Tag Archives: UK Games Industry

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Skyrim dethrones Modern Warfare 3

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Skyrim Dragon Fight screenshotTrain2Game students have come to expect Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to be at No.1 in the charts, but this week there’s a new top dog.

It’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that tops the charts after some heavy discounting from a number of retailers, with Bethesda’s RPG being available brand new for as low as £22.49. It’s the RPGs first week at No.1.

Train2Game students may be interested in the news reported by the Train2Game blog that Skyrim mod tools are coming next month.

The rise of Skyrim means it isn’t a fifth consecutive week at No.1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which slips to No.2.  Just Dance 3 moves up one to No.3, while former No.1 FIFA 12 drops two to No.4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations drops to No.5.

EA’s Battlefield 3 climbs three to No.6, Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call for the DS claims a third week at No.7 and Saints Row The Third drops two to No.8.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception returns to the top ten at No.9 after a three week absence thanks to some discounting, while Mario Kart 7 for 3DS completes the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 10th December 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
4. FIFA 12 (Electronic Arts)
5. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
6. Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts)
7. Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call (Nintendo)
8. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
9. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (SCE UK)
10. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the UK Charts this week? What does Skyrim being discounted so early say about the industry? Are you just pleased to see something new at the top?

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

Train2Game news: UKIE appoint Jo Twist as CEO

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Interactive entertainment industry trade body UKIE has announced the appointment of Dr. Jo Twist as their new CEO.

Her current role is Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for education, with previous positions at the BBC including Multiplatform Editor and for BBC Entertainment and BBC Three Multiplatform Channel Editor.

“We are really excited that Jo has agreed to lead UKIE at this really exciting time in our development.” said UKIE Chairman Andy Payne.

We took our time to find the right CEO and we believe we have her. Jo’s passion for games and her background in media and commissioning content will allow us to further help UK games and interactive entertainment makers and all those involved in this industry get further political and economic traction in a connected, digital worldwide market which is teeming with exciting opportunities.” he said

“I would also like to thank especially Rob Cooper, David Yarnton, Matt Carroll, Keith Ramsdale and Ian Livingstone who have helped UKIE appoint such a great person, it was a real team effort.” Payne added.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to join the brilliant UKIE team at a time when the British interactive entertainment industry is forging its path as a global leader” Twist said if her appointment as UKIE CEO.

“UKIE has already achieved so much in bringing the potential of our games industry to the national debate, and I am hugely excited to represent its members and help shape its vision for 2012 and on. I will of course be sad to be leaving the Channel 4 Education team who continue to produce award winning and innovative interactive content for young people.”

Twist will begin her role as UKIE CEO on January 9th 2012.

As recently reported by the Train2Game blog, UKIE helped the government accept the Livingstone-Hope review and they now support the teaching of coding in schools.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the appointment of Jo Twist as UKIE CEO?

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

Train2Game news: UK developer Eutechnyx nominated for global award

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British game developer Eutechnyx have named among the finalists for Red Herring’s Top 100 Global Awards, which recognise the “most audacious and far reaching private technology companies from across the globe.”

Train2Game students may have previously seen Eutechnyx Lead Programmer Dave Hawes give advice on getting into the games industry in this Train2Game video interview. The Gateshead based studio are currently working on Auto Club Revolution, scheduled for release next year.

“To be in with a chance of picking up a global recognition award before the end of 2011 is a remarkable achievement”, said Eutechnyx CEO, Brian Jobling.

“With Auto Club Revolution entering the final phases before a full release in 2012, the Red Herring nomination is vindication of the vision that we have for this unique product. We have the right team in place, and the right backing from our investment partners, to ensure that Eutechnyx can deliver on all objectives and ensure Auto Club Revolution becomes a global success.” he concluded.

“Technology companies are becoming the bright spot in the economic outlook. Eutechnyx has performed exceptionally in its field and strongly deserves to be singled out as one of the Red Herring Global finalists.” added Chairman of Red Herring Alex Vieux.

The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony that will take place on December 7th in Los Angeles, California.

Train2Game students can find out more about Eutechnyx in this feature about 7 UK game studios to keep an eye on.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on an independent UK game studio being nominated for a global award?

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

Train2Game news: Creative Industries Minister – UK needs to invest in game development

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The UK should invest in game development talent and make changes to the teaching of ICT and computer science in schools.

That’s according to Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey, as part of the government’s response to the Livingstone-Hope report about encouraging the next generation of game developers.

As reported by the Train2Game blog, the Livingstone-Hope report was launched in February this year.

“The economic and cultural value of the UK’s video games and VFX sectors is clear and the long-term potential of their global markets present a great opportunity for UK-based businesses,” said Mr. Vaizey.

“It is an industry that has real potential to create the high quality jobs of the future that will be so important as we recover from the recession.

“We need to invest in talent that will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of games creativity.”

Today’s government report addresses the concerns of Livingstone-Hope and can be seen in full here. It recognises a number of highly talented UK developers including Media Molecule and Rocksteady.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Vaizey’s comments? Do you believe the government report will eventually aid in the games industry?

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

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 stays top

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 stays No.1 for the third consecutive week, holding onto the position it’s claimed since it launched three weeks ago.

It’s an achievement which betters previous game in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, which  as reported by the this time last year, lost top spot to Gran Turismo 5. Another No.1 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 means Assassin’s Creed: Revelations stays at No.2 in its second week on sale.

