Tag Archives: UKIE

Train2Game news: London Games Festival returns later this year

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to take part in a month long celebration of gaming culture when The London Games Festival returns later this year.

The event runs from 27th September to 28th October and will feature exhibitions, game launches, career fairs, educational summits and more. The London Games Festival is being directed by Kirsty Payne, with the last festival in 2010 attracting 75,000 people to 26 events.

“London Games Festival is a real focus for UKIE this year,” says event director Kirsty Payne. “We’re looking to unite the whole industry in a month-long celebration of games and gaming culture, and expect this to be the biggest LGF to date.”

“Anyone can host an event under the London Games Festival banner – so we’re looking forward to getting the capital playing together and celebrating the culture of games from September 27th”she concluded.

“UKIE is delighted to be spearheading  the London Games Festival and it’s the perfect opportunity to bring together and showcase all elements of the interactive entertainment  industry including, education and skills, accessibility, government, talent, innovation and above all, fun events for anyone who likes to play games.” added UKIE CEO Jo Twist, who was a mentor at Train2Game and Epic Game’s recent Make Something Unreal Live contest.

Keep reading the Train2Game Blog for the latest information about The London Games Festival and other interesting events.

What are your thoughts on the return of London Games Festival?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – The Witcher 2 takes No.1

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Train2Game Blog readers see The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings take top spot in the UK Charts in its first week on sale for Xbox 360. 98% of this weeks’ sales of the RPG from CD Projeckt and Namco Bandai were for Xbox 360, with 2% of copies sold being last year’s PC version.

CD Projekt has called The Witcher 2 “The most complex and non-linear story ever told on Xbox 360,″ and you can find out much more about the game and its development in The Train2Game Blog interview with  CD Projekt Environment Artist Marek Ziemak.

The Witcher 2 knocks last weeks’ chart topper FIFA Street down to No.2, with FIFA 12 and Kinect Star Wars non-movers at No.3 and No.4.Mass Effect 3 drops to No.5, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 slips one to No.6, ahead of EA’s FPS Battlefield 3 which also drops one spot to No.7.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, follows those above it by slipping one place to No.8, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a non-mover at No.9, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 drops four to complete the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 21st April 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition (Namco Bandai)
2. FIFA Street (EA)
3. FIFA 12 (EA)
4. Kinect Star Wars (Microsoft)
5. Mass Effect 3 (EA)
6. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (EA)
7. Battlefield 3 (EA)
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
9. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Sega)
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)

New releases this week include Prototype 2 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

What are your thoughts on The Witcher 2 taking top spot? Are you playing it? Is it well deserved?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – FIFA Street stays top

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Train2Game students don’t see any change at the top of the UK Charts this week, with FIFA Street holding onto No.1 for the second week running. It marks EA’s ninth week at No.1 this year, with five of their titles having reached top spot.

Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City is this week’s highest new entry at No.2, and the only non-EA title in the top five. Former No.1 Mass Effect 3 slips one to No.3, FIFA 12 holds No.4, while SSX drops to No.5.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 jumps four places to No.6, sitting one place ahead of new entry Kid Icarus: Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS. Battlefield 3 jumps 12 places to re-enter the top ten at No.8, and it’s followed by F1 2011 which moves up ten to No.9.

Find out more about F1 2011 in The Train2Game Blog interview with Chief Game Designer Steve Hood. 

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games complete this week’s top ten.

Other new entries this week include Shogun 2:  Total War Fall of the Samurai at No.17, while Ninja Gaiden 3 debuts at No.19.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 24th March 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA Street (EA)
2. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (Capcom)
3. Mass Effect 3 (EA)
4. FIFA 12 (EA)
5. SSX (EA)
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
7. Kid Icarus: Uprising (Nintendo)
8. Battlefield 3 (EA)
9. F1 2011 (Codemasters)
10. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Sega)

New releases for the week ahead include Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12, Silent Hill Downpour and Ridge Racer Unbounded.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this week’s UK Charts? What does the continued dominance of EA say? And which game do you think will be No.1 next week?

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – PS Vita Uncharted Golden Abyss takes No.1

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Train2Game students see PlayStation Vita games Uncharted: Golden Abyss and FIFA Football storm the charts following the launch of Sony’s handheld console in the UK.

Sony’s own Uncharted: Golden Abyss is therefore the first PlayStation Vita title to take No.1 in the UKIE Games Charts, and it’s followed in No.2 by another Vita launch title, FIFA Football. The two games account for half of all PlayStation Vita game sales this week.

UFC Undisputed 3, which as reported by The Train2Game Blog took top spot last week,  has to settled for No.3, while FIFA 12 slips to No.4. Rayman: Origins jumps 31 places to re-enter the top ten at No.5, thanks to the release of the PlayStation Vita version.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games drops two to No.6, with multiplatform title Syndicate the highest non-Vita new entry at No.7.  FPS rivals Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 slip to No.8 and No.9 respectively, while former No.1 Final Fantasy XIII-2 completes the top ten.

Three new entries make the top twenty, with Wipeout 2048 for PlayStation Vita at No.11, Nintendo Wii RPG The Last Story at No.15, and Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition taking No.17. SEGA’s new release Binary Domain only manages No.35 in its first week on sale.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 25th February 2012 is therefore as follows:

1: Uncharted: Golden Abyss – Sony
2: FIFA Football – EA
3: Activision UFC Undisputed 3 – THQ
4: FIFA 12 – EA
5: Rayman: Origins – Ubisoft
6: Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games –
7: Syndicate – EA
8: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 –Activision
9: Battlefield 3 – EA
10: Final Fantasy XIII-2 – Square Enix

New releases for the upcoming week include SSX, Mario Party 9 and Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition.

