EA success in March reminds us how dominating they still are

March has seen EA take first place in sales and revenue, thanks to the success of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (developed by DICE). It seems it sold well because apparently Modern Warfare 2 wasn’t enough to satisfy the First-Person Shooter bloodlust you lot crave.

If you’re one of those who loves the sound of impressive percentages, then check the story here - http://www.mcvuk.com/news/38585/EA-and-Battlefield-dominate-March. But there are two things you need to know; 1) No matter how much we say EA have lost their creative soul, they will continue to be a dominant force in the industry, so let’s move on and find some other scapegoat and 2) EA will be using this as either an “up yours” or “your move now” kind of message to Activision.

EA is on a roll right now, not only taking a piece of the FPS market pie, but also managing to weaken Activision by luring key members Jason West and Vince Zampella to step away from Infinity Ward, create their own studio and create a domino effect that has weakened Activision and threatening to damage Infinity Ward beyond repair.

Now, some gamers out there just don’t like EA. They see them as a company who lost its creative soul and just decided to churn out sequels and updates one after the other or some kind of monster that’s been hoarding developers while chopping others at the knees and weakening them,

Even if you don’t like EA for various reasons, you still have to give them grudging respect from starting out as a small company catering to the early home computer games industry, who actually gave credit to designers and programmers, which at the time, was an uncommon thing to do.

Now almost 28 years later, EA are one of the biggest third-party companies and with their ability to create successful franchises (The Sims, Need for Speed, FIFA and Fight Night to name a few).

It makes you wonder if someone from the Train2Game could strike lightning. One characteristic EA has is that they were ambitious (and somewhat still are) and many of the members in T2G seem to have this drive. As a result, we’ve seen studios being set up such as Horizon Studios, who have potential, with a clear agenda and a snazzy website, and Adarakion Games (where you can check out their Developer Diary to hear how they are progressing)

It will be very interesting (and exciting) to wonder what these studios (and many others being set up via the T2G forums) will provide with us in the future. Just imagine one day reading a gaming website or publication, seeing a game made by these development teams and saying “hey...I knew these guys and gals once!”

Or in my case, “hey, I chatted random stuff with these weird people once!”

Source: http://www.train2game.com/Games-Design-News/Gaming-Industry-News/EA-tops-March-UK-sales-ranking$19744925.html

Train2Game A Video Diary from Steven

Steven is a hard core gamer who wanted a career in video games, he is studying his TIGA Games Designer diploma from Train2Game at the same time as studying a university degree, what a guy!

For more information: http://is.gd/bAH54

Defending the honour of video gaming art

Despite not going out of my way to visit art shows, read art magazines and websites or watch anything about the subject on TV (because I’m lazy okay), I do consider myself to have a big interest in art.

I appreciate art in all aspects and that extends to video games. Now, the definition of art is so damn loose that everyone has a different take on it. Just because I hate the 2001 Turner Prize with a passion (Martin Creed for Work No.227: The lights going on and off) and do not consider it art, you may find it to be a simplistic masterpiece of art.

So, while I respect acclaimed American film reviewer Roger Elbert’s opinion in that video games can’t be considered art – and he does bring up some interesting points – I will have to respectfully say I feel he is wrong.

Elbert says one of the main reasons video games and art have no connection is because: “One obvious difference between art and games is that you can win a game.” Well that’s true but it doesn’t stop a game from being a work of art; it merely makes it have an objective. You can still admire the gorgeous graphics, the small touches or whatever you see as art. Just because you interact with a game and not a picture or a film doesn’t any less make it art.

You see, Elbert dear boy, art is something to be admired and you can still see the beauty that has been crafted into many games. You only need to check out games like Rez, Odin Sphere, Flower, Jet Set Radio, Myst, Final Fantasy XIII, Super Mario Galaxy, BlazBlue and Geometry Wars to see how varied games can look and how they can be seen as art, as well as enjoyable. I would even argue that Myst – released in 1993 – was a graphical showcase to demonstrate the potential of PC’s.

Elbert does ask one question which is perhaps the most convincing argument he has in this debate: “Why are gamers so intensely concerned, anyway, that games be defined as art? Bobby Fischer, Michael Jordan and Dick Butkus never said they thought their games were an art form. Nor did Shi Hua Chen, winner of the $500,000 World Series of Mah Jong in 2009. Why aren’t gamers content to play their games and simply enjoy themselves?”

The funny thing about this is that me (and I’d wager many gamers) weren’t really thinking about games as art until Elbert stirred up the hornet’s nest. Now most of us have got our boxer pants in a twist and defending the fact that gaming can indeed be art. But then Elbert, you should think of the artists who draw concept work and actually work hard to make their games look beautiful or at least pleasant. And I’m sure the newly enrolled students of Train2Game Art and Animation TIGA Diploma course would also disagree with him. Or send an angry email or clench their fists screaming “damn you Elbert, damn you to hell!” before doodiling the American running away from getting eaten by Pac-Man.

Not every developing team strives to have their game look amazing, make people go “wow” or even concerned with making sure things look nice. And there are many who won’t give a damn because they belong to the “as long as the game plays good” camp.

But I feel that there are many games out there that do represent “art” in some way; we just have to look for it when playing games.

Source: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100062-Ebert-Re-Emphasizes-That-Games-Will-Never-Be-Art

Train2Game Student Jon’s Video Diary

Part 1 of Train2Game Games Designer student Jon's video diary

It's been a dream of his to get a career in the games industry, ever since he was visited by a career advisor at school who asked him what he wants to do with his life and he said all he wants to do his make computer games.

