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16th November 2010

Harmony Launches New Title While Hothead Seeks Game Name

I apparently missed finding out about Microsoft’s GoDevMental programme when it was here in Vancouver…and I also missed the Toronto, Halifax, Edmonton and Ottawa dates…but hey, the tour is headed for Montreal (November 23rd), Winnipeg (December 7th) and Calgary (December 14th), so I can redeem myself at GoDevMentalleast a little. According to the initiative’s web site, Go DevMENTAL is Microsoft’s free academic tour designed to teach you coding for the coolest apps and platforms, connect you with the industry, help you pursue your career aspirations and a great chance to have a fun evening out with friends.

The tour crew will be fiving you the opportunity to learn how to write apps and games for Windows Phone 7, get a handle on WebMatrix, an awesome free website building tool and punch-up your animation skills using Expression Blend for Silverlight. There will also be technology partners from the industry, offers and demonstrations of their latest technology and will be handing out DreamSpark Tokens for free software downloads and other freebies. You can get more details and register on the GoDevMental web site.

castle smashVancouver social game developer Harmony Arcade has announced the upcoming beta launch of Castle Smash, a medieval themed social game that gives players the chance to defeat villains, make friends, and destroy castles in all variety of locales. Castle Smash is a multiplayer physics-based castle destruction game now available on Facebook. Choose your weaponry, such as the slingshot or trebuchet, and equip magical items that give you extra advantage in battle, then smash your friends’ castles in order to win the gold they’re hoarding.

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Speaking of Vancouver studios, Hothead Games would like you to help them name their upcoming game, a dueling card game played by wizards. Check out the studio’s blog Hothead Games for full details and a bit of legal stuff, along with a game screenshot and a great pic of our friend Hamish…

WaveFront AC invites location-based app developers to attend a free breakfast seminar on November 18th and learn more about the new wavefrontNAVTEQ App Warehouse, a highly visual online catalog of location-focused applications which offers a unique matchmaking opportunity for developers and customers. Tom Tierney, Director of NAVTEQ’s Partner and Developer Program, will present how to market your LBS application through the App Warehouse including success rates and final NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge Winners. Other developer tools will be reviewed as well such as the Smart SDK for Mobile and turn-key location based advertising services. Revenues from mobile location-based services will exceed $12.7 billion by 2014 according to Juniper Research, so it’s now the time to capitalize on this opportunity.

At the end of the seminar there will be an opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with NAVTEQ to explore the commercial opportunities of working together, so please sign up when you register. When you register, feel free to submit questions/topics you would like covered by the panel.

CTVCTV has launched Bangatar, a promotional contest for The Big Bang Theory television series airing weekly, every Thursday on CTV at 8:00 PM (ET), where players must upload a photo of themselves to create a photo mashup, or “Bangatar.” Simply visit the Big Bang Theoryweb site, click on the Contest page, and complete and submit your entry by following the instructions found on the site – after you read the rules of the game.

The contest started on November 11th and will run until January 5, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST. There is one grand prize consisting of a trip for two by air to Los Angeles (this means you must have a valid passport), two preferred seating tickets to a taping of an episode of The Big Bang Theory, a tour of the set and a signed script of an episode of The Big Bang Theory. There will also be twenty-four weekly prizes, each consisting of one The Big Bang Theory Bazinga t-shirt and one The Big Bang Theory DVD box set of Seasons 1-3. Please see The Rules for complete prize details and conditions. (Why did I just hear Sheldon’s voice say “the rules” when I typed that?)

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16th November 2010

More Holiday Fun With Books Bananas and 3D

Nintendo CanadaNintendo Canada invites you to go bananas at the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre this Saturday, November 20th. Celebrate and capture the excitement at the launch event for one of the most Donkey Kong Country Returnsanticipated games of the year, Donkey Kong Country™ Returns for the Nintendo Wii™.

Witness “The Tsunami” Takeru Kobayashi, the king of competitive eating, take on Donkey Kong Country Returns in a banana eating challenge. Donkey Kong fans of all ages will be given the exclusive opportunity to play the new side-scrolling adventure before launch.

Free play begins on the upper level of the mall just outside the Toys R Us store at 1pm and runs until 4pm. The Banana Eating Challenge starts at 3pm sharp.

