Village Gamer

Score Media Inc. has acquired 20% of NuLayer Inc., one of Canada’s most innovative software development firms. As part of the transaction, Score Media and NuLayer entered into a multi-year technology development agreement. The deal with NuLayer, creators of the recently launched app theScore iPad Edition, brings enhanced technology development capabilities to Score Media and facilitates theScore’s continued ability to be first to market with cutting-edge offerings for sports fans around the world. The agreement gives NuLayer additional resources to build disruptive technology solutions for both theScore and other forward-thinking organizations and provides the company with the ability to continue to develop and grow their own suite of innovative products, including Crowdreel.com, a social media photo sharing application that delivers real-time access to images posted on Twitter.

“Our mobile, web and iPad platforms are growing exponentially and we are constantly looking for new, creative ways to further engage our fans. NuLayer understands our vision and through this investment, we’ve now created an environment where NuLayer and Score Media can continue to work together to develop innovative digital offerings while giving NuLayer the resources they need to achieve explosive growth,” says Benjie Levy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Score Media Inc.

NuLayer specializes in creating custom software applications and has been recognized as one of Canada’s most innovative development firms. Creators of theScore iPad Edition, one of the first free sports apps on the market, and recently touted by the Globe and Mail as one of three Toronto-based tech companies “at the hub of the iPad revolution,” NuLayer is the brains behind several mobile and web solutions such as Crowdreel.com, a social media photo sharing application already used on theScore.com.

“This opportunity marks a new era for our team and we cannot be more excited to work alongside theScore, a company that shares our passion for using technology to disrupt the market and grow a competitive business,” Jeff Brenner, Co-Founder, NuLayer Inc. “We look forward to building innovative products and helping cement theScore as a leader in online and mobile sports entertainment and with theScore’s support as our newest partner, we now have more freedom to grow NuLayer Labs and develop our own ground-breaking product ideas. Crowdreel was just the beginning and we have several exciting products on our roadmap.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Congratulations to development studio Digital Extremes who has been named as a winner of The Ontario Business Achievement Awards Royal Bank Award for Small Business. Digital Extremes is one of a dozen Ontario companies who have been named provincial winners of The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) and the Ontario Global Traders Awards (OGTA) by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“These outstanding award winners exemplify business excellence through innovation, export diversity, entrepreneurial spirit and an understanding that the best investment is in their people,” says Len Crispino, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “This is the award winners’ opportunity to step into the spotlight to celebrate success, not only for themselves but, for Ontario.”

Square Enix revealed today that a new premium-quality action figure based on the central character from the Eidos Montreal game Deus Ex: Human Revolution™, Adam Jensen will be the latest addition to the Play Arts® -KAI- series, and will feature newly-augmented Adam Jensen and even more.

“The Square Enix Merchandise Division is dedicated to creating collectible action figures that combine high production value and excellent articulation,” said Kanji Tashiro, Merchandise Director of Square Enix, Inc. “The DEUS EX series has captivated fans across the globe since the first game was released, and we are thrilled and pleased to be making action figures for its latest entry. The game’s truly unique style and visually striking technology provides us with a perfect opportunity to do what we do best: craft a high-quality product that brings to life a vibrant universe.”

For those on the career hunt, Eidos Montreal has several positions open, including that for a Brand Manager.

Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises have launched The Price Is Right HD for iPad® on the App Store. Now iPad users can “COME ON DOWN!” to an unparalleled The Price Is Right experience, enhanced with stunning new HD graphics and incorporating Multi-Touch game play. Incorporating all the familiar elements of the beloved TV game show, The Price Is Right HD for iPad puts players in Contestant’s Row to bid on items in order to earn a shot at playing popular pricing games, try their luck at spinning The Big Wheel, and experience the winner-takes-all tension of the Showcase.

“The Price Is Right is one of Ludia’s most successful titles across platforms, and we are thrilled to now bring it to iPad owners in HD,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “Game show fans can now enjoy immersive and engaging The Price Is Right fun anywhere, thanks to the iPad’s advanced capabilities.”

The Price Is Right HD features:

* Eye-popping HD graphics designed and optimized for the iPad.
* Two game modes: single player and multiplayer.
* Favorite pricing games to play including Plinko, Cliff Hangers, Punch-a-Bunch & many more.
* Authentic stages, Big Wheel, and other game elements combine with familiar music and Rich Fields as announcer to create a true-to-show experience.
* Customizable 3D player avatars: choose hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more.
* Unlock bonus items as a reward for progress in the game.

