Village Gamer

Vancouver International Partnering Forum and New Media BC’s Digital Media PopVox Awards return with bigger outreach and expanded programs

Vancouver – New Media BC announced its second annual Vancouver Digital Week will be held May 11-14, 2009 at the brand new Vancouver Exhibition and Convention Centre. Partner events include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Canada, marking the first time the famed gamers meet up has come to Canada; Cossette West’s Convergence Conference, a digital marketing and social media gathering; and nextMEDIA’s first Vancouver event. New Media BC will present its own Vancouver International Partnering Forum and its People’s Choice PopVox Awards during Vancouver Digital Week. For a full list of events, visit: www.vancouverdigitalweek.com

“British Columbia is a global leader in digital media”, says Kenton Low, President of New Media BC. “Vancouver Digital Week is a partnership of top notch events focusing on digital media that brings attention to the world class talent and companies we have here in BC.”

The Vancouver International Partnering Forum (VIPF), to be held from May 12-13, 2009 was first launched in 2004 by New Media BC and continues as a significant annual event for leading Canadian digital companies to meet international decision makers, to explore partnership opportunities and negotiate deals. The forum attracts high calibre delegates from all over the world including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Korea, Australia, China, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. 2009 ushers in a new two day format allowing participants more networking components and the opportunity to double the number of business meetings during the hand-picked B2B sessions. Companies that have confirmed interest to attend this year’s forum include Google, Disney, Nokia, Rainmaker, Mediasense and Next Level Games. On-line registration is open at: www.vipf.ca

Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations to the team at Quebec City’s Beenox Studio, winner of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce’s Fideides Award for Best Team at a middle to large sized company.   This award recognizes the excellent work atmosphere and human resources policies at Beenox.

Coming on the heels of the Mass Effect2 announcement, Bioware’s Mass Effect has been named to the list of Xbox 360 Classic titles.

QuickPlay Media of Toronto has been named as a finalist in the “Most Innovative Mobile Service” category in the 2009 Andrew Seybold Choice Awards. Established by Andrew Seybold, the Choice Awards recognize products and services that reflect the initiative, ingenuity and influence of wireless industry organizations in business and society. QuickPlay Media is being recognized for its role in powering the Bell Mobility Media Player.

High definition streaming video is now just a click away for online viewers across Canada. CTV.ca, Canada’s online destination for news, sports and entertainment, is bringing high definition video to the computer screens of Canadians with the launch of the CTV HD Beta Player. CTV becomes the first Canadian network to deliver HD quality content on the web.

Think Services has announced an open call for speaker submissions for its 2009 Game Developers Conference Europe (GDC Europe), taking place August 17-19, 2009 at the Cologne Congress East Center in Cologne, Germany. The pan-European conference – dedicated to the art, science and business of creating games – is soliciting session proposals now through April 30th via the official GDC Europe website.

GenieKnows today announced the latest release of its local search engine, GenieKnows 2.0. This newest release gives users the ability to sign up and add their own personal reviews on restaurants and other businesses across Canada and the USA. Business owners can also leverage GenieKnows.com by adding or updating their own business data through a simple business submission form. GenieKnows provides business owners with the opportunity to connect directly to consumers and generate leads and have a visible presence on the Internet as GenieKnows business listings feature prominently in sites such as Google, Yahoo and MSN amongst others.

Ottawa – The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), today announced federal support for a project entitled Supporting Women’s Leadership in the Advanced Technology Sectors. Run by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance, Women in Technology (CATA WIT), the project will encourage more women to consider the advanced technology field, and help those women already working in the field to improve the skills, knowledge and expertise they need for success.

CATA WIT will receive $405,000 over two fiscal years for the project entitled Supporting Women’s Leadership in the Advanced Technology Sectors. It will use mentoring and other tools to help break down barriers facing women. During the project:

• 135 women will participate in development and mentorship workshops on networking
and improved leadership skills;
• 75 women will help identify leading practices for women in the sector;
• 60 women will help develop the tools that support and promote the participation of
women; and
• 25,000 men and women business leaders will increase their knowledge of best practices
with respect to growth-oriented, women-owned firms.

“This industry is growing by leaps and bounds – estimates are that up to 89,000 new information
and communications technology jobs will be created over the next three to five years,” said
Minister Guergis. “There are thousands of women ready to explore and expand the opportunities
available to them in this exciting sector of our economy. Through partnerships with organizations
like CATA WIT, our Government is working to ensure that those women have the tools they need to succeed in this field – for when women prosper, Canada prospers.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Vancouver – British Columbia-based performer Janyse Jaud voices Marvel Comics character ‘Hela’ in the new Lionsgate/Marvel animated DVD’s “Hulk Vs Thor”, and ‘Lady Deathstrike’ in “Hulk Vs Wolverine”.

Hela, daughter of ‘Loki’ and ruler of the mythical worlds of ‘Hel’/’Niffieheim’, first appeared in Marvel Comics “Journey Into Mystery” #102, (March 1964) as a 7 ft. tall beauty, weighing 500 lbs with green eyes and grey hair. By the decree of ‘Odin’, ruler of the ‘Asgard’ gods, Hela was crowned absolute ruler of the spirits of the dead.

‘Yuriko Oyama’, aka Lady Deathstrike, created by Dennis O’Neil/Larry Hama and developed by writers Bill Mantlo/Chris Claremont, received her original ‘cyborg’ look courtesy artist Barry “Conan” Windsor-Smith. Debuting in “Daredevil” #197 as Yuriko and as Deathstrike in “Alpha Flight” #33, Lady Deathstrike’s father ‘Lord Dark Wind’ created the ‘adamantium’ process that was forced onto ‘Wolverine’. The villain ‘Spiral’ then bonded adamantium to Lady Deathstrike’s frame, with additional cyber-genetic enhancements.

