Village Gamer

Investing in the Future of BC’s Science and Technology Industry

Vancouver – The PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run celebrates its 10th anniversary of building BC’s future by supporting science and technology education. The Fun Run is the largest timed 5K race in BC and is one of the technology industry’s biggest fundraising events. All proceeds from this event go to The Dr. Michael Smith Science Fair Endowment to support the promotion and development of Science Fair programs throughout the province. Registration is now open for the event, which takes place on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at TELUS World of Science.

“Without funds from events like the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run, 60,000 students who participate in local fairs across BC each year would not have the opportunity to advance their projects and develop important skills like entrepreneurship, creativity and confidence,” says Patti Leigh, executive director of the Science Fair Foundation of BC. “Given the economic climate, it’s even more important to invest in our future, and we’re doing that by helping students become the great minds that will drive BC’s innovation economy into the future.”

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Joint Solution Facilitates Synchronization of Applications Across Geographically Distributed Computing Clusters

Ottawa – Solace Systems, the leader in hardware-based messaging middleware infrastructure and GigaSpaces Technologies, a leading provider of a new generation of application platforms for Java and .Net environments, announced today a joint “space bridging” solution that can coordinate interactions between applications across multiple clustered computing environments. Benefits include the ability to move data faster, superior application performance and better business continuity during disaster recovery scenarios. The solution’s value is highest in industries where information is exceptionally time-sensitive, because database-centric solutions simply can’t handle the requisite rate of data transfers over wide area networks (WANs). Examples include financial services, telecommunications, cloud computing, logistics, government and online gaming.

Solace’s innovative hardware-based middleware augments GigaSpaces eXtreme Application Platform’s (XAP) native functionality with the ability to share information and resources between multiple XAP clusters across the WAN in real-time. This is generally called space bridging, and it lets enterprises and cloud computing providers deploy XAP clusters anywhere in the world with the confidence that the right information and resources will always be available to the right application at the right time.

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Montreal – Interactive entertainment company Ludia today announced the launch of its Hell’s Kitchen game for iPhone and iPod touch on the Apple App Store. Based on the Granada America television phenomenon, iPhone and iPod touch owners can now feel the show’s pressure-cooker atmosphere anytime, anyplace along with the acerbic commentary of Gordon Ramsay who judges and rates player performance at each stage of the game. Players can also unlock recipes from the show as a reward for progress in the game.

“Hell’s Kitchen viewership has grown each season and fans of both the show, and of Gordon Ramsay, have become increasingly dedicated,” said Katrina Moran, executive vice president for Digital Media, Granada America. “We are pleased that new and existing fans can now enjoy a Hell’s Kitchen experience on-the-go via the revolutionary iPhone and iPod touch.”

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Vancouver – Electronic Arts Inc. and Black Box announced today that gamers will be able to extend their Skate 2 experience with the download of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Plaza, starting today in the PLAYSTATION® Store for $5.00 in North America and on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 points. The downloadable content features Rob Dyrdek’s new skate plaza, the centerpiece of his MTV show, Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, as well as the surrounding downtown Los Angeles area.

“I’ve been involved with the Skate franchise since the very beginning and each game has been able to perfectly capture the culture and feel of skateboarding,” said skateboarder entrepreneur, Rob Dyrdek. “I can’t wait to give players a taste of the Fantasy Plaza, my dream skateboarding space. The team at Black Box has recreated the plaza in Skate 2, complete with all the ledges, gaps and rails. On top of all that, there’s still a lot more surprises outside the park that both gamers and skaters will enjoy.”

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THQ and Relic Entertainment’s Highly Anticipated Sequel Redefines Real Time Strategy (RTS) Genre with Intimate, Tactical Gameplay and Stunning Cinematic Visuals

Vancouver – THQ Inc. today announced that Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II, sequel to Relic Entertainment’s critically acclaimed Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War®, has shipped for Windows PC. Set in the 41st Millennium amidst the chaos of relentless warfare, Dawn of War II offers innovative, tactical gameplay, stunning visuals and destructible environments throughout a non-linear single-player experience and features a fully cooperative multiplayer campaign via Microsoft’s free Games for Windows® – LIVE service. Based on the popular Warhammer 40,000 Games Workshop table-top war game, Dawn of War II is now available at retail and online outlets in the US for the suggested retail price of $49.99.