Astral Media Inc. has launched a campaign that celebrates its contributions to Canadian culture. The two TV messages were conceived by Bos and depict what the film, television and music industries would look like without such crucial financing. Both situations use humor to offset an otherwise very serious issue.

The campaign premiered last week at the opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival, which Astral is a proud sponsor. One of the two trailers was showcased during the Opening Night Gala Presentation of Score: A Hockey Musical, one of 19 Astral supported Canadian Films selected for the 2010 Festival. Other movies include gala presentations of Barney’s Version, A Beginners Guide to Endings, and the Bang Bang Club; and a special presentation of Trigger. Both messages are now airing on Astral’s pay-television and specialty services.

For over 25 years now, Astral has played a leading role in providing private funding for Canadian culture. This dedication to the vitality of our communities and to the arts industry has allowed for ambitious television and film projects to see the light of day, and for now popular musical notes to take flight. Every year, through its pay and specialty TV channels, radio stations and The Harold Greenberg Fund, Astral invests over $170 million in Canadian culture.

“We are fortunate to live in a dynamic, inclusive and creative culture. This unique point of view needs to be nourished and celebrated. We take much pride in the fact that Astral’s investments help great projects come to life, contribute to a creative product of quality, and support the talented artists and artisans behind these projects,” said Derev Antikacioglu, Corporate Marketing Director at Astral.

Astral continues to be the country’s largest private investor in Canadian feature film, funding the development and production of homegrown film and television projects. In the world of music, Astral has worked closely with partners to develop and launch over 20 projects to support Canadian singers, songwriters and performers.

No, this news isn’t remotely Canadian, but I feel that educators, studios, associations and our government should take note, because Canada needs a programme just like this one, and I believe the initiatives behind the American STEM Challenge closely mirror those currently being investigated through the Canada 3.0 Forum, Canada’s Digital Economy and Teaching with Technology. There have been several weeks’ worth of talk shows about the state of the Canadian educational system on Vancouver’s talk radio station CKNW, and a programme such as the STEM Challenge is but one creative way of trying to improve what and how our children are taught. There are many, many worthy programmes in Canada dedicated to making education not only fun and relevant, but also to keeping up with technology; here is a way to unite all of these initiatives in ways that would not only benefit our children, but our economic future, and I feel this is worth further investigation.

President Obama announced today the launch of the National STEM Video Game Challenge at a White House event as part of the national “Educate to Innovate” campaign. The Challenge aims to motivate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning by tapping into students’ natural passion for playing and making video games. The first annual competition is being held by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media in partnership with sponsors AMD Foundation, Entertainment Software Association and Microsoft. Founding outreach partners include the American Library Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, The International Game Developers Association and BrainPOP.

“Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of discovery and innovation,” said President Obama. “I applaud partners in the National STEM Video Game Challenge for lending their resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America’s leadership in the 21st century by improving education in science, technology, engineering and math.”

The National STEM Video Game Challenge features two competitions:

* The Youth Prize aims to engage middle school students (grades 5 through 8) in STEM learning by challenging them to design original video games. The Challenge will be open to students from any U.S. school with a special emphasis on reaching students in underserved urban and rural communities. The total prize pool will be $50,000. The winners will receive AMD-based laptops, game design books, and other tools to support their skill development. Cash prizes and educational software will also be awarded to the winning students’ sponsoring organization with additional prize money for underserved communities.

* The Developer Prize challenges emerging and experienced game developers to design original games for young children (grades pre-K through 4) that teach key STEM concepts and foster an interest in STEM subject areas. The Challenge will feature a special prize for developers actively enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. Special emphasis will be placed on technologies that have high potential to reach underserved communities, such as games built for basic mobile phones that address urgent educational needs among at-risk youth. Developers will be competing for a grand prize of $50,000. Two prizes of $25,000 each will be awarded to the top entry submitted on the collegiate level, as well as the top entry for reaching underserved communities.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge will accept entries from October 12, 2010 through January 5, 2011. Complete guidelines and details on how to enter are available at www.cooneycenterprizes.org and at www.stemchallenge.org/youthprize.

“Children of all ages are immersed in technology—today’s kids spend as much time with digital media as they do in school. With the need to make learning both more engaging and productive we need some real game changers,” said Michael Levine, executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. “The National STEM Video Game Challenge will encourage entrepreneurs and students to develop bold designs to promote academic excellence. The Cooney Center and E Line Media are delighted that national leaders in policy, practice and philanthropy are investing in video games’ potential to help change the equation.”

