Indigo Jam Games and Train2Game

Train 2 Game was established in 2008 to help train and produce a new generation of designers and programmers within the games industry. All of the courses available have been co-written by Tony Bickley and Clive Robert formerly of DR Studios, who share years of experience within the games industry.

The courses provide students the opportunity to earn a TIGA Diploma, a recognised qualification within the industry. The course has also recently been recognised as a City and Guilds qualification. TIGA are an independent awarding and examination body for Train 2 Games blended learning courses. TIGA got involved with Train 2 Game when it was discovered that games businesses’ had a shortage of qualified applicants trained in the current industry programmes.

There are four courses to choose from; Games Artist and Animator, Games Designer, Games Developer and Games QA Tester. All of the courses are designed to be completed within a 3 year limit either as a dedicated course or alongside a job.

Train 2 Game states as part of their Mission Statement that they aim to help their students gain the knowledge and experience necessary to enter the tough UK games industry. With the help of their experience and existing contacts they hope to give their students access to the best educators and the latest technology throughout their course. They also hope to prepare students for entry into the very competitive Games Industry by giving them experience in using industry standard programmes and techniques to produce a strong portfolio.

The courses also offer students the chance to participate in ‘Game Jams’ where, set to a brief, teams participate against each other to design and build a working game within 48 hours. This is open to all students, whatever your ability, and free to enter. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience working with members of other courses and to meet others hoping to enter the games industry.

The November 2011 Game Jam produced some fantastic work from the 10 participating teams. The four winning teams won a place in 2012’s Make Something Unreal Live competition sponsored by EPIC Games. This has given the four teams the chance to set up independent studios and design a game for iOS using the UDK or Unreal Development Kit powered by the Unreal Engine. Their brief is based on the popular Fighting Fantasy series of books which were created by Ian Livingston and Steve Jackson. The competitions final week will take place at The Gadget Show Live 2012 where one team will win a full Unreal Engine licence and a holiday to Aquacity in Slovakia.

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