Village Gamer

Village Gamer is Proud to Be Canadian

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Edmonton – A Smartphone as an x-ray machine? “There’s an app for that.” This phrase is starting to become as commonplace as saying “hello” when answering the phone. According to Gartner Research, Smartphone consumers are estimated to spend more than $6 billion and download over 4.5 billion mobile applications this year. With the mounting popularity of this phenomenon, AppBoy launched an easy-to-use, revolutionary social network that aims at connecting mobile app developers and users.

“AppBoy was developed to help developers get their apps discovered and to help users navigate through the thousands of available apps to find the ones they like,” says Thorren Koopmans, Director of Operations for AppBoy.

With more than 100,000 apps on the market, it’s difficult for app entrepreneurs to stand out. AppBoy gives app developers of multiple platforms (Android, iPhone, Palm and Blackberry) an opportunity to easily showcase their work and market their creations to mobile app lovers. Through personal developer profile pages created on the site, developers can share their ideas and even create their own app store. Apps sold through the social network also earn the developer a share of the profits.

AppBoy also has a lot to offer for those who aren’t building their own apps. Any user with ideas that are useful, smart or just plain entertaining can submit them to the website. Visitors to the social network have the ability to vote and comment on submissions. If the ideas generate enough votes, AppBoy rewards the user $250 and creates the app.

“We already have a great value proposition for both developers and end users, but we’re just getting started. There are big updates coming that are going to make AppBoy that much better.”

AppBoy has partnered with Best Buy Mobile as its sole provider of mobile apps for all platforms. In Oct. 2009, Mashable selected AppBoy as the “Spark of Genius” startup of the week. AppBoy has also been featured on “Click,” the BBC’s flagship technology program. Since launching, hundreds of app ideas have been submitted. The winning idea will be selected later this month.

Toronto – Portfolio Entertainment Inc. has unveiled its inaugural “In Toon With Tweens” animation contest, an initiative designed to encourage creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking by throwing the doors open to new voices within the global animation community. Portfolio Entertainment invites animators and creators with serious comedy chops to submit their original projects – television or multiplatform – for a chance at $10,000 CDN in cash as part of Option and Development Agreements. The call for submissions officially opens today, entries must be received by June 15, 2010 and winners will be notified on September 15, 2010. The contest was announced today by Portfolio Entertainment’s Co-Founders & Presidents, Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen.

The challenge is to find original comedy submissions that are fresh, surprising and utterly new for kids 8 to 12 years old. A first prize of $7,500 CDN will be awarded as part of a two-year Option and Development Agreement and a second prize of $2,500 CDN as part of a one-year Option and Development Agreement will go to the runner up.

“Our approach at Portfolio is to break the mold with each new project we develop,” said Lisa Olfman, Co-Founder and President of the company. “What better way to nurture emerging talent and encourage established talent to be fearless, than by throwing open our doors with this animation initiative.”

Through “In Toon With Tweens,” the top 15 finalists, as selected by Portfolio Entertainment, will also gain unprecedented exposure to industry decision-makers in kids’ television and new media. The distinguished panel of Judges will be comprised of Portfolio Entertainment executives, broadcasters and prominent industry veterans who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eligibility requirements include some professional industry experience. Complete guidelines and instructions for submission can be found online. Winning entries will be selected by the panel of Judges based on the most entertaining, innovative and bold concepts.

Vancouver – Slant Six Games‘ latest SOCOM title is slated to hit stores and the PSN tomorrow. Developed exclusively for the PSP, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 was created with the support of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command.

Continuing to build on the legacy of the critically-acclaimed and hugely popular Fireteam Bravo series, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 has players lead a 4-man fireteam of U.S. Navy SEALs in an action-packed military hunt for weapons of mass destruction and an ex-KGB agent. Not only as the SEAL Commander will you be supported by 3 AI teammates executing the very latest SOCOM team-based tactical, stealth and action maneuvers, but you can easily bring your friends online by playing in a new 4-player co-op mode throughout the single player campaign in both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure, a first on the PSP.

The game’s storyline features Alexander Gozorov, a man who does not want to be found. An ex-KGB agent with ties to the Russian mafia, he has killed everyone who has been sent to find him. Gozorov is believed to have information on a major imminent attack against western interests. Time is running out and your 4-man team of U.S Navy SEALs is sent in to track him down.

