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  • Ph03nix New Media Launches First Canadian-based iPhone Fund and Acquires Blue Unit Studios

10th October 2009

Ph03nix New Media Launches First Canadian-based iPhone Fund and Acquires Blue Unit Studios

Pho3nix New MediaCalgaryPh03nix New Media Inc. has announced the launch of the first Canadian-based iPhone Fund: the iPhoenix Fund. The fund will be used to develop 133 Apple iPhone and iPod Touch games over the iPhone Screensnext 5 years.

The iPhoenix Fund is both Canadian AND accessible. According to Lam, “We really wanted to make this investment accessible to the average investor. The iPhone is game-changing not only for the mobile industry, but for handheld gaming as well, and the iPhoenix Fund is the only vehicle available for investors like us to get in on the action.”

The iPhoenix Fund will be uniquely structured will a maximum of 400 Units costing $5,000 CDN each. Investors will get paid 50% of revenue and recoup 100% of the development costs first. The Fund already has commitments over the minimum required and Lam anticipates that the Fund will close in November 2009.



Last month at GDC Austin, Lam ran through his slide deck for interested investors and a unique feature stood out – all investors get access the iPhoenix Fund’s very own app that reports real-time data on the Fund and how the portfolio of apps are tracking.

To jump-start the fund, Lam also announced that Ph03nix New Media has acquired Blue Unit Studios – a Calgary iPhone Game Studio created by Craig Rushforth and Dan Kratt. Rushforth and Kratt are the brains behind the popular iPhone game Sally’s Spa which knocked off EA’s Sims 3 last summer to become the #1 in the App Store. Quite the accomplishment considering The Sims is the best selling PC game franchise in history.

Investors interested in finding out more details on the Fund are invited to an office tour at 4pm, Oct 13th, at the company’s headquarters.

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10th October 2009

More Awards, Game News and the Weekend Wrap

Canada's Top 100 Employers 2010First, congratulations to game studios Next Level Games, Bioware and Digital Extremes for being named in the Top 100 Canadian EmployersResearch In Motion was also named to the list. Next Level is consistently named as a Top Employer by several agencies, and Bioware has also won previous awards for being a Top Employer.  Word Search

Digital Leisure’s Word Searcher puzzle game has been released on WiiWare. You’ll need a sharp eye and a quick mind to complete these 100 themed word search puzzles. Word Searcher contains fun words from multiple categories including anatomy, world cities, ancient weapons and 97 other subjects. Packed with a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there’s sure to be a puzzle everyone will enjoy. Help improve your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills with these addicting puzzles. Keep track of, and try to beat your own completion times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play. Get your thinking cap on and conquer all 100 today!

Kristin BellUbisoft has announced that Hollywood actress Kristen Bell will reprise her role of Lucy Stillman in Assassin’s Creed II. Bell’s character will once again play a major role in the game’s intricate storyline. “Being a part of the first Assassin’s Creed video game was an amazing experience. Video games is such a creative entertainment medium, and to be able to see and play myself as a video game character was surreal,” said Kristen Bell. “As an actress, it’s both challenging and rewarding to play a complex character with this great mysterious background. I’m very happy to be Lucy once more, and I look forward to fans discovering more about her – they will be pleasantly surprised.”

Also available for viewing is a new video vignette showcasing the Assassination Arsenal. Media Labs is holding an AC2 film contest with a $10 000.00 first prize, but it’s only open to US residents over the age of 18.

EA Montreal has announced that renowned film composer Tyler Bates will be creating the impactful score for the highly anticipated third person co-op shooter Army of Two™:The 40th Day. The sought-after Army of Two 40th Daycomposer, best known for his work on the blockbuster films 300 and Watchmen, is crafting an immersive score that will highlight the epic co-operative battles gamers and their friends will face in the first major videogame release of 2010.

“Set in Shanghai in the middle of a major a disaster, Army of Two: The 40th Day dials up the action through a series of powerful scenes where players have to work together as a team to survive and escape the city,” said Lewis James, Audio Director at EA Montreal. “Tyler examined every part of the game and how players will move through the world to craft a score that truly represents their actions and the chaos unfolding around them.”

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