Village Gamer

In a new report available from Research And Markets, analysts forecast the Global Game Software market to grow at a CAGR of 10.04 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the innovation in audio-visual devices. The Global Game Software market has also been witnessing the increasing number of hardware platforms. However, the shifting of consumers to alternative gaming platforms could pose a challenge to the growth of this market. The report, the Global Game Software Market 2012-2016 has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, and the EMEA and APAC regions; it also covers the Global Game Software market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.   Read the rest of this entry »

As a denizen of the airborne world of Cordeus, you travel places by way of airships you build entirely from scratch. This means building a deck with whatever you can find-wood, metal, rocks or even giant animal corpses-adding engines and propellers and taking to the skies in your own custom-built vessel. But the skies are far from friendly, and enemies like pirates and krakens threaten to destroy your creations piece-by-piece until nothing but your grappling hook can save you from plummeting to your doom.  Enter Windforge, a 2D side-scrolling, independent sandbox title in the works by Ottawa-based Snowed In Studios. Until now the company has survived on contract work, contributing to AAA titles such as EA’s The Sims 3 and Eidos Interactive’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and now, for the first time, Snowed In seeks to fund its own independent title by turning to Kickstarter. Read the rest of this entry »

A total of 18 new interactive digital media projects received a combined total of $10.7M as part of the Canada Media Fund’s (CMF) Experimental Stream second round of funding  for production support. The 18 new projects are comprised of 8 games, 9 interactive digital media platforms and 1 new social media application. Read the rest of this entry »

Nintendo has launched Mario.ca, a dedicated mobile site that allows fans to check out games for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. With categories to choose from like New Releases, Great Gifts, The Classics, Family Fun, Starring Mario and Hardcore Gamers, there’s something for everyone.  In addition to information on games, which includes trailers, screen shots, and recommendations on similar titles, Mario.ca includes information on the Nintendo family of consoles: Wii U, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Wii mini.

Xbox has announced that it’s bringing its own Xbox Video service, with a catalogue of more than 300,000 of the latest movies and TV shows, to the Web. Xbox Live members can rent movies and TV shows for streaming from the second largest digital video catalogue in the world, now available in 21 markets. With cloud capabilities, you can take your video collection with you wherever you go, including your personal collection. You can now take your Xbox Video collection where you go. Movies and TV shows purchased on Xbox Video can be streamed on XboxVideo.com, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows 8 PCs and tablets. Read the rest of this entry »

Griflens, the new startup that hopes to spark a playground craze, are the winners of Startup Weekend Maker Edition Toronto. Their team beat out stiff competition from ten other innovative hardware startup ideas to win the contest that empowers entrepreneurs to launch businesses in a single weekend. They impressed judges with their 3D printed story beads that combine to tell an interactive online story that changes depending on which beads you have in your collection. Read the rest of this entry »

Big Blue Bubble Inc. has released an Apple-exclusive 3D follow-up to their smash hit iPhone game Burn the Rope. Burn the Rope 3D literally adds a whole new dimension to the Burn the Rope franchise, featuring 3D environments and a wide range of new puzzles. Wickman’s world comes alive as you navigate your way through the various locations in 3D. Read the rest of this entry »

Montreal-based startup game studio Jellyfish Games has announced their new game, Astrobase Command. The game uses groundbreaking AI to treat characters within the game world as people. You can go anywhere and do anything, and the choices you make have real consequences because everything is controlled by the AI-Storyteller. The game encourages attachment and emotional investment in personality driven characters, an Astrobase Command, you feel like you’re inside your favorite sci-fi TV shows. Read the rest of this entry »

The Banff Centre has issued a call for applications for WIDC Aspects of Camera and Post Production, a mini master class led by award-winning cinematographer and senior picture editor (TBA)Roger Vernon. Beginning with the end picture in mind, this class is facilitated by Women in the Director’s Chair producer Carol Whiteman and will be run January 15th through 19th, 2014 – the application deadline is December 11th. This program is open to up to eight Canadian women directors. Read the rest of this entry »

Vancouver Film School (VFS) is pleased to announce that it will be adding a brand-new, one-year program to its educational roster. Starting March 2014, VFS will offer Programming for Games, Web & Mobile, a course that is all about becoming a better, smarter, more versatile and hireable developer. This one-of-a-kind program teaches individuals how to create and bend programs; to develop software that is impressive, innovative, and entertaining. Students graduate with a high-powered portfolio along with the skills to impress professionals and recruiters from an incredible range of industries. Read the rest of this entry »