Village Gamer

Okino Ships new Solid Edge Synchronous Technology CAD Importer for 3ds Max®, Maya®, Lightwave®, Cinema-4D®, XSI® & All Major Downstream 3D File Formats

Toronto – Okino Computer Graphics has announced that it is now shipping its newly rewritten Solid Edge CAD conversion system, compatible with the ground breaking Solid Edge Synchronous Technology modeling software which is taking the CAD world by storm in 2008 and 2009. The conversion pipeline allows native Solid Edge assembly, part, weldment and sheet metal files to be converted to all major animation + authoring packages, 3D downstream file formats and VisSim programs. Okino is one of the longest standing Solid Edge solution partner developers, providing excellent and well refined 3D data translation solutions for Solid Edge users and independent users of Solid Edge data.

Okino’s NuGraf and PolyTrans software imports crack-free geometry, hierarchy and materials (assembly data) from native disk-based Solid Edge files or from a running copy of Solid Edge, and subsequently provides high-end rendering, viewing and scene composition of the data, or have the data optimized and then pipelined into all major 3D file formats, animation packages and third party/OEM integrations. Most importantly, Solid Edge assemblies, parts, weldment and sheet metal files can be effortlessly and directly imported into all key animation systems such as 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage|XSI, Cinema-4D and Lightwave, as well as any third party product which integrates Okino’s PolyTrans 3D converters and all major downstream file formats ranging from COLLADA to DWF-3D to SketchUp and dozens more. A resident copy of the Solid Edge software is not required, but having it installed on the same machine as the Okino conversion software will provide extended control and options over the process.

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Montreal – FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators and producers of global entertainment brands, has announced a strategic minority equity investment in Ludia, a leading developer and publisher of interactive casual games based in Montreal, Canada. The deal is part of FremantleMedia’s ongoing expansion into the high-growth video games market. It also follows a range of new growth initiatives by the company’s new business unit, FremantleMedia Ventures, and represents the division’s first equity investment.

“Ludia has rapidly carved out a unique position in the competitive video games market by combining a strong focus on quality, exceptional technology and a multiplatform strategy. The company’s leadership team is outstanding and has a strong track record in the industry,” said Christian Schneider-Sickert, FremantleMedia’s Director of Operations and Strategy, who will be joining Ludia’s board.

FremantleMedia’s cash and rights investment will enable Ludia to further expand its portfolio of branded, IP-led casual games and to broaden its international business outside of North America. FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) already licenses formats such as American Idol, The Price is Right and Press Your Luck to Ludia, which has built a unique expertise in translating hit entertainment brands into top-selling games. Ludia recently debuted the The Price is Right game for PCs, gaming consoles and the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. The game quickly became a top-selling game in its category on all formats.

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Quebec City – Beenox Studios has been given the nod to develop Guitar Hero® Greatest Hits, which was announced by Activision’s President and CEO Mike Griffith on February 2.

Slated for release this coming June, Guitar Hero® Greatest Hits will be a compilation of 48 top hits from previous versions of the Guitar Hero® franchise, all updated for full band play on Guitar Hero® World Tour. The Greatest Hits release will be produced from Guitar Hero® master recordings and feature several play modes – career mode, rockstar creator, Guitar Hero® music studio and an eight player online battle of the bands.

Gamers will be able to rock out in such globally diverse locations as the Amazon rain forest, the Grand Canyon and the polar ice caps. There will also be some improvements to the User Interface, player navigation and a better quickplay system, and DLC from GHTunes will be compatible with this new title.

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Vancouver – The ACM SIGGRAPH Vancouver Chapter is pleased ao announce that tickets are now on sale for their March event.

Eric Barba and Steve Preeg of Digital Domain will be at the VanCity Theatre on Wednesday March 18 to present details about the technology and artistry in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button that led to an Academy Award® for achievement in visual effects. Beginning with the invention of a new process called ‘e-motion capture’ for transferring a live actor’s likeness and performance to a CG model, it also includes everything from on-set data capture and editorial workflow, to facial expression and performance capture, to skin simulations and building a custom rig.

Doors will open at 6:30pm for an industry mixer sponsored by the BC Innovation Council, with the seminar beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15.00 for members and $25.00 for non-members, with group pricing also available.

Other sponsors for this event are:  Sophia Books, Annex|Pro, Stash Media, Big Fish Games, Visual Effects Association of BC and the Society of Graphic Designers Canada BC Chapter.

Vancouver – THQ Inc. today announced that Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II, developed by Vancouver’s Relic Entertainment, marked its first week debut as the best selling PC game across major video game markets worldwide, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Australia (according to the NPD Group, Inc., ELSPA/GfK Chart-Track and GfK.)