Read the rest of this entry »

Vancouver – The British Columbia Innovation Council is pleased to welcome PMC-Sierra founder Greg Aasen as Chair of its Board of Directors. “The council has accomplished much in the way of fostering both technical and business talent,” Aasen said. “I look forward to continuing this work in my role as chair, and unleashing the full economic potential of innovation in British Columbia.”

Aasen was chief strategy officer at PMC-Sierra until June 2007 and has over 20 years of experience with the semiconductor industry. He has served on the BC Innovation Council board since 2006 and has been appointed to a one-year term as chair.

“Greg Aasen is highly qualified and will continue to build on what the council has already achieved under the leadership of Hector MacKay-Dunn,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development “I look forward to celebrating the council’s continued success in supporting innovation and commercialization to provide a high standard of living for British Columbians.”

Two new members have also been appointed to serve three-year terms on the board:

Read the rest of this entry »

Calgary – Psyko Audio Labs Inc. of Calgary will use a $975,000 investment by AVAC Ltd. to enhance an international marketing campaign to let gamers know how they can buy a set of the revolutionary 3-D-sound headphones that won first place at the world’s largest consumer electronic tradeshow held in Las Vegas in early 2009.

“The Psyko 5.1 headphones deliver precision directional audio through a patent pending technology that provides a sound-surround experience that gamers would call the ‘perfect room,” says James Hildebrandt, Psyko founder, CEO and Head Psyko. “There is absolutely nothing else like them on the market. That’s why our headphones won first place in the headphone category at the Vegas show and were a finalist in the game category. We went to the largest consumer electronics trade show in the world and won two top awards. It is like a rookie going to the World Series and hitting two home runs. Lots of people tested our headphones at the show and that produced a ton of positive reviews and videos on all the major tech web sites. We were already taking orders through our web site, but news of the tradeshow win has attracted a lot of new attention.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Application Deadline Extended To March 16 2009

Banff – The Global Writers Apprentice Programme offers emerging Canadian writers with the unprecedented opportunity to gain significant experience by completing a four-week internship in the story department of a prime-time series. The winners will be selected by a three person jury. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the Banff World Television Festival on a full access pass. The program is open to individual writers as well as to established writing teams who have a track record together.

Before attending BANFF, they will work on their series pitches and pitching techniques in one-on-one sessions with the Program Director.

Qualifications

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate an expertise in dramatic screenwriting. Preference will be given to those individuals who have at least a half hour of produced drama.

Read the rest of this entry »

AdviceScene.com is the first fully moderated, social networking community linking Lawyers and the Public, providing a free and democratic exchange of legal resources in Canada

Victoria BC – AdviceScene.com launches the first Canadian website delivering free law information from lawyers to the public. AdviceScene.com is a fully moderated, social networking community linking lawyers and the public providing a free and democratic exchange of legal resources in Canada.

“AdviceScene.com is where Canadians go to get legal questions answered,” said Kinney who writes a legal blog in Canada. “I believe that an effective legal system includes an open, transparent and public discussion of how laws affect our lives and how the law may be applied. Democratizing the law system means making the laws we all have to answer to more accessible for everyone.”

Kinney went on to say that having lawyers participate on the site is a key component. Many people search online for legal information that is readily available; though much information is either incorrect or does not apply.

Read the rest of this entry »

With the highest sales growth in North America, Annex Pro Is Named As The Top Autodesk M+E Dealer in Canada

Vancouver/Las Vegas – At its annual channel partner conference, One Team Conference (OTC), Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) honored Annex Pro for the second year in a row, by inducting them into Platinum Club 2009, an elite group recognized for top sales performance and outstanding customer service in fiscal year 2009.

“The Autodesk Platinum Club comprises a talented group of professionals dedicated to our customers,” said Steve Blum, Autodesk senior vice president of Americas Sales.

Annex Pro, a Vancouver-based value-added reseller, was recognized for having the highest sales growth in North America for Autodesk Media and Entertainment, and also has the highest sales volume in Canada. “There is no team like the Annex Pro team!” said Kerry Corlett, President and founder of Annex Pro. “Without false modesty, I have to say we’ve earned this. Annex Pro works hard towards the success of our customers, and to be recognized in this way by Autodesk is a genuine honor.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Calgary – Cambrian House has restructured its leadership to ensure autonomy and focus for its strongest assets: the Chaordix™ crowdsourcing platform and Gwabs™ gaming venture. These businesses are now being managed independently with President Shelley Kuipers leading Cambrian House and the Chaordix venture, and Founder and Board director, Michael Sikorsky leading SundayLABS, the corporation established to commercialize Gwabs. Michael remains a vital evangelist for both ventures.

Cambrian House has also expanded its Board, welcoming Margot Micallef Q.C. who contributes corporate finance and merger and acquisition expertise, and broad business talent. Margot is a shareholder in Cambrian House and also serves on the boards of ENMAX Corporation, Canwest Global Communications Corp, and Vista Broadcast Group Inc. Nick Foster, formerly of OutSpark Games, has also joined as an advisor on commercialization strategy for Gwabs. Allan MacKenzie remains a Board Observer and it is anticipated that Shelley Kuipers will join the Cambrian House Board this summer along side Brian Craig (Chair), Michael Sikorsky (Founder & Director), and Michael Broadfoot (Director).