”Video games are improving and advancing the way Americans are living, working and playing,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “The acknowledgement and appreciation of President Obama, our partners in this campaign and leading child advocates, is a strong endorsement of the amazing potential and benefit that games can have on children.”

“Video game development is an exceptional learning experience for youth because it’s rooted in something they are already passionate about and allows learning to happen naturally,” said Allyson Peerman, corporate vice president of AMD Public Affairs and president, AMD Foundation. “AMD is proud to participate in the inaugural National STEM Video Game competition. The contest aligns with AMD’s signature education initiative, AMD Changing the Game, a program that encourages teens to learn valuable STEM skills and become more globally conscious citizens by developing games with social content.”

Game-based learning has emerged as one of the most promising areas of innovation in making critical STEM skills more engaging for America’s youth. Research has demonstrated that playing and making video games fosters the development of critical thinking and design skills, problem-solving and builds motivation for pursuing STEM related subjects and careers. The competition responds to major national educational challenges including inadequate skill levels in the workplace and an ever-widening achievement gap between the U.S. and other developed nations, especially in STEM skills.

Vancouver’s Layer 7 Technologies, a leader in security and governance for cloud and SOA services, will showcase its industry-first Oracle Service Bus (OSB) Appliance and new CloudSpan™ product suite at Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco on September 20-22. Layer 7 will be a featured guest in premier sponsor CSC’s pavilion, located at 1101 Moscone South.

Show attendees can participate in a showcase of the OSB appliance and view how it extends the Oracle Service Bus into the DMZ, and see how the CloudSpan solution simplifies integration to the cloud, secures applications in the cloud and governs the publication of APIs from the cloud. Read the rest of this entry »

Somewhat overshadowed by the recent Capcom – Blue Castle Games announcement was the news that Seattle-based RealNetworks®, Inc. has acquired Victoria, BC social games company Backstage Technologies Inc. RealNetworks feels that the acquisition of Backstage will add valuable expertise in both engineering and monetizing games for social platforms to GameHouse®, Real’s digital games division. Backstage is best known for partnering with iWin on the popular Facebook adaptation of FremantleMedia’s hit TV game show Family Feud™.

“As we transform RealNetworks, we will focus on areas with strong revenue growth and profit potential that will realize the value of our core businesses,” said Bob Kimball, CEO of RealNetworks. “The most compelling growth opportunity in games today is social games, and this acquisition is part of our commitment to make our entire GameHouse business social.”

Earlier this year, GameHouse announced GameHouse Fusion™, the first social gaming platform to make all games social and give consumers access to thousands of socially connected games within a massive worldwide casual gaming community across multiple social websites and devices. As a part of GameHouse, Backstage will leverage the platform’s capabilities and contribute to several of the key technological components of the system. GameHouse Fusion currently powers their smartphone game titles like MarbleMixer, along with Facebook games including UNO™, Scrabble®, TextTwist® and Collapse!®. The addition of the Backstage games portfolio extends GameHouse’s presence as a top social games developer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Interactive entertainment company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) have announced that Press Your Luck HD for iPad is now available for $4.99 in the App Store. The game brings an unparalleled Press Your Luck experience to iPad owners, enhanced with stunning new HD graphics and incorporating Multi-Touch game play.

In Press Your Luck HD, players assume the role of one of the three contestants competing to win by answering a series of trivia questions correctly, to earn “spins” on the Big Board of cash and prizes. Whichever player ends the game with the highest earnings wins, while successfully avoiding the dreaded ‘Whammy’ or risking the loss of all winnings.

“Ludia is thrilled to expand our iPad offering on the App Store with another classic game show in HD, starring the famously mischievous Whammy character,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “Press Your Luck HD brings all the humor and family entertainment of the TV show straight to the screens of iPad owners across North America.”

Press Your Luck HD features:

* Two game modes: single player and multiplayer.
* Hundreds of trivia questions and game play punctuated by dozens of hilarious ‘Whammy’ animations.
* Authentic graphics, stages, Big Board, and other game elements combined with familiar music and sound effects to create a true-to-show game experience.
* Customizable 3D player avatars: choose hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more.
* Unlock bonus items as a reward for progress in the game.

