Post on 12-Oct-2014
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Train2Game
Gadget Show Live
April 2012
Co-sponsored by Train2Game and Epic Games, the Make Something Unreal Live
event was an independent game development challenge that enabled Train2Game
student start-up studios to create brand new iOS games and then release them on the
iTunes App Store. It was an unprecedented competition, spanning 6 months of work,
learning new technologies, and competing against over a hundred other students.
Only the best were going to win, but the prize was massive, A holiday at the luxury
resort Aquacity, a place on the team inside a newly formed studio, a chance to work on
one of the most well known brands in Gaming, Unreal 3 iOS engine (made famous by
the recent success of Gears of Wars and the phenomenally successful Infinity Blade)
all leading to the start of a new career, in computer game development.
The story started back in
November 2011 at the
Train2Game and Epic Game
Jam when 10 competing
teams, built games using
Epic’s Unreal Development Kit
(UDK), the free edition of
Unreal Engine 3.
The theme was of course,
Guy Fawkes
The Gadget Show Live 2012 saw the culmination of nearly six months' work for the
four development teams that secured a place in the Epic Games and Train2Game-
sponsored Make Something Unreal Live game jam.
Amid the bustling halls of the UK’s biggest consumer electronics event in Birmingham
earlier this month, with over 100,000 visitors, each of the ten-strong student teams had
48 hours to very publicly polish up their iOS games under the expert guidance of
industry veterans including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, and Peter Molyneux, as well as
Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, authors of the long-running Fighting Fantasy
interactive novels on which all four games were based.
Mike Gamble, Epic Games European territory manager explained that the stand
attracted a lot of attention from members of the public, looking to get into the computer
games industry. “We had plenty of people come up and talk to the teams and members
of staff that were around, asking about how they could get into game development, both
on a professional and amateur level.”
Ian Livingstone OBE is an English fantasy author and entrepreneur. Along with Steve Jackson he is the co-founder of the popular and influential series of Fighting Fantasy roleplaying gamebook series and author of many books within that series. He is also one of the co-founders of prominent games company Games Workshop. Awards
In 2002, Livingstone won the Gift of the Academy in the BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards for outstanding contribution to the community.
Livingstone was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for "Services to the Computer Games Industry" in the New Year’s Honours List 2006.
In 2011, Livingstone was made an honorary doctor by Bournemouth University.
Helping and Mentoring the Train2Game teams were some of the most respected members
of the computer games industry
Steve Jackson is a game designer, writer and game reviewer. He co-founded the
company Games Workshop with John Peake and Ian Livingstone.
In 1980, he created the line of the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks published by Puffin
Books with Ian Livingstone. He went on to Co-found Lionhead Studios with Peter
Molyneux.
Peter Douglas Molyneux OBE is an English computer game designer and game programmer. He created the God games, Dungeon Keeper, Populous, and Black & White, among others, as well as business simulation games such as Theme Park and more recently, the RPG series Fable. Awards
Molyneux was inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame in 2004 and was honoured with an OBE in the New Year's Honours list announced on 31 December 2004.
He was awarded the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in March 2007. In July 2007, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Southampton.
In March 2011, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Game Developers Choice Awards and has received a BAFTA Fellowship at the 2011 British Academy Video Games Awards.
Ian Baverstock 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 a 4 year spell
as CEO of 300 man game developer Kuju Entertainment.
Outside of his commercial roles, Ian was Chairman of TIGA, the UK games developers’ trade
association, for 4 years.
He is a Director of the South East Media Network organisation, a member of the Game
Developers Conference Advisory Board and a Director of the One Big Game charity initiative.
Jon "Jops" Hare is a British computer game
designer, game artist and musician. He is one of
the two founder members and directors, with
Chris Yates, of Sensible Software, one of the
most successful European games development
companies of the late 1980s and 1990s.Hare was
co-designer and artist of all of Sensible's hits
prior to 1992 including Parallax, Wizball,
Microprose Soccer, SEUCK and Wizkid.
He was also the lead designer and creative
director of Mega Lo Mania, the Sensible Soccer
series and the Cannon Fodder series, some of
the most popular software franchises of the mid
1990s.
Jo Twist, Commissioning Editor,
Education, Channel 4. Jo is
Commissioning Editor for Education
at Channel 4. She joined the channel
in 2010 from the BBC, where she
was Multiplatform Commissioner for
Entertainment & Switch responsible
for digital formats and online
products. Before that, she was BBC
Three Multiplatform Channel Editor
and led the online strategy for the
channel’s rebrand. Her earlier career
was as a journalist for Newsround
then BBC News online,
commentating across digital print,
Carsten Maple is the Pro Vice-
Chancellor for Research & Enterprise at
the University of Bedfordshire. He is the
Educational Advisor to the TIGA
Examination Board as well as the TIGA
Director of Business Education
Interaction.
