30th
September
2013
Ubisoft has announced the concentration of American operations for online games and of infrastructures for its global network in Montreal. In addition, the company will be investing in the expansion of its motion capture technologies expertise. This important technological and operational consolidation represents a total investment of 373 M$ over 7 years, and is expected to generate 500 new jobs in Quebec over the same period. By 2020, Ubisoft should provide employment for more than 3,500 professionals within its Quebec studios. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Business News, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
24th
September
2013
Kelowna’s WTFast has announced the launch of its new data network designed exclusively for massive multi-player online (MMO) gamers and publishers. The WTFast GPNTM (Gamers Private Network) uses proprietary software and a private global data network designed exclusively for the transmission and delivery of game data. Built by a team of passionate MMO gamers, the WTFast GPNTM helps to ensure players around the globe always have the fastest, strongest, smoothest game connection available. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Business News, Digital Products, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
19th
September
2013
Consumers globally are increasingly using alternative payment methods to purchase video games instead of credit or debit card, according to research findings unveiled today by WorldPay, a global leader in payment processing, risk and alternative payments. Video Games Payment Preferences is a whitepaper exploring the payment landscape and purchasing frustrations in the video game industry based on global research of 7,554 consumers that have purchased video games online. Note – form completion is required to download the whitepaper. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Business News, Game Dev, National News, Research Studies By: Tami | Print This Post
19th
September
2013
Vancouver-based in-game advertising company Reloaded Interactive has announced the launch of a dynamic in-game advertising campaign for Virgin EMI Records, promoting Avicii’s debut album ‘TRUE’. The campaign, which was planned by British media agency the7stars, is set to run from September 16th through to September 22nd, 2013 and will be delivered into the PC video game Striker Superstars, which is one of many games participating in the Reloaded network. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Business News, Digital Products, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
17th
September
2013
Since 2004, the IMGA has been at the forefront of the mobile gaming industry and has become the most prestigious international competition for mobile games. The IMGA is calling all developers and studios from around the world to submit their games. Please see the quick facts about the awards show and schedule below for more information on entering your game for consideration. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Awards, Contests, Events, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
9th
September
2013
Game industry veteran Raphael van Lierop has announced the formation of independent developer Hinterland Studio, a new creative studio located in the picturesque Northern Vancouver Island wilderness. With a roster of established industry veterans who have collectively worked on over 40 triple-A games, the studio is also pleased to announce development of its first title, The Long Dark. A first-person post-disaster survival simulation, The Long Dark is set in the aftermath of a geomagnetic super storm that has destroyed North America’s technology infrastructure. In the first season of this episodic series, players experience this grim new reality through the eyes of bush pilot William Mackenzie, isolated with other survivors in the Northern wilderness as a result of the event. Gameplay emphasizes exploration to gather resources and knowledge about the world, while mastering a deep survival simulation to overcome the myriad natural and man-made hazards of the new frontier. Players will also face difficult moral choices that will affect the outcome of gameplay, story, and ultimately, the course of humanity’s recovery. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Business News, Careers, Game Dev, National News, Rating Pending, Simulations, Upcoming Releases By: Tami | Print This Post
6th
September
2013
September 6th, 7th and 8th, in between creating a theme-specific game, chowing down on catered snacks and finding time to catch a couple winks, eighty OrcaJam 4 participants will be treated to panels, design judging and advice from top industry professionals – for 48 hours straight. OrcaJam 4, a signature event brought to Thinklandia Festival by LevelUP, an organization determined to keep the local game design community in touch with each other, is helping to bridge the gap between emerging programmers, artists, writers, developers and those who are already leaving their mark on the city. This event is open to anyone and everyone, you don’t have to be an expert, the only prerequisite is a willingness to collaborate and have a little fun. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Education, Events, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
28th
August
2013
From Unite 2013 in Vancouver: American 3D character animation pioneer Mixamo has announced the launch of Face Plus, a technology that brings facial animations to 3D characters with just a simple webcam and the Unity editor. Independent developers can now enrich their games with emotional experiences without the high cost and complexity of existing facial animation solutions. With Face Plus, developers are now able to capture their own facial expressions via standard webcams and transfer them in real time onto a 3D character. A Unity plugin, Face Plus leverages the upcoming Unity 4.3 blendshape technology. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Animation, Events, Game Dev, National News, New Releases, Software By: Tami | Print This Post
26th
August
2013
SIGGRAPH 2014 will take place next 12-14 August in Vancouver, and if you book your space now, you’ll pay only $37.00 USD per square foot with a 10% deposit due on booking. The price goes up on September 4th to $38.00 per square foot, and a 50% deposit will be required to secure your space if you apply after September 12th. Exhibit applications submitted after February 15, 2014 will require payment in full. SIGGRAPH 2014 in Vancouver is an incredible marketing opportunity for Canadian companies – this is your chance to show off Canadian talent and innovation to a global audience – on our own turf. Personally I hope to see a much higher percentage of Canadian companies exhibiting at SIGGRAPH 2014 than in 2011. Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Animation, Associations, Audio, Careers, CGFX, Digital Products, Education, Events, Game Dev, National News, Peripherals, Software, Studios By: Tami | Print This Post
21st
August
2013
LevelUp, The Vancouver Island game industry association, will be welcoming dozens of video game developers from across North America this fall for the fourth edition of OrcaJam as part of the inaugural Thinklandia Festival. So what’s an OrcaJam? Simply put, it’s an event where a group of like-minded people get together and work on what they love; making games for 48 hours straight. Programmers, artists, audio engineers, board game designers… anyone interested in game development is welcome. Kicking off Friday, September 6th (6pm), and running through Sunday September 8th (6pm), OrcaJam lasts the entire weekend and includes a series of panel discussions, keynote speakers, a game showcase and judging panel and prizes at the end! Read the rest of this entry »
posted in Associations, Events, Game Dev, National News By: Tami | Print This Post