Village Gamer

Interactive Ontario has announced the launch of X-Summit, a new cross-media conference and partnering forum, taking place October 24-26th at The Carlu in Toronto. X-Summit is the evolution of IN: The Interactive Exchange, IO’s highly successful, multi-platform conference which celebrated its fifth anniversary last fall. X-Summit is co-produced by the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), with the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) as Lead Industry Partner.

X-Summit marks the first time three screen-based member associations from the interactive, animation, and film and television production industries have collaborated on a cross-media business conference. IO is also pleased to announce the Canada Media Fund has signed on as X-Summit’s Presenting Partner. This partnership will also include the next iteration of the Canadian Interactive Showcase, presented by CMF, where submissions from interactive projects across Canada will be considered for a showcase to be held during X-Summit.

X-Summit will explore rich and emerging opportunities where media platforms converge, offering attendees the insights, tools and partnerships to better tell and sell their stories seamlessly across multiple channels.

“Canada is a powerhouse in the interactive entertainment industry,” said Ian Kelso, President and CEO of Interactive Ontario. “Our ability to collaborate and develop across all platforms gives us an amazing competitive advantage to create leading-edge products and services. X-Summit will be an international destination for developers and producers to gather critical intelligence and forge new relationships.”

“Canadian content creators who traditionally use television and film as a primary output source for their talent and art are developing valuable partnerships with interactive industries to give a greater experience to audiences around the world,” said Wes Lui, President, CASO. “ X-Summit is a place where creators and technologists from all industries can meet, offering more to distributors, buyers and aggregators. CASO feels privileged to be a part of an alliance that brings higher value of all our member associations on a global stage.”

“Now more than ever there is tremendous value in having a forum to discuss partnerships among film, TV and interactive content producers. The Canada Media Fund is helping to drive innovation and opportunities are opening up in the international marketplace for Canadian producers,” says Norm Bolen, President and CEO of the CMPA. “We’re pleased to be the lead industry partner for X-Summit and are confident this conference will provide valuable insights into the rapidly evolving world of cross-media.”

X-Summit explores the future of cross-media content through active learning, hands-on workshops, round-table discussions, one-on-one meetings, dynamic panel discussions, cutting-edge demonstrations and networking opportunities. Registration is now open and more details will be available soon on the conference web site.

For our European readers: Hot cars, exotic travel and Need for Speed, the world’s top racing video game – are you up for the ultimate job? Beginning today, EA and Need for Speed is conducting the 2011 ‘Need for Speed European Spokesmodel Search’. This continent-wide search is set to discover two women with boundless energy, an outgoing personality and an edgy style fused with a passion for cars and gaming.

The winners will act as Need for Speed ambassadors at events throughout 2012 including representing Need for Speed products at high profile gaming events across Europe and our Team Need for Speed racing team in the prestigious FIA GT3 European Championship and Euro Drift program.

Models searches are being conducted in Six territories: France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Finalists will be selected from each territory with the final two winners being announced in November in conjunction with the release of Need for Speed The Run.

Along with the chance to represent the UK in the grand final, two UK regional finalists will win £1500 worth of entertainment merchandise. The UK regional competition is now live for online entries.

Since 1994, Need for Speed has been a leading force in gaming and automotive culture.  With over 115 million units sold, Need for Speed has debuted some of the world’s hottest cars like the Pagani Huayra and Nissan GT-R.  It has also featured actors, models, musicians including Brooke Burke, Kelly Brook, Maggie Q, Kanye West, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Prodigy.

From the Golden Gate to the Empire State, Need for Speed The Run, in development at EA Black Box, takes players on a heart-pounding, high-stakes race that will have players surrounded by the constant feeling of danger. The heat is on and lethal action unfolds as gamers not only get out of the car for the first time, but also get up-close and personal with the franchise’s first hero, Jack – all while battling hundreds of the world’s most notorious racers. Weaving through dense urban traffic, rocketing down icy mountain passes and navigating narrow canyons at breakneck speeds, players will be challenged in this illicit race for their life.

Technology innovation and licensing company Wi-LAN Inc. has announced that the Company and Texas Instruments, Incorporated have reached an agreement to end litigation regarding Bluetooth (No. 2:10-cv-00124) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Terms of the agreement, including financial amounts to be paid to WiLAN, are confidential.

RAM Media Company of Hamilton has been commissioned by a US Television & Radio Network to find new Television Programming, whether completely produced, in production or in conceptual stages.

