Village Gamer

Toronto – Interactive Ontario today announced that registration is now open for INplay 2010. This two-day conference, taking place at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, is designed to bring creators of kids interactive properties and developers together to explore inspiring ideas for the future.

“ INplay promises to bring cutting edge research, innovation, market strategy and inspiration together in this one-of-a-kind conference,” said Ian Kelso, president and CEO of Interactive Ontario. “ IO is proud to collaborate with such great partners, many of whom are global leaders in the kids media entertainment business.”

“With all the changes happening in content creation and delivery, INplay is a huge opportunity for inspiration, to hear some of the latest research, and connect with potential partners in the kids interactive market,” said Ted Brunt, VP Interactive Production, marblemedia.

Early bird pricing ends February 25, 2010. Members of Interactive Ontario receive a further discounts on tickets. For registration, press accreditation and to sign up for the INplay newsletter, visit their website.

INplay is for game developers/publishers, broadcasters, content producers/distributors, interactive/mobile/social media developers, toy/game manufacturers, book/magazine/comic publishers, marketers, researchers/child psychologists and all businesses with interest in the kids’ interactive media.

This project is spearheaded by IO in partnership with industry leaders including: Astral Media Inc, Bitcasters, Blue Print Entertainment, Breakthrough New Media, Capybara Games, CBC, Corus Entertainment, Decode Entertainment, Earth Rangers, Kids Can Press, marblemedia, Meridian Artists, Portfolio Entertainment, Spin Master Ltd., and zinc Roe Inc.

Ottawa – Fuel Industries has had a very busy year, it seems – in a summary of 2009 projects, Fuel released information about their work with EA, Intel & Dell, Microsoft, Toyota, MTV and Screenlife. For the record, I want that screen used in the Intel 360 “Future of the Data Centre” project. Some of Fuel Industries’ work can be found on Facebook in the way of EA Pogo Puppies, an interactive application that allows Facebook users to adopt and care for cute little puppies. The studio also created the SceneIt! Online Facebook App, bringing Screenlife’s interactive trivia games to the masses. Meanwhile, Twitter users were invited to learn, compete and create haiku pieces extolling the virtues of Microsoft’s Windows Server 2008 R2.

Fuel also worked with MTV, Verizon and Electric Farm Entertainment to create a growing online, interactive property for Valemont University through the use of blogs, websites, alternate reality and social media. Toyota and Fuel worked together to build excitement and adventure for Facebook users with their Adventure Finder App. This App, built to promote the new Toyota 4Runner,  uses interactive quizzes to generate possible off-road adventures.

Gormley – Digital Leisure has released a new trailer for the DSiWare version of Dragon’s Lair, which will be available from the Nintendo DSiWare download zone this coming Monday (December 21st).

Dragon’s Lair is a fully animated classic arcade game from legendary animator Don Bluth. You’ll make your way through the castle and caverns below by using your Nintendo DSi to move and wield your sword. Beware of your foes, as they are numerous!

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrtuk6CK8T0]

You play the heroic Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon! Control the actions of the daring adventurer, finding your way through the castle of a dark wizard, who has enchanted it with treacherous monsters and obstacles. In the mysterious caverns below the castle, your odyssey continues against the awesome forces that oppose your efforts to reach the dragon’s lair.

Gatineau – The Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) has become the first museum in Canada, and one of the first in the world, to provide access to its audioguides and other Museum information through the iPhone and iPod Touch. The CMC Mobile Application, developed in partnership with Tristan Interactive of Ottawa, is now available for free from iTunes App Store in both official languages.

Owners of these popular handheld devices can use the mobile application to obtain one-stop access to Museum information from anywhere in the world. Users can plan a visit to the Museum by accessing interactive floor maps, a calendar of events and information about hours of operation, admission fees and public services.

“We are delighted to be the first museum in Canada to provide this cutting-edge and convenient technology to the public,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “This is one more way of bringing the Museum, its exhibitions and programs, to people across Canada and throughout the world. It is a perfect extension of our information-packed website.”

In addition to automatic updates on new Museum programs and exhibitions, two audioguides, previously accessible only on Museum-supplied headsets, are also available on these personal handheld devices. Visitors can now use their mobile devices to listen to the Canada Hall and the First Peoples 40-minute audioguides, the Museum’s largest and most visited exhibition galleries.

“Tristan’s proprietary platform, Autour, allows museums to build rich, interactive applications for mobile devices,” said Chris McLaren, CEO of Tristan Interactive. “We are very proud to be able to help the Canadian Museum of Civilization bring Canada’s history and culture to life through this exciting technology.”

Initially, the application will run exclusively on the iPhone and iPod Touch. It will be downloadable from iTunes App Store through any personal computer or directly to the handheld device within the Museum’s Lobby or Voyageur cafeteria, now equipped with WiFi access. The Museum hopes to expand this public service in the future by adding more content and providing access through other mobile devices.