Village Gamer

Xbox continues to unlock the Xbox One experience for fans in the lead-up to the November 22^nd launch with the opening of Xbox One Headquarters in Toronto, giving fans the opportunity to try the new console and some of the most eagerly anticipated launch titles before they are available to take home. Read the rest of this entry »

Branded Entertainment is a lucrative $44 billion a year industry south of the border. But a new study released yesterday by the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) at the Merging Media conference suggests that the production landscape is also ripe north of the border for Canadian content creators to forge greater collaborations and take better advantage of evolving financing models. “Branded Entertainment: A New Production Financing Paradigm” is a three-part study prepared by Duopoly’s Catherine Tait that explores the current trends in this arena and provides an introduction to the terminology and practices of the industry today. It is sponsored by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund. Read the rest of this entry »

This holiday season, join Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang around the table for a (very!) unique Thanksgiving dinner. From pilgrims to popcorn, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving comes to life in this beautifully re-mastered 40th anniversary edition from Loud Crow Interactive. Released in conjunction with the American Thanksgiving, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving magically marries a book-like feel with clever interactive elements, leaving your senses hungry for a second helping. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance) continues to grow its interactive On Air Broadcasting capability from Google Hangouts with the addition of the new TechNOW show, a five minute live broadcast of what’s happening within CATA’s innovation and entrepreneurship umbrella. TechNOW will be delivered on line by CATA CEO & Host, John Reid, live every Tuesday at 11 am EST. John will give you a brief summary of technology headlines, including guest interviews with executives who have insights to share on topics affecting enterprise growth. Read the rest of this entry »

A majority of Canadians polled in a recent Accenture survey will use their personal computers, tablets and smartphones as shopping tools this holiday season. Nearly three-quarters of Canadian holiday shoppers plan to “webroom”, meaning they will research and review items online before purchasing them at a store. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) will also engage in “showrooming,” which means visiting a store to look for a gift and then buying it for the best price online. Read the rest of this entry »

PC Financial and TD have announced Ugo™, Canada’s first open mobile wallet to combine multiple payment and loyalty programs in one convenient and secure mobile solution. Canada’s largest retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited has joined as its first retail partner and also brings the PC Plus™ loyalty program into the wallet. Ugo™ will provide Canadians with a more convenient, value-add way to shop and transact with their favourite retailers by allowing users to replace cards from their physical wallet with a simple and secure mobile payment method that automatically links to loyalty programs. Read the rest of this entry »

Debit and credit card processor Moneris Solutions Corporation has announced the launch of PAYD PRO, Canada’s first debit-enabled mobile payment solution using chip & PIN technology to process payments on the go. PAYD PRO expands Moneris’ small business payment offerings, giving merchants an opportunity to accept debit and credit card payments on the go through chip and PIN, magstripe or contactless technology using their smartphone device anytime, anywhere. Read the rest of this entry »

Enterprise Information Management (EIM) developer OpenText™ will be kicking off its annual OpenText Enterprise World 2013 conference, November 17-21, 2013, in Orlando, Florida where thought leaders from around the world will converge to discuss the future of EIM. OpenText CEO, Mark J. Barrenechea, will deliver the opening keynote address where he will unveil the company’s much anticipated Project Red Oxygen – the first choreographed release of software in the company’s history that will enable CIOs to transform every line of business by better equipping them to compete in the new information economy. Read the rest of this entry »

Loyalty and rewards technology and services provider Ackroo Inc. has announced the launch of its online eGift Card solution; an eCommerce solution that enables businesses to offer the purchasing, gifting and reloading of eGift Cards through their own website to consumers. Ackroo eGift Cards can be deployed as an independent online solution or integrate with a business’ existing Ackroo Gift Card and Loyalty Program. Read the rest of this entry »

The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (Calgary Expo) has announced that it is expanding to become a four-day show in 2014.The second largest all-ages pop culture convention in Canada will feature celebrity icons from all facets of pop culture, including comics, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, cartoons, anime, and gaming. Now with four-days of sensory overload fans can feed their inner geek with even more celebrity Q&A panels, autograph & photograph sessions, exhibitors, and workshops. Read the rest of this entry »