Village Gamer

Toronto – Organizers of SecTor (Security education conference Toronto), Canada’s premier IT security education event, are proud to announce the creation of the Canadian IT Security Awards, to be awarded at the third annual SecTor Conference, taking place October 6-7 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The three award categories include:

Non-commercial Security Product
Commercial Security Product
Overall Security Solution

“The awards dovetail nicely with the momentum that we’ve been building in the industry over the past two years” says Brian Bourne, Co-Founder, SecTor. “There’s no other IT Security event in Central Canada that brings together the industry’s top professionals and vendors from Canada and beyond. It makes perfect sense to call out and award the best products and practices at SecTor.”

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Vancouver – Thank you to Adrian Crook for reminding me about the announcement last week from Telefilm and the Canada New Media Fund naming the successful programme applicants. This announcement happened while I was away at Casual Connect, and while I’m a tad late in publishing this, a little extra promotion never hurt anyone – especially when the news is good – plus I wanted to take the time to look up each company and provide links to their sites so that readers can easily visit them – with the exception of the few I could not easily find sites for, which is not good for those who wish to grow their corporate presence.

With such a wide range of projects receiving funding, this programme once again puts the spotlight on our Canadian talent and innovation in digital media. According to the CNMF press release, “independent websites and applications designed for mobile devices (iPhones and PDA’s) received the majority of support in the Western region; console or handheld-console games and independent websites fared very well in Ontario & Nunavut; regional funding in Quebec focused on console or handheld-console games and independent websites; and in the Atlantic region console or handheld-console games and applications for mobile devices received the most support.
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Vancouver – The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) is pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the annual BCIC Awards, to be presented at Connect ’09, BCIC’s premier event for technology start-ups and innovators. Connect ’09 takes place on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre and will provide start-up companies and innovators invaluable access to top-tier BC business leaders.

Connect ’09 highlights:

– Featured Speaker: Leonard Brody – Be inspired by this internationally recognized Canadian technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author and business visionary.

– Unique Structured Networking – Learn directly from prominent BC technology leaders invited for the vital purpose of sharing their experience with technology start-ups and innovators.

– Expert Panels – Learn the techniques and strategies from industry experts and entrepreneurial case studies that directly impact a start-up’s success.

Panel Topics:

– Get Fundable – Access to capital in the current economic climate
– Friends in High Places – Leveraging partnerships to accelerate growth
– The Accelerator Factor – Case studies on the benefits and value of accelerators
– The Design Imperative – Optimizing commercialization through product design

– Technology Expo – Discover emerging innovations from academic institutions in BC.

– Awards – Awards will be presented for exceptional achievement in, or potential for, commercialization of technology.
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We will be posting an in-depth PROTOTYPE review & announcing a contest this week

Vancouver – GameTrailers.com (GT), the premier provider of video for gamers and a division of Viacom Inc.’s  MTV Networks Entertainment Group, announced today that Radical Entertainment’s popular open-world action game, PROTOTYPE™, released by Activision Publishing, Inc., earned the GT Diamond Award for exceeding an astounding ten million video views. In PROTOTYPE players fight as the biologically altered and solitary Alex Mercer cutting down anything in their path, be it military, civilian, or monster to make it through an infected New York City. Additionally, players have the capability to consume and become anyone, gaining their appearance, memories and abilities, as they slowly take down key targets throughout the city and unravel the plot behind Alex’s existence.

PROTOTYPE relies heavily on the player’s relationship with its protagonist, Alex Mercer. With an expansive system to upgrade play mechanics throughout the game, players are easily able to find a gameplay style that adapts to their personal preferences. A fully explorable Manhattan gives the game a strong sense of freedom, which was rarely seen in similar open-world games until now with the release of PROTOTYPE.

“Being an open-world game with so much action going on all around you at all times, PROTOTYPE is a game best experienced in motion,” said Kelly Zmak, President, Radical Entertainment. “GameTrailers and their community was a natural fit for showcasing our videos of Alex Mercer using his over-the-top powers, and we’re honored that so many fans continue to closely follow PROTOTYPE. This award really means a lot to the development team here at our studio.”
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Global – Think Services, organizer of the industry-leading Game Developers Conference (GDC) events, is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2010 Independent Games Festival (IGF). Entries to the 12th annual festival are due in both Main and Student Showcase categories by November 2009, with Main Competition finalists to be announced January 4, 2010.

Games selected as finalists will be available in playable form on the GDC show floor and will compete for nearly $50,000 in prizes, including awards for Excellence in Design, Art, the Audience Award and the coveted $20,000 Seumas McNally Grand Prize. Winners will be announced on stage at the prestigious Independent Games Festival Awards on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

“We’re delighted to return for our twelfth year of the Independent Games Festival,” said Simon Carless, Chairman of the IGF. “We’re really looking forward to see what the independent game community comes up with this time around. Good luck to all entrants!”

