CMF Announces Funding for Interactive Projects
In production, the CMF is investing $8.6 million in 17 new projects: eight games, four websites, four mobile applications and one software application. Six of these projects are in English, three are French and eight are bilingual. The average commitment to each project is $509,000. Two projects are being carried out in British Columbia, one in Manitoba, six in Ontario and eight in Quebec.
March 7, 2011
The Canada Media Fund is investing another $11.5 million in 36 new innovative interactive projects submitted in the second round of its Experimental Stream. The CMF offers financial assistance to support projects at various stages of their completion: production, development or marketing. Projects include entertainment content, technical development, online sites and portals, and mobile applications.In production, the CMF is investing $8.6 million in 17 new projects: eight games, four websites, four mobile applications and one software application. Six of these projects are in English, three are French and eight are bilingual. The average commitment to each project is $509,000. Two projects are being carried out in British Columbia, one in Manitoba, six in Ontario and eight in Quebec.
Ontario Sees Surge in Gaming Industry
Opening the company's fourth studio in Canada has already created more than 100 jobs. It's also helped cement the region's hold in the gaming industry. The company already has a studio in Montreal that employs about 2,100 people, in addition to studios in India, China, Romania, Sweden and elsewhere. "We've hired 120 people (so far)," said Jade Raymond, the managing director of the Ubisoft Toronto studio. "We've found there are a lot of senior people in the gaming industry who are originally from Ontario that have been waiting for a Triple-A studio to open up as a way to come back home."
March 4, 2011
When the multi-million dollar video game publisher and developer Ubisoft opened a studio in Toronto in 2010, the Ontario government lauded its arrival. Ontario courted Ubisoft, a highly profitable multinational company based in France, for three years. With a $263 million grant from the province, to be dolled out in the form tax breaks over 10 years, Ubisoft opened a studio in Toronto in the Junction Triangle to focus exclusively on high-quality, high-budget Triple-A titles. Opening the company's fourth studio in Canada has already created more than 100 jobs. It's also helped cement the region's hold in the gaming industry. The company already has a studio in Montreal that employs about 2,100 people, in addition to studios in India, China, Romania, Sweden and elsewhere. "We've hired 120 people (so far)," said Jade Raymond, the managing director of the Ubisoft Toronto studio. "We've found there are a lot of senior people in the gaming industry who are originally from Ontario that have been waiting for a Triple-A studio to open up as a way to come back home."
Government-funding 3D Gaming Initiative Enters New Dimension
Together, OMDC, OCE, industry and academic partners will provide more than $635,000 in funding to Interactive Gaming Ontario 3D (iGO3D), a new collaborative effort that brings together the expertise of five universities, one college and a wide range of gaming industry partners whose mission is to drive the growth of the province's digital media content industry. iGO3D's primary partner is the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), where Dr. Andrew Hogue, assistant professor, Faculty of Business and Information Technology will serve as iGO3D project leader.
March 4, 2011
Toronto, ON - The building blocks for the next generation of stereoscopic three-dimensional (S-3D) gaming are being put in place thanks to a major funding announcement by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture through the Ontario Media Development Corporation's (OMDC) Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund along with support from Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).Together, OMDC, OCE, industry and academic partners will provide more than $635,000 in funding to Interactive Gaming Ontario 3D (iGO3D), a new collaborative effort that brings together the expertise of five universities, one college and a wide range of gaming industry partners whose mission is to drive the growth of the province's digital media content industry. iGO3D's primary partner is the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), where Dr. Andrew Hogue, assistant professor, Faculty of Business and Information Technology will serve as iGO3D project leader.
ENCOURAGING GROWTH FOR ONTARIO'S INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA INDUSTRY
TORONTO - The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) has invested $2.0 million to support 19 interactive projects. The OMDC IDM Fund supports the creation of original, proprietary content created by Ontario companies. Ontario's interactive digital media industry is part of Ontario's fast growing innovative economy.