What are your thoughts on Vita titles storming this week’s charts? Is it good news for Sony? And what will be No.1 next week?

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

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – Revelations aplenty as FIFA 12 continues dominance

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Train2Game students see FIFA 12 once again claim top spot in of the UK charts, marking the EA Sports title’s sixth consecutive No.1 and eighth overall.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, FIFA 12 was the UK’s third biggest ever video game launch when it was released last year.

The rest of the top five sees regular titles shifting places with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 up two to No.2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Just Dance 3 down one spot each to No. 3 and No.4 respectively, while EA’s Battlefield 3 is a non-mover at No.5.

Capcom’s Resident Evil: Revelations for the Nintendo 3DS is a new entry at No.6, and the first new release of 2012 to make it into the top 40. Resident Evil: Revelations success makes it the seventh largest launch of the Nintendo 3DS so far.

Both Zumba Fitness titles slip with Zumba Fitness down one to No.7, while Zumba Fitness 2 drops two to No.10. Between them sit Saints Row: The Third at No.8, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations re-enters the top ten to take No.9.

RAGE and Rayman Origins both slip out the top ten to No.11 and No.12 respectively. However, Train2Game students can still read an interview with RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits here on the Train2Game Blog.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 28th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA 12 (EA)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
4. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
5. Battlefield 3 (EA)
6. Resident Evil: Revelations (Capcom)
7. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
8. Saints Row The Third (THQ)
9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
10. Zumba Fitness 2 (505 Games)

The first week of February marks the first week of the year for big new releases, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Soulcalibur V and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection all hitting the shelves this week.

So Train2Game, what do you make of FIFA 12’s continued dominance of the UK Charts? Will one of this week’s new releases become the new No.1 next week? And are you looking forward to any of them?

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

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – FIFA 12 top again as two Zumba titles make top ten

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Train2Game students have got used to seeing FIFA 12 from EA Sports at the top of the charts, and it remains there for the fourth consecutive time in a week when two Zimba Fitness titles make the top ten.

It’s the sixth time FIFA 12, which as reported by the Train2Game blog was the UK’s third ever biggest launch when it was released,has taken top spot and it’s certainly not proving easy for any other title to dislodge it.

Just Dance 3 moves up two spots to No.2, with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim also raises two to take No.3 Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 slip to No.4 and No.5 respectively.

Zumba Fitness remains at No.6, while Zumba Fitness 2 enters the top ten at No.7. As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, Zumba Fitness dominated the charts last summer.

RAGE moves up one to No.8, and Train2Game students can read our interview with its Creative Director Tim Willits here on The Train2Game Blog.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations moves up one to No.9, while Need For Speed: The Run drops three to complete the top ten.

Ubisoft’s Kinect title Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012’ has been out since November but makes its top 40 debut at No.12.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 14th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA 12 (EA)
2. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
4. Battlefield 3 (EA)
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
6. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
7. Zumba Fitness 2 (505 Games)
8. RAGE (Bethesda)
9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
10. Need For Speed: The Run (EA)

As Train2Game students will know, January tends to be a quiet period for the games industry, and there are no major releases this week.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on FIFA’s continued dominance? And what do you make of two Zumba Fitness titles inside the top ten?

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

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

Train2Game news: UK Charts – FIFA 12 takes first No.1 of 2012

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Train2Game blog readers asw FIFA 12 take the final No.1 of 2011 and 2012 has started in the same way with EA Sports’ popular football title remaining at the top of the pile.

It’s the fifth time FIFA 12, which as reported by the Train2Game blog was the UK’s third ever biggest launch when it was released, has taken top spot.

EA also take second place in this week’s chart with Battlefield 3 moving up one spot to No.2, switching places with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which drops to No.3. Just Dance 3 remains at No.4, while The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim raises three places to No.5.

Zumba Fitness, which Train2Game Blog readers saw dominate the charts last summer, returns to the top ten at No.6, one place ahead of non-mover Need for Speed: The Run. Saints Row: The Third drops to No.8, while moves up from No.12 to re-enter the top ten at No.9.

Train2Game students can read our interview with RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits, which contains some great advice about getting into the industry, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations completes the top ten this week, after dropping down five spots from No.5.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 7th January 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA 12 (EA)
2. Battlefield 3 (EA)
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
4. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
6. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
7. Need For Speed: The Run (EA)
8. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
9. Rage (Bethesda)
10. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this weeks charts? For how long will FIFA 12 continue to dominate?

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

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

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 Charts – Modern Warfare 3 still No.1

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Train2Game blog readers might not be shocked to hear thatCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 remains top of the UK charts. Sales recieved a a 2% increase over those reported last week on the Train2Game blog. More than 50% of this weeks’ Modern Warfare 3 sales were for Xbox 360.

FIFA 12 moves up three to No.2 but still falls 55,000 sales short of toppling Modern Warfare 3 from No.1. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations drops one spot to No.3 after two weeks in second place. Just Dance 3 jumps four places to No.4, while The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim drops one and completes the top 5.

Saints Row The Third drops to No.6 in its third week on sale, while Nintendo DS title Professor Layton and the Spectre’s Call holds No.7 for the second week running. Mario Kart 7 for the 3DS debuts at No.8, Battlefield 3 remains at No.9 while Super Mario 3D Land stays at No. 10.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 3rd December 2011 is therefore as follows:

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

Releases for the coming week include the PS3 version of Just Dance 3.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s continued chart dominance? Will anything beat it to the Christmas No.1?

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

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.