Tag Archives: UK Games Industry

Train2Game News: DFS Competition Winner

Posted on by

DFS WinnerThe Train2Game student who won the DFS home set up competition is Luke Marchese from Stoke on Trent.

Luke was chosen as the winner of the competition as he is clearly an avid gamer. In his entry picture we can see: Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Game Cube, SNES, Dreamcast, Wii U, N64, PS3, Megadrive, a NES, A gamegear, three monitors and countless games. He also has Sonic figurines and loads of games memorabilia.

When Luke was told that he won the competition he said “It feels great to win a prize for showing off my collection. I have been collecting Video Games and consoles almost all my life and if I remember correctly I have a total of 19 consoles plus well over 250 games.  Gaming has always been a passionate subject for me and there is nothing I love more than designing games.”

Train2Game would like to wish Luke a big congratulations and we hope you enjoy your £50 Amazon voucher.

Thank you as well to all the other entrants, you all have great gaming set ups! You can view a gallery of the other entrants below.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Train2Game News: Microsoft’s Accelerator Programme

Posted on by

Microsoft VenturesTrain2Game are looking for a team or studio that might be suitable to take part in Microsoft’s pilot for their Accelerator programme, www.microsoftventures.com.

This is aimed at promising early-stage start ups. For 8 weeks the new studio would receive strong mentoring, technical guidance and connections to other start ups.

This is a highly sought after programme so your team (studio) would need to be already established and have collectively produced at least one game. The game may not have been published, but we will need to see at least one game that you’ve made.

The team should have between 2 and 5 members with at least one member of the team able to attend the Microsoft Accelerator offices in tech city, central London, Monday to Friday from 1st September for 8 weeks. Other members can work remotely but one member of the team must work from tech city.

Microsoft will work with the team to develop them into a fully fledged studio. The team, for example, may be one which has previously taken part in one of our game jams and has stayed together since, although this is just an example. All members of the team must be Train2Game students.

It is essential that all teams who wish to be considered apply to us through the correct route; please see Student World for more details of how to enter. Your entry must be in by 3pm on 14th August; entries received after this date cannot be considered.

We cannot guarantee that any team will be accepted into the Microsoft Accelerator programme but suitable teams will be put forward by us. Teams which we feel may be suitable will be contacted by us by 16th August 2013.

Good luck to all those who enter!

Train2Game News: Imp Paired getting good attention

Posted on by

Imp PairedTrain2Game would like to congratulate Nicholas Lister, a young man who has just released Imp Paired on his own.

Imp Paired is a memory game released for iOS devices. The game is a bold, modern reinterpretation of a classic memory game mechanic. You’ll find yourself trying to match up patterns under packages on a production line overseen by a pair of maniacal imps.

It has a charming art style and catchy music whilst you use the best of your memory to complete the levels.

The game has just been featured in The Sun newspaper with an excellent four out of five score, highly impressive for a young man who created this game on his own.

You can enjoy a play through of the game by Nicholas himself in the video below

This is a perfect example that anyone can create a good game, no matter what there circumstances. Congratulations Nicholas from Train2Game, we look forward to seeing what you create in the future!

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 Games – 05.08.13

Posted on by

MinecraftIt’s the start of another week so it is time for the Train2Game Top 20. A quiet week in the charts this week has seen Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition hold on to the number one spot for a second week running with the only other new entrant being The Smurfs 2 game that ties in with the movie. The game entered the charts at number five.

All formats

Week ending 3 August 2013

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 1
2 THE LAST OF US SONY COMPUTER ENT. 3
3 ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF NINTENDO 4
4 FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 6
5 THE SMURFS 2 UBISOFT –
6 FAR CRY 3 UBISOFT 7
7 LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 10
8 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ACTIVISION 16
9 – TOMB RAIDER SQUARE ENIX 9
10 ASSASSIN’S CREED III XBOX 360 CLASSICS 11
11 MARIO AND LUIGI: DREAM TEAM BROS. NINTENDO 5
12 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 15
13 MAX PAYNE 3 ROCKSTAR 14
14 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV XBOX 360 CLASSICS 12
15 PIKMIN 3 NINTENDO 2
16 NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED EA GAMES 20
17 BATTLEFIELD 3 EA GAMES 19
18 GRAND THEFT AUTO EPISODES – LIBERTY CITY ROCKSTAR 17
19 THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM – LEGENDARY BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 8
20 THE SIMS 3: ISLAND PARADISE EA GAMES –
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News: SpecialEffect helps Mitch

Posted on by

SpecialEffect Thanks to all the work that gaming charity, SpecialEffect, have done they have been able to help a young man named Mitch.

