by: Paul Hunter


It's no secret that Ontario is a growing hotbed for video game development, with investment in the province heating up in recent years. Building on Ontario's growing prominence in the global games industry, Interactive Ontario will soon be presenting their flagship 2010 IN Conference, a cross-platform, multi-stream conference where veterans of the interactive industry from around the world come to share their knowledge, and showcase their cutting edge technologies. This year's event will be taking place from September 12-14 at the Carlu in Toronto.

August 31, 2010 (Toronto) - The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced that the future of content and content delivery in Canada is being bolstered by home grown innovation, as evidenced by the strong demand for funding through the CMF's Experimental Stream. Applications submitted for funding by the first deadline, July 5, 2010, vastly exceeded the $16.2 million available at this round.

MOBILEINNOVATIONWEEK: September 13-18, 2010: Toronto

MOBILEINNOVATIONWEEK brings together global leaders of the mobile industry to Toronto || Sept 13-18, 2010.   Register at www.mobileinnovationweek.com.  Exclusive offer: Get a 10% discount on tickets to Mobile Media World, Mobile ThinkTank Series and MobileBiz BootCamp by entering the code MIW.

Leaders of the Mobile Industry come to Toronto for one week of events, co-produced by The Mobile Institute, FITC, Interactive Ontario and the Mobile Experience Innovation Centre. Founding Sponsor the City of Toronto.

Article from Sys-Con

Virtualization Enables Non-Profit Earth Rangers to Green Its Data Center

We take our mission to "Bring Back the Wild" seriously and run our organization with conservation and "green" values in mind. Many might think that building a technologically advanced data center defies these values; however, we set out to prove that a data center could be both fully functional and energy efficient. Virtualization technology, we believed, would be the key to success, and we were right. In going green, we also saved a lot of green - money, that is.

Read the full story

Summary: Support for the evolution of storytelling enabled by new technologies took a giant leap today with the founding of StoryLabs, an organization of leading international multi-platform and transmedia creators dedicated to the education and mentoring of storytellers. Powered by a unique worldwide mentor network, participants will benefit from the rich knowledge and experience of renowned professional experts including innovative digital producers, games creators, TV and Film writer/producers, social media and community experts and transmedia content creators.

Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is pleased to announce a new deadline for the OMDC Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund.

The OMDC IDM Fund is designed to provide Ontario interactive digital media content companies with access to the final piece of funding required to move their content projects into production. Successful applicants will receive a non-refundable contribution of up to $150,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget to create a market-ready interactive digital media content product.

Big Blue Bubble Inc. announced today that Fighting Fantasy: Creature of Havoc has been released to the iTunes Store! Are you ready for the most unusual Fighting Fantasy adventure yet?

Link to full story

Imagine a game of chess brought to life in 3-D.

Inside a castle courtyard, a scowling bishop readies to take out a growling dragon. The tile squares displaying his possible moves are dramatically lit up. This is the world of a newly-released interactive video game developed in St. Catharines called Dragon Chess.

"It's been an enormous amount of work to create this," said Lex Parker.

"And we're going to develop it so you can play it online with anyone in the world."

The game is the latest incarnation of Dragon Chess from Lex and Susan Parker of Dragonchess Interactive Inc.

Link to Full Story

The Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, is conducting an
important project examining the innovation behaviour of small and medium
sized firms in important sectors of the Canadian economy.

That includes creative industries!

The study is being led by Dr Mark Freel, a professor specializing in Global
Strategy & Entrepreneurship.

Koelnmesse, Inc. today announced the show dates for the premier of MobileAppEx 2011 which will take place from June 28-29, 2011 at the Navy Pier in Chicago. www.mobileappex.com 

This exciting 2-day trade show and conference will be the first dedicated mobile application and business solutions event for the rapidly evolving Mobile App industry including Developers, Ad Networks, Agencies, Content Providers, System Integrators, Manufacturers Software Solutions, Suppliers and Networks.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that five Digital Media categories will be introduced for the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. The new awards will honour both cross-platform projects, developed to enhance enjoyment of a television program or series, and original productions, the first broadcast of which is intended for a medium other than television.

