Train2Game “This is brilliant” says gamer Samantha Whale

Games queen Samantha Whale was handed her ‘key’ to the future at Bedfordshire University last Wednesday.

The 17 year old student, from Luton, has won thousands of pounds over the last few months by taking on hundreds of opponents across the world in internet tournaments.

And yesterday she was one of the media students at the leading university to enrol on a ground-breaking course which could lead her to a £50,000 a year job in the burgeoning games industry. The course is linked to a unique jobs search engine which allows students to get their CVs to potential employers while they are still learning.


Alison, who received the course kit along with another 20 students from Mr Jan Telensky, co-founder of the train2game organisation which designed the course, said: “This is brilliant – I love gaming and would love to build a future in it.”
Bedfordshire University was so impressed by courses created by Train2Game, that last Wednesday it linked up to give students the chance of a career in the £300bn computer games business.
And the university’s decision has gone a long way to boost the image of a world-wide training industry which has often faced a hostile press.

The courses were written by computer game studio professionals and have the backing of TIGA, the games industry’s trade association.

Bedfordshire University’s head of computer science Prof Carsten Maple said: “This is a great accolade for a company, to have their material taken up as part of our Bachelor of Science course reflects their strengths and knowledge.
“We evaluated the materials produced by Train2Game and felt they made an important contribution to the curriculum of our BSc Computer Games Development course.

Because the Train2Game materials are written by games industry professionals, with the involvement of the industry trade association, it will help to ensure our students learn relevant skills and are exposed to industry tools”.
Mr Jan Telensky, co-founder of Train2Game, said: “We, as a company, are working hard to give people who want to learn, a brighter future. This is proof not only to the foresight of the University but to our determination to turn out ground-breaking courses.”

Richard Wilson, chief executive of trade association TIGA, said: “The new Train2Game courses are highly relevant to current industry needs and TIGA members can provide input into the course content and the exam questions through TIGA’s examinations committee. We hope that this new industry-led initiative by Train2Game will increase the supply of well-trained and employable new entrants into the industry.”

For details visit www.train2game.com or call 0845 2728799

Train2Game teams up with Bedfordshire University

Luton Firm Joins with University in a World First

University adopts Train 2 Game’s ‘industry focused’ training program.

Luton, United Kingdom, October 21, 2009 --- Students in Bedfordshire University’s Computing Department received a welcome visit from Luton’s philanthropist businessman, Jan Telensky and his colleagues from ‘Train 2 Game’ on 14th October, when they delivered modules for Games Developer and Games Designer courses – the first designed for the industry by the industry. These ‘world first’ courses have the backing of TIGA, the UK’s trade association for games developers and are being integrated into the University’s BSc Computer Games Development course curriculum.

The visit, heralds the first time that the training materials have been adopted by a University and comes just 7 months after the company first launched its Computer Games Designer and Computer Games Developer courses. To date over 6,000 individuals have wanted to sign up and around 20 students at Bedfordshire University will be studying the BSc version in this year’s intake.

Bedfordshire University’s Head of Computer Science, Professor Carsten Maple said:

“We evaluated the materials produced by Train2Game and felt they made an important contribution to the curriculum of the BSc Computer Games Development course. We decided to integrate them into the course material for the 2009 academic year.

“Because the Train2Game materials are written by games industry professionals, with the backing and involvement of the industry and its trade association, we feel it will help to ensure that our students learn industry relevant skills and that they are exposed to industry relevant tools”.

The course was written by D.R. Studios of Milton Keynes, whose COO, Tony Bickley with over 25 years’ experience in the industry with the likes of Interplay, US Gold and Konami, was present during the hand-over to talk to students about the relevance of their studies to today’s computer games industry.

Train2Game, commissioned industry games specialist DR Studios to devise and write the courses, for aspirants who are unable to attend University, and to provide an alternative route into this dynamic industry.

Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said: “The new Train2Game courses are highly relevant to current industry needs. Industry experts in DR Studios design them and TIGA members have an opportunity to provide input into the course content and the exam questions through TIGA’s Examinations Committee. We hope that this new industry-led initiative by Train2Game will increase the supply of well-trained and employable new entrants into the industry.”

Train2Game’s Marketing Director, Mike Head, said “Leading Developers want young people with imagination and vision, who understand games and how to put them together. The inclusion of our course materials in University of Bedfordshire’s BSc Computer Games Development course will go along way to help achieve this.”

For details visit http://www.train2game.co.uk or call 0845 2728799

Train2Game I am gob-smacked at the amount I have learnt James Over the past month I am gob-smacked at the amount I have learnt

James

Over the past month I am gob-smacked at the amount I have learnt. Although I have only started the course and done my first modules, I feel like this is what I should of been doing all my life.
Every morning I'll wake up with answers to problems I had the night before in game designing, even when trying to sleep my mind is buzzing with new ideas.