Mitch has cerebral palsy which makes it difficult for him to use the triggers on the back of his controller which would have a huge impact on what games you are able to play.

SpecialEffect have remapped the triggers to two small switches under the controller, and attached it to a heavy duty clinical mounting to reduce the effect of the tremor in his arms. This has allowed Mitch to be back on a level playing field with his friends and he is able to now give as good as he gets!

Mitch was ecstatic with the results saying “It puts the fun back if you can be just as good as someone else.”

You can see how happy Mitch is in the video below

We at Train2Game are very happy to support SpecialEffect as much as we can and will continue to do so to keep helping people like Mitch.

Train2Game News: Games Industry News – 02.08.13

Posted on by

Batman It’s the end of the week so is is time for the Train2Game news round up.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today confirmed that Batman: Arkham Origins will ship with a mode that allows players to take the franchise’s award-winning gameplay online to play with friends and foes.  The online component blends the traditional Arkham gameplay with third-person shooter mechanics and is in development by Splash Damage. The multiplayer will be available on all platforms except the Wii U. You can enjoy the trailer for it here: http://youtu.be/CFx82wX3NE8

Continuing the hero game theme, Deadpool has had it’s first DLC announced. The “Merc with a map pack” will introduce two new challenge maps; GRT Plaza and Inside the Tower. You will also get two new costumes for Infinite Mode: a D-Pooly and Uncanny X-Force suit. The DLC is available now for 240 Microsoft points. You can also now purchase the game from the On Demand market.

In celebration of the highly anticipated launch of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, the first of three legendary character distribution events begins August 30 at participating Game stores across the UK. Players can get their hands on Shiny versions of the Legendary Pokémon —Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina—starting with, Dialga, which was featured on the cover of the Pokémon Diamond video game. What makes this event extraordinary is that each of the distributed Legendary Pokémon, which are already difficult to get during gameplay, will be Shiny, meaning they have unusual colouring that is extremely rare. Each Shiny Pokémon will be available, one at a time, for only two weeks each, so Trainers will need to plan accordingly and head to a participating Game store if they want to add these extremely rare Legendary Pokémon to their Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, or Pokémon White 2 game.

A new character has been announced for the hit mobile game, Temple Run 2. You can now pay for and download Gold medal olympian, Usain Bolt to run from the dangerous in the game. As the first branded character in Temple Run history, Usain Bolt’s worldwide recognition demonstrates the global and cultural reach of the original endless runner game. “I am a big fan of Temple Run. I travel all over the world and travel time gives me lots of opportunity to play Temple Run at airports or on car journeys,” said Usain Bolt. “It’s exciting to see myself represented within a game I already play.”  The Usain Bolt character is available now as an in-app purchase in Temple Run 2 for $0.99, for a limited time only.

Finally in the lead up to the realease of The Elder Scrolls Online, Bethesda have announced The Elder Scrolls Anthology for PC.  The game arrives on retail shelves in Europe on September 13, 2013 for £49.99/€59.99, The Elder Scrolls Anthology features all five critically-acclaimed games, plus official add-ons – packaged together in an exclusive premium collector’s set.

 

Train2Game News: Eurogamer Expo 2013

Posted on by

Eurogamer ExpoThe Gamer Network has announced that the PlayStation 4 will be playable at this year’s Eurogamer Expo.

The Expo takes place at Earl’s Court in London from Thursday, September 26 to Sunday September 29.

Other games that have been announced for the expo this year include;  Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, Batman: Arkham Origins, Dark Souls II and several titles from Nintendo, with many more still to be announced.

Over 70,000 consumers are expected to attend the show, with four-day passes and weekend tickets already sold-out. Tickets for Thursday and Friday are available from the event’s website so act fast!

The show will also see the return of the Indie Arcade, sponsored by SEGA, and a tournament and retro area to fulfil all your nostalgia needs!