Saints Row: The Third and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim switch positions and sit at No.3 and No.4 respectively, while FIFA 12 remains at No.5.

WWE ’12 enters the charts at No.6 in its first week on sale. The Train2Game blog interviewed Lead Designer Brian Williams about the main changes for WWE’12 over its predecessors earlier this year. WWE ’12 sits one spot ahead of another new title, Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call, with the Nintendo DS title debuting at No.7.

Just Dance 3 moves up two to No.8, former chart topper Battlefield 3 drops to No.9, while Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS drops to No.10 in its second week on sale.

In both games second week on sale, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword drops from No.7 down to No.19, while Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary goes from No.6 to No.21. Train2Game students can see an interview with Halo: Anniversary developers 343 here on the Train2Game blog.

Zumba Fitness 2, Rayman Origins are among a number of new releases that failed to make the top 40. Lord of the Rings: War in the North only manages No.38 in its first week.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 26th November 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
2. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
3. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
5. FIFA 12 (EA)
6. WWE ’12 (THQ)
7. Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call (Nintendo)
8. Just Dance (Ubisoft)
9. Battlefield 3 (EA)
10. Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo)

Releases this week include Mario Kart 7 and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations for PC.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Modern Warfare 3 staying No.1? And why do you believe the likes of Lord of the Rings, Rayman Origins and Zumba Fitness 2 have sold rather poorly in their first week?

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

Train2Game news: Modern Warfare 3 is No.1 in UK’s biggest week ever

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Train2Game blog readers saw Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 become the biggest entertainment launch ever last week. It’s therefore not surprising that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the new UK No.1 in the biggest ever week for revenue.

Activision’s behemoth outsells the total opening weekend box office income of the last four Harry Potter films combined. The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 proves to be most popular with 59% of sales, ahead of 40% on PlayStation 3.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim debuts at No.2 and becomes 2011’s fifth biggest launch. It provides Bethesda’s biggest ever opening week, with the fantasy RPG more than twice as successful as Fallout: New Vegas. The combined success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim means its biggest week ever for revenue, with a total of £120.8m made in this week’s chart.

The new entries mean EA’s former No.1 Battlefield 3 –as reported by the Train2Game blog – drops to No.3, while fellow EA title FIFA 12 slips to No.4. Just Dance 3 remains stable, occupying No.5 once again.

PlayStation 3 exclusive Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception drops to No.6 in its second week on sale, one spot ahead of a new entry Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo from London studio Mind Candy on Nintendo DS.

Batman: Arkham City slips to No.8, Zumba Fitness drops one to No.9, while Wii Party jumps 28 places to complete the top ten as part of the Nintendo Wii White Family Edition bundle.

Skylanders: Sypro’s Adventure, Forza Motorspot 4 and Football Manager 2012 all leave the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 12th  November 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
3. Battlefield 3 (EA)
4. FIFA 12 (EA)
5. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
6. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Sony)
7. Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo (Mind Candy)
8. Batman: Arkham City (Warner)
9. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
10. Wii Party (Nintendo)

New releases for the coming week include Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Halo: Anniversary.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the biggest ever week for revenue in the UK charts? Is it inevitable Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 still remain at No.1 for a long time to come?

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

Train2Game at Eurogamer with Professor at Brunel & Games Workshop co-founder Steve Jackson

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Train2Game at Eurogamer with Professor at Brunel & Games Workshop co-founder Steve Jackson

In early 1975, Steve Jackson co-founded the company Games Workshop with John Peake and Ian Livingstone. In 1980, he created the line of the Fighting Fantasy game books published by Puffin Books (a subsidiary label of Penguin Books) with Livingstone. Jackson is now a director at Lionhead Studios, which he founded with Peter Molyneux. He is also an honorary lecturer at Brunel University in London, teaching Digital Games Theory and Design MA.

More information from http://www.train2game.com

Train2Game at Eurogamer with Train2Game Student Laurence Gee

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Train2Game at Eurogamer with Train2Game Student Laurence Gee

Train2Game Student Laurence Gee started on work placement with Brain In A Jar and from there was offered and accepted a position in that company.

For more information: http://www.train2game.com

Train2Game at Eurogamer with Neil Parmer CEO of BlueGFX

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Train2Game at EuroGamer with Neil Parmer CEO of BlueGFX

Neil Parmer is currently the CEO of BlueGFX based in Guildford. Blue GFX continues to win awards with Autodesk and remains a Gold Partner for Northern Europe, Media & Entertainment. BlueGFX focused their business in games, design visualisation, film/TV, broadcast and educational industries. Worldwide manufacturers of both software and hardware, constantly evaluating and researching the ideal tools in the market that will give their customers competitive advantage, and future proof all investments made.

For more information: http://www.train2game.com

Train2Game at Eurogamer with Jonathan Neweth, Partner from Tenshi Ventures

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Train2Game at EuroGamer with Jonathan Neweth, Partner from Tenshi Ventures

Jonathan is a founding partner at Tenshi Ventures. He has been growing and leading businesses in the games and technology sectors since 1989. This has included game developer Kuju Entertainment, an IPO on the AIM market, several trade sales of businesses and various fund raising exercises. Operationally, Jonathan drove Kuju’s business development expertise for many years, acquiring in-depth knowledge of marketing and brand development in the creative sector.

For more information: http://www.train2game.com