Seeing as I broke my Grinch streak by posting earlier about the YTV holiday show line-up, here’s blurba great gift idea from the folks over at Blurb. You can make the best gift ever – one that’s totally original, highly individual, and available at the price you choose by creating your own beautiful, custom bookstore-quality photo book, cookbook, memoir, travel book, or almost any kind of book you want. If you want to know how you can get started, Blurb’s own Amanda Zweerink is hosting two upcoming webinars:

* Tips and tricks on bookmaking to help you start – and finish – your book before gift-giving day rolls around
* The how-to on getting started with Blurb BookSmart® or Bookify™, their new online bookmaking tool

Thursday, November 18, 1:00 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST) — Register
Thursday, December 2, 1:00 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST) — Register

DOCtorontoThe Toronto Chapter of the Documentary Organization of Canada and 3D FLIC (3D Film Innovation Consortium) invite you to 3D for Real: A Stereoscopic 3D Workshop for Documentary Filmmakers, a one-day crash course taking place on November 25th at the NFB Cinema (150 John Street in Toronto). Designed to take you through the practicalities and challenges of this fast-growing sector, this workshop will cover all steps of the production pipeline and is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for directors, producers, DOPs, editors, and aspiring stereographers. The day will include presentations by industry leaders and award-winning documentarians. The workshop, along with hands-on product demos and trend-setting case studies will bring you one step closer to the art & business of good 3D doc making. Tickets for this workshop are $75.00 for Doc Canada members or $100.00 for non-members. The programme schedule includes:

Stereo 3D: an Introduction – Enter the world of stereoscopic 3D with award winning documentary filmmaker York University Professor Ali Kazimi (3D FLIC Lead Filmmaker)

So what’s a Stereographer, anyway? – An interview with John Reeves, stereographer for CBC’s Queen Elizabeth in 3D

Case Study: A Park For All Seasons, Gwaii Haanas National Park – Behind the scenes on the first S-3D episode of this innovative nature series.

Taking up a New Post – Kenneth MacNeil of Creative Post shares the ins-and-outs of the S-3D post-production process.

The Future of 3D: a Panel Discussion – A look at the what’s ahead for S-3D Documentary Production.

Product Demos (throughout the afternoon) – The 3D Camera Company and 3reedom Digital will show off the latest and greatest in 3D Production Rigs.

DOC is offering a special membership promotion at the 3D for Real Workshop: if you sign up for your regular-priced 2011 membership at the event, you can get in at member prices for this event (to qualify for member pricing on the 3D for Real Workshop you must bring a cheque for your membership dues with you to the event).

communitechFinally, speaking of 3D and news that I missed on Friday, there was cause to celebrate another landmark for The Communitech Hub as the new innovative 3D HIVE from Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc. (Christie) was officially commissioned. The equipment was installed in part thanks to $280,000 in funding provided by the Community Adjustment Fund of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, through which $1 billion in funding is being provided across the country over two years to address short-term economic needs of communities impacted by the global recession.

“The Communitech Hub will foster the development of important new digital media products and is expected to create thousands of new jobs in Canada over the next five years,” said Peter Braid, MP Kitchener-Waterloo. “This investment will support entrepreneurship, create jobs and further strengthen this region’s reputation as a centre of innovation.”

Also participating in the celebration was Harold Albrecht, MP Kitchener-Conestoga. The Hub occupies 30,000 square feet of a renovated downtown Kitchener Tannery building and houses start-up companies, small-medium enterprises, and global multi-nationals with the goal of accelerating the pace of development of new ideas and products in the digital media sector. Christie is a founding partner company and has provided advanced visualization tools and integration expertise to help startup companies explore new concepts and advance their programs.

“We look forward to seeing the results of collaboration and mentoring at The Hub which will undoubtedly produce new initiatives in digital media and contribute to long-term success, not only for the vibrant high tech community locally, but for Canada on the international scale,” said Gerry Remers, president and COO, Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.
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16th November 2010

Future Shop Launches Online Social Commerce Site Tech Spree

Future ShopThe power of buying in numbers is even more evident in Canada, thanks to the introduction of Tech Spree, a social commerce page dedicated to offering the hottest prices on electronics. Future Shop launched the page today, featuring five exclusive deals for three days that leverages the power of group buying. Tech Spree is accessible from Future Shop’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

“With the holidays quickly approaching, Future Shop is thrilled to offer the most popular products and hottest deals on consumer electronics through our latest online offering called Tech Spree,” said Thierry Hay-Sabourin, Senior Manager of eCommerce, Future Shop. “Canadians appreciate the power group buying has, and we’re confident our deals are so hot they’ll want to tell all their families and friends.”

