FAQ: Is this for real? / I'm unsure.

[DrDeth]

I've decided to start this thread in order to answer the frequent questions about the legitimacy of this course, as well as to answer the related questions about those who are unsure about the course.

This is not a live discussion, but rather I will be using this thread to bring together all of the relevant information from other threads into one concise and informative place for anyone new to the forums. If you come across a post that is relevant that I haven't included yet, please let me know.

First off, some facts:

Ownership and control of T2G is not linked in any way to another company called Skillstrain, I have said this on numerous forums and will continue to do so until people eventually listen .

Train2 Game (T2G) is a UK registered company not a Slovakian company as some as have suggested, Clive Robert (me) has no shareholding in T2G

Multimedia training as well as other course advisor sales teams are being used by T2G. this is an ongoing process that is under constant evaluation such that T2G can build the best possible relationships with the best vendors, thereby ultimately best serving its students

The Course advisors work to a strict code of practice document that is rigidly enforced

The course advisors having met and approved a student for a T2G course give the correct 21 days cool off period to allow students to cancel if they wish (as offered under law as part of the Consumer Credit Act)

Any and all credit information is taken accurately, in confidence and is managed in strict compliance with Consumer Credit Act and Data Protection Act

Payments for our courses can be made in full or via a credit agreement developed either by the student or T2G can arrange for credit terms that ARE 0% interest

Any and all credit terms arranged by T2G are clear and concise and abide by the rules set out by the Consumer Credit Act

The Course content is extremely far reaching and covers everything that the games industry would require of a graduate (this topic is discussed elsewhere in depth on this forum

This course is in my view, the best out there and whilst there are some that have been quick to dismiss it. Not one of those people have actually seen the course content.

It’s a great shame that a few people seem so hell bent on dismissing what is a great course without actually looking at the content of the course

I’m not suggesting that 5K is a small amount of money, rather I think it is a huge investment. There are other options out there; University courses, other Distance learning courses, OU courses and just downloading apps and teaching yourself.

T2G’s courses modularise the information crucial to the games industry, T2G does it in and informative fun and helpful way that works. TIGA and several other industry organisations and developers support what we are doing. We all have choices, we just need to make sure the choices we make are informed and well researched. As I have said on may occasions, I’m happy to stand up and be counted when it comes to the quality of T2G’s courses. That’s what this forum was developed for. Please ask whatever questions you have.

In another post...

...I can say for certain that there is no scam involved here, the course is of a very high standard and will challenge you in many positive ways. It’s not cheap but then in my view it’s by far and away the strongest and most industry relevant course available today.

In qualification terms, we have benchmarked the course against many of the current degree courses being run in the UK. our course compares very favorably. In terms of Tiga diploma equivalents I would compare the courses we have developed to a degree in terms of complexity and relevance.

---

TIGA accredit our course. Our course Director was the head of development for Konami and has over 22 years of games dev experience, both our programmer and designer courses are designed to support the games industry.

I stand by our course and its price.

Klanky asks the questions that anyone with doubts should ask:

Why would TIGA, an industry body who has been around for years, clearly and openly back the course. Why would OPM, an agency who is established in the industry clearly and openly back the course. Check both their sites the link to train2game is clearly there. Why would Clive and Tony from DR studios, who have been and are involved, risk their credibility.

Useful Reading
I went scouring the internet for all the 'bad press' that many have mentioned, but have thus far found none. This is not to say that there aren't tons of forum rants and trolls on the subject, but I do not consider those to be official press, and neither should you.

Here is some of the official press I did find:
TIGA's Involvement
gameindustry.biz Article
TIGA Story @ GameSpot
TIGA Story @ GameSpot #2
Jan Telensky's Blog


Further Answers
Parental Research
http://forum.train2game.com/showthread.php?t=60
http://forum.train2game.com/showthread.php?t=431
Klankey's Blog

[Klankey]

Bump, stickyfi.

nice post DrDeth.

[Adam=]]

train2game and skillstrain have the same address in luton and are owned by the same company look it up

[Entertainer]

*Sticky-icky-icky*

train2game and skillstrain have the same address in luton and are owned by the same company look it up

In fact, this course was made by a group of distinguished game developers & designers, then it was published & promoted via the same address as the skillstrain group.

Skillstrain did not create this course, rather they were merely a tool to get the course to the market.

[Adam=]]

*Sticky-icky-icky*



In fact, this course was made by a group of distinguished game developers & designers, then it was published & promoted via the same address as the skillstrain group.

