Village Gamer

Fusion informatics has announced the opening of its new office in Canada (in the 905 area code region), where it hopes to benefit from the iPhone application development market boom. The company is also preparing to open other new branches not only in Canada but also in other parts of the world, adding to their branches already open in the USA, UK, Australia and its home country, India.

The company states that their new Canadian office will be handing only Canadian-based customers and will provide services related to software development for mobile devices including Android tablet applications, BlackBerry applications, iPhone and iPad applications and eCommerce website development. The company also stated that it has 10 years of experience and that their teams can work on any challenging project, using their past experience to create unique and useful applications.

The Green Men, the two super fans known as Force and Sully who root for the Vancouver Canucks, aim to spice up Hockey Night in Canada’s upcoming broadcast with their antics. As I mentioned on Thursday, the Green Men were hosting a Fan Rally yesterday at the Robson Square Skating Rink in Vancouver. Just before the Fan Rally, the Green Men announced that they will be making the trip to Boston to watch their beloved Canucks play the Boston Bruins for Games Three and Four of the Stanley Cup finals — thanks to Travelzoo Inc., a global Internet media company.

“In Vancouver and across Canada this spring the Canucks are the big story,” says Sully.  “We’re going to help make Vancouver’s hockey story a little bigger in Boston next week. Our goal is to get some rings on the Canucks’ fingers and we’re not going to sleep until that happens.”

The Green Men have caught the nation’s attention for their fun antics at Canucks games and have even spawned a whole group of imitators.

“I don’t think we’ll be honoured with a Key to the City, but we’re thrilled to be traveling to Boston for both games and look forward to visiting — as only Green Men can,” says Force.  “Lots of people have offered us money but we can’t justify taking any other fans hard earned money. However, when Travelzoo asked us if we were interested in bringing the Green to Beantown ,we were more than stoked.”

“As well as being deal experts, the team at Travelzoo Canada are huge Canucks fans. So when we heard that The Green Men might need help getting to the final, we just had to help out and find a deal that would get them there to support Canada’s team” said Lara Barlow, Country Manager for Travelzoo Canada. “Hockey and sports fans everywhere love to travel and support their teams abroad. So, it’s a great fit for our brand.”

In honour of the Vancouver Green Men, Travelzoo Canada will be giving out a phenomenal trip for two to anyone who is a member or signs up to be a member at Travelzoo.

Hockey Fever may have overtaken BC, but Red Bull Racing is ready to continue a phenomenal season at the Grand Prix du Canada in Montreal on June 10-12, 2011, with an exclusive weapon to dominate the weekend, the Red Bull Racing: Montreal Invasion App, delivering Formula One enthusiasts and Red Bull Racing fans everything they need to know about the sport and the teams, as well as an interactive urban guide on how to party in style in Montreal, the Red Bull way. The new Red Bull Racing: Montreal Invasion app is now available as a free download from the Apple App Store, all you need is an iPhone or iPod. It is rated 4+ and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The App requires iOS 4.0 or later to run.

Featuring exclusive information about the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams, the Red Bull Racing: Montreal Invasion app offers unique content and drivers’ insights about each and all sections along the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, practice sessions, and their journey in Montreal. The exciting world of Formula One is now at your fingertips and accessible anywhere! Stories beyond the ordinary—from interviews with the 2010 World Champ Sebastian Vettel and his teammate Mark Webber, to feedback from the team’s principal Christian Horner and RBR CTO Adrian Newey. All while they prep for the 7^th race of the 2011 season in front of more than 300,000 spectators—making the app the perfect guide for an exciting F1 experience.

Download the app to learn about every bar, every restaurant, every night that gives you a true taste of Montreal, the Red Bull way. Keen to go for a bite or a drink with a certain vibe, the right crowd, close to your hotel, and without a dress code? Whatever it is, the app will tell you where it’s at!

Red Bull Racing: Montreal Invasion app users will access unique content such as breathtaking videos and exclusive insights from the drivers throughout race week. With feedback, comments, and photos delivered live from the paddocks, the app users will feel like if they were in the pits with the teams. Formula One enthusiasts will also get live results of the Grand Prix du Canada at their fingertips. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel give you track insights and you can check-in to flag your presence at the race.

Highlights of the Red Bull Racing: Montreal Invasion App:

• Valuable daily insights on the city’s trendiest bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, sport facilities, and spas.
• Augmented reality to find where to eat, where to party, where to sleep, where to shop, and where to hang out with your friends in Montreal.
• Live results from the Grand Prix du Canada and details about the drivers and the all-new RB7.
• Check-in option to flag your presence at the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
• Daily exclusive insights from the drivers.
• Integration to Facebook and Twitter live feeds to take the pulse of the buzz as it happens.
• Available in English and French.

Exclusive Contest: Win a pit tour on opening day!
Download the app for a chance to win a PIT TOUR with Red Bull Racing on opening day! The winner and his friend will get access to the pits at the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Make sure you download the app before Tuesday, June 7 11:59 p.m. EDT to enter the contest.