From Tuesday, November 16 to Thursday, November 18, Future Shop’s Tech Spree empowers customers to leverage group buying power to obtain incredible prices on popular electronics. The Tech Spree is “on” only if the required number of persons commit wanting to purchase the item, so customers are encouraged to invite friends and family to participate. Customers may commit to one of the Tech Spree offers once. Limit of one of each Tech Spree per household. The deal is available only online and while quantities last.

Hot pricing is currently available on these following products:

1. Samsung 32″ 720p LCD HDTV with Rocketfish 4 ft. Advance High Speed 3D HDMI Cable. At 32″, this LED HDTV has plenty of screen real estate to showcase your shows, flicks and games. Equipped with a 30,000:1 contrast ratio and rich 720p picture quality, the TV’s output is silky-smooth picture quality. Paired with a Rocketfish High-Speed 3D HDMI cable to keep the connectivity fast and cables at a minimum. Tech Spree price: $399.99

2. Compaq Presario 15.6″ Laptop with Windows7, Kaspersky Internet Security and accessories. In addition to a fantastic Compaq Presario laptop, this Tech Spree offer includes software and is equipped with laptop essentials – a headset with mic and wired optical laptop mouse. Tech Spree price: $299.99

3. Sony eReader and Zipper Case. Keep the books stored in the bookcase with this Tech Spree offer: carry around your entire digital library in style with this Sony eReader with zipper case. Tech Spree price: $149.99

4. iPod Touch (8GB) with Altec Lansing Sound Dock. Take the sounds everywhere you go and keep the music private or share with others with this Tech Spree bundling an 8GB iPod Touch and Altec Lansing Sound Dock. The new iPod Touch does more than music – it also offers Facetime over Wi-fi as well as access to mind-blowing apps from the App Store. Tech Spree price: $249.99

5. Nintendo Wii New Super Mario Bros. Bundle in Red with Icon Balance Board, Wii Fit Plus and Rocketfish Active Bundle Training Kit. Get all of the above for this hot Tech Spree price and have fun gaming and burning away some calories. Tech Spree price: $269.99

“As the number one visited retail website in Canada, Futureshop.ca is all about offering the best selection and lowest prices on electronics year-round in Canada, and Tech Spree is another great example of ways we demonstrate this,” said Hay-Sabourin. “Customers should visit follow our Twitter and Facebook pages regularly or sign-up for the Tech Spree newsletter to discover when the next Tech Spree offers are released.”

Note: Future Shop’s free shipping for orders over $39 applies to Tech Spree. Some conditions apply.

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16th November 2010

Yes This Is A Christmas Post About Family Entertainment on YTV

YTVThis holiday season, Corus Entertainment’s YTV is once again the destination for premiere Christmas programming for the entire family. Viewers won’t want to miss two highly anticipated Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc.’s specials Kung Fu Panda Holiday and Merry Madagascar. YTV has also pooled together talented cast members from viewers’ favourite series in YTV’s Holly Jolly Special, hosted by Carlos – and beginning December 1, the YTV web site will offer a new holiday-themed activity every day counting down to New Years Eve, along with the latest and greatest holiday activities, games and programming schedules.

Kung Fu Panda Holiday – PREMIEREMerry Madagascar
The winter feast is Po’s (voiced by Jack Black) favourite holiday. Every year, he and his father hang decorations, cook together and serve noodle soup to the villagers. But this year, Shifu informs Po that as Dragon Warrior, it is his duty to host the formal Winter Feast at the Jade Palace. Po is caught between his obligations as the Dragon Warrior and his family traditions: between Shifu and Mr. Ping. This DreamWorks Animation production premieres Wednesday, December 15 at 7 p.m., repeating on Sunday, December 19 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, December 23 at 4 p.m.

Merry Madagascar – PREMIERE
Merry Madagascar begins when Santa and his sleigh unexpectedly crash-land on an island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria – along with the ever-inventive Penguins – to deliver the presents and save Christmas. It doesn’t hurt that Santa’s sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City, so they can finally return to their beloved home. Also included is the long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the Penguins and Santa’s reindeer, plus magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday called “Julienuary.” This DreamWorks Animation production premieres on Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m., repeating on Sunday, December 19 at 11:30 a.m. and Friday, December 24 at 4 p.m.

Holly Jolly Special – PREMIERE
While preparing for the holidays, YTV’s host Carlos wants to pull together something special for audiences at home. Finally, it comes to him – he has decided to ‘direct’ a holiday music video, and he’s going to call upon his friends, the top 6 frYTV Host Carlosom The Next Star, to help him out. After everyone arrives from across Canada, the crew brainstorms some outrageous ideas on what the video should look like. Throughout this 30-minute special, viewers will get a taste of some holiday skits from That’s So Weird!, shout outs from special guests from some of viewers’ favourite YTV series and catch the video premiere of the title track All I Want for Christmas Is You. Produced by Tricon Films & Television, YTV’s Holly Jolly Special premieres on Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m., repeating on Sunday, December 19 at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 21 at 9 p.m., Thursday, December 23 at 9:30 p.m., Friday, December 24 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, December 25 at 2 p.m.

