March 2010 Archives

Open learning provider Train2Game has announced that its Games Developer and Games Design courses have been benchmarked against the Qualifications Credit Framework.

A panel of education experts has determined that the courses are 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 Degree1.

The benchmarking process compared Train2Game's courses to existing guidelines from bodies including Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, and has followed an in-depth review of the courses' content from the panel, which included TIGA Educational Advisors Professor Carsten Maple and Mark Eyles from the University of Bedfordshire and the University of Portsmouth respectively.

The two courses, created in association with industry specialist games developers DR Studios, provide people who are passionate about gaming the relevant skills for a career in games design, animation, programming and other related industries. An additional course, Games Artist, will launch in April.

Key findings of the panel:

The Games Developer and Games Design courses offer a good challenge to students.
Both courses are developed, managed and delivered by people with vast experience in the games industry, including consultation with the wider industry via TIGA members.
Train2Game's courses are not only relevant to the games industry but can assist in the employability of students in the sector.

The University of Bedfordshire's Head of Department of Computer Science and Technology Professor Carsten Maple commented, "Our extensive evaluation of the Train2Game course content demonstrates its significant value in providing the skills and knowledge necessary to progress in the gaming industry. We're looking forward to welcoming applications from Train2Game graduates and we're sure that other universities will follow suit."

Course Director Tony Bickley of DR Studios, added, "We're proud to confirm the successful benchmarking of Train2Game's courses against recognised industry standards. The panel's findings prove that our courses are extremely relevant to the gaming sector and should ensure that Train2Game has full validation in the eyes of students who are considering taking up one of the courses, as well as with the prospective employers of our graduates."

http://www.train2game.com

IF anyone was going to challenge the explosive might of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, it was always likely to be gaming giants EA.

LOCK and load... it's time to lead a two-man Navy SEAL squad into situations you'll need to blast yourself out of. This first-person shooter is one of the best you'll find on the Sony handheld, but it's not all about gunfights.

Along with your computer team-mate you can employ stealth and tactics to dish out steaming ladles of justice. While you can fight it out through a failed former Russian state, there's more action to be had online.

Supporting 16 players, the multiplayer mode is very polished indeed and is one of the main attractions to the game with a fast frame rate and awesome weaponry.

SEQUEL to the well-received Echodrome, this platform puzzler is simple yet so complex.

There's level after level to tackle as you navigate a mannequin to the exit. Sounds easy enough? Well you've only got around 30 seconds to do it in.

The graphics are very simple but that's not really the point. Like LittleBigPlanet before it, the game's all about playability.

Echoshift wears its simplicity like a badge of honour. A reminder to developers that all the whizz bang graphics in the world can't save a stinker. This is perfect for people who want to play in short bursts. Although, while it's quick to pick up, you might not put it down again!

NOW I have an admission to make - I haven't got a clue about trading card games. So when I put this disc into my PSP I had no idea what to expect.

From what I've gathered, you roam around a mystical world looking for fights. According to those in the know, Legends is a card-battle game with added plot to entice you to carry on your quest.

But did it impress a newbie? Well, it looks nice enough and certainly can be picked up quickly.

However, it does get a little repetitive and I'm still mystified by the attraction of the genre. Unless you love to collect stuff, I'd probably avoid.

BUCKLE up hedgehog fans - Sonic is back and promises to be quite a ride!

Movie tie-in time... again!

This may be a movie tie-in, but in reality the only thing it shares with the film is the characters..