The Independent Games Festival Awards are held alongside the Game Developers Choice Awards and both award shows are part of the 2010 Game Developers Conference. GDC 2010 also includes the 2010 Independent Games Summit, which is entering its fourth year and offers two days of inspiration and practical lectures and rants from the top minds in the independent games
world.
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Ottawa – The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), is pleased to announce the Call for Nominations for the 30th Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. The awards were instituted by the Governor General in 1979 to honour the 50th anniversary of the “Persons Case” and the five Alberta women whose determination led to a landmark victory in the struggle by Canadian women for equality. The Famous Five achieved not only the right for women to serve in the Senate, but also paved the way for women to participate in other aspects of public life.

“Equality for women and their full participation in society are important for women, their families, their communities and our country. More than ever before, we need women leaders of all ages to help keep our country strong, economically, socially and democratically,” said Minister Guergis. “The Government of Canada is proud to recognize those who work to promote the equality of girls and women in Canada. Recipients of these awards continue the tradition of dedication and determination that the Famous Five inspired to enrich their communities.”
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Ottawa – Today, Corel Corporation announced it has been selected as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards winner as Global ISV Consumer Partner of the Year. The company was chosen out of an international field of top Microsoft partners for delivering market-leading customer solutions built on Microsoft technology.

“Corel employees share a passion for finding new ways to expand our customers’ creative possibilities, so we welcomed the opportunity to work closely with Microsoft throughout the development cycle for Windows 7,” said Jimi Duff, Senior Director, Strategic Alliances and Partnerships for Corel. “It’s an honor to receive this award as our team is working on all-new creative products that will showcase the benefits of Windows 7 and Windows Touch and provide consumers with more natural, interactive and enjoyable user experiences. Paint a picture, make a movie, share your snapshots – Corel’s software can help make your PC the creative center of your home.”
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Mississauga – Microsoft Canada Co. announced today that MuchMusic, a division of CTV Limited, has selected Microsoft® Silverlight™ browser plug-in to give people across Canada one of the best seats in the house for this Sunday’s 2009 Much Music Video Awards (MMVAs) in Toronto when the cameras start rolling at 9pm EDT.

This year, anyone watching the MMVAs on a computer running Microsoft Silverlight will have access to Backstage Live, a unique, online video experience based on Silverlight that will stream the event live in high-definition – a Canadian first. Backstage Live lets viewers select from six different views powered by 21 cameras located throughout the event venue, so they can enjoy planned live on-stage performances from the Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas, take part in exclusive behind-the-scenes celebrity interviews, peek into the VIP and press rooms, or join in the action from backstage or in the crowd.

As well, viewers can take advantage of the Alt Show cams to enjoy a “second screen” experience, letting viewers access TV footage framed in an alternate shot with different cameras. People using Backstage Live can also chat with friends live via Facebook and Twitter.
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Vancouver – Renowned for connecting people and systems to global mobile broadband networks, Sierra Wireless was named Company of the Year at the 2009 Technology Impact Awards (TIAs) hosted by the BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA). The award formally recognized Sierra Wireless’ phenomenal year that included developing the world’s first data devices for the HSPA+ standard, further penetrating the M2M market with the acquisition of Wavecom S.A., increasing their BC-based employees to 250 and, for the first time in company history, surpassing half a billion dollars in annual revenues.

Earning the Leadership in Social Responsibility Award was TELUS and its ‘Give Where You Live’ philosophy. Since 2000, TELUS, team members and retirees have contributed $137 million and more than 2.6 million hours of community service. Having also contributed over 2000 computers and laptops during the 2008 calendar year, TELUS was further recognized with an appreciation award by Computers for Schools – an organization that provides increased access to computer technology for students and learners of all ages.

James Topham, retired partner of KPMG, was awarded the prestigious Bill Thompson Award for career achievement. James enriched BC’s technology industry for over 30 years. During that time, he advised more than 100 technology companies and spent countless hours contributing to technology?related associations and philanthropic efforts. This includes being a founding member of the BCTIA. James is currently involved with three small technology firms as a financial advisor and director.
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Toronto – The National Film Board of Canada’s animated short, Runaway by Oscar-nominated director, Cordell Barker, was honoured with the Jury’s Special Award at the 2009 Annecy International Animated Film Festival on Saturday, June 13. Barker received this same honour in 2001 for his Oscar nominated animated short, Strange Invaders.

Runaway

Annecy International Animated Film Festival is wholly dedicated to animation and is the biggest and most recognized event of its kind in the world, often being referred to as the Cannes of animation.

About Runaway

What would happen if the world were a driverless train thundering recklessly over bumpy tracks? Cordell Barker’s new short animation, the colourful Runaway, provides a caustic answer. Set to music by Benoît Charest, Runaway is Cordell Barker’s third animation film with the NFB. Born in Winnipeg, Barker made his first film, the much-loved musical animation The Cat Came Back (1988), at the NFB. Voted one of the 50 greatest cartoons of all time, the film went on to win over 15 awards and honours, including an Academy Award nomination. His second film with the NFB, Strange Invaders (2002), garnered him a further 15 awards, including a second Oscar nomination. Runaway is produced by Derek Mazur for the NFB. In May, it was awarded the Petit Rail d’Or for Best Short Film in Cannes. The general public is invited to download and share a copy of the film’s embeddable trailer available at http://www.nfb.ca/film/runaway_teaser/