Village Gamer

Toronto Digifest is getting ready to highlight your best art. The show’s organizers are gathering up amazing work for both the festival’s exclusive online digital showcase and the weekend exhibitions that will take place alongside the many offerings of Toronto Digifest this October 29th and 30th.

If you’ve got a piece to show off that fits into one of these categories, or something that belongs in its own unique category, Digifest wants to hear from you. Please check the event’s web site for submission guidelines and application form.

• Interactive art
• Wearable art
• Installation pieces
• Video
• Motion graphics
• Architecture
• Graphic design
• Fashion
• Video games
• Web experience

Digifest is also looking to partner with galleries across the city to help them show off the latest and greatest digital media creations. If you are interested in a potential partnership – whether it be with the artists they source, or your own – Digifest wants to talk to you too.

Also, if you are a game studio looking for a place to mingle with fellow developers, gamers & the general public as well as have a space to show off your work, Digifest’s organizers hope that you’ll apply to join them for First Person. Taking place as part of Digifest on October 29th and 30th, First Person is a game industry trade show happening at Gaming Inc., the new gaming incubator at 333 King Street East.

Frima Studios and Bolt Creative want you to be aware that the Pygmies of Pocket God on Facebook have discovered explosive mushrooms in Episode VII: Supersize PygMe. The latest expansion for the Pocket God world introduces an all new plant power, the magic mushroom, which helps get rid of that stunted growth gene the poor Pygmies have had to endure for so long, and the update also gives players the chance to purchase real-life goods for themselves and earn Facebook Credits in the process.

Since its debut in December 2010, the Facebook version of Pocket God has grown exponentially and is attracting more players every month. More than 55 million loyal, unquestioning Pygmies have met their demise over that time—that’s approximately the number of tonnes notable asteroid YU55 weighs (talk about clever names). Another two million sacrifices can be attributed to friends on Facebook sacrificing other friends in a host of brutal and irreverent ways, including electrocution, shark attack, venus fly traps, tornadoes, tar pits, and more!

The new updates for Supersize PygMe include:

• Fungus is Cool, Fungi are Deadly: Pygmies now have a new food to eat – Mushrooms! A new plant power has been introduced to the island allowing players to grow their own mushrooms for Pygmy consumption. These aren’t any old mushrooms though, feeding one mushroom to a Pygmy will help them grow larger and stronger. Two mushrooms though, and you’re asking to get blown up. So what does this mean? Combination pizzas are out of the question.

• Challenge Smuck the Mushroom Dweller: As if blowing up Pygmies by feeding them massive amounts of mushrooms was going to be easy! A new rival god, Smuck the Mushroom Dweller, has stepped in and it’s up to you and your “friends” to defeat him. With his demise comes a cool new idol. What does this idol do though? We’re not sure, ask Smuck! No go ahead, you first, we don’t want to get near him.

• New “Deal of the Day” Helps Earn Facebook Credits: Pocket God on Facebook is now showcasing a “Deal of the Day,” where players can order real-world goods and services for their life away from torturing Pygmies, and by doing so will earn Facebook Credits that can be used to purchase in-game items for Pocket God on Facebook. With Deal of the Day, you’ll be taken care of both off and on the island, talk about a win-win!

• 500,000 Deities Can’t Be Wrong: With so many gods out there, how do all those Pygmies keep them straight? Pocket God on Facebook has reached 500,000 players and the omnipotent beings at Frima will be celebrating soon enough, with plenty of in-game rewards and more in the works for players everywhere. Be on the lookout!

Following the April launch of its paid iOS game Web Swinger, Mobile Game Studio has released a lite version of the title so that you can try it before you buy it. This new fun packed game will put you in the mind of a spider. You’ve always known that you could reach incredible heights, defeat your enemies and be at the top of the world, so you’re got going to let the fact that you’re a spider hold you back.

In the newest in arcade games, Web Swinger will take you to another world, where you become the mightiest of insects, the spider. Tackle your numerous insect enemies as you battle against time on your quest to the bottom of the barn. Click on the down or up arrow to move the spider down or up the web and drag your finger on the screen to swing the spider.  Stay alive and beat the clock to reign triumphant over the denizens of the barn. Web Swinger and Web Swinger Lite are rated 4+ and are compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 4.2 or later.

