21st November 2008

Rusty Axe Releases Big$hot

Rusty Axe Games, a developer and publisher of downloadable game software located in Terrace, BC, is proud to announce the release of Big$hot! Big$hot is an exciting new financial strategy game about buying and developing business properties from the team that brought you Real E$tate Empire.

In Big$hot you play the role of an entrepreneur whose job is to build a portfolio of properties that can be leveraged into a business empire.

Big$hot is easy to learn how to play with a complete tutorial system, context sensitive help and an online Q&A system that can be launched from within the game.

What to hold, what to fix, what to package up and deal off – it’s all about risk and reward as you try to build your property monopolies and acquire strategic businesses that will help you build and promote your burgeoning business empire.

Game Features:

Build monopolies to reduce costs and increase profits.
Drive down repair and improvement costs by picking up construction companies.
Reduce advertising costs by owning media companies.
Control a realty business to fast track sales of your own businesses.

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21st November 2008

Ubisoft Announces New Downloadable Content For Far Cry 2 Before Month’s End

Today Ubisoft announced it will release exciting new downloadable content (DLC) for Far Cry® 2, which was developed by Ubisoft Montreal. The Fortune’s Pack DLC will bring new vehicles and new weapons to both the single-player game and the multiplayer game, giving gamers even more diverse means of destruction. Be the silent stalker armed with your silent shotgun or jump on your new quad and blast through the dunes of Africa. The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will be available for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and from PlayStation®Network.

The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 includes:

Single-Player Mode

Three brand-new weapons
– Silenced shotgun
– Sawed-off shotgun
– Crossbow

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20th November 2008

Canadian New Media Awards Given Out

New Media Toronto – The Canadian New Media Awards has recognized and celebrated the many accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Canadian new media industry in a gala ceremony Tuesday night. Held at The Carlu in Toronto, the CNM Awards promote both the new media sector and provide inspiration for those preparing to enter the industry by recognizing Canadian innovation, creativity and quality.

And the winners are:

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: marblemedia, Toronto

Also Nominated:

Big Blue Bubble
Moment Factory
vision Critical

MOST PROMISING COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Viigo, Toronto

Also Nominated:

b5 Media
Filemobile

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20th November 2008

TELUS Innovation Fund Calls for Submissions

The TELUS Innovation Fund, created by the Canadian Film Centre with funding from the TELUS Foundation, provides funding for the production of innovative film, television, and new media content projects. This fund invests in new forms of high-quality, original Canadian content that employ innovative strategies in breaking new ground to reach general public audiences. The TELUS Innovation Fund supports a minimum of 3 projects per year with funding up to $100,000 for each project.

Launched in January of 2006, the fund was designed to assist projects that explore new ways of approaching entertainment and storytelling; placing Canadian ideas, talent and media at the forefront.

For more information download the TELUS Innovation Fund Guidelines Package at: www.cfccreates.com

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20th November 2008

Martin Sheen Joins Montreal High School Writing Project

Actor Martin Sheen has confirmed that he will write the foreword for the 2009 Learning for a Cause Anthology published from Lester B. Pearson High School titled “Raising Humanity”. The book, which will feature the creative work of nearly 150 high school students, will explore what it is to be human through poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and art. The book’s objective – to inspire readers toward creating a more human and humane world.

Learning for a Cause, founded in 2004 by noted educator Michael Ernest Sweet, has published four full length publications of student writing to date. The books feature students writing on issues of socio-political concern in an effort to inspire positive change. The educational non-profit has been featured on CTV, CBC, NPR, Vermont Radio, Canadian Teacher and many other media. In 2008 the Quebec Ministry of Education filmed a special documentary featuring the teaching model.
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20th November 2008

Animation Show 4 Coming To The VanCity Theatre

Returning to the Vancity Theatre after a successful 2007 run, The Animation Show is an annual feature-length compilation of the best animated shorts from around the world, exclusively curated by Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge. The Animation Show launched in 2003, making it the first festival of animation created and produced with actual animators at the helm. A sister series of high quality DVDs now supplement the theatrical tour with additional insights and brand new lineups of films—while the main Show remains a unique and unforgettable annual program that is usually gone forever once it is out of theatres. This year’s Animation Show is anchored by especially commissioned work from animators around the world. The show will include the films listed below, plus special surprises. For more information on the films and to purchase tickets, please see the event page on the VanCity Theatre web site. All tickets are $10.00 each.

Show Dates & Times:

Saturday, Nov 29 at 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 30 at 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec 10 at 9:15 pm
Thursday, Dec 11 at 9:15 pm

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20th November 2008

Blizzard Cinematics Wow Sellout Audience

Today in a panel hosted by Vancouver’s ACM SIGGRAPH chapter the secrets, successes, procedures and challenges faced by the Blizzard Entertainment cinematics team were shared with the first of two sellout audiences.