The OMDC IDM Fund commenced in 2005 and was renewed in 2008 by the Provincial government to encourage growth in Ontario's innovative economy. To date the OMDC IDM Fund has contributed $7.7 million to support 76 projects with budgets totalling $32.7 million.
OMDC will be honouring the current round of recipients at an IDM Showcase Tuesday night that will also feature demonstrations of 10 past recipients' exciting products developed over the past five cycles of the IDM Fund.
February 8, 2011
TORONTO - The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) has invested $2.0 million to support 19 interactive projects. The OMDC IDM Fund supports the creation of original, proprietary content created by Ontario companies. Ontario's interactive digital media industry is part of Ontario's fast growing innovative economy.
The OMDC IDM Fund commenced in 2005 and was renewed in 2008 by the Provincial government to encourage growth in Ontario's innovative economy. To date the OMDC IDM Fund has contributed $7.7 million to support 76 projects with budgets totalling $32.7 million.
OMDC will be honouring the current round of recipients at an IDM Showcase Tuesday night that will also feature demonstrations of 10 past recipients' exciting products developed over the past five cycles of the IDM Fund.
Toronto-Based TransGaming Brings On-Demand Gaming Platform To Smart TV
Ontario's rapid emergence as a leader of interactive digital media and video game production has introduced many established names to the global game development industry. At the forefront is TransGaming Inc., with their innovative GameTree TV Platform.
The GameTree TV on-demand gaming Platform for connected, or Smart TV's, is positioned to be the premier interactive media distribution system, allowing consumers to access high-quality gaming content delivered straight to their connected consumer electronic (CE) devices at the click of a button. The Platform utilizes set-top cable boxes, allowing any consumer to have the ability to instantly access a wide variety of high quality digital content.
January 28, 2011
Ontario's rapid emergence as a leader of interactive digital media and video game production has introduced many established names to the global game development industry. At the forefront is TransGaming Inc., with their innovative GameTree TV Platform.
The GameTree TV on-demand gaming Platform for connected, or Smart TV's, is positioned to be the premier interactive media distribution system, allowing consumers to access high-quality gaming content delivered straight to their connected consumer electronic (CE) devices at the click of a button. The Platform utilizes set-top cable boxes, allowing any consumer to have the ability to instantly access a wide variety of high quality digital content.
IO and Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Launch New Program
The goal of EDGE is to help grow the interactive digital media industry by providing in-depth business knowledge to video game entrepreneurs. EDGE will provide the training needed to make key business decisions and will teach entrepreneurs skills in training, leadership and administration.
January 20, 2011
January 19, 2011 (Toronto) - Interactive Ontario (IO) in partnership
with The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson
University, is pleased to announce the launch of EDGE: Education for
Digital and Games Entrepreneurs. This part-time academic program will
deliver targeted business-skills training to video game and digital
media entrepreneurs. It will pilot in the spring with a full launch in
the fall of 2011. The goal of EDGE is to help grow the interactive digital media industry by providing in-depth business knowledge to video game entrepreneurs. EDGE will provide the training needed to make key business decisions and will teach entrepreneurs skills in training, leadership and administration.
BITHEADS ACQUIRES BEDLAM GAMES AND PLAYBRAINS, FORMS NEW TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA COMPANY
Merged Company Will Offer Businesses and Consumers Complete Set of Connected Products and Services
Will Be Worldwide Leader in Connected Transmedia
Companies Have $13M in Annual Revenue, Aggressive Growth Planned for 2011
OTTAWA, ON and TORONTO, ON - January 20, 2011 bitHeads, inc., an award-winning custom software application development company, today announced the acquisition of Bedlam Games and Playbrains Inc., creating one merged technology company called Ascension CrossMedia Inc.
The combined entity is an immediate leader in connected media products and services and will grow both of its existing Ontario offices in Toronto and Ottawa.
January 20, 2011
Merged Company Will Offer Businesses and Consumers Complete Set of Connected Products and Services
Will Be Worldwide Leader in Connected Transmedia
Companies Have $13M in Annual Revenue, Aggressive Growth Planned for 2011
OTTAWA, ON and TORONTO, ON - January 20, 2011 bitHeads, inc., an award-winning custom software application development company, today announced the acquisition of Bedlam Games and Playbrains Inc., creating one merged technology company called Ascension CrossMedia Inc.