For more information http://is.gd/bAH54

Train2Game Student Lee’s Video Diary

Part 1 of Train2Game Games Developer student Lee's video diary

He turned down a place at Edinburgh University on their Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence degree course to do a Games Developer coursewith Train2Game.

For more http://is.gd/bAH54

Train2Game Student Martins Video Diary

Part 1 of Train2Game Games Developer student Martin's video diary

Ever since he started programming on his Commodore 64 he wanted to develop computer games, he quit his job last in 2009 to study for a TIGA Diploma in Games Development with Train2Game

For more information http://is.gd/bAH54

Gamestation proves eternal superiority over its customers for one day.

Be honest, who here actually reads those “legal purchase agreement.” Oh I understand why they are in place (unless you goal is to make sure you business loses money), but rather I’m just wondering if there is anyone out there who takes the time to actually go through the clauses and say “yup, I agree with that wholeheartedly.”

I bring this up because on April Fools, Gamestation decided it would be a fine time to own your soul and thus they put in a clause where they owned your soul. Unless you’re one of the few who checked the terms and conditions and went “yup, I agree with that wholeheartedly...Hang on just one minute! God of War 3 may be worth an arm and a leg, but not my soul.”

You can check the clause here - http://www.gamestation.co.uk/Help/TermsAndConditions/ - and they still have the “you agree to grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul” part (use the search function to find it).

While it sounds I’m being cynical, I actually commended the 12 per cent who did bother to check. I’ll be the first to admit I never check terms and conditions, instead scrolling down and clicking the box just so I can speed the process of kissing my money goodbye. Had I decided to shop at Gamestation’s online store, I would have been part of that 7,500 plus and probably would have felt an unexplained unease that day.

Those who didn’t give your souls to Gamestation were awarded a £5 discount (http://tinyurl.com/y2554bj) and those who did become eternal slaves were happy to know that their damnation has been nullified via email. I would like to know if anyone knew someone who did freak out after hearing they no longer had their soul.

Hmmmmm, maybe I should check Amazon’s terms and conditions to see if I’ve signed my soul away. Would explain why I felt so empty after playing White Knight Chronicles.

In the future Gamestation should make an offer where customers can trade their souls to get a newly released game at £9.99.

Hey my name is Gabriel May - let's talk

Hey my name is Gabriel May. I write for Train2Game. I'm an avid gamer who's been playing since the age of five, with my favourite consoles being SNES, Dreamcast, PSX and PS2.

I'll be here to talk about the games industry, offering my opinions on various topics.

I look forward to discussing my favourite subject with you.

Train2Game Webinar - did your question get answered?

Train2Game's first webinar took place on Thursday 18th March 2010 and it was a great success.

We had over 146 unique views and some very hard hitting questions from the audience about Train2Game and the UK Games Industry as a whole. Some of the questions that didn't get answered are now available on the Train2Game website... http://www.train2game.com/webinar.html

Terrfiying skill shortage more vital than taxes

Labour MP and tax break campaigner Tom Watson believes the most important issue for the UK gaming industry is not state-supported cuts in production costs, but instead the ‘serious challenge’ of a brain drain in the UK.... read more

The UK games industry will now receive tax breaks.

It was revealed today in Alistair Darling's last budget announcement before the election that the UK Games Industry will receive tax breaks.

TIGA CEO was jubilant on hearing the news.

“This is an inspired decision,” he said. “In backing tax relief the Government has chosen the future over the past, growth over decline, success over failure.”

He said tax relief will “increase employment, investment and innovation in the UK video games sector.”

Read the Develop article on this subject here...

Train2Game course content benchmarked by top gaming universities

Completing a Train2Game course is the same as completing two years of a Batchelor Degree

Its official! Train2Game courses have been benchmarked by the Qualifications Credit Framework as the equivalent to Level 5 of the Qualifications and Curriculum Framework - the final stage of Higher National Diploma Study, or the first two years of a Bachelor's Degree....

Read the full story here...

Train2Game.com - New and Improved!

We are proud to announce a raft of changes and additions to the Train2Game.com website.

The first thing you will notice is the sleek makeover. We have a new, brighter look for the website combined with a sharp new logo that we think will go down a storm with students and visitors alike.

There is a lot more for you all to read and discover on the updated site too:

• More information on our courses Train2Game itself
• More in-depth information on the games industry along with useful background reading and a list of crucial organisations and websites
• New, updated study guides and course plans for Designer and Developer (a must read for all students!)
• An improved news feeds and press releases section
• A launch date for the Artist and Animator course (extensive course details to follow)!

The new look and new logo will also be making their way to the forums along with other improvements to provide our students with a better, more unique and more secure forum service.

The Art and Animation Course available from 12th April 2010

It has just been announced that the highly anticipated Art and Animation course will be available from Monday 12th April 2010

For more information as it becomes available please send us your details and we will update you. In the meantime, watch this space and local press for more announcements.

Train2Game speaks out in a webinar

If you’re interested in a career in gaming or have any questions about the video games industry, come and join Train2Game and TIGA’s webchat at 5.15pm on 18^th March 2010 on www.train2game.com. Clive Robert (CEO) and Tony Bickley (COO) from DR Studios, and Richard Wilson (CEO) from TIGA will be available to answer all your questions. To find out more about the Train2Game webinar click here.

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 I’ve been doing my course during Physio

Simon

Well I have been doing my course while being in a lot of pain from the 20 wires that went through my leg in a frame in recent weeks. I have been doing physio to try and regain the ability to walk even with the pain I have been doing the course to the best of my ability so that in the end I will be able to be a game designer.