I would never of thought I would be able to learn and create such games so quickly and to a good standard like http://www.yoyogames.com/games/show/97263
(although the long days and nights are probably the reason!)

I have made great social network on the forum and have even started helping people out with their projects.
Project : Colonisation (World Map Designer)
Project : Soul Wars (Guild Sign Designer)

I hope they lead to more projects as I thoroughly enjoy working with the people.
Over all this has been a great opportunity where I have learnt SO much knowledge and can’t wait for more materials... BRING IT ON!

www.train2game.com

Train2Game It’s part of my life

Train2Game It’s part of my life

Satvir

I have never worked hard so as being doing this course I think that it is my first time I’ve ever worked hard at something like this. It’s part of my life plan to become a game designer.

www.train2game.com

Train2Game the future I have been dreaming of

Train2Game the future I have been dreaming of

Douglas

I have managed to start work on a few design documents for ideas I have had for years. One of these ideas I have adapted so it can work as a portfolio piece. Nearly all my ideas are my own, apart from one which was thought up with late night chats between me and my girlfriend (she likes to get involved). I am also quite surprised and enthusiastic about a lot of the things I have learnt while revising for the course.

I am currently doing something I never thought I would do, and that is get a library card so I can study a bit more and look up some history for one of my games. I have recently secured a job alongside my studies and feel I am putting even more time into the course than previously. I feel I have taken a positive step towards the future I have been dreaming of.

Train2Game The idea is genius

Train2Game The idea is genius

Martyn

Who ever came up with the Train2Game idea is a genius to say the least. Not only does it give people the opportunity to create their own game but it also builds peoples knowledge of gaming and how computer games are created from start to finish. More importantly it actually gives people the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of becoming a computer games designer.

A bit about my background. I grew up with computers as I started out with the old commodore 64 and went right the way through each console to the current day XBOX 360 and PS2. I’m totally I.T literate, which is courtesy of the C64 because where as many people just used to play the tape games, I used it for my typing skills. This paid off as every job I’ve had since leaving school has involved a computer in one form or another. My I.T grades speak for themselves, having achieved a GCSE and a level grade at school in the subject, I also passed my ECDL and got a Merit in an advanced HEFC course at the local college to further my own knowledge which also included designing and creating my own website. So from an early age, I always had aspirations of one day making my own game and now thanks to this course, which has been a little ray of sunshine, I can now have that opportunity. One thing that I did regret was not being able to get my hands on the Nintendo power glove for the original NES, that thing rocked as I believe it was only available in the USA and I still think that it had a lot to do with the creation of the Wii because it used sensors that were place around the TV, kind of like the Wii today.

So far I have found the course challenging but interesting at the same time. I have learned things that I never knew and were quite surprised at. My achievements so far have been steady for most of my TMA’s. As you have noticed I’m sure, I’ve got 85% for 3 of them meaning 3 answers wrong each time with exception of the resubmitted one which I understand fully now where I went wrong. However there is always room for improvement and I want you to know that I always aim to get 100%. Which is exactly where I want to aim for in this course. I want to aim for the top of designing and creating my own computer game but I can’t tell the future and wants going to happen so even if I ended up as part of the team that design games then I would be satisfied with that.

To finish off, I would just like to thank you all for your help as you are always there for me when I call after each TMA to go through the incorrect answers as I do enjoy the chats as they help me to progress further.

Train2Game mentioned in the Gamespot UK Podcast

Train2Game mentioned in the Gamespot UK Podcast

Lee

Been incredibly busy these past few months - I brought together a group of individuals from the T2G forums to form Adarakion Games. The group consists 2 developers - myself and "fatefirst", a designer "hexalot" and also someone who is not on the course, but may well be next year (will be recommending)who is an Artist. The group moulded together well, and as a result we are working on two projects.

The games we are currently developing are "Odds On" and a codenamed game currently called "Project Blast!", main focus is on Blast! at the moment and this could easily become (we hope) PSN/XBL material if we nail it well enough (and its polished enough).

The next stage was setting up www.adarakion.co.uk - which we have just started to publish content and information to.
Also, I feel that volunteering and being accepted as the second Student Mod on the T2G forums is a great achievement for me - I feel that my "Modding" has been fair and consistent and has helped T2G greatly.

Also of course, I have been progressing with the course (of course) but taking the time to revise past studies and ensure that what I may have skimmed through on the first read is "bedded in". Started work on a C++ manual with all the commands/info contained in the previous lessons.

I also started to write my own Blog - http://coderiffic.blogspot.com and was mentioned in the Gamespot UK Podcast - dated 23/7 which was great.