The combined entity is an immediate leader in connected media products and services and will grow both of its existing Ontario offices in Toronto and Ottawa.
CMF receives nearly 200 Experimental Stream applications
The Canada Media Fund received nearly 200 funding applications for digital media and interactive software application projects in its Experimental Stream program. The funding applications requested about $72 M against an available budget of $10.8 M. Of the applications received from around the country, 45.6 % were for the development phase, 7.7 % for marketing, and 46.7 % for production. The second round application submission deadline was November 12, 2010. It was the second and final deadline for the submission of Experimental Stream project applications.
As for the first round, the selection requirements are based on the CMF 2010-2011 Experimental Stream Guidelines. The funding applications are being reviewed by a jury of Canadian and International experts and the CMF Program Administrator at Telefilm Canada.
The projects selected for funding will be announced by the end of February 2011.
December 13, 2010
CMF receives nearly 200 Experimental Stream applicationsThe Canada Media Fund received nearly 200 funding applications for digital media and interactive software application projects in its Experimental Stream program. The funding applications requested about $72 M against an available budget of $10.8 M. Of the applications received from around the country, 45.6 % were for the development phase, 7.7 % for marketing, and 46.7 % for production. The second round application submission deadline was November 12, 2010. It was the second and final deadline for the submission of Experimental Stream project applications.
As for the first round, the selection requirements are based on the CMF 2010-2011 Experimental Stream Guidelines. The funding applications are being reviewed by a jury of Canadian and International experts and the CMF Program Administrator at Telefilm Canada.
The projects selected for funding will be announced by the end of February 2011.
IO Members in the news - CANADA RISING: Ontario
A trip to the Canada's metropolitan development hub. Home to both the most populous Canadian city of Toronto and the national capital of Ottawa, Ontario is a hub of metropolitan life in a country with more than a few gleaming cityscapes spread out across its (mostly) untamed terrain.
“Ontario is really the engine that drives the rest of Canada in terms of economic activity, academic institutions and the like,” says Bedlam Games CEO Trevor Fencott.
Full Story
November 8, 2010
From Develop OnlineA trip to the Canada's metropolitan development hub. Home to both the most populous Canadian city of Toronto and the national capital of Ottawa, Ontario is a hub of metropolitan life in a country with more than a few gleaming cityscapes spread out across its (mostly) untamed terrain.
“Ontario is really the engine that drives the rest of Canada in terms of economic activity, academic institutions and the like,” says Bedlam Games CEO Trevor Fencott.
Full Story
Essential Facts About the Canadian Computer and Video Game Industry
Find it here.
November 2, 2010
Essential Facts About the Canadian Computer and Video Game Industry (2010) is The Entertainment Software Association's annual guidebook to the entertainment software industry. Find updated stats on the average age of the Canadian gamer, frequency of play, gender breakdown, preferred platforms and ways to play. You’ll also find data on how online play, social games and mobile games are changing the gaming landscape. This annual publication also features relevant data about ESRB ratings awareness, family gaming and top selling games. Finally, Essential Facts gives an overview of the Canadian entertainment software industry with data on jobs, growth rate and annual contributions to the Canadian economy. Find it here.
IO Member news - Sideway coming exclusively to PS3 in 2011, first concept art
October 6, 2010
Greetings PlayStation.Blog! I’m the studio director of Playbrains, and I’m here today to announce the awesomesauce that is Sideway, a unique adventure platformer set in and around the oh-so-gritty streets of New York City. The characters and story have been birthed from a fantastic world created by the quasi-evil geniuses at Fuel Industries and W!ldbrain.
INTERACTIVE ONTARIO WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS
(Toronto, Oct 1, 2010) - Interactive Ontario (IO) is pleased to welcome Patricia McCutcheon and Armen Karapetyan to its growing team and is bidding farewell to Sarah Baird, VP Programmes and Operations.