The first time you saw the Torontron, did you think "How can I get a game on there?" Well, Hand Eye needs 18 games to fill 3 new Torontron-style cabinets. This is your chance to have your game played by the public on an old-school machine.
 
What we're looking for:
 

• approachable arcade-suitable gameplay, "pick up and play"
• game can't be too complicated, any instructions must be simple
• quality and originality of graphics and sound
• per-cabinet diversity of games
• existing/older games are acceptable, but we prefer new
• short games are fine 

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) will begin a new round of consultation sessions with the industry this fall. Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, and Stephane Cardin, VP of Industry and Public Affairs, will meet with stakeholders across the country to gain input on key issues to be resolved prior to releasing the program guidelines for 2011-2012 in December.

Please register by selecting a location near you. Exact times and locations will be provided to registrants by email prior to each event.

New this year, stakeholders who are unable to attend a session in person can participate through an online discussion forum. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.
 
REGISTRATION: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cmf-fmc-consultation2010

From mobile communications to interactive systems, to intelligent environments, new media innovations are rapidly changing the way we live, learn, work and play. Media Engineering Design Integration (MEDI) is a unique post-graduate and hybrid program focused on design, production and management of innovative media products including application development and content creation for wireless devices, interactive museum and retail installations, digital signage systems and networks and more. For more information visit: http://www.centennialcollege.ca/thecentre/medi

Author, screenwriter and video game designer Jordan Mechner is best known as the creator of the Prince of Persia franchise, with over 14 million games sold to date, and a feature film, books, toys and LEGO based on the games.

Mechner became the first game creator to successfully adapt his own work as a feature film screenwriter with Disney's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time . Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Mike Newell and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Alfred Molina, Prince of Persia was the #1 movie in the world for its first two weeks of release in May 2010, and is the world's highest-grossing video game adaptation ever. Mechner has screen story and executive producer credit on the film. Full Story

KidsCo has announced launches in Cyprus, Poland and Turkey adding as a result almost one million European homes to its reach. In Cyprus, the channel has made its debut on Cablenet, while in Poland it is being carried on VOD by Multimedia Poska, Poland's third largest cable operator. In Turkey, the channel is being carried on TTNet. KidsCo is a joint venture between NBC Universal, Corus Entertainment Inc (Nelvana) and Cookie Jar Entertainment. Aimed at children aged 6-10 and families, it made its debut in September 2007.

From Licensing.biz

Production company scores a host of new projects in Australia, Canada and the US.
The new deals include Santo Sam & Ed's Cup Fever, Dance Academy, Harriet The Spy and The Kids In The Hall.

Santo Sam & Ed's Cup Fever is a social media experience produced by CLF for SBS and Australia's leading production company Working Dog. During the World Cup, CLF delivered a seven-days a week, 24-hours a day online media experience to support the live TV coverage, achieving over one million visits to the social network extensions.

nGen, Niagara's Interactive Media Generator is pleased to announce the opening of its $3 million, state of the art facility designed for digital interactive media advancement. The new facility houses cutting edge digital interactive media technologies and will undoubtedly increase Niagara's already growing reputation as a hub for digital interactive media. The expanded facility has been branded the Generator at one. Located at one St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines the facility has the capacity to enable entire media projects to be created at one location.

The Niagara Region has a rich and storied history, specifically its role in the defense of Canada during the War of 1812. With the release of Niagara 1812: Return of the Fenian Shadow, anyone with access to the iTunes store will be able to interactively immerse themselves with Niagara-on- the-Lake's historic role in this conflict.

TORONTO, ON (27 July, 2010) In partnership with TELETOON and Fresh TV Inc. Toronto-based zinc Roe today launched a new member-based site for fans of Total Drama. Like the animated series, which spoofs reality television shows such as Survivor and The Amazing Race, TotalDramaOnline.com (DefisExtremes.com in French) is a parody of reality TV websites with a competitive twist.

