• Village Gamer

  • Google Myth Killer Book Launches Dispelling Common Beliefs about Google’s Search Results

20th February 2009

Google Myth Killer Book Launches Dispelling Common Beliefs about Google’s Search Results

A noted online author has put together a free online book that challenges common beliefs about how Google ranks web pages

Google MythAldergrove BC – Daniel J Deyette spent the last 7 years analyzing his sites and client sites trying to understand the stories floating around the internet about how Google really worked. Like many in the internet marketing industry, he was always reading about the “Sandbox Effect” or about how some link strategy had banned a website.

“People still believe stories that were told in 2005” Says Deyette, author of the new book Google Myths Exposed. “I just wanted to find a way to express everything I’ve learned, following the experts, listening and leaning on every word Matt Cutts and the Google Webmaster Central websites said.”

While Deyette’s book is not created, authorized, or endorsed by Google, it does quote many Google authorized sources and offer’s an intriguing insight into questions that website owners and marketers have been asking since Google’s inception in 1998.

Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

19th February 2009

The NFB or Draw me a picture

National Film BoardMontreal – Torill Kove, who won an Oscar in 2006 for her animated short The Danish Poet, has come to the defence of the National Film Board (NFB). In a video unveiled today by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-FTQ), the filmmaker makes a plea for maintaining the NFB’s expertise in film animation. The video is available on YouTube.

“It’s where I trained as an animator really,” Torill Kove explains. Over the years, NFB artists have become experts in film animation, a sector that has greatly contributed to the institution’s worldwide reputation. “They just took you under their wings and looked after your talent … in a little cocoon of creativity… (where) you don’t have to deal with the business of film making,” notes the filmmaker. She stresses the contribution and the support of the NFB staff whose years of experience make a world of difference to the artists. But Torill Kove is worried about the future of the NFB: “The National Film Board is being asked to do a lot for less and less resources… but you can only spread yourself so thin…”

Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

18th February 2009

New Mobile Gaming Developer Sets Up Shop In Vancouver

Genius Factor GamesVancouver-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.

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Game Dev, National News, Studios By: | Print This Post Print This Post

17th February 2009

Discovery Canada To Air BootCamp Documentary

Discovery ChannelToronto – In a documentary which may be of special interest to many Canadian game developers, COMBAT SCHOOL follows – for the first time ever – Canadian infantry soldiers as they undergo the most technologically-advanced, intense and realistic combat training in military history.

Premiering Tuesday, March 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel, this six-part, one-hour Canadian documentary series goes directly to the heart of modern warfare by following a platoon of 40 men and women from the time they commence their training until Combat Schoolthey are declared battle-ready and deployed. Granted unprecedented access by the Canadian military and combat trainers, cameras are then embedded with the platoon in the war fields of Afghanistan where viewers witness how the soldiers’ skills are put to the ultimate test when they encounter insurgents for the first time.

In COMBAT SCHOOL the training is intense and the expectations high. Those who are unprepared won’t make it, and those who are ready leave everything behind to risk their lives in a war zone. Following soldiers from 1 Platoon, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment – based out of Petawawa, Ontario – COMBAT SCHOOL captures every step of the mission-specific training as the men and women prepare for the most intense combat situation they have
ever faced.

Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

17th February 2009

MXI Security Expands Lockdown Delivery Service to Help Enterprise Customers Fight Malicious Software

MXI SecurityMontreal – Expanding on its existing lockdown delivery service, MXI Security™ today announced it is now allowing customers of its ACCESS Enterprise device life cycle management suite to order portable security devices preconfigured with a unique management code. This guarantees that devices that leave the factory cannot be used or modified by anyone except the end customer.

This expanded service complements an already rigorous production process that ensures devices are free of malicious software and sealed in tamper-evident packaging before they leave MXI Security’s US-based manufacturing facility.

The management code capability has been an in-hardware security feature of every MXI Security MXP portable security device for the past several years. Known only to the issuing organization, the code ensures that no attacker can alter the contents of the read-only drive, protecting it against malicious software such as Trojans, worms and viruses. Furthermore, if a device is ever lost or stolen, the code prevents anyone from recycling the device to reuse as their own.

Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Digital Products, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

17th February 2009

Sony Integrates Corel InstantON Technology with its VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC

CorelOttawaCorel Corporation today announced Corel® InstantON™ technology is now included in the award-winning Sony® VAIO® P series Lifestyle PC.

With Corel InstantON technology, VAIO P series Lifestyle PC users can surf the web, check Sony Vaioemail, chat online and play back photos, videos and music in seconds after turning on their notebook, saving the time of booting up their Windows operating system.

“We are pleased to work with Sony to provide a superior instant-on solution for their VAIO P series Lifestyle PC,” said Jeff Hastings, President and General Manager, Digital Media at Corel. “Users will find an all-new, custom-designed interface that provides a complete, efficient and secure way to quickly access online content at home or on the go.”

“As the world’s lightest 8 inch notebook at 1.4 pounds, the VAIO P series Lifestyle PC deserves a superior instant-on solution to meet the needs of today’s mobile computer user,” said Bob Ishida, Senior Vice President, Corporate Executive, President of VAIO Business Group, Sony Corporation. “By adopting Corel InstantON technology, users will enjoy a stress-free and exciting user experience through an easy-to-use interface that accesses the internet faster than ever before.”

Currently only available in Japan, the VAIO P series will be available in North America this month and can be pre-ordered on the SonyStyle website for $999.99.