“Relic Entertainment is a premiere RTS developer and a driving force for innovation in the genre,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With Dawn of War II, the studio has once again redefined the core foundations of the genre, replacing base building and massive armies with intimate, tactical gameplay and a customization-driven single-player experience.”

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Vancouver-based Genius Factor Games has announced their first video game release for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. The company has also launched a new corporate Web site and a gaming industry blog.Genius Factor’s first title will be available on iTunes and the Apple App Store this spring. “It’s a fun puzzle game with a unique twist only possible on the iPhone and iPod Touch” indicates Cory Yip, Creative Director. “These mobile devices make great gaming platforms, which really surprises some people” he adds.

“In light of recent news for our industry, with serious layoffs, delays, and cutbacks at several major studios, some people wonder why we have chosen to launch now,” says Genius Factor’s president, Ted Nugent. We’re a small and nimble group, allowing us to react quickly to obstacles and opportunities in these challenging times. More importantly, however, we saw a real gap in the market for engaging, professionally-built casual games.”

The Genius Factor Games team is composed of industry veterans from some of the top studios in Vancouver and California. “That’s another reason we’re excited to launch the company at this time,” Nugent says. “The talent pool right now is incredible. Here we have people who revolutionized some of the most popular video games of the last two decades working side by side, pioneering a whole new field of casual entertainment.”

A new Web site at www.GeniusFactorGames.com has been launched to support the company and the announcement of their first title. It will feature an industry blog to keep tabs on video games, mobile devices, the game development process, and other news and opinions.

Focusing on a pick up and play, two to five minute gaming experience, Genius Factor plans to release a series of on-the-go titles throughout 2009.

Vancouver – 3vis, in collaboration with Autodesk, Craft Animation and Seven Group are pleased to present “An Evening with Duncan Brinsmead’s Brain” beginning at 6pm on March 3 at The Caprice (967 Granville Street) in Vancouver.

Duncan Brinsmead, who will be accompanying his brain, is the Autodesk Maya principal scientist. Duncan Brinsmead, with support from Louis Marcoux, a Solution Specialist in 3D animation and Visual Effects, will discuss and demonstrate the newest features of Autodesk® Maya®, Autodesk® 3ds Max® (including the new plug?in CAT) and Autodesk® Mudbox™.

3vis, an Autodesk reseller whose head office is in Montreal, recently opened a Vancouver location and will be hosting this free evening to introduce themselves to the local digital media industry.

Nationwide – It’s a bird! It’s a plane…it’s a train! Everyone’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™, welcomes friends aboard as he steams across the nation visiting more than 45 heritage railroads in Canada and the USA as part of the Day Out With Thomas 2009 – The Hero of the Rails Tour presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by The LEGO Group.

This fun-filled event offers preschoolers and their families the opportunity to take a ride on a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the Thomas & Friends™ series seen on Canada’s TreehouseTV, and features a variety of Thomas & Friends-themed entertainment.
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Microsoft invites IT professionals and software developers to prove their mettle

Ottawa – In an interactive game promoting the benefits of Microsoft certification, the software company asks IT and development professionals to prove their know-how in a series of tech knowledge challenges.

Created by Canadian interactive marketing and branded entertainment developer Fuel Industries, Are You Certifiable? is a Silverlight-based quiz game which will dig deep into the mental resources of technicians and developers alike in the process of determining who can meet and who can fly beyond the rigorous standards of Microsoft Certification. The game is a unique approach which will not only spread awareness of the benefits of MS Certification and the Second Shot promotion, but also provide a valuable primer for professionals interested in taking an exam.

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Toronto – Despite the global economic downturn, new technology and consumer media consumption trends have created a host of employment opportunities in Canada’s publishing industry.

As the Canadian magazine sector rushes to adapt to an online audience, the shift is fueling a need for technology-savvy professionals who can help take the publishing sector into a brave new world, says professor Denise Schon of The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College.

“Traditional magazines are quickly evolving into a multi-platform medium including not only print, but online with the advent of web 2.0 technologies and live video streaming,” Schon says. “As such, we are seeing our grads working in a much wider variety of jobs across the magazine industry. Our program prepares students for that new world.”

The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College, has been offering its unique Book and Magazine Publishing program, known as a cornerstone of the industry, for more than 30 years. More recently, it responded to publishers’ needs with intensive, new courses in web 2.0 digital media publishing skills.

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