Patricia McCutcheon will be taking on the role of Director of Programmes where she will oversee programming for the upcoming iLunch 9.0 series, GameON: Finance and INplay 2011 conferences. Armen Karapetyan is IO’s new Director of Operations, and will be primarily responsible for IO’s financials, forecasting and human resources management.
October 1, 2010
For Immediate Release(Toronto, Oct 1, 2010) - Interactive Ontario (IO) is pleased to welcome Patricia McCutcheon and Armen Karapetyan to its growing team and is bidding farewell to Sarah Baird, VP Programmes and Operations.
Patricia McCutcheon will be taking on the role of Director of Programmes where she will oversee programming for the upcoming iLunch 9.0 series, GameON: Finance and INplay 2011 conferences. Armen Karapetyan is IO’s new Director of Operations, and will be primarily responsible for IO’s financials, forecasting and human resources management.
TALES FROM SPACE: ABOUT A BLOB to be released through SCEAs Pub Fund initiative
Developers looking to release a game through the Pub Fund initiative must be prepared to build it to completion and commit to a period of console platform exclusivity. In return, approved developers receive a development-budget-matching royalty guarantee from SCEA. A number of popular PlayStation Network games, including Burn Zombie Burn by DoubleSix and Joe Danger by Hello Games, have already been released through the program.
September 30, 2010
TORONTO, Ontario (September 30th 2010) - Toronto-based start-up DrinkBox
Studios today announced that their alien-invasion-themed co-op
platformer Tales from Space: About a Blob will be released as part of
Sony Computer Entertainment America's Pub Fund program.Developers looking to release a game through the Pub Fund initiative must be prepared to build it to completion and commit to a period of console platform exclusivity. In return, approved developers receive a development-budget-matching royalty guarantee from SCEA. A number of popular PlayStation Network games, including Burn Zombie Burn by DoubleSix and Joe Danger by Hello Games, have already been released through the program.
Vortex offers IO members discount
The Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition, an illustrious event designed to showcase Ontario’s undiscovered videogame talent, is pleased to offer IO members a 10% discount on the delegates pass to attend Vortex 2010. IO members use discount code: VortexIOmember
September 29, 2010
Hear Howard Donaldson Vice President, Studio Operations for Disney Interactive Studios, The Walt Disney Company. The Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition, an illustrious event designed to showcase Ontario’s undiscovered videogame talent, is pleased to offer IO members a 10% discount on the delegates pass to attend Vortex 2010. IO members use discount code: VortexIOmember
Canada's video game industry is a going concern
The whole Canadian interactive media industry, which includes games, iPhone apps and lots of online content, is worth about $4 billion annually and employs some 50,000 people. By comparison, the Canadian music recording and performance industry is worth approximately $1.2 billion and, the Canadian television broadcasting industry, about $5.5 billion.
"It's a highly educated workforce that is paid well," says Sean Murch, head of business development at Next Level Games in Vancouver, which has created games based on the Spider-Man and Super Mario characters. "The impact on GDP is higher than most industries."
Murch was part of a recent industry delegation that successfully convinced the B.C. government to create a 17.5-per-cent tax credit on the industry's labour costs in the province so that it could compete with its counterparts in Ontario and Quebec, where similar credits are available.
Read the full story
September 24, 2010
Source- Toronto StarThe whole Canadian interactive media industry, which includes games, iPhone apps and lots of online content, is worth about $4 billion annually and employs some 50,000 people. By comparison, the Canadian music recording and performance industry is worth approximately $1.2 billion and, the Canadian television broadcasting industry, about $5.5 billion.
"It's a highly educated workforce that is paid well," says Sean Murch, head of business development at Next Level Games in Vancouver, which has created games based on the Spider-Man and Super Mario characters. "The impact on GDP is higher than most industries."
Murch was part of a recent industry delegation that successfully convinced the B.C. government to create a 17.5-per-cent tax credit on the industry's labour costs in the province so that it could compete with its counterparts in Ontario and Quebec, where similar credits are available.
Read the full story