The Eurogamer Expo also features the GamesIndustry Fair on September 26th and 27th. Curated by GamesIndustry International staff, the event includes the GameHorizon Investment Summit, the popular Career Sessions panels, the Careers & Education showfloor and BAFTA Career Surgeries.

Eurogamer is a great place to try out the new games and to talk to games developers. You can get an insight into how the industry works and how some of your favorite companies operate.

I advise every potential games industry person to attend this annual event!

Train2Game News: Last chance to enter DFS home gaming competition

Posted on by

DFSToday is the last day for Train2Game students to enter the Home Gaming set up competition from DFS.

The competition is very simple. All you have to do is take a picture of your gaming set up and email it to the address at the bottom of this story.

If your gaming set up is the one that impresses us the most you can win a £50 game voucher from Amazon, enough to let you buy that brand new game you have been wanting!

Whether you are a fan of Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo or PC, it doesn’t matter. All entrants are welcome and encouraged.

A reminder of the Terms and Conditions:

  • This competition is open to all www.Train2Game.com readers in the UK
  • Prizes cannot be swapped for a cash alternative
  • Multiple entries will be disqualified – please include your contact details (shipping address, contact telephone number and full names) in the email
  • Emails must be received by 30 July to qualify
  • By entering this competition, competitors will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by the rules, and all entry instructions given are deemed to form part of the rules of the competition
  • Train2Game’s decision over the winning entry is final
  • Your email address will only be stored for the purpose of this competition and will not be passed on to any third parties
  • The winner will be informed by email

You can view a few of the entrants we have already had in the gallery below:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Remember this is the final day you can enter this competition so don’t miss out, email a picture of your gaming set up to maria@train2game.com for your chance to win.

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 Games – 30.07.13

Posted on by

MinecraftThe games industry charts are a bit later this week as I was away yesterday. The Last Of Us has now been knocked off of the top of the charts and falls to number three. It was knocked off by Minecraft: Xbox360 Edition thanks to a surge in sales for the game. This week Nintendo add two more first party titles, the first being Pikmin 3, which debuts at number two beating it’s predecessor, Pikmin 2, which debuted way back in week 41, 2004 on Gamecube at number thirty two. The other Nintendo release this week is also for Wii U, New Super Luigi U at number thirteen.

All formats

Week ending 27 July 2013

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 2
2 PIKMIN 3 NINTENDO –
3 THE LAST OF US SONY COMPUTER ENT. 1
4 – ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF NINTENDO 4
5 MARIO AND LUIGI: DREAM TEAM BROS. NINTENDO 3
6 FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 9
7 FAR CRY 3 UBISOFT 6
8 – THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM – LEGENDARY BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 8
9 TOMB RAIDER SQUARE ENIX 10
10 LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 12
11 ASSASSIN’S CREED III XBOX 360 CLASSICS 13
12 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV XBOX 360 CLASSICS 14
13 NEW SUPER LUIGI U NINTENDO –
14 MAX PAYNE 3 ROCKSTAR 7
15 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 19
16 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ACTIVISION 11
17 – GRAND THEFT AUTO EPISODES – LIBERTY CITY ROCKSTAR 17
18 DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 KOEI 5
19 BATTLEFIELD 3 EA GAMES –
20 NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED EA GAMES 15
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News: SpecialEffect Football tournament

Posted on by

SpecialEffect SpecialEffect the games charity who helps the disabled to play games again is holding a charity Football tournament.

At the Wembley Stadium Powerleague venue on 5 September, you can battle for the SpecialEffect Trophy in a Football Tournament.

You’ll only need to raise a squad of seven for this Champions League format competition, which has full event management from Powerleague, including referees! The entry fee is £250 per team, which includes a donation to the work that we’re doing to level the playing field for gamers with disabilities.

Kick-off is at 1pm, and there’s a licensed bar for essential rehydration afterwards.

SpecialEffect do amazing work to get people with life changing disablities to play video games again. Allowing them to enjoy themselves much the way we do when playing our beloved games.

Register either by submitting your match fee at www.justgiving.com/SpecialEffectWembley or paying by cheque/ bank transfer to SpecialEffect. Any questions, contact Nick Streeter (nick@specialeffect.org.uk) or call 01608 810055.