Carsten first taught 3D modelling at
University in 1998 and developed one of
the first BSc Computer Games
Development courses in the UK. He is
also a Director of Ansmart Technologies,
a mobile games and applications
development company.
Carsten is an Executive of the Council of
Professors and Heads of Computing
(CPHC), whose remit is to promote
public education in Computing and its
applications.
Train2Game talking to Ken Gains from City & Guilds
“In terms of Gaming, Train2Game are the first people that we have worked with in this
area, and the reason for doing that was when we sat down and talked to them, and
they presented the programme, there was a very solid training programme there.
There was a very solid method of assessing students wishing to go on the course, and
what they were going to do, and that appealed to us.” – Ken Gains, City & Guilds
Ken Gains, from City & Guilds was very complimentary not only of the students, their work
but also of the Train2Game course itself.
“Its industry backed, it’s very solid and the important thing for City & Guilds is that we’re able to
take the experience element and a qualification element that will get them into the industry. Because
the problem for many people is you might be able to design a game, but to what sort of standard?
That’s where the qualification comes in. We do have people, who’ve done so-called qualifications in
gaming before, but they have no experience, and a lot of industries want a combination of the two.
So, that’s why working with Train2Game has been so good, because they bring the two things
together.”
That’s good, because City & Guilds is one of the best qualifications you can have, isn’t it?”
“We’d like to think so, yes! We are one of the leaders in, if not the leader in vocational education,
that’s where we come from. So the whole drive, especially for me, is making sure that whatever we
offer, whatever certification we provide, is actually going to lead into something. It’s not just a piece
of paper you can hang on the wall and go “aren’t I clever?”
Why Train2Game? How did you become involved with Train2Game?
“They said, would you like to come and talk to Myra Smallman from Train2Game to see if there is
something we can do together. What we’ve come up with is the first product at Level 6 and Level 7,
so it’s quite high university type level of qualification in order to put a course programme with robust
assessment criteria behind it.”
It’s interesting you say it’s the same level as a university qualification, is it in that ball game?
“It’s in that level, yes”.
“So Train2Game are doing it Properly?” Interviewer
“That’s what we believe, yes, absolutely” – Ken Gains, City & Guilds
“Train2Game aren’t just about coming
here and doing competitions, they do a
programme to develop game developers
in Design, QA, Art & Animation and the
game development itself. We’ve worked
with them to deliver a qualification that
will support the experience that these
young people are getting, so they can
actually go out and get a job”
TIGA is the non-profit trade association representing the UK's games industry. Their
members include independent games developers, in-house publisher-owned developers,
outsourcing companies, technology businesses, universities, individuals and students,
and TIGA won trade body of the year for the last two years. TIGA is also the awarding
body for all the Train2Game exams
TIGA were represented at the show
by Richard Wilson CEO. Richard is
well known to the students, as he has
personally given many talks and
lectures at various Train2Game
events, including the last November
Game Jam
Three months of home working for the Train2Game students, went into over drive during the
Gadget show Live, where the students in addition to finishing their game entries also
presented twice a day to industry legends, implemented their suggestions and continued the
high octane pace
Train2Game student, Nick
Stone, a member of the
winning team, Indigo Jam
was one of Indigo Jam’s
game designers working on
their Fighting Fantasy game
Death Trap Dungeon
Nick started playing video games and designing them when he attended Canon Slade
School, “I want to create game that people will remember. For me the Train2Game course
doesn’t feel like learning. If you have a passion for something the urge to learn will be like
second nature and you will always look forward to your work”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get
to experience with a giant IP that
can actually get me in to the
Industry”. When Nick was asked
about Train2Games Make
something Unreal competition, and
his team’s game he replied “The
Game is an adventure with lots of
sneaking and dice throwing like the
original gamebook. I’m so excited
it’s just unbelievable we’ve made it
to the Gadget show, there’s so
many high calibre experts who will
be there. It’s Magic !
Win or lose Indigo Jam are
intending to stay together.
Ben Stoneman, from Bognor Regis, one of the Train2Game students taking part in the
Make Something Unreal competition, had this to say to members of the public who asked
him about his time at the show.
“We study mostly from home a sort of virtual classroom, and this is where we have made
most of the game, my role on the Indigo Jam team (one of the student start-up studios) is
that of Games Designer.”
“I’m like the designer of a car, I make up the blueprint and make sure all the parts for it are
in the right place, then the artists will embellish them, before the programmers put the parts
together”.
Ben works at the Unity games studio in Brighton making the software which runs the games,
having gained a student placement through Train2Game. Train2Game’s student placement
program has be very successful at placing those students that are able to take advantage of
the opportunity, directly into industry
It was a real tribute to the quality of the Train2Game students and their training that
they produced in only three short months, whilst working in virtual teams from their
homes scattered across the UK, four games of such high quality that they all secured a
publishing deal from a major App publisher, who will work with them as they finalise the
games and get them ready for market.