“We are pleased that the millions of Press Your Luck television game show fans will now be able to enjoy their very own Press Your Luck HD game experience, thanks to thrilling devices like the iPad,” added Olivier Delfosse, Director of Interactive for program licensor FME. “

Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that a fully playable demo of EA Sports™ FIFA Soccer 11 is available to download beginning today for the PlayStation®3, for the Xbox 360® Xbox Live Gold Members from Xbox Live Marketplace and for PC. Xbox Live Silver Members will have access to the demo beginning September 23.

Play as Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Lyonnais and experience how FIFA Soccer 11 reinvents player authenticity–on and off the ball–with all-new Personality+. Individual abilities are now reflected in-game, allowing clear differentiation for every player on the pitch. Plus, experience true freedom in man-to-man interactions with 360° Fight for Possession that transforms physical play from lateral jostling to full 360° collisions and new Pro Passing, where pass accuracy is determined by a gamer’s ability on the control pad, and player skill, situation and urgency on the pitch. The FIFA Soccer 11 demo features an exhibition match with 3 minute halves in Real Madrid’s home stadium, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and users will be able to upload created in-game videos to EA SPORTS Football World. Fans who go to Facebook® to play EA SPORTS FIFA Superstars and complete achievements will receive exclusive access to Arsenal and Emirates Stadium to play in the FIFA Soccer 11 demo.

EA SPORTS today also unveiled its global lineup of international stars that will adorn FIFA Soccer 11 packaging and be integrated into marketing and advertising campaigns around the world. FIFA Soccer 11 will be localized into 18 languages and available in 51 countries. Led by the 28-year-old Brazilian, Kaka, the 17 global superstars hail from 15 countries, represent 14 different teams and play in 9 international leagues, an ideal match for the World’s best-selling* sports videogame. With 2 FIFA World Cup™ titles, 5 Champions League titles, 32 national championships and 1 European title, EA SPORTS presents the strongest team of cover athletes it has ever assembled for its FIFA Soccer franchise.

“It is a great honor to unite so many exceptional players on the FIFA Soccer 11 team of cover athletes,” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President of Soccer, EA SPORTS. “This mix of superstars from all over the world, each with their own unique style and passion for the game, and their different kind of amazing playing styles perfectly represents what FIFA Soccer 11 stands for – a true authentic and global game of unprecedented quality.”

Capcom and Blue Castle Games have made two big announcements at the Tokyo Game Show. The biggest news of course was the formal acquisition of Blue Castle Games by Capcom, with the studio becoming Capcom Games Studio Vancouver. Speaking at Capcom’s TGS press conference, Blue Castle president Rob Barrett stated that “We’re really honoured that Inafune sees such potential in us, and we take this responsibility very seriously.”

Also announced at the press conference was the next downloadable content expansion for the Dead Rising franchise. Complimenting Dead Rising 2™: Case Zero, Dead Rising 2: Case West will extend the Dead Rising 2 experience by delivering brand new content and the return of a familiar face. Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® online entertainment system following the release of Dead Rising 2™, Dead Rising 2: Case West will see Frank West team up with Chuck Greene for some serious co-op action. In co-op mode, Xbox LIVE®Gold members will see the two protagonists delve deeper into the reasons behind the Fortune City outbreak and provide further links to the Willamette incident.

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TransGaming, Inc. has unveiled a completely redesigned and innovative GameTreeTV user experience at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco. Scheduled to be commercially deployed this fall to European television audiences, the GameTreeTV Platform delivers a comprehensive on-demand video game experience for consumers that is optimized for HD TV through the next generation of set-top boxes and connected consumer electronic (CE) devices based on Intel® CE Media Processors.

The GameTreeTV user experience brings an interactive and intuitive design to digital home gaming, allowing consumers to easily browse through a comprehensive catalog of content to quickly access their favorite games with ease. The design offers game developers a dynamic and visibly compelling user interface where their games can be promoted, showcased and searched easily by consumers. Each game profile in the catalog leverages a variety of video trailers, screenshots and descriptive game content, plus the Platform provides a multi-lingual localized game play experience for consumers around the world.

The release of this new interactive user experience coupled with the extensive game catalog and innovative payment models for consumers, positions GameTreeTV as the premier on-demand gaming platform for all Intel® CE Media Processor based devices. In addition, the recent launch of the GameTreeTV Authorized Developer Program now provides the rapidly growing interactive App-TV marketplace with both a rich third party game development community and a compelling gaming platform experience.

