4th June 2011

Kard Combat Released In Canada By Hothead Games

Hothead GamesHothead 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.Kard Kombat Mages

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 Kard Kombat Fire Cardsmassive 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.

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4th June 2011

Full Indie Game Jam

full indieVancouver’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.

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3rd June 2011

CanWIT BC Circle of Wisdom Networking and Mentoring Series Event

CanWITAn 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:

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.

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3rd June 2011

Focus Canada Returns To The Shanghai International Film Festival

Telefilm CanadaTelefilm 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 14th 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 »

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3rd June 2011

IABC Edmonton Award Winners Named At Gala Event

iabc EdmontonLast 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.

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3rd June 2011

Route1 Comments On Data Security Breaches

route1The hacking and theft of confidential Canadian government data reported yesterday is the latest in a growing number of serious data security breaches. “The increasing pace of these incidents shows the need for all enterprises to rethink their approach to maintaining the security of vital data,” said Tony Busseri, President and CEO of Toronto’s Route1 Inc.

Route1 is a leading provider of data security and identity management technology. Its clients include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Dutch Foreign Ministry, and Canada’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner, as well as private sector corporations.

“More data security breaches are being reported every day,” Mr. Busseri said. “What they reveal is a widespread failure to meet two essential needs. The first is the growing demand for the capability to work remotely using the data within an organization’s network. The second is the vital requirement to control access to that data and to ensure it remains within the protective firewalls of the network. Remote access solutions are simple and readily available but most fail when it comes to identity management and security. That’s clear from the growing number of reported breaches. Too often, organizations go through the motions of constructing barriers to protect data while at the same time ignoring the gaps they create to allow their people to work outside the network. Those gaps allow data out and allow hackers in.”

“Every organization recognizes that the security of its data must be protected. Many are also recognizing that providing their people with the ability to work outside the office is not simply a convenience but a necessity,” added Mr. Busseri. “Route1 technology allows users to access networks from anywhere, anytime, with the highest possible security based on an architecture that keeps data within firewalls. Data security breaches are a huge and costly problem and will only get worse unless all organizations face the reality and take action using the best technology available.”

The growth in security breaches can generally be traced to the use of systems that transfer data outside of network firewalls, that use simple one-factor identity confirmation such as a single password, and that are based on identifying the remote device being used rather than the individual using it. The failing systems also may not control what information within the network the user can access when they are remote. Read the rest of this entry »

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3rd June 2011

Digital Extremes Beamed Aboard Star Trek Project

digital extremesParamount Digital Entertainment confirmed today that Star Trek is under development at Digital Extremes and will be coming to the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and Windows PC in summer 2012.  With an original story and unprecedented co-op experience, the game casts players as Kirk and Spock for the first time ever.

“Star Trek challenges the boundaries of co-op gameplay with a galactic adventure that gamers and fans have never experienced,” said Tom Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “Working closely with the Star Trek filmmaking team throughout development, the game is sure to deliver AAA production values, a wide variety of star trekgameplay and all the action you would expect from the hit franchise. This will be the definitive Star Trek gaming experience.”

The game, which continues the adventure that director and producer J.J. Abrams envisioned with Star Trek (2009), boasts a stand alone story filled with action-packed combat as Kirk and Spock must work together to stop a legendary enemy race bent on conquering the galaxy.

 

Star Trek features an original story by BAFTA award winner and God of War writer, Marianne Krawczyk, in collaboration with the writer/producers of the new Star Trek films, Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Digital Extremes is also working closely with Bad Robot, K/O Paper Products and Damon Lindelof and the game will be published by Paramount Digital Entertainment through a license with CBS Consumer Products.

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3rd June 2011

Acceleware Announces Management Appointments and Option Grant

accelewareHigh performance computing applications developer Acceleware® Ltd. has announced that Heather Stubbs has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Acceleware. In addition, Adam Rock, of the law firm Shea Nerland Calnan LLP, has been appointed as Corporate Secretary.

Prior to joining Acceleware, Heather Stubbs was the Manager of Financial Reporting for Peak Energy Services Ltd., a publicly held energy services company. As a leader of the finance group, her major responsibilities included managing the internal and external financial reporting function of the organization. Heather has most recently completed an extensive International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) conversion project with Peak. Prior to working with Peak, Heather was a Senior Associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the Assurance and Business Advisory Services practice in Calgary. Heather is a Chartered Accountant, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. “We are excited to have Heather join our team,” said Geoff Clark, President and CEO of Acceleware. “Her considerable and relevant experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop Acceleware.” Read the rest of this entry »

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3rd June 2011

Ortsbo Announces O2O Same-Device Translator

ortsboIntertainment Media Inc. has announced that its real time experiential translation platform Ortsbo is debuting its newest patent pending technology today at Social Media Camp in Victoria. The application technology, known as “Ortsbo to Ortsbo” or “O2O”allows multiple users to engage translation services on the same tablet computing device. Using the app, users will have up to 2 “head to head” keyboards and displays allowing for 2 languages to be communicated in a free flowing style of conversation without the need for guides or other translation devices. Smaller devices will have the ability to display additional language keyboards based on motion, or “tilt” of the device.

