opportunity to network with top games industry companies from across the globe.

Since the first Connects conference in 2014, the team has developed a stellar reputation for delivering the highest quality games industry events with the very best opportunities to expand your network and make moves that will push your business forward. Attendees will have the chance to connect with more than 700 leading companies including Netflix, Rovio, King, Disney, SEGA, Jagex, Square Enix, ustwo games and many more.


Alongside a wealth of opportunities to do business, you can also expect to see some of the most exciting speakers in the games industry right now discussing all the hot topics from monetisation and growth strategy, to blockchain, the metaverse and NFTs.

The speaker lineup includes Tencent’s Aras Senyuz, Niantic’s Karla Reyes, Jam City’s John Peterson, Roblox’s Laura Higgins, Animoca Brands’ Yat Sui and more than 200 other industry leaders with priceless knowledge to share.

The full conference schedule is available online now so you can see all of the insightful sessions and elements that make up this exciting two-day event.


Steel Media COO Dave Bradley is excited to get back to meeting in person; “The team at Pocket Gamer Connects has been connecting the global games industry since 2014, and after two years of digital events, we’re really excited to be back in the UK, in London, getting back to doing what we do best. We can’t wait to reconnect with old friends and see all of the new faces who have joined our fine industry more recently. We’ve got a fantastic two-day schedule with something valuable for everyone. You won’t want to miss out!”.


Secure your spot at Pocket Gamer Connects London today and meet with the games innovators of tomorrow by clicking this link:

https://www.pgconnects.com/london/registration/

Train2Game News The Biggest Game On The Smallest Space

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Langel Bookbinder is presently developing a video game for the original 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System.

GunTneR, an open-source “shoot-em-up” project, has a simple goal: try to make the biggest gaming experience with the smallest programming space ever available for the console.

To help make this endeavor possible, a Kickstarter was launched upon the Earth.

The campaign was fully funded within 25 hours and continues to exceed expectations.

Bookbinder, infamous for running chiptune website Battle of the Bits for 16+ years, is applying all their retro gaming and software engineering skills to this project for the next six weeks or “until it feels done.”

GunTneR’s Kickstarter campaign has just entered its final week for pledges.

Kickstarter campaign link here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/langel/guntner

Train2Game News Voice Controlled Interactive Adventure

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Indie studio godolphin games are excited to announce that their Voice-Controlled Interactive Adventure game, Unknown Number, is coming to Steam, with a full release planned by Q2 2022.

This announcement is accompanied by a new Gameplay trailer showing off cryptic puzzles and high-pressure choices. 

Answer the call from Amanda and Ethan, two eco-warriors conducting a daring heist on an abandoned oil rig. Discover a thrilling adventure filled with danger, corruption and political intrigue.

Talk, sing, whisper, and shout your way through an immersive audio-rich experience that uses voice commands for just about everything.

Watch the Unknown Number Gameplay trailer

“Voice control is everywhere. And it’s not just Siri and Alexa. These days, even our cars seem desperate to talk to us. But where is voice control in the world of games?” says Creative Director, Thomas Keane.

“With Unknown Number, we wanted to create a game that fully explored voice as a core gameplay mechanic. And what better starting point than a mysterious phone call? A phone call that might just save the world… but only if you’ve got the gift of the gab.”

Described as a “First Person Talker,” Unknown Number defies the usual restrictions of Adventure games and brings a whole new life to the genre with its unique Voice-Control mechanics. Using cutting edge voice recognition technology, players can enjoy total immersion in this high-octane audio blockbuster, featuring a full cast of professional voice actors, creative sound design and engaging FMV. 

And of course – like any great heist movie – the plot has more twists and turns than an offshore oil drill.

In this genre-defying thriller, use your voice to…

  • SOLVE complex puzzles to unlock treasure vaults
  • NAVIGATE a maze-like oil rig under serious time pressure
  • IMPERSONATE high-profile oil execs on conference calls
  • TRICK henchman into abandoning their guard posts
  • JOIN a burgeoning underground eco-movement
  • MAKE crucial moral decisions that impact the story
  • TELL knock-knock jokes… and maybe even SAVE the world

Add Unknown Number to your Steam wishlist:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1692340/Unknown_Number_A_First_Person_Talker/

Train2Game News Insomnia Game Festival Returns

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Since its inception, Player1 Events have continued their endeavour to grow and diversify their flagship show, Insomnia, with the next event in the succession announced for 15th-18th April at the NEC, Birmingham.

Living up to its namesake, it’s now a 4-day gaming expo with a non-stop LAN running 24 hours a day alongside prominent esports titles, teams and tournaments.
 

With previous activations at the event such as The Call of Duty World League, Ubisoft Experience, WWE, League Fest and even a night of the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses music world tour. A concert consisting of a 66 piece orchestra and a visual accompaniment on an LED panel screen, all planned, promoted and event managed by Player1. 
 

Alongside the LAN, Insomnia Gaming Festival is the longest-running UK games festival featuring a huge exhibition with content, tech, activations and brands.

The event attracts an impressive 100,000 gamers each year, solidifying itself as a must-attend event for gamers and families alike.
 

“With new ways to engage your attendees than ever before, events are in a truly unique position. It’s one of the reasons we’ve invested in the latest equipment so we’re ready for the exciting opportunities that come with the return to events. From casual titles to the latest AAA releases, we’re kitted out and can’t wait to get stuck in.“ Phil Crawford, Marketing and Social Media Manager, at Player1 Events remarked on their new and improved offering.
 