Starting a business or looking to expand? The Ontario Business Program Guide from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade offers a comprehensive and authoritative directory of Ontario Government tax incentives, tax credits and support programs for business. Visit http://www.ontario.ca/en/business_support/index.htm for more information.

From EDGE

Joshua Caulfield will step down as executive director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) this August.

Caulfield took his role at the IGDA, a non-profit membership organisation serving game developers, in July 2009. He hailed from outside of the games industry, replacing Jason Della Rocca who had held the position for almost nine years. Caulfield will be moving on to take the same job post at an association for architecture students.

Full Story

The Canadian New Media Awards (CNMAs), the country's only nationwide competition recognizing the accomplishments of Canada's most successful digital media companies, is now open for nominations. Celebrating its 10th year, The CNMAs are taking place as  part of nextMEDIA Toronto, Canada's leading digital media production and development marketplace, taking place November 29 to December 1, 2010 at the Toronto Design Exchange - the CNMAs gala awards will be held December 1, 2010 at The Design Exchange in Toronto.

Submission from across Canada are welcome. Enter before July 30th, and save $50 with the CNMA Early Bird discount. Visit www.nextmediaevents.com/cnma for category and submission information.

Ontario Multimedia Mission to France and Italy - October 24-29, 2010
May 28, 2010

The Ontario Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada invite you to participate in the Ontario Multimedia Mission to France and Italy. The program will enable Ontario companies to meet with key decision-makers of companies and stakeholders from two world-class multimedia centres: Imaginove (Lyon, France) and Think Up (Turin, Italy).  

Download the information package here

Interactive Ontario is currently running an online survey to collect information on the issues and challenges facing businesses in Ontario's eLearning and cultural industry. Your input is vital to developing:
   

• economic data and industry benchmarks;
• informing incentives public and private investment;
• market changes and intelligence;
• collecting best practice for the growth of eLearning and cultural production companies.

Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is pleased to announce a new deadline for the OMDC Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund.
 
The OMDC IDM Fund is designed to provide Ontario interactive digital media content companies with access to the final piece of funding required to move their content projects into production. Successful applicants will receive a non-refundable contribution of up to $150,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget to create a market-ready interactive digital media content product.

From The Globe and Mail

They wear the label of made-in-Canada video games.
"Scrabble" for the iPad tablet and iPhone and "Assassin's Creed" and the upcoming "Tales from Space: About a Blob" for game consoles are among the many examples of home-grown talent.

Canada is among the world's top video game developers, with creative talent and government tax breaks attracting both global and independent studios whose products appeal not only to hard core players but the growing ranks of casual gamers.

Full Story

This is a friendly reminder that July 31, 2010 is the last day that we will be accepting applications for the Intellectual Property Development Fund, subject to the availability of funds. This means there are only six weeks remaining before your opportunity to apply for the fund will be over. If you have been considering submitting an application, please do so soon as funds may run out before July 31.
 
For details on the IP Development Fund and the application, please call (416) 314-6858 and ask for the IP Development Fund business officer on phone duty. You can also email us at IPFund@omdc.on.ca

Canada will be the featured Partner Country at the upcoming gamescom 2010 show, August 18 - 22 in Cologne, Germany.  Gamescom is the world's largest event for the world of interactive entertainment - with 245,000 visitors and 458 exhibitors from 31 countries.
 
A special Canadian Pavilion is organized by the Canadian Consulate in Germany in conjunction with the 5 provinces, Alberta, BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.  Exhibit space, along with numerous business services, on-site matchmaking support, networking events and promotional opportunities create a unique and productive business environment. Please contact Mette Petersen at m.petersen@koelnmessenafta.com  or +1 773 326 9921 for details. Or go to www.gamescom-cologne.com for show information.

September 16 - 19
YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES TO THE GAME INDUSTRY IN JAPAN

The Government of Ontario together with the provinces of Quebec, Alberta and the British Columbia are considering to support and to coordinate a Canada Pavilion at Tokyo Game Show 2010