The O2O app was developed internally at Ortsbo with the support of the Commobility mobile development team. The app, once approved for distribution will be available for purchase through various online marketplaces.

The app will initially be available for the Apple iPad and will be forthcoming for other tablet and touch devices in the near future. O2O is a perfect complement for travelers who find themselves in a location where they don’t speak the local language and wish to interact in a recreational or commercial setting.

Initially O2O will support 53 languages through Ortsbo’s real time chat platform and with the upcoming release of Ortsbo 2.0 scheduled for calendar Q4 2011, the system will be upgraded to allow interaction in over 80 languages around the world. With Ortsbo 2.0, O2O users will be able to add additional terms, phrases and terminology to the Ortsbo translation wiki in almost any language.

“Ortsbo O2O will allow people around the world to use their iPad and eventually any tablet or touch device to carry on multiple language conversations, immediately and in person, allowing all parties to communicate freely through a single device,” said David Lucatch, President of Ortsbo / CEO Intertainment Media.

Ortsbo recently launched, ahead of planned schedule, the alpha release of its Ortsbo for HTML on the Microsoft Windows Azure platform, providing a cloud application for real time experiential translation chat. The original version of Ortsbo using Microsoft Silverlight, enabling 12 of the world’s most popular chat networks, will remain in operation for the near future. When initially launched in July 2010, Ortsbo’s social media translation platform infrastructure was designed to handle the expected first 2 to 3 years of operations or 12 Million monthly users. Ortsbo exceeded all growth projections in its first 9 months and has continued to operate to maintain the increase in user growth and with Microsoft’s Window Azure platform integration has developed a virtually unlimited operational environment to service user needs globally.

Other Ortsbo Events and Promotions:

June 22, 2011 – Steve Nash Foundation Showdown In ChinatownOrtsbo presents, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash’s Showdown in Chinatown charity soccer match event in New York City. The event will consist of a competitive soccer game featuring NBA and professional soccer athletes and Ortsbo will provide a global, real-time chat environment during the event to enable – for the first time – Steve Nash and the Showdown athletes to interact seamlessly over social media platforms with fans in over 50 languages.

Through August 2011 Ortsbo 040 – With the launch of Ortsbo’s email plug in for Microsoft Outlook, or “O4O”, Ortsbo is launching a unique promotion: Ortsbo Cruise Into Translation. Users who register and install O4O through August 2011 will have the opportunity to win 1 of 5 trips on the KISS Kruise in October as well as other VIP prizes. Additional contest ballots will be available for people who refer friends that register and install O4O.

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3rd June 2011

Happy Birthday Wind Mobile

wind mobileOne year ago today, WIND Mobile launched in Vancouver and since then 166 million minutes of unlimited talk time have been used by Vancouverites on WIND’s state-of-the-art HD voice network. As the first new entrant to launch in Vancouver, it loosened the stronghold of the Canadian wireless oligopoly and challenged the status quo, offering Vancouver consumers real choice and value.

“A year ago, the wireless landscape in Vancouver was remarkably different with very limited options,” said Anthony Lacavera, Chairman of WIND Mobile. “With the entry of WIND, for the first time Vancouverites enjoyed real wireless competition and based on WIND’s growth, people were eager for change. This freedom to choose no-contract, affordable wireless is having a positive impact on both people’s pocketbooks and on the wireless market.”

Since launching in Vancouver, WIND Mobile has seen an impressive expansion in the GVA to cover 11 cities including Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Whistler. Actual area coverage has increased from 510 to 920 square kilometers and service has extended to more than 2 million Vancouverites.

“This marks a year of change for Vancouver’s wireless market and the increased choice is clearly resonating with consumers,” said Ken Campbell, CEO of WIND Mobile. “In just one year, we have doubled the number of cities we cover AND doubled the number of sites in our network. As we head into our second year, we will continue to push for growth and progress and look forward to bringing more change and competition to Vancouver consumers.”

WIND Mobile’s growth in Vancouver is not surprising considering that it proved to be the fastest growing mobile carrier in Canada based on its Q1 results. WIND added more new subscribers in that quarter than any other wireless carrier.

To celebrate its one year anniversary in Vancouver, WIND is offering incredible $1 deals for the rest of the month. To kick off the festivities, over 100 lightly loved BlackBerry smartphones are being sold today in select Vancouver stores for just $1. For the rest of the month of June, Vancouverites can buy a Nokia C5 and get a second for $1 OR buy a Huawei U3200 and get a second for $1. With WINDtab that could be two phones for as low as $1. New $1 weekend deals on products and services will be announced each week.

As part of their ongoing commitment to support the Vancouver community, WIND Mobile is donating the money earned from June’s $1 Deals in Vancouver to support Covenant House Vancouver.

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