Alberta-based Axia NetMedia Corporation has announced that its partner in Covage, VINCI Networks has entered into a share purchase agreement with Cube Communications Infrastructure and Cube Infrastructure Fund SICAV-SIF and, together with Cube Communications, pursuant to which Cube will purchase all of the shares held by VINCI in Covage and Covage’s sister company, Covage Services SAS .  Upon closing, which is subject to certain government approvals, Axia will enter into a shareholders’ agreement with Cube with Axia and Cube each holding 50% of Covage and Covage Services and will have equal representation on Covage’s executive committee. Cube will make an initial payment to VINCI of €30 million with a commitment to pay an additional €36 million during the next three years depending on Covage’s results.

Art Price, Chairman and CEO said, “Covage is our first business outside of Canada and through continuing growth in market penetration, it is now beginning to generate positive cash flows creating a solid platform for future profitability.  To date we have invested approximately €55 million into Covage.  We remain committed along with Cube to expand Covage’s business. With Covage focused on growing the business and operating its network segments, we believe that partnering with a company specializing in investing in the further development of the telecommunications infrastructure is the logical next step in the evolution of our European business.”

Mr. Price added, “The Cube investment is an important step in Covage’s evolution as a growing operating company.  VINCI has provided the partnership with the benefit of their skills while Covage was focused on network construction and has been a major influence on Covage becoming a major player in the French marketplace.  Axia has appreciated VINCI’s support and commitment.”

Created in 2006, Covage has established a nationwide Next Generation Network comprised of 15 regional network segments and a 3,700 km national fibre network backbone.  Covage’s enhanced service level and national reach has attracted a wide range of local, regional, national and international Retail Service Providers as they deliver retail services to their customers.  In addition to traditional RSPs, Covage’s efforts are also focused on attracting new customers that are specialized in the provision of Web Services and that offer services remotely using fibre-based connectivity, such as video security surveillance or enterprise data management.

Covage’s business strategy is three pronged.  Firstly, Covage continues to identify and respond to new network segment opportunities that complement its existing assets.  A recent example is its win to activate and operate the submarine cable between Corsica and the mainland of France. Secondly, it is targeting business parks which take advantage of a government initiative to encourage migration of business parks from DSL to fibre optic services.

To date, Covage has 210 business parks with Fibre to the Premise services available to 9,400 potential end users and recently Covage was selected to operate an enterprise network for a period of ten years for the city of Nîmes in southwestern France.  Thirdly, Covage is taking active part in the French government’s Fibre to the Home initiative in semi-dense and rural areas.  Covage was awarded the Chevry-Cossigny FTTH Pilot Project in Seine-et-Marne on December 17, 2010. The Chevry-Cossigny Pilot Project will connect 1,250 residences to Covage’s existing Sem@for77 network segment.

Digital Leisure Inc. has announced the launch of Word Searcher III. The follow up to DSiWare hits Word Searcher and Word Searcher II, designed for Nintendo’s DSiWare™ service, Word Searcher III is rated E for Everyone and is available today in North America on DSiWare for 500 Nintendo DSi Points™.

You’ll need a sharp eye and a quick mind to complete these 100 themed word search puzzles. Word Searcher 3 contains fun words from multiple categories including Astronomy, Currency and Rivers. Packed with a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there’s sure to be a puzzle anyone will enjoy. Help improve your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills with these addicting puzzles. Keep track of, and try to beat your own play through times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play. Get your thinking cap on and conquer all 100 today.

Loud Crow Interactive has released another timeless classic children’s story for iOS mobile devices. PopOut! The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is the next installment in the studio’s PopOut! series of unique interactive digital books. As with its debut title  PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is another beautiful digital rendition of a classic bedtime story is now available in the App Store.

Children can interact with this mischievous tale of a quirky squirrel as it comes to life, encouraging young readers to to pull tabs, spin wheels, and activate spring-mounted story elements. The art, music, and interactive experience were all delicately composed to honor and enliven Beatrix Potter’s original 1903 work.

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin Features:

• Touch and drag objects to make them “spring” to life or tilt to watch them slide and move
• Objects that literally PopOut! of the page to delight you and your family
• Beautiful vocal performance, music, and sound effects will immerse you in the story
• “Read to Me” mode with word highlighting to help improve reading skills
• Read it Yourself and learn individual words spoken with the tap of a finger
• Over 50 pages of authentic text and illustrations with realistic page turning interactions just like the original hardcover book

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is rated 4+ and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices running iOS 3.2 or later. This App sells for $2.99 for the iPhone or iPod Touch versions or $4.99 for the iPad version.

Burnaby’s 3D3 Solutions has announced the official launch of FlexScan3D 3.0, the latest version of its 3D scanner software. The company developed the proprietary 3D scanning technology to power its line of HDI 3D Scanners. The software is also available exclusively for engineering and development companies to build custom white light 3D scanners for industry applications.