Skills/Compétences Canada, a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, announced today the results of the 17^th Skills Canada National Competition, which took place June 1-4, 2011 in Québec.  The national Competition brought together over 500 competitors, 3,000 delegates and over 150 industry Sponsors and Partners.

The Skills Canada National Competition is the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country. The two-day competition took place at the Centre de Foires, ExpoCité where 40 different events were showcased in six major trades and technology categories: transportation, construction, manufacturing, information and technology, service and employment.

“Industries that depend on skilled trade workers are key drivers of our economy and contribute over 50% of Canada’s GDP,” said Shaun Thorson, Executive Director, Skills/Compétences Canada. “The Skills Canada National Competition is a unique event that helps showcase and raise awareness for the broad range of opportunities to be found in the trades, while demonstrating the depth of talent within the skills movement in Canada.”

The Competition featured 40 different assigned projects created by industry and education representatives of the Skills/Compétences Canada National Technical Committee. Competitors were evaluated by independent judges from the respective industry sectors, who based their decisions on industry standards and established work practices, including such criteria as quality of work, safety, cleanliness, skill level and creativity.

“An event like the Skills Canada National Competition gives me great encouragement about the future of skilled trades and technology careers in Canada. I am so proud of the caliber of projects showcased at this event, and I look forward to continuing to support unique programs and competitions that promote skilled trades to young people.” said Mike Holmes, Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor and host and creator of Holmes on Homes™, who was but one of the numerous special guests and dignitaries attracted by the event. Read the rest of this entry »

After dropping the Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Fund from that province’s budget in 2010, the province’s government has introduced a new Commercialization Support for Business Program to assist with the supporting of product and process commercialization and business development in all sectors and all regions of the province. The Commercialization Support for Business Program will help entrepreneurs every step of the way at every stage of the business lifecycle.

Commercialization Support for Business includes:

1. Concept Development (Max up to $25,000) – from concept to prototype development
2. Product Development (Max up to $40,000) – pre-commercialization activities like feasibility or engineering analyses, trial production and test marketing
3. Product Commercialization (Max up to $200,000) – moving from prototype to market-ready product.
4. Market Development (Max $30,000) – materials and activities needed to enter new markets successfully
5. Certification Assistance (Max $15,000) – obtaining plant or product certification
6. Intellectual Property (Max $25,000) – securing intellectual property rights for the product or process

Entrepreneurs can access the Program by calling their Manitoba government Industry Consultant and/or Business Development Specialist or by visiting any of the Manitoba Business Gateways, a GO Centre or the Canada/Manitoba Service Centre.

Contact information for Manitoba industry consultants and business development specialists can be found at the following locations:

• Innovation, Energy and Mines:
  • Knowledge Enterprises Branch
  • Energy Division

• Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade:
  • Industry Consultants
  • Manitoba Trade – Contact Us (en anglais seulement)

• Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives –
  • GO Offices and Centres

Hothead Games has made an exclusive Canadian launch of its latest iPhone title Kard Combat, and the developer is asking for your feedback before the game goes to a global release. Available as a free download, Kard Combat is Open Feint enabled, and offers In-App purchases to expand the game’s play as well as a multi-player mode.

According the game’s official site, The Kard is an elite order of wealthy magi. Collectively, they use their immense power to rule over the Forbidden Kingdom from the Black Tower. However, every thousand years there is a shift and they each vie for control of the Tower in a battle of cards and magic.

Players can choose from either a quick duel or a full campaign in Tower Mode. In Tower Mode, each battle takes place on a successive floor of the Black Tower. It is the player’s goal to ascend the Tower floor by floor, ultimately defeating Master Mage Harkus. Only in his defeat can players realize their destiny and determine the fate of the people for the next millennium.

Tower Mode battles often have unique win conditions and special Kards in play that can drastically alter the strategy that players need to employ to defeat their opponent. The deck is made up of over 100 hand-crafted cards and there are four mage-types, each with their own special powers, from which to choose.

According to the game’s site, Kard Combat has a lot of the depth of a collectable card game but without the massive time and money investments that they typically require. At its heart, Kard Combat is a strategy game where players learn how to use the Kards they are dealt at the beginning of a duel most effectively.

It’s much more of a game of skill than chance, though. Players will often be able to choose their reward for winning a battle in Tower Mode, including Kards that will then become part of their deck. While not a traditional CCG, there is collection involved. Each mage has their own set of unique Kards for you to collect as you fight your way up each floor of the Tower. These unique Kards open up very different strategies to the player.

Check out the game’s site where you can learn more about Kard Kombat and look at more of the game’s awesome artwork. Kard Kombat is rated 12+ for the following:

• Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes
• Frequent/Intense Horror/Fear Themes
• Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.

Vancouver’s Full Indie developer community is holding its first ever Game Jam this month at the Centre for Digital Media campus. Taking place over the June 17th weekend, the Jam has had 30 spots available. As of this very moment there are 11 spots available. The entry fee is $25.00 and will cover food, refreshments and space rental – although you are also welcome to bring along your own tasty snacks. WiFi access with loads of sockets will be available; all you really need to bring is your own computing device and imagination.  There will be reserved parking for participants, so long as you get a parking pass when you check in.