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Digital Products, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

17th February 2009

Catching Up On A Few Stories

Vancouver – Over the past two weeks I haven’t had as much time as usual to search out the news from Canada’s digital media industry, so I’m taking a different angle tonight to catch up on a few things. One of the reasons for the busy schedule on our end was a visit to Vancouver by representatives of World Cyber Games, Inc. They have been visiting cities around the world scouting possible future locations for a variety of World Cyber Games events. During their visit, the representatives had a chance to tour Relic Entertainment, EA Burnaby, the Great Northern Way Campus, the Electric Playground studio, then attended a small reception hosted by Radical Entertainment and the SIGGRAPH presentation of Modern Princesses given by Ubisoft Montreal – but more on that later in this post. Thank you to everyone who took part in the tours and events.

Game Design ExpoThe month began in the best way possible with the Game Design Expo presented by Vancouver Film School. This two day expo which features the top guest speakers is one of the consistently best-run events around. Every seminar and panel topic was relevant to today’s game development industry, and it’s small wonder why GDX sells out every year. Over the next short time, I will be posting articles about the seminars – and hopefully once you’ve read them, if you weren’t at GDX this year, you’ll make a note to attend next year. Aside from the myriad of topics and opportunities to learn, the biggest announcement at this year’s event was the estalishment of the Women In Games International $30 000.00 – $47 000.00 full scholarship. This scholarship will provide full tuition for a female game design student to attend the VFS Game Design Programme. Other scholarships announced range from $2000.00 to $7000.00, and are sponsored by G4techTV, EA, Big Fish Games, Annex Pro, Obsidian Entertainment, and Radical Entertainment.

Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 1 Comment - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Events, Game Dev, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

9th February 2009

Official Video Game of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games – SEGA Announces Publishing Agreement

SEGATokyoSEGA® Corporation today announced a worldwide agreement with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to once again become the sole approved video game publisher of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. After an extremely successful series of video games from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, this exclusive license will allow SEGA to once more publish the only official interactive entertainment software titles of the world’s most famous sporting event.

Through this agreement, SEGA secures the sole rights to publish console, PC/Macintosh, handheld, arcade, and mobile games worldwide. Under this exclusive license, SEGA will publish a wide variety of games with winter sports and events including skiing, skating, and snowboard bearing the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem.
Read the rest of this entry »

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Events, Game Dev, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

9th February 2009

World Cyber Games Announces First Five Official Titles for 2009 Season

WCG First 5 Titles
KoreaWorld Cyber Games (WCG), the premier international video game competition, has announced the first five Official Game Titles for the WCG 2009 season. The lineup includes Counter-Strike™ 1.6 (PC), Starcraft®: Brood War™ (PC), WarCraft® III: The Frozen Throne™ (PC), and Guitar Hero®: World Tour (Xbox 360), and Virtua Fighter® 5 (Xbox 360).

All five games have been a staple at past WCG competitions. Counter-Strike 1.6™ and Starcraft®: Brood War™ have been Official Tournament Games since 2001 while WarCraft® III: The Frozen Throne™ has been part of the WCG since 2003. Guitar Hero®, which marked WCG’s first foray into music games, and Virtua Fighter® 5 Online will be in their second consecutive year as Official Game Titles.

”As interest in WCG continues to grow around the world, we have become much more discerning in selecting the official games for this year,” said Hyeong Seok Kim, president and CEO of World Cyber Games, Inc., organizer of WCG. ”This year we decided to unveil the games in two separate announcements to pique the interest and anticipation for the official game lineup. These first five titles constitute the best and most popular games in a wide variety of genres including real-time strategy, first-person shooter, fighting, and music. In March, fans can look forward to another group of elite titles that will certainly satisfy every type of gamer around the world.”

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Events, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

6th February 2009

MSP Partners Announces All New 2009 Education Program

Introduces “Master” Membership Level for Advanced MSPs

MSP PartnersOttawaMSP Partners, an alliance founded by Cisco, Ingram Micro, Intel, Level Platforms and Microsoft, with the active participation of over 20 leading IT vendors and thousands of solution providers and MSPs, today announced the launch of its comprehensive all new 2009 education program.

Based on demand from the large number of solution providers now moving to more advanced Managed Services, MSP Partners is today introducing a “Master” membership. Master members will benefit from a series of professional courses and live events addressing the challenges and opportunities they face in moving their business to the next level.

“Our new Master membership level demonstrates the vendor community’s ongoing commitment to help solution providers grow and prosper in their business transformation to managed services. Our 2009 content provides the research and education solution providers need as they launch and evolve their Managed Services businesses,” said Jim Hamilton, Executive Director of MSP Partners.

New 2009 content includes:

* A comprehensive suite of on-demand courses covering both foundational Managed Services concepts as well as advanced concepts dealing with marketing, sales, operations and best in class Managed Services practices, all based on extensive and exclusive new 2009 research.
* Eight 2009 live web events describing new Managed Services opportunities in networking, security, business continuity and much more.
* An MSP Benchmark tool that evaluates a solution provider’s Managed Services business and provides a detailed best in class analysis.
* An “Ask an Expert” feature, where industry thought leaders answer members’ Managed Services questions.
* Monthly analysis of current trends in the Managed Services market.

Currently 0 Comments - Share Your Thoughts

posted in Careers, Education, National News By: | Print This Post Print This Post

  • Archives

  • Subscribe to our Newsletter


  • Select a list:

  • GWEN Radio
  • Gamers Giving Back