Programming to be considered must complete and submit the RAM Media Company Submission Release Form (PDF) along with a Show Proposal or Treatment telling us about your show.

Online marketing network Fondness Media has started a brand new initiative to promote awareness of health and gourmet cooking in local communities. The company has planned a series of contests worldwide. The first of these happened in Gatineau on June 20th. At the hub of the Fondness Media network is Gourmet Recipe, a site that draws more than ten million visitors.

“Fondness Media has created Gourmet Heartbeat©, combining a very rich and extensive online presence, a value system deeply rooted in creating quality, and a fun experience for people worldwide,” said Herve Ngalani, COO of Fondness Media. “A growing community of people keeps our heartbeat ticking every day with fun, exciting stories and rich life experiences. An appetizer contest can be started by an individual or company that is interested in involving a local community.‘What we are looking for are individuals and companies with a cause close to their community.”

If you are an individual or an organization interested in hosting a new contest, Fondness Media will be happy to talk to you. Their screening process is very simple and straight forward. As a starting point, please visit the Ask About New Contests for more information.

Big Bad Brush has announced that their much anticipated iOS game Big Sticky, will be available on the app store on July 26, 2011 (pending review and approval). Utilizing intuitive controls combined with original gameplay, Big Sticky will be sure to dazzle, challenge, and entertain gamers of all ages. Stay tuned for follow up releases with promo codes.

Sticky is a purple frog prince who was living happily with his princess until one day chaos erupted when a jealous lonely castle abducted her, along with all of the other princesses in the world! Injured by the evil castle, Sticky is forced to use his Big Sticky tongue to stick and swing in search of his beloved princess.

With simple intuitive controls combined with an original gameplay experience, players help Sticky conquer the evil castle, moving him through the levels with his sticky frog tongue. By simply tapping the screen, players will use a stick and swing action to get Sticky to the castle door, where he then must save the princess hidden within each level. With a total of 51 platform-styled puzzle levels, there are always new obstacles and challenges to overcome.

Join Sticky in this wild sticky adventure as you swing over snow, lava, enchanted platforms, moving walls and more. Everyone needs a little purple hero and there’s never a dull moment in this fairy O’ tale.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iv1MiSPV4c]

Big Sticky Features:

• Original gameplay with simple intuitive controls
• Using the tongue, tap to stick and swing away
• 51 platformer puzzle levels to overcome
• 5 beautifully illustrated worlds to explore
• Many out of this world princesses to save
• Collect roses and earn gold trophies
• Obstacles such as fireballs, moving walls, switches and more
• Available on iPhone, iPod and iPad

Visa Canada has announced that ticket packages will be on sale exclusively for Visa cardholders as of 10 a.m. ET today for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival®. Visa has been a proud sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival since 1997.

Until July 10, Visa cardholders will have advance access to the ticket packages available, including the TIFF Choice Packs for the Visa Screening Room at the Elgin Theatre.  Only Visa cardholders have early access to special Premium Packs, like the ‘Closing Night at Roy Thomson Hall’ package which includes a premium screening of the closing night film and a cocktail reception.

“As we look forward to another spectacular year at the Toronto International Film Festival, Visa is proud to offer our cardholders exclusive advance access to these ticket packages,” said Brenda Woods, Head of Marketing, Visa Canada. “We are thrilled to give Visa cardholders the opportunity to enjoy TIFF with special benefits and access that they wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

The 36th Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 8 to September 18, 2011. Ticket packages go on sale exclusively for Visa cardholders at 10 a.m. ET today, and can be purchased online, by phone Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 416-599-TIFF or 1-888-599-8433, and in person at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Box Office at 350 King St. West from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

TVOKids host Gisèle, star of TVO’s early learning program block Gisèle’s Big Backyard, will share the magic of reading with preschool children in Oshawa when her Read with Gisèle tour visits the Legends Centre Branch Library on Saturday July 16.

The Read with Gisèle tour showcases Gisèle reading the book of the month from her Big Backyard Book Club at libraries across the province in an effort to inspire children and their families to read every day. Preschoolers can watch the Book Club on television, participate in the club online, and now enjoy it in person as Gisèle reads accessible, easy-to-read-aloud books by Canadian authors.