The Jam will officially begin at 5pm on Friday evening and run until 8pm Sunday. Jammers are not required to spend every hour at the event, and are in fact encouraged to go home for some sleep if possible. This would obviously be a bit of a challenge for those coming from outside of the city. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the end products that result from the Jam – those of you who are devs and would like to participate – go register now before those last few spaces are gone.

An invitation has been sent out by the BC chapter of CanWIT for a special opportunity to participate in the Circle of Wisdom – Raise The Bar event. This is an evening of dialogue designed for CanWit members or interested members of the community to come together in an intimate setting to connect with experience.

• Hear from 3 women who are successfully operating in a Senior roll (VP or Senior Director)
• Hear first hand personal stories about how the Mentor’s reached senior levels and what made a difference in their careers
• Network with BC tech women who are looking to advance their careers
• Enjoy a rich exchange of wisdom

Speakers:

• Robin Jones – Vice President, Marketing at Active Network
• Molly Mason Boulé – Director of Content Development for EA Sports
• Tabitha Creighton – VP, Services at KnowledgeTech Consulting, Inc.

Your hostess for the evening will be Felicia Bochicchio – VP of Sales, Active Network.

This event will be held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club from 6:00 – 8:00pm on June 23rd. Tickets are $50.00 each, and the registration deadline is June 9th.

Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that, for a second year running, the Canadian participation at the Shanghai International Film Festival will pay tribute to our industry’s vitality and creativity. The events include: Focus Canada, which showcases 10 feature films from June 11 to 19, and on June 13, a day-long celebration of Canadian cinema featuring, among other activities, a screening of Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies and the participation of directors, producers, actors and other representatives of the Canadian industry.

Telefilm Canada and the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), in partnership with the Canadian Consulate General in Shanghai, are taking part in the 2011 Shanghai International Film Festival to promote Canada’s film talent and to support companies seeking to break into this market and develop their international business affairs.

“Shanghai is an essential gateway to the Asian market,” said Telefilm Canada’s Executive Director, Carolle Brabant, who will be attending the Festival. “In keeping with our corporate plan, which aims to stimulate demand for Canadian content in Canada and abroad, we will push to promote Canadian companies and talent so this event yields concrete cultural, industrial and commercial results.”

“Having had the pleasure of getting to know Shanghai for many years now, I am delighted that the citizens of Shanghai will have access to Quebec cinema,” said François Macerola, SODEC’s President and CEO. “Quebec and Shanghai have had a close, longstanding relationship, one that I hope will continue for many years to come and allow us to forge a real and truly vibrant cultural dialogue.”

All of the Canadian films being screened through Focus Canada received funding from the Canada Feature Film Fund, administered by Telefilm Canada. Also worth noting is that the Shanghai International Film Festival will help boost the careers of several films that will receive their world, international or Asian premieres at the Festival.

On the topic of Canadian films at the festival, Lijun Tang, Executive Director of the Shanghai International Film Festival, made the following highly positive statement: “I am really pleased that 10 high-quality Canadian films will be screened via Focus Canada at this year’s festival, its 14^th annual edition. It is wonderful to see that Canadian films are becoming more and more popular with Chinese audiences, especially here in Shanghai. I am certain that programs such as Focus Canada stimulate business relations between Canadian filmmakers and the Chinese movie industry by allowing representatives from both industries to better know one another and to pave the way for future collaboration.” Read the rest of this entry »

Last night, over 25 individuals and organizations were awarded with some of their industry’s most prestigious awards. Northern Alberta’s best communicators came together for IABC Edmonton’s annual Capital Awards Gala at the Winspear Centre to scrutinize, win and network.

“I want to thank everyone who submitted entries and came out to the gala last night to support their peers,” says IABC President Max Frank. “Congratulations go out to all the winners for their exemplary work.”

In the Communications & Marketing Programs & Campaigns category, Awards of Excellence were awarded to The DAGNY Partnership, ATCO Gas & ATCO Electric, Alberta Blue Cross, Calder Bateman Communications and College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta. Awards of Merit were awarded to The Edmonton Public Library and McRobbie Optamedia, with WCB-Alberta receiving both awards.

In the Communications Skills & Tactics category, Syncrude Canada Ltd. was awarded an Award of Excellence, while ATB Financial, Grant MacEwan University, Finning Canada and McRobbie Optamedia were awarded Awards of Merit. In the Special Events category, an Award of Excellence went to WCB-Alberta and an Award of Merit was awarded to ATB Financial. Calder Bateman Communications also won both Awards of Excellence and Merit.

In the Visual Communications category, McRobbie Optamedia won both an Award of Excellence and an Award of Merit, and Incite was awarded an Award of Merit. Lastly, in the Student Category, five Grant MacEwan students won an Award of Excellence.

In addition to the above mentioned categories, IABC Edmonton recognized three individuals with special awards. The Capital Communicator of the Year award went to Trish Bronsch for her support of the importance of communications in her organization’s success. The Communicator of the Year award went to Sherrell Steele, ABC for her exemplary communication strategies and tactics in 2010 and throughout her career. The Member of the Year award went to Jana Clarke for her outstanding service to IABC Edmonton.