Presented by Matt Samia (Senior Director of Cinematics) and Jeff Chamberlain (Cinematics Project Lead), the programme opened with a brief photographic tour of the Blizzard Entertainment campus in Irvine, California. The audience was then walked through the entire cinematic development process from concept and storyboarding through to final render passes and the finished product. In the course of this three hour panel, we were able to look right into the creative minds behind the Starcraft, Diablo and Warcraft franchises.

It is always educational to see behind the scenes at successful studios, getting a look at how they blend lo-tech and hi-tech means to continually push the envelope in animation and CG achievements. Matt and Jeff were also very forthcoming with advice to students and young people already working in the industry in regards to software products as well as skillsets. They also mentioned that there are a few Vancouver Film School alumni employed at the Blizzard campus, and Blizzard recruiter Kenny Carvalho was at the theatre to answer questions from interested designers.

Along with the other attendees, I am grateful to the ACM SIGGRAPH Vancouver Chapter for putting on another great event – and of course to the sponsors for supporting these panels and presentations. The sponsors for tonight’s panel were: 31337 Recruiters, VANarts, Hothead Games, Stash DVD Magazine and Annex|Pro.

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19th November 2008

GDC Canada Puts Out The Call For Submissions

The call for submissions to present lectures, roundtables and panel sessions for the 2009 Game Developers Conferenceregistered trademark Canada (GDC Canada) is now open through midnight, Friday, November 28, 2008. Presented by Reboot Communications and Think Services, organizers of the industry-leading Game Developers Conferenceregistered trademark, GDC Canada will take place at the Vancouver Convention and Exposition Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada May 12-13, 2009. GDC Canada will provide insight into the thriving Canadian game development community and will serve as an opportunity for developers to share best practices for fostering excellence and quality games within their region and distributed globally.

The Game Developers Conferenceregistered trademark Canada emphasizes studying the challenges and opportunities of creating games with long production cycles, large development teams, and multi-platform releases. The tracks for GDC Canada are structured according to production stages of game development and submissions should address the most pressing game development challenges that fall under the following development stages:

  • Concept/Preproduction
  • Production
  • Finalling
  • Post-Launch

Some of the Submission Guidelines Are:

The GDC Canada Advisory Board is looking for high-level, specific content that will fit into one of the tracks listed above. An extended abstract will be necessary for the advisory board to determine whether your talk will be a good fit. Concise, precise language and a discernable thesis will also help your chances in the review process.

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19th November 2008

Gothic 3: Forsaken Gods and Gothic 3 Collector’s Edition

Toronto – JoWooD Productions and DreamCatcher Games, leading publishers of interactive entertainment software around the world, today announced Gothic 3: Forsaken Gods for Windows® has shipped to retail stores in North America. Also releasing today is the Gothic 3 Collector’s Edition, the complete Gothic 3 experience in a special collector’s tin case containing the most up-to-date version of Gothic 3, the complete version of Forsaken Gods Add On, a ‘Making of Gothic’ DVD, Official Soundtrack CD and a full-color map.

The official Gothic 3 Add On, Forsaken Gods takes you a step further into the fantastical world of this epic RPG series. This exciting new chapter of the Gothic series introduces intoxicating new quests, monsters, armour and weapons while the gaming experience offers a sense of intense realism, provides 15-20 hours of non-stop gameplay and introduces an improved combat system.
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19th November 2008

Shred Concrete This Holiday With Skate It!

EA’s Award-Winning Videogame Brings the Thrill of Skateboarding to Gamers of All Ages Today


EA Montreal and Black Box, studios of Electronic Arts Inc. have announced that their award-winning Skate It videogame hits retailers in North America today and in Europe starting November 20th for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. Gamers can feel the rush of nailing the perfect skate line by using the Wii Remote, nunchuck and Nintendo DS stylus controls. Or they can get in touch with the skateboard even more by planting their feet on the Wii Balance Board and using it to skate, manual and throw down dozens of other authentic moves.

“We wanted to reinvigorate the action sports genre for the Nintendo audience,” said Scott Blackwood, Executive Producer, Black Box. “Skate It is not only true to the soul of the Skate franchise, but also leverages everything unique about the Wii and Nintendo DS, making it one of the best and most intuitive skateboarding games for the Nintendo platforms.”

In Skate It, gamers return to a destroyed San Vanelona, where they’ll skate their favourite skate spots, customize areas to make them their own, and earn the opportunity to travel the world, all on their path to becoming Thrasher Magazine’s Skater of the Year. The game also boasts a variety of high-action multiplayer challenges that will have players competing for ultimate bragging rights.

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