“We’ve designed what I believe to be an exceptionally innovative user experience that aligns to the high quality entertainment and interactive nature of video games. The GameTreeTV user experience is representative of the next generation of interactive platforms that consumers expect, delivering an immersive and enriching game play experience”, commented Blake Lewin, President of TransGaming Digital Home. “Our entire strategy in the design of the user interface is to deliver an interactive and engaging experience that resonates with both the caliber of our content and with the global consumer market. We believe we’ve accomplished this with great success.”

The GameTreeTV Platform will be delivered to consumers through an array of distribution vehicles such as Managed Service Operators (MSO), global OEMs (connected consumer electronics), and related digital media solutions providers. The GameTreeTV Platform will be launching this fall in select European markets and then scaling quickly through 2011 globally.

“Cable providers want to offer new services and entertainment options to their subscribers, and we believe casual gaming will be an integral part of an immersive next generation experience”, said Bob Ferreira, General Manager, Cable Segment, Intel Digital Home Group. “The GameTreeTV Platform offers a rich portfolio of video games, while set top boxes based on Intel® CE media processors provide the performance for an enjoyable user experience. TransGaming provides both rich technology and a flexible business model to fit the requirements of the cable industry.”

The full GameTreeTV experience is being showcased in the SmartTV pavilion at the Intel Developer Forum this week. GameTreeTV is launching later this fall in Europe with some of the industry’s most respected video game developers, including PopCap Games, Paramount, Sandlot Games, 2D Boy, Her Interactive, Playrix, Blitz Games and more. Combined, these developers bring hundreds of games to the global catalog that consumers will enjoy through GameTreeTV.

Cable operators, Managed Service Operators (MSOs), and CE manufacturers globally are embracing Intel’s new CE media processors and are ushering in a new generation of broadband-based interactive offerings for their digital home consumers. TransGaming is working closely with companies around the world to ensure the revolutionary gaming experience provided by GameTreeTV is available to a global consumer television audience.

Regina-based NetSecure Technologies, a provider of online transaction security solutions for financial institutions has announced that its personal credit card reader, SmartSwipe, is now compatible with the Firefox® Web browser 3.6 or higher. Made available to financial institutions earlier this year, SmartSwipe helps protect consumers’ private information, while they shop online. The device is also compatible with Explorer 6.

“By enabling SmartSwipe to operate with various Web browsers, the personal credit card reader is a viable security option to a broader customer base,” said Daniel McCann, president, NetSecure Technologies. “For financial institutions, this means the potential for increased sales through bank-branded credit cards. Because of the security benefits, consumers are more likely to shop with that card, making SmartSwipe the ultimate “top of the wallet” product for financial institutions.”

“Additionally, SmartSwipe improves customer satisfaction and confidence,” McCann continued. “Confidence in banking is at an all-time low, but by offering a personal security device that puts the consumer in control, financial institutions have an opportunity regain trust.”

Hackers are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, and anti-virus software is no longer enough to protect consumers. SmartSwipe provides proactive protection against all existing attacks as well as new emerging attacks, such as the latest Zeus Trojan virus, reported to have stolen more than $1 million from U.K. bank accounts this summer.

By leveraging NetSecure’s Dynamic SSL technology, SmartSwipe secures sensitive data at the point of origin, before it ever reaches the computer, protecting sensitive financial and personal information from endpoint threats such as keylogging, Spyware and Man-in-the-Browser.

Virtual-Vancouver.com will host a Virtual Night of Comedy, a real-time web stream of an all-star comedy event scheduled Sept. 16 at BBQues restaurant. This marks the first time this kind of live comedy and entertainment has been made available to thousands of residents without leaving their homes.

The local barbecue eatery has teamed with Virtual-Vancouver.com parent company Utherverse Digital to host the event on stage while simulcasting it live online at BBQues in-world location. Attendees in real life will be able to watch virtual avatars within the 3D world via TVs located throughout the restaurant, while virtual partygoers will see the live in-person event from within the online world.

“This provides a new, exciting and unique experience for people to view live entertainment either in person or in the virtual world if they can’t make it to the actual event,” Utherverse President Zak Zarry said.

The event will be hosted by local comedian Greg Kettner and will showcase top-rated acts that have been featured at Yuk Yuks, Just for Laughs, CTV’s Comedy Now, Las Vegas HBO Comedy Festival and Canada’s Next Top Comic. The headlining act will be Patrick Maliha, supported by fellow funnymen Chris James, Kyle Jones and several others.

The live web stream will start Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. in the BBQues virtual space with a $5 cover charge. The virtual event also will have a small cover charge using a virtual currency called “Rays.” BBQues’ physical location is 1043 Mainland St. in Yaletown.