As a Team focused game, SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 allows new ways for players to interact, expanding on the team orientated, authentic, military action that the SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo franchise is famous for.

Other game features include:

* Console-like control with intelligent use of cover.
* Strong contemporary narrative supported by cutting edge presentation.
* Cooperative play in Ad Hoc and Infrastructure modes allows for 2-4 player co-ops which include co-op orders, quick join and spectator system.
* Competitive multiplayer for 2-16 players via Ad Hoc and Infrastructure modes.
* Unlock gear and weapons, earn medals and ribbons as you complete objectives, either offline or by teaming up on-line.
* Communicate with teammates via voice chat.
* Continue the action – SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 has an almost limitless combination of custom missions, gear, weapons and difficulty settings.

It is important to note that certain limitations apply to Wi-Fi connectivity, and gamers are asked to check the game’s manual for details. Player is responsible for Wi-Fi fees, and an internet connection and Memory Stock Duo™ may be required.

Edmonton – Dragon Age: Origins players who want to learn more about Bioware’s 2009 blockbuster might want to check out the Dragon Age: Origins Tome of Knowledge. This online wiki resource contains an amazing and continually expanding library of everything Dragon Age. While the wiki is not currently open for players and the public community to participate, this is something that is being considered for the future.

BioWare is also working again with Penny Arcade wizards Gabe and Tycho to create a new comic based on Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening! A six part comic, part one is now live on the new Awakening website. One new comic will be revealed each week, leading up to the launch of Awakening.

Toronto – A reminder that the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is looking for video footage and images from Ontario-based video game development companies to include in an Ontario Video Game Industry Promotional Reel that is being created for the upcoming Game Developers Conference in San Francisco from March 9-13, 2010.

If your company would like to submit material for consideration for the reel please let us know by sending an email to the OMDC by 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Companies that have expressed an interest in participating will be contacted with specifications and directions on where to send their material once these details have been confirmed. While the due date for materials is to be determined it is anticipate that clips will be required no later than end of day on February 18, 2010. Companies will also be required to sign an agreement by this date that provides OMDC with the right to use the material supplied in the reel.

Ottawa – CATAAlliance has announced that nominations are now open for two innovation awards which will be presented on May 19th, 2010 in Ottawa at the CATAAlliance’s Annual Innovation Awards Gala Dinner, a 25 year tradition of recognizing outstanding technological innovation and corporate leadership in expanding the frontiers of Canada’s advanced technology industries. Appropriately, this year’s theme is “The Future is Mobile!” CTV Host, Paul Brent will be returning as the guest MC and moderator of a stellar Mobility Panel of High Tech business leaders focusing on the keys to world class success.

The Outstanding Product Achievement Award recognizes excellence in the Content and Applications Mobility Industry. The Award is named after one of world’s leading telecommunications firms, Ericsson. Presented to a Canadian organization for an outstanding technology engineering development which has resulted in the production of a world-class Mobility product or family of products, the winning product will have proven itself in operation and its design and market success will have enhanced Canada’s international reputation for innovation and excellence.  Finalists and award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee comprising experts drawn from the CATAAlliance Governing Council and Ericsson Canada.

The Peter Brojde Award for Canada’s Next Generation Executive Leadership recognizes the executive leadership of an individual who has had a major impact on the creation, success and/or transformation of their enterprise. Candidates will typically hold senior positions such as CEO, CFO, COO, President or Vice-President. The winner will be representative of Canada’s next generation of Innovation Nation business leaders.

Mobile World Congress – Microsoft has unveiled their Windows Phone 7 Series, and developer opportunities abound.  According to the Windows blog, the platform will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience to phones.

“Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “In a crowded market filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. Windows Phone 7 Series marks a turning point toward phones that truly reflect the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people and all kinds of seamless experiences.”

A new platform is going to need new Apps – a great opportunity for our Canadian mobile developers for this new platform, which is supposed to be available on Windows phones later this year. Maybe by then I’ll be able to justify owning a smartphone that is separate from the dumbphone I have to use for my paying job. Having to use a “Mike” phone can be so inconvenient at times – and yes, I know there is a Blackberry which is made for the “Mike” network – however, its performance is less than exemplary, including non-user-friendly text functions. Can’t anyone come up with a better smartphone for that network?