“FlexScan3D has the ability to interface directly with off-the-shelf cameras and a projector to build a custom 3D scanner,” said Thomas Tong, President of 3D3 Solutions. “There is a wide range of supported hardware options available so users can choose the best combination of speed, accuracy, and cost for their particular application. With the release of FlexScan3D 3.0, we want to offer advanced 3D scanning at an affordable price.”

Major developments for FlexScan3D 3.0 include:

* Photogrammetry Alignment: Align 3D scan data automatically and accurately using photogrammetry dots by eliminating the tedious task of manual data alignment.

* Multi-head 3D Scanning Using Multiple Scan Heads from a Single PC: FlexScan3D has the ability to control multiple 3D scanners from a single PC to acquire data from several directions. The scanned data is then automatically aligned and merged.

* 64bit Native Core: Process 3D scan data faster and at higher resolutions compared to previous versions of the software.

* Newly Designed User Interface: The new user interface generates complex 3D models fast with a streamlined work flow.

* Deviation Analysis: Advanced reporting feature with mesh to mesh comparison.

* High Resolution Color Texture Capture: Automatically generates ultra high resolution color maps using a Digital SLR as a texture camera.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVohz-W8YA]

FlexScan3D 3.0 Software and the HDI 3D Scanners, which includes with the new version of the software, are now available for purchase. 3D3 Solutions will showcase FlexScan3D 3.0 at Rapid 2011 Conference & Exhibition, which takes place in Minneapolis this May 24th through 26th.

zinc Roe Games invite you and your children to play alongside Stella and Sam and their dog Fred as they spend a night camping out in their backyard. In Backyard At Twilight, young readers can look for bugs in the tent, discover constellations among the stars and learn about shapes with the fireflies. From the makers of the award-winning Tickle Tap Apps, the Stella and Sam Interactive Adventures combine stunning animation with three elegantly-designed activities.

Stella: “The night Giant is coming Sam. I think I can hear his big footsteps coming over the meadow.”
Sam: “I can too!”

The Stella and Sam Apps are based on the television show and the bestselling picture book series by Marie-Louise Gay. Over one million copies of Stella and Sam books have been translated into fifteen languages,  and are loved by children all over the world.

Each Stella and Sam Adventure is rated 4+ and is Compatible with iPads running iOS 4.2 or later. Backyard At Twilight features beautiful fullscreen animation with support for English and French. The story includes three fun and simple games along with quick navigation by both chapter and game.

The Stella and Sam apps are produced by zinc Roe Productions Inc. with the participation of Radical Sheep, the Bell Fund and the Canada Media Fund.

Dave Shworan, the CEO of QuoteMedia Ltd., an Arizona-based company with offices in Parksville, Vancouver and Toronto, along with Ungad Chadda, Senior Vice President of the Toronto Stock Exchange, opened TSX  trading today in celebration of the selection of QuoteMedia as the market data and applications provider for TSX InfoSuite™.

“Toronto Stock Exchange is excited to have QuoteMedia open the market today to celebrate the recent launch of TSX InfoSuite,” said Mr. Chadda. “We value QuoteMedia’s expertise as a Canadian data aggregator and their robust and dynamic financial solutions, which is why TSX decided to partner with them on this value-added initiative for our issuers.”

TMX Group Inc. and QuoteMedia, Inc. previously announced the launch of TSX InfoSuite, a new market data and shareholder solution powered by QuoteMedia, which was introduced to enhance the suite of services for TSX and TSX Venture Exchange listed companies.

“We are very proud to have been selected to work with TMX Group to create, host and manage the new TSX InfoSuite services,” said Mr. Shworan. “The selection of QuoteMedia to be the market data and service provider to TMX Group and its issuers is a gratifying validation of our company’s abilities.”

The EpiphanTouch™ and VGA2Ethernet™ applications by Ottawa’s Epiphan Systems Inc are now available via free download from iTunes and the App Store. These apps can be used for controlling and configuring any Epiphan Systems network-enabled device, including all devices from the recording and broadcasting line of products.

– Frame Grabbers: VGA2Ethernet™, VGA2Ethernet PRO™
– Broadcasters : VGA Broadcaster Lite™, VGA Broadcaster Standard™, VGA Broadcaster PRO™,VGA2WiFi™
– Recorders : VGA Grid™, VGA Recorder Lite™, VGA Recorder Standard™ , VGA Recorder PRO™, LectureRecorder™
– KVM : KVM2Ethernet™
– Mediphan: DistanceDoc™, MedRecorder™
– VGA Printer™