Gisèle will read the book Hannah’s Collections, written and illustrated by Marthe Jocelyn. It tells the story of Hannah, who loves to collect everything from buttons and feathers to dolls and leaves. But she has so many collections, she doesn’t know which one to bring to school for show and tell. Each child attending the reading will receive a book bag, a bookmark and a free copy of the book Caramba by Canadian author-illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. Kids will also have a chance meet Gisèle and have her autograph their book.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing the Big Backyard Book Club to life at libraries across Ontario. Reading aloud with children is a great way to develop their early literacy skills, so I hope the Read with Gisèle tour will inspire kids and their families to enjoy reading together every day,” says Gisèle Corinthios, host of Gisèle’s Big Backyard.

Kids can also participate in Gisèle’s Big Backyard Book Club online at tvokids.com, where they can watch videos of Gisèle reviewing books and see kids answering questions about the stories, share feedback on how the stories made them feel, and submit their own reviews of books they have read.

Read with Gisèle events are free and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis as seating is limited.

Read with Gisèle!
Saturday July 16
1:30 pm
Oshawa Public Library Legends Centre Branch
1661 Harmony Rd. North, Oshawa

The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Canadian Geographic to invite Canadians to participate in the fourth annual Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year contest. Canada’s best wildlife photograph to be selected among thousands of entries from across the country will be featured on a superbly-crafted collector coin, to be issued by the Mint in 2012.

Until September 2, 2011, Canadians can submit a maximum of ten photographs of Canadian wildlife in any of the five contest categories: Amphibians, Reptiles and Insects; Birds; Mammals; People and Pets; and Junior Photographer (ages 15 and under). In addition to featuring the grand prize winner’s entry on a collector coin, the Mint will also award prizes to the contest’s five category winners, 10 runner-ups and 15 honourable mentions.

“The Royal Canadian Mint is always proud to showcase wildlife through the work of talented Canadians on coins whose designs and craftsmanship captivate collectors, in Canada and around the world,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Canadian Geographic in a unique contest which brings together thousands of photographers from across Canada to celebrate the wealth and variety of our wildlife heritage.”

“Photography is one of the cornerstones of Canadian Geographic and we are thoroughly delighted to partner with the Royal Canadian Mint on the 4th annual Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year contest,” said André Préfontaine, President and Publisher of Canadian Geographic. “Our partnership with the Royal Canadian Mint enriches the contest and featuring the grand prize winning photograph on a collector coin offers an unparalleled opportunity for Canadian photographers.”

The grand prize winner and five category winners will see their entries published in the December 2011 issue of Canadian Geographic. Additionally, the amazing work of the category winners will be showcased in a wildlife photography exhibit which will make its debut at Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature in 2012.

**Something that should be a foregone conclusion when photographing wildlife. Do not put yourself in harm’s way to get that perfect shot. This past weekend, there were numerous highways reader boards up reminding people to not stop on the highway to view wildlife, and what did we see? People out of their cars, or standing beside their bikes on the side of the highway, taking photos of a black bear cub. Remember, people – where there is a baby bear, there is a big mama bear. You do not want to mess with mama bear. Or BC’s mama deer either, for that matter.**

Transcontinental Interactive has partnered with innovative wireless network Wind Mobile to provide short code connectivity to its customers across the country. Short codes, significantly shorter telephone numbers that address SMS and MMS messages to and from a mobile phone, are often used to receive news and alerts, as well as to donate to charitable organizations or send information to some emergency services.

Some of the services Wind Mobile customers will now be able to subscribe to include transportation short codes for the TTC in Toronto and TransLink in Vancouver, Airport information for both Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport as well as news alerts from CBC.

Transcontinental Interactive is a leader in strategy, content and multi-channel delivery systems. It is recognized for its quality of partnerships, flexibility, and ability to anticipate consumer demands using new communications platforms, including mobile, making the partnership with Wind Mobile a perfect fit.

“At Transcontinental Interactive, we are proud of the solutions we deliver and the relationships we have developed with companies such as Wind,” said Christian Trudeau, President of Transcontinental Interactive. “It is an honour to have such innovative businesses recognize Transcontinental as a company that is trustworthy and that delivers on its promise. We are thrilled to work with Wind.”

The Wind partnership represents another way that Transcontinental Interactive is demonstrating leadership in technology and marketing solutions. By working with Wind to provide short code connectivity for consumers, Transcontinental Interactive continues to extend its commitment to providing day-to-day solutions for its clients and end consumers.

“We chose to work with Transcontinental Interactive because of their expertise, reputation and exceptional service,” says Scott Campbell, CMO of Wind Mobile. “As well, we are impressed with Transcontinental’s ability to connect to other areas of the industry that will ensure the best possible platform for our consumers.”