Village Gamer

Almost half of Canadian executives still say the amount of information they have overwhelms them, showing no statistical improvement from last year, though there has been some change at the provincial and industry level, with some showing improvement while others are facing an uphill challenge. These are just some of the findings from a SAS/Leger Marketing survey released yesterday. Overall, 45 per cent of executives in 2011 said they are overwhelmed by information, compared with 47 per cent last year.

This year, executives from Ontario and British Columbia are far less likely to say they suffer from information overload. In 2010, 52 per cent of B.C. and Ontario-based executives said they faced information overload, versus 38 and 44 per cent (respectively) this year.

While most provinces and business sectors showed little change, there were a few that saw things deteriorate. Those in the academic and education sectors were far more likely to say things have gotten worse – 42 per cent in 2010 versus 61 per cent in 2011 saying they suffer from information overload.

“Organizations often need to make significant procedural changes to effectively address information overload,” said Kathryn Brohman, Professor, Management Information Systems, School of Business, Queen’s University. “For organizations to be successful combating information overload they need both the right technology and the right procedures.”

Canadian executives understand that in today’s information age it is not about having all information, rather having the right information. Eighty per cent said they’d make better informed business decisions if they had the right tools in place to analyze information more effectively, yet 1 in 4 (24 per cent) say they do not have the right information to make effective business decisions about their business performance. Read the rest of this entry »

As the title says, Proof of Concept Interactive has launched their first title on Nokia’s Ovi Store. Available for $2.99, Assert Yourself is an eLearning app designed to help people build their confidence and skills. According to the POC blog, Assert Yourself teaches communication, self-worth, presentation and body language. Job hunting, speaking with managers, and of course the dreaded job interview, bring all of these skills together. A candidate needs to project confidence, keep their composure, and stay assertive.

Studio owner Marcel Barker, in talking about the new app, stated that “As we developed our course material we came to realize how relevant it was to finding work, and so a late change we made to the app was to add a module on job interview skills.”

Now the studio hopes to be able to partner with various government agencies in order to provide those out of work with free access to the app, hopefully improving upon their skills and helping them to be successful in their search for employment.

From the App’s description, the first course for Assert Yourself is Assertiveness Skills and Self-Confidence, a full-featured assertiveness training course. Assert Yourself is a fully-featured course which includes lessons on communications skills, presentations, SMART goal setting, and workplace bullying. Assert Yourself boasts a strategy of “28 days to a new you”. The course includes daily exercises tailored to the ten course modules, as well as a daily “Mirror Checklist” for daily assertiveness and self-confidence goals. For front-camera enabled smartphones, Assert Yourself also provides an “on-the-go bathroom mirror” for quick facial and body language practice or to prepare before an important presentation. The exercises range from demonstrative videos to interactive quizzes to using the device’s microphone to practice speaking clearly and professionally.

DHX Media is pleased to announce that the live-action sketch comedy That’s So Weird! has been commissioned for a third season by YTV. The Canadian broadcaster has ordered an additional 13 episodes bringing the total number ordered to 39. Nominated for a Gemini Award and Canadian Comedy Award in 2010, That’s So Weird! also airs around the globe on Boomerang Latin America, Nickelodeon in Australia and New Zealand and Canal Panda in Portugal.

Prodigy Pictures, in association with Shaw Media have announced that the supernatural Canadian drama Lost Girl, has started production on Season Two this week in Toronto. Thirteen one-hour episodes will be filmed at a west end Toronto sound stage and on location in and around the city until September 22nd. Season two is expected to premiere on Showcase this fall.

Anna Silk (Being Erica, Billable Hours) reprises her role as “Bo”, the tough yet loveable Succubus who survives by feeding off sexual energy. Kris Holden-Ried (Ben Hur, The Tudors, Underworld 4) returns as “Dyson”, the shape-shifting Fae, homicide detective, and Bo’s love interest. Other popular returning cast members include Bo’s human confidante and street-smart survivor, “Kenzi” (Ksenia Solo: Life Unexpected; Black Swan); “Lauren” (Zoie Palmer: The Guard, Instant Star, XIII), a human doctor who competes for Bo’s heart; “Trick” (Rick Howland: Billable Hours, Murdoch Mysteries), the mysterious owner and bartender at The Dal Riata tavern, with a secretive past that is yet to be unlocked; “Hale” (K.C. Collins: Owning Mahowny, Doomstown), a handsome male “Siren” who is the eternal bachelor, ultimate wingman and Dyson’s partner on the force. Read the rest of this entry »

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.