More recently, following a transformative 12 months in the industry, Player1 have focused on expanding their extensive inventory available for rental.

From entry level specification to the very latest high-end kit, their arsenal includes high-quality peripherals, PS5s, Xbox Series X’s and PCs well equipped with RTX 3080’s graphic cards to handle both intensive tournament and VR play.
 

The team supports a range of partners to help them deliver their events; including full show logistics management, conferences, esports events and bespoke gaming content. With these new additions and ample experience in the space, Player1 Events are primed for the return of in-person events, ready to support brands in developing their own activations and communities.

For more information on Player1 events and their upcoming hand in events, visit www.player1events.com.

Train2Game News EGX 2022 Tickets Available

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Tickets are now on sale for EGX Birmingham (formerly EGX Rezzed), returning to NEC Birmingham 4-6 March 2022!

The UK’s three-day celebration of all things gaming; EGX features a host of hands-on games, panels and more.
 

EGX Birmingham 2022 will lean on expanding their Rezzed Zone, with all the beloved indie games that EGX Rezzed traditionally delivers, but will also meet the need for AAA publishers to showcase spring releases. 
 

Tickets are now available from the EGX website. Day tickets cost £20+BF and Super Passes £45+BF.
 

Visitors can look forward to Consoles and PCs to play, as well as a chance to enjoy Esports Tournaments, Developer Panelsand a huge collection of Indie Games.
 

In addition to all the epic fun, games industry hopefuls and professionals alike will be able to visit the GI Academy Zone, which will include education exhibition areas, careers talks and networking opportunities.
 

Last year’s EGX was a very special event for fans and developers alike, bringing the video games community back together for their first in-person event since 2019. This year, EGX aims to keep players and their experience at the centre of events, allowing fans and developers to continue coming together, celebrating the games community and creating unforgettable memories.

Train2Game News Live Action Inmersive Cinema Gaming Experience

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Aviary Studios is thrilled to announce that their live action video game The Gallery will launch this April for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, iOS and Android platforms.

And, in a first for Europe, The Gallery will also release in UK cinemas where the audience will play the game by majority decision as part of an immersive and participative interactive experience.

Written and directed by Paul Raschid, one of the most prolific live action video game / interactive film creatives, The Gallery is a thrilling combination of hostage thriller and social drama with a dash of world film festival cinema aesthetic.

Filmed over a 6 week period in February and March, 2021, the game immerses audiences in an interactive experience set in two time periods – 1981 and 2021, both of which are of considerable political, social and cultural significance in UK history, cleverly reflected in the nuanced story. Players will face over 150 decision points as they navigate a story full of mystery and intrigue. 

An exciting cast has been assembled for The Gallery including George Blagden (Versailles and Vikings); Anna Popplewell (The Chronicles of Narnia); Kara Tointon (Mr. Selfridge and Eastenders); Rebecca Root (The Queen’s Gambit); Richard Fleeshman (The Sandman and Coronation Street), Shannon Tarbet (Killing Eve and Love Sarah) and Fehinti Balogun (I May Destroy You).

The live action video (FMV) game genre debuted in the mid 1980s and was touted as the future of video games but was finally declared dead in the mid 1990s. The current renaissance of this somewhat niche genre –  a confluence of film and games – began around 2015 with such titles as Late Shift and Her Story and was turbo charged  in 2019 with Netflix’s  Bandersnatch. With filmmakers such as Paul Raschid (who has won a BAFTA Scotland for his linear film work) now looking to extend the live action video game to a wider film and TV audience and offering more diverse genres than the traditional horror experience, this niche genre could well be set for a resurgence. 

The Gallery will launch this April for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, iOS and Android platforms and a UK interactive cinema release. Please visit the official websites www.aviaryfilms.co.uk and www.paulraschid.com   

Train2Game News Ian Livingstone Knighted

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Today, Hiro Capital is proud to announce that its co-founding Partner, Ian Livingstone has been awarded a Knighthood by HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Ian is best known as one of the founders of Games Workshop (Warhammer) and Eidos (Lara Croft Tomb Raider) and as the creator of the Fighting Fantasy series of adventure gamebooks.

Over the course of his legendary career, Sir Ian has made innumerable contributions to the art and industry of video and role-playing games.

Three of Ian’s recent investments – Tonic Games (Fall Guys), Playdemic (Golfclash), and Sumo Digital – were acquired in 2021 at unicorn valuations and Hiro Capital has made 20 early-stage games investments in the last 2 years.
 
“With 5 unicorn scale games start-ups under his questing belt, Hiro Capital is proud to celebrate Sir Ian’s knighthood. His bravery, chivalry, courtliness and hermetical talents make him one of the most powerful paladins in video games. We are proud to have Sir Ian co-leading the Hiro Capital guild of mages and sell-swords as we ride forward into the Metaverse of 2022,” said Luke Alvarez and Cherry Freeman, Hiro co-founders. 
 
“Simply put, it is a huge honour for me and fantastic recognition for the UK games industry and the brilliant people who work in it. The industry has come a long way since I founded my first startup and I believe more than ever in Games and Gameplay as a global force for good.” – said Sir Ian Livingstone.

As a digital skills champion, Ian also recently founded the Livingstone Academy, which opened its doors in September 2021 – an all-through school for ages four to eighteen that aims to give its students the tools they need to succeed as young creators in a digital world. 

Find out more at https://www.livingstone-aspirations.org/