“We have built ‘Dawn of War’ into a premier PC gaming franchise based on the Warhammer 40,000 universe,” said Brian Farrell, THQ president and CEO. “We are pleased with consumers’ strong response to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II across many of our key markets and believe the game’s success clearly demonstrates our primary objective of delivering high quality games with strong global appeal. Warhammer 40,000 is a rich and growing universe and we look forward to expanding our offerings based on this brand in the future.”

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Vancouver – IUGO Mobile Entertainment is proud to announce its new pinball game Freeballin’ for the iPhone! Named by IUGO’s very active gamer community in a recent contest, Freeballin’ will be one of the newest products from IUGO on display at the upcoming GDC.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come in IUGO’s awesome upcoming title:

Endless hours of pinball entertainment spread across four unique, beautifully rendered playfields, including the Jungle and Cityscape themes. Over a half a dozen playfields in total, including boss battles!

Play in three distinct gameplay modes:
Score Attack is the classic pinball experience to get the highest score possible with your limited supply of orbs
Time Attack forces the player to get to a target score as quick as possible
Adventure Challenge has the player collecting artifacts from three different themes with the help of game-changing powerups.

Freeballin’: This is pinball like you’ve never seen before!

Fans Can Take Their Favorite School On The Road To The Final Four Using NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition

Burnaby – Electronic Arts Inc., has announced EA SPORTS™ will for the first time offer a downloadable official NCAA® Tournament edition of its college basketball videogame. Fans will be able to replicate the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship bracket and play with all the schools in NCAA March Madness®. Called NCAA® Basketball 09: March Madness® Edition and available exclusively for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system for 1200 Microsoft points ($15.00), it will be available to download just in time for the start of the NCAA tournament. The 2009 Tournament tips-off exclusively on CBS Sports on March 19th.

NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition will be easy-to-download exclusively for the Xbox 360 through Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft points beginning March 11, 2009. The game will initially feature teams from last year’s tournament, and then beginning on March 18, will feature the just-announced official Selection Sunday brackets and accurate teams with updated ratings.

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BBB, Capital One, and Fraud Squad TV launch a grass-roots effort to fight fraud

Toronto – In conjunction with Fraud Prevention Month, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Capital One Canada, and Fraud Squad TV have launched a new concept in Web TV that will broadcast weekly Fraudcasts from each of the 14 BBBs across the country. These innovative Fraudcasts can be viewed online at Fraudcast.ca, and will also feature interviews with real victims of fraud from local communities across the country. This grass-roots effort will empower Canadians with information, helping them to avoid local scams and enabling them to alert friends and family of fraudulent activities happening in their community.

“Fraudcast.ca promises to be a comprehensive source of news and advice on fraud and identity theft protection,” said Bill Cilluffo, president, Capital One Canada. “At Capital One, we understand the power of information when it comes to this type of crime, and this new website aims to help Canadians stay one step ahead of the fraudsters.”
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Toronto – The Canadian Television Fund (CTF) has announced that it has increased its program commitments for 2009-2010 by almost 14% over the previous year. “During the current economic crisis, it is important that the CTF continue to invest in the television industry, an industry that contributes to the country’s economy, employing thousands of Canadians across the nation, and that is vital to our culture,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the CTF. “Investing in Canadian production puts Canadian stories on the small screen and keeps people working.”

The 2009-2010 program commitments include increases to key programs as follows:

The Digital Media Pilot Program, launched in 2008-2009, experienced high demand, with funds being allocated within six weeks of the application opening date, with the exception of the CBC/Radio-Canada allocation. Demand for this program exceeded the allocation of $2 million, and other digital media funds, including the Bell New Media Fund and the Canada New Media Fund, were also oversubscribed in 2008-2009. As a result of this high demand and in line with the recommendations by the CRTC to increase CTF funding of digital media projects, the CTF has increased the allocation for the Digital Media Program to $10 million in 2009-2010.

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Adds more than 750 stores across Canada to Bell’s national distribution network

Montreal – Bell Canada has announced that it has agreed to acquire national consumer electronics retailer The Source to further enhance the growth of Bell’s wireless, digital TV, Internet and home phone services. “The Source is a respected leader in consumer electronics retailing right across Canada. Its acquisition supports Bell’s strategic imperatives to accelerate wireless and leverage momentum in wireline services like Bell TV, Bell Internet and Bell Home Phone,” said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell and BCE.

“With its strong national presence, brand, and management team, acquiring The Source represents a competitive and cost-effective approach to ensuring Bell’s leadership in delivering the best communications products to Canadians,” Mr. Cope said. “Expanding the number of places people can buy Bell products is a core element in the execution of Bell’s strategy to achieve our goal: To be recognized by customers as Canada’s leading communications company.”

In addition to its extensive lineup of consumer electronics products, The Source plans to carry the full array of Bell consumer services at its more than 750 stores across Canada, including Bell Mobility, Solo Mobile and potentially Virgin Mobile wireless products and services, Bell TV’s industry-leading High Definition television services, high-speed Bell
Internet, and Bell Home Phone products, by January 2010.
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