Village Gamer

Media Awareness Network (MNet) and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) marked the launch of Canada’s Media Literacy Week yesterday by highlighting the need for parents, educators and youth to talk about the ways that gender is portrayed in media and how this can influence young people’s perceptions of themselves and others.

“Teachers see first-hand how media and information technology influence the manner in which students interact with each other and how they view the world around them. Media Literacy Week is an opportunity for teachers to discuss with and engage young people so they can become literate in the understanding of visual images and media messages,” says CTF President Mary-Lou Donnelly.

Media Literacy Week has been promoting the integration of media literacy activities in communities, schools and families across Canada for the past five years. The week underscores the importance of nurturing critical thinking skills in youth that will help them understand and effectively navigate their media-rich world.

“Media play a powerful role in the lives of youth,” said MNet Co-Executive Director, Cathy Wing. “We need to make sure young people have the skills and knowledge to ensure that their interactions with media are positive and enriching. Media Literacy Week reminds us how important these skills are for our kids.”

Over 40 organizations are collaborating in the week this year, promoting media and digital literacy and hosting a wide range of activities – from film screenings and contests, to discussion panels and workshops – to provide opportunities for adults and youth to think about and discuss media.

As part of its involvement in Media Literacy Week, Women In Games Vancouver will be participating in an educational panel sponsored by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. Moderated by Electric Playground personality Briana McIvor, the event will be held this Friday at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver, one of the few high schools in BC to recognize the importance of digital media careers by offering Grade 11 and 12 students a training programme by way of its Digital Media Academy.

An invitation has been extended to Argyle’s grade 9 & 10 girls for the afternoon panel, which will feature discussion about what types of video games they and their friends like to play, what goes into making some of their favourite video games, and what it takes to work in the video game industry. Several women who work in the Vancouver development industry will be participating and sharing their knowledge with female students who are interested in interactive media careers.

Participants in the panel discussion include Zoë Curnoe (EA Canada), Bryna Dabby (Smoking Gun Interactive), Tara Mustapha (Microsoft), Michelle Chua (United Front Games), Erin Olorenshaw (EA Blackbox). I will also be taking part in the panel, along with Liberal MLA Jane Thornthwaite (North Vancouver-Seymour) and three female students from Argyle Secondary.

One of the goals of this panel is to let girls know that there are many careers within the digital media industry to choose from, and not everyone has to be an artist or a programmer. Panel facilitators Wendy Boylan, Communications Director for Ubisoft Vancouver Inc. and Julien LaVoie, Director of Public Relations for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada will also be present at this event, which will be live-tweeted – just look for the #G&G hashtag on Twitter this Friday.

Please see the Media Literacy Week web site for a complete list of the activities going on across the country.

Transgaming Inc. has launched a brand new web site for its game development studio. Transgaming Studio features information about its launched titles, In The Mix Featuring Armin van Buuren, G-G-Goal, and the recently released PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the WarLords for iOS. Also featured is news about its latest game in development, Garage Inc. for the Mac, PC, iPhone and GameTreeTV. Garage Inc., a time management game set in 1928 Chicago, is based on an original IP by Global Fun and is being produced through a partnership with Breakthrough Entertainment. Players will guide recent Italian immigrant, Angelo Marito, as he tries to manage and grow a car garage. Game play features include the ability to diagnose and fix cars, hire workers, and try to steer clear of the ever-present mob while pursuing the American dream.

Capcom has announced that the Dead Rising 2 Ninja Theme Pack is now available on Xbox Live, Games for Windows Live and the PlayStation Network. With the new ninja pack, Chuck gains a “stealth mode” that allows him to evade zombies by making it harder for them to detect Chuck’s presence. Sword-type weapons (broadswords, katanas, etc.) have their attack power increased and will allow Chuck to perform new special attacks. Stackable items and throwing items such as nails, plates, gems, etc. will also do more damage and Chuck’s throwing speed is increased. The Dead Rising 2 Ninja Theme Pack is available for 160 Microsoft points, or $1.99 on the PlayStation Network.

AudioKinetic’s Wwise 2010.1.2 platform has been nominated for a Game Developer magazine 2010 Front Line Award in the Audio Category. Also named as nominees in this category are FMOD Designer 4.32 (Firelight Technologies), Miles Sound System 8 (RAD Game Tools), ProRemote 2.0.1 (Far Out Labs) and ProTools 8.0.4 (Avid Technology). Read the rest of this entry »

For the past thirty years, audiences around the world have followed Indiana Jones on his quests for treasure, adventure, fortune and glory. And now, Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology, a redefined modern exhibition experience, is coming to a museum near you. This innovative exhibition, made possible by Lucasfilm Ltd., presented by the National Geographic Society and produced by Montreal’s X3 Productions, will feature fascinating artifacts from the National Geographic Society and the Penn Museum, along with an extensive collection of Indiana Jones film materials from the Lucasfilm Archives. This first-of-its kind touring exhibition will be presented in twelve world-class institutions in Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The world premiere run will be held at the Montreal Science Centre, starting April 28, 2011.

Kyra Bowling, Exhibits Manager at Lucasfilm Ltd., is pleased to see that “Dr. Jones has found his way to the museum and accompanies visitors on their very own adventure into the science of field archaeology.” Bowling adds, “The Indiana Jones films have entertained generations of audiences and this exhibition provides a wonderful way to merge that on-screen excitement with the science of archaeology to help inspire learning in a fun, dynamic way.”

Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology not only features a vast and exclusive collection of Indy props, models, concept art and set designs, it also presents a wealth of historical and cultural facts. The internationally renowned University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, otherwise known as the Penn Museum, is providing genuine archaeological artifacts and educational material. The National Geographic Society, the exhibition’s global presenting partner, also shares artifacts, photos, videos and content from its impressive and historic archive. Read the rest of this entry »