And what would the holiday season be without these classic Christmas specials from yesteryear:

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Lucy counsels a depressed Charlie Brown through the holiday season by directing the Christmas play. Charlie Brown sets out to find the perfect Christmas tree to decorate the stage, though his scruffy choice draws sneers from the other kids. But after some timely words from Linus, he does discover the real meaning of the holiday season. A Charlie Brown Christmas airs Saturday, December 18 at 6 p.m., repeating on Sunday, December 19 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, December 22 at 7 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »

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16th November 2010

meshmarketing Focuses on Future of Marketing in a Digital World

For those seeking a better understanding of the impact that new trends and technologies will have on digital marketing strategy and tactics, meshmarketing, Toronto’s digital marketing conference is for you – and is happening tomorrow at the Exhibition Place’s Allstream Centre in Toronto.

meshmarketing: a one-day event on November 17 will provide insight, perspective and information from some of the most innovative minds in digital marketing to embrace and capitalize on emerging trends, tools, and companies. mesh conference

“It’s going to be an exciting event. There have been so many leaps and bounds in just about every facet of the digital space over the past year — I’m looking forward to seeing what our speakers and panels bring,” said Stuart MacDonald, mesh co-founder and a moderator of meshmarketing 2010.

Tickets are on sale now for $539 with an allotted 50 spots for students at a sale price of $99. Keynote speakers, attendees, panels and workshops at this year’s meshmarketing conference include:

* Michael Slaby, Executive Vice President, Edelman Public Relations, Global Practice Chair, Digital: As the voice of long-term digital strategy and development for the world’s largest private public relations company, Slaby is a guiding figure in the future of digital marketing. Slaby’s presentation will focus on providing social media insight from strategic and tactical standpoints. Prior to joining Edelman, Slaby served as a technology and new media advisor to the Obama administration and Livestrong.
* Natania Dashner, Marketing Manager, Pepsi Canada: One of the key faces in launching the Pepsi Refresh Project in Canada, Dashner’s work with what Forbes.com recognized as one of the top five “Best Ever Social Media Campaigns” has been essential to bringing this innovative, democratically inclined initiative across the border.
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16th November 2010

University of Waterloo Senate Approves Games Institute Proposal

via UWaterloo: At a meeting of the University of Waterloo Senate last evening, a proposal for a Games Institute, drawing on Waterloo expertise in such fields as animation, gambling, simulation, neurobiology and wellness, was approved to move forward. The proposal, which was backed by the senate’s Graduate and Research Council and the Dean of Arts, drew on “core faculty members” in systems design engineering, drama and speech communication, psychology, anthropology, management sciences, mechanical and mechatronics engineering, English language and literature, and computer science.

University of WaterlooThe summary, which allowed that the Games Institute vision is very broad, incorporating game research that may have non-gaming applications, non-gaming research that may have game-related applications, hardware, software, and interaction, would seek funding from government (SSHRC, NSERC, MRl, etc.) and industry (Google, Microsoft, partners in the games industry and related industries); and UW seed funding. The proposal also went on to state that:

“The games industry is growing rapidly throughout Ontario, Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and offers numerous and wide-ranging areas for cross-faculty and multi-institutional interdisciplinary research collaborations. Furthermore, the games field is an area of strong interest for students, as researchers, creators and industry employees. The games industry is receiving substantial funding and incentives from governments, including the Ontario government.

“The Games Institute is proposed to advance research and knowledge in game-related interactions and technologies. The institute aims to establish strong academic and academic-industry research projects and programs, establish a richly cross-disciplinary graduate teaching and research institution, develop commercialization projects with industry partners, strengthen community ties, encourage student engagement, and enhance educational and employment opportunities for students. Research will cover video and computer games (including online games), social games, mobile games, educational and serious games, simulations and virtual worlds, more traditional non-digital games, board games and gambling games.

Also listed in the proposal were examples of some of the research studies and questions that researchers in the institute could tackle. Among them: “What are the psychological and psychophysiological aspects of gaming that contribute to addiction? What aspects of interface design can we learn from games? How can machine learning and AI influence new games? How can we optimize code for networked mobile games? How do we incorporate ideas from board games into new digital technologies? What public policy recommendations should be made with regard to games?”