Skillstrain did not create this course, rather they were merely a tool to get the course to the market.

why would a company use another company, especially one with as bad a background as skillstrain has.

you cant deny the owners of train2game haven connections with skillstrain, a simple google search reveals all.

[Entertainer]

[...]you cant deny the owners of train2game haven connections with skillstrain[...]

Bit of an oxymoron statement that, isn't it?
I thought it fairly obvious from the address comparative that a connection does exist.

However, just because these two different developers of home study courses share the same building, doesn't necessarily mean they are created by the same group of people.

Consider a block of flats... A person on the top floor runs a business from his/her home on ebay that is completely legitimate.
Meanwhile, the person living on the bottom floor is instead using a technique that lures people into giving their private information over the internet so he/she can steal unsuspecting identities from their victims.

The police are soon tipped off and an address given is;
20-28 Somewhere Rd.

It is not assumed everyone in that block of flats is a criminal.
Further research and investigation is then undertaken, along with building a 'foot-print' (a.k.a: case) of the activities of the suspect(s) before action can betaken.

But alas I digress... Though I hope you understand what I'm saying

[Adam=]]

i understand what youre saying but the idea is complelty different, i mean i was excited when i heard about this course, ive been wanting to be a game designer for years, im just 18 years of age with no job and cant afford £5000 investing in what could be a scam.

im not trying to bring this place down.

[novogeek]

Adam=] ... I understand where you are coming from and £5000.00 is a lot of money.

You are saying things like this:

...im not trying to bring this place down...

But earlier on you say things like this:

...lol youre all idiots to be honest, do your research train2game IS skillstrain

look up skilltrain on watchdog and see what happened...

My advice is ... do not do the course if you are unsure but please stop sowing the seeds of discontent and unhappiness in these forums. There are a lot of people here who have already signed up and are extremely happy with the course so far ... I am one of them ... however some of your comments may be getting these people worried.

If you have valid proof that this course is a scam then I suggest you go to the authorities and deal with it in that way ... if you don't then either join the course or keep quiet, but negative comments are most unwelcome here as I am starting to get slightly annoyed by them.

As I stated in a previous post, I am about to enter Section 2 of the course, I have submitted 10 TMAs (Tutor Marked Assignments) 1 for the introduction part of the course, and 3 per part for the 3 parts of Section 1 of the course.

I have received colour printed training material that is well bound and definitely professionally printed (i.e. not off some inkjet printer in some persons basement).

I have received a professionally made DVD containing software and course material at each stage of the new course material, I also received a professionally made Introduction DVD video when I signed up.

Not too mention all the official documentation and rather impressive student folder from "The Training Specialists" ... all this leads me to believe that if this was a scam then it is an amazingly elaborate scam.

I am also in the fortuitous situation to work with and be friends with another guy ("Dr Deth") who is also in this course and he is a couple of sections ahead of me on the course, so we compare notes on a regular basis.

Barring me actually sending you pictures of all the items I have received and all the legitimate documentation (that I have read through completely), I honestly can see no way that this is a scam ... even the offices being the same address doesn't raise any warning flags.

I am 34 and a professional Software and Website developer and I have seen many business go boom ... and within a short while new business will normally occupy the old premises and are normally in a similar industry ... because the previous business was already kitted out for a similar industry in only makes sound financial sense to use the infrastructure (i.e. Telephone and Network Points; Server Rooms; etc) that is already there.

In my company alone we have about 4 business operating from the same premises, at my wife's work they have 2 ... this is the norm in the business world.

Adam=] If you really feel strongly about this then I would recommend you organise a visit to their offices (if you can) and take a look for yourself, but don't just blatantly cause negativity on the forums ... I have a full time job and I for one cannot be bothered to trawl through the garbage posts just to find the posts that are important to my studies.

it is at such a stage now that I am considering not using these forums any more ... as there is just too much noise relating to the "SUPPOSED SCAM" that this course may be.

[Entertainer]

If it were up to me I'd delete every post claiming T2G a scam on these forums.
Plenty of info out there and a lot has already been gone over.

I say we keep just this FAQ thread about it and simply remove the rest while posting a link in the users visitor message area to this topic.

-2p

[thomas]

If anyone wants proof that this course is legit, they should just ring TIGA.

My wife is usually pretty sceptical of these things but when the agent came round and let us watch the dvd she was very supportive about me enrolling.