Chloe Martin, from Digital Mage was one of the many female Train2Game students to
have one a place on to the Gadget Show live event. It was Chloe’s passion for Gaming
and Art that made her choose Train2Game as the best way to help her achieve her desire
to get in to the computer game industry. Working as a team leader in a local coffee shop
Train2Game has enabled to study in her spare time at home.
When asked about studying from home,
Chloe admitted it could be a little hard
sometimes “Because it is virtually (home
study) it can be much harder to get the
motivation after work, when you are feeling
a bit drained, but you just have to realise
where you want to be, where you want to
get to, what you have learnt so far, which
is amazing, and it all becomes worthwhile”.
“I loved every second, I’ve met so
many important people from this
industry and I have got so much
feedback from the team, and
developing a game has been one
amazing opportunity. “
Chloe has really enjoyed being
part of the Train2games Digital
Mage team and is confident that
this be the first of many games
they develop together.
Train2Game student, Joyce Webb, of team Indigo Jam, thinks Train2Game is “brilliant”
now about half way through her course, she is delighted at the opportunity that being here
at the Gadget show as one of the contestant is bring her. Meeting Joyce was a real breath
of fresh air, her passion and drive are quite infectious.
When asked about what’s it been like the last few months she replied “A little bit crazy,
trying to fit in a job at a local cinema, continuing with the study and the competition,
coming home from work then going straight back to work (making the game) but it has
been great fun, can’t fault the team, they are all excellent and great fun to work with.
When asked about her
time on the team Joyce
admitted it was quite fun
being one of the girls, with
the boys looking out for her
and making sure she
rested and ate properly.
“it’s really good and they
(the rest of the team) are
really nice and supportive.
The show has been
absolutely amazing, loved
every minute of it”
A Scene from
Rise of Agglax
- Digital Mage Team
Citadel Of Chaos
- Derp Studios
Great Artwork from Train2Game Students
“I’m just dead proud of my team. They’ve worked really hard and this
competition has changed our lives forever,” said Jonny Robinson,
producer of Commando Kiwi and team captain for Make Something
Unreal Live.
Train2Game Student wins fame
Train2Game Student, Ashley, talks about his win
Train2Game - Hot Job News
Jonny Robinson , captain of Train2Games Commando Kiwi team revealed, that he
was invited to go for a job interview with a high profile computer game industry
veteran, based on the work that he had created up to and during the competition.
Jonny was understandably delighted.
“it’s amazing, I just can’t thank you guys (Train2Game) enough, I would not have
been able to meet xxx (name deleted for confidential reasons) let alone show him my
work, I’m just so stoked at the moment”
I could not have imagined being where I am now six months ago ….. I met up with a
gentleman who liked my work and after the show, there is the possibility of a job, so
all the hard work has been very worth while.”
Cat Forsythe , a Train2Game student
artist at the show, also confirmed she
had been approached by a talent
spotter at the show. It (the show) has
been a massive opportunity
Train2Game - Hot Job News
James Valaitis, Presenter and developer (Train2Game student Programmer) for
Digital Mage, pictured here talking to’ Cliffy B’ Design Guru for the phenomenally
successful Gears of war game, was also invited to an interview at the show, by a
key industry figure.
His comment “it’s amazing, just so amazing …” says it all
James is only 18, and was one of the youngest contestants, he has been studying
with Train2Game for about 12 months now.
James presenting and answering questions from Ian Baverstock, Jo Twist and
Jon Hare, a tough audience !
Train2Game - Hot Job News
Train2Game – More Fame,
More Employment Exposure
The Winning Train2Game Team
“Train2Games Commando Kiwi really captured the essence of ‘The Warlock of
Firetop Mountain’ with great gameplay and visuals,” said “Fighting Fantasy” author
and co-creator, Ian Livingstone. “It’s remarkable what these student teams were able
to produce working remotely for such a short period of time using UDK.
Although only one of the teams has won this amazing prize, the experience the
Train2Game students have gained is invaluable and I fully expect to see many of
them working in the video games industry. We look forward to playing these games,
and Steve and I are sure that Fighting Fantasy fans everywhere will really enjoy these
new interactive experiences based on the books."
Happy Train2Game Students
“I think our Train2Game students are now very much realizing that they can start a studio with just two or three people, and that there are more real possibilities for small studios than there have been in years,” - Train2Game course director Myra Smallman
"Irrespective of what happens to the games and the teams as they exist now, I think every
single one of those students has got an amazing leg-up into the industry so that if they want to
go and join a studio they'll have a shipped game on their CVs, and have worked on a team -
that's immensely valuable.” - Mike Gamble, Epic Games European territory manager
A great competition that led to
some excellent work by the
Train2Game students resulting in
three provisional job offers and
several more interviews.
It was the start of four new studios
with their first project already
agreed and signed