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16th November 2010

New EA Sports Active Titles On Store Shelves

EA Sports Active 2 EA Sports™ has announced that there are two new titles available today for the Sports Active franchise, which has become the top rated interactive fitness training title for the Wii (Metacritic.com, November, 2010).

EA Sports Active 2 is now available in North America and will be available worldwide on November 19th. EA Sports Active 2 is a new suite of digital fitness programs available on multiple gaming consoles focusing on improving muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, while providing an intense cardio workout.

Featuring the Total Body Tracking wireless control system that combines a heart rate monitor and motion tracking technology, EA Sports Active 2 provides an effective workout that delivers accurate, measurable results. Additionally, users will now be able to track and share their workout stats, including heart rate on the new EA Sports Active 2 online hub (Internet connection and EA account required). EA Sports Active 2

A recent study conducted by the University of Victoria in British Columbia concludes that EA Sports Active 2 workouts meet recommended exercise guidelines for exercise intensity and caloric expenditure put forth by public health guidelines, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the leading authority on exercise science in North America.

EA Sports commissioned a study of the EA Sports Active 2 Mountain Gravity pre-set workout to determine the efficacy of its product line. The study tested 15 physically active adults between the ages of 23 and 33 to determine the relative exercise intensity and caloric expenditure of EA Sports Active 2. Results of the workout met both the ACSM guidelines for effective physical fitness, which recommend that individuals exercise at an intensity between 64 per cent and 94 per cent of their maximum heart rate or 40 percent to 85 percent of their maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), as well as burn a minimum of 200-300 calories per session, five days per week, in order to maintain proper fitness and to aid in weight control.

“The EA Sports Active 2 Mountain Gravity pre-set workout met public health guidelines for an effective workout,” says Ryan Rhodes, Professor, University of Victoria, Behavioural Medicine Laboratory. “The results indicated that EA SPORTS Active 2, when used on a regular basis as part of a healthy, active lifestyle, can improve fitness and favorably affect body composition.”

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EA Sports Active 2 will feature more than 70 new exercises and fitness activities including exercises not possible before the Total Body Tracking wireless control system. Using heart rate data that is displayed on-screen, users will be able to capture the intensity of their workout, allowing them to optimize their performance and reach their fitness goals more quickly. A new 9-week program provides a fitness roadmap to keep users motivated and on track to achieving their fitness goals. Users will also have the ability to download new workouts and exercises to their online connected PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® systems to keep their workouts fresh and maintain motivation (Internet connection and EA account required).

EA SPORTS Active 2 is available on PlayStation®3, Kinect™ for Xbox 360® and Nintendo Wii™. The title will be available at a later date for the iPhone® and iPod touch®. EA SPORTS Active 2 has been rated “E” by the ESRB and has an MRSP of $99.95.

EA Sports™ has also announced that EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp for the Wii™ is available in retail stores across North America. EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp is a football-based training program that simulates the football drills and conditioning workouts of an NFL training camp. Developed in collaboration with NFL strength and conditioning coaches, users will experience the thrill of Sports Active NFL Training Campcompetition while challenging friends and family in authentic NFL football drills. EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp with Total Body Tracking includes a heart rate monitor and wireless motion tracking that delivers an accurate, challenging workout with measurable results. Users can also track and share training results via the EA Sports Active online hub.

EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp delivers an authentic NFL experience that is fun and engaging, while providing a challenging workout. It includes over 70 drills and challenges designed to improve strength, power and conditioning, as well as reaction skills, agility and first step quickness – key areas of focus for NFL players. Users can train in the environment of their favorite team, as they step into their stadium and train alongside their favorite players.

EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp provides a fun, competitive experience where users can go head-to-head in multi-player mode in NFL training camp drills such as the QB Window Challenge and Field Goal Challenge. For further challenge, users can get their game on in the NFL Combine 60 Day Challenge, a progressive exercise program that provides total body conditioning. In addition, as part of NFL PLAY 60, the NFL’s commitment to youth health and fitness, kids and families can choose NFL PLAY 60 drills and exercises, specifically designed for them.

EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp joins the EA Sports Active 2 suite of interactive fitness products that focus on improving muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as improving cardio. EA Sports Active 2 is in stores today in North America on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Kinect™ for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Wii.

EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp is rated “E” by the ESRB and has an MRSP of $99.95.

Note – Both titles carry the following disclaimer: “This product is not a medical device and not intended to affect the structure or function of the human body beyond such affects normally associated with general fitness equipment and is not intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease.”

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