Pre-history Meets Science Fiction
Vancouver ACM Siggraph Presents
Prehistory Meets Science Fiction
The Remake of Turok
March 5, 2008
Join the development team from Propaganda Games as they take us through the process of creating the the art, design, animation and technology of Turok, their recently released HD remake of the classic dinosaur hunting game. Propaganda will bring some sculpts of the dinosaurs along, and those will be displayed in the lobby of the theatre. Come early and have a look. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Visit Vancouver ACM Siggraph for more information and tickets
Posted by JasonElliott on February 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
SPARK VFX '08 Film Festival
Posted by JasonElliott on January 29, 2008 09:06 AM
Game Design Expo 2008 Announces Keynote Speakers
Makers of Hit Game Halo 3 Headlining 2008 Event
Vancouver, BC – November 13, 2007 – Game Design Expo is thrilled to name its keynote speakers for 2008: Jay Weinland and CJ Cowan, two of the team leads behind Bungie Studios' blockbuster Halo 3 , the fastest selling video game of all time.
The keynote will headline Game Design Expo 2008, which runs January 19 th and 20 th , 2008, in Vancouver, BC. The event is hosted by Vancouver Film School (VFS) in association with Event Partners G4TechTV, EA, CAEAA, Annex Pro, Crystal Dynamics, Radical Entertainment, Big Fish Games, Metropolitan Hotel, and The Province.
The two-day event will also feature lectures and panels by the designers, producers, and CEOs from top companies like Activision , BioWare , Eidos , EA , and Stormfront Studios , presenting topics ranging from the Console Wars to Digital Acting & Interactive Narrative to Game Audio . In conjunction with Game Design Expo 2008, the Game Design program at VFS will hold a free day-long Open House on January 20 th , with workshop classes and hands-on game demos.
In their keynote address, Bungie's Weinland (Audio Lead) and Cowan (Director of Cinematics) will discuss the tools and processes that helped create the sound and visuals for Halo 3 , which was released in September to rave reviews and first-day sales in the U.S. that reached a record-breaking $170 million.
General ticket sales for Game Design Expo 2008 begin on November 21 st , 2007. Check gamedesignexpo.com for detailed information, schedules, and up-to-the-minute news.
Posted by JasonElliott on November 13, 2007 11:44 AM | Comments (0)
Game Design Expo Set to Return for Second Year
Vancouver Film School Hosting Two Days of Speakers
Vancouver, BC – November 6, 2007 – Announcing the second annual Game Design Expo & Open House , featuring some of the leading minds in video game design and development, to be held in Vancouver, B.C. on January 19th and 20th, 2008 , and hosted by Vancouver Film School (VFS), Canada's largest private post-secondary entertainment arts school.
Compared to last year's sold-out event, Game Design Expo 2008 event is bigger in every way, with two days of lectures and panels by the designers, producers, and CEOs behind some of the biggest games of yesterday and today. Speakers from top companies like Activision , BioWare , Eidos , EA , and Stormfront Studios are coming to present topics ranging from the Console Wars to Digital Acting & Interactive Narrative to Game Audio.
For those thinking about working in the game industry, the Game Design program at VFS will be holding a free day-long Open House event in conjunction with Game Design Expo 2008, with workshop classes and hands-on game demos.
Game Design Industry Expo VFS Game Design Open House
Saturday, January 19th , 9:00am – 7:30pm
Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St.
Sunday, January 20th, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Vancouver Film School, 390 West Hastings St.
Sunday, January 20th, 10:30am – 5:00pm
Vancouver Film School, 420 Homer St.
Last year's Game Design Expo & Open House was a phenomenal success, attracting over 500 game lovers who were treated to lectures by luminaries like Glenn Entis of Electronic Arts, and Eric Zimmerman of Gamelab. Game Design Expo 2008 features an expanded schedule, and speakers and panelists include:
Activision |
Carl Schnurr |
Senior Director – Game Design |
Backbone Vancouver |
Joe Bonar |
Studio Head |
BioWare Corp. |
Kevin Barrett |
Director of Design |
Ken Thain |
Cinematic Group Design Coordinator |
|
Steve Sim |
Senior Sound Designer |
|
Mac Walters |
Senior Writer |
|
Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Interactive |
Arnab Basu |
Associate Producer |
Jason Botta |
Senior Designer |
|
Riley Cooper |
Senior Designer |
|
EA |
David McCarthy |
Executive Producer - Fusion Business Unit |
EA Blackbox |
Charles Deenen |
Senior Audio Director |
Hothead Games |
Vlad Ceraldi |
Co-Founder |
Joel DeYoung |
Producer |
|
Ron Gilbert |
Design Consultant |
|
Next Level Games |
Douglas Tronsgard |
CEO |
Chad York |
Audio Director |
|
Propaganda Games |
John Holmes |
VP & Studio General Manager |
Radical Entertainment |
Kelly Zmak |
President |
Relic Entertainment |
Tarrnie Williams |
General Manager |
Stormfront Studios |
Don Daglow |
President & CEO |
Tickets to the Expo (on sale November 21st , 2007, prices in Canadian dollars) are $80 for both days, $50 for Saturday, and $35 for Sunday. Check www.gamedesignexpo.com for up-to-the-minute information, schedules, registration, and ticket sales.
More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, including a special keynote presentation.
On Sunday, January 20th , Game Design at Vancouver Film School will host a free Open House event aimed at providing a unique look inside the intensive one-year program. Visitors will meet Head of Department Dave Warfield, see demonstrations of student games, and experience workshop classes on such topics as Game Art, Level Design, and Sound Design and Music for Games, taught by expert VFS instructors.
The Open House was booked to capacity last year, so those interested in attending are encouraged to register early. Registration and event information are available at gamedesignexpo.com .
Game Design Expo and its Event Partners G4TechTV, EA, CAEAA, Annex Pro, Crystal Dynamics, Radical Entertainment, Big Fish Games, Next Level Games, Metropolitan Hotel, and The Province are looking forward to another fantastic event.
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Vancouver Film School, founded in 1987, offers a proven education for everything in the entertainment industry. With 14 production-oriented programs and a unique one-year educational model, VFS prepares students to join the creative economy. Under the guidance of industry professionals, students in the Game Design, Animation & Visual Effects, Digital Design, and Sound Design for Visual Media programs develop the knowledge, experience, and portfolios and reels that enable them to step right into the video game industry. www.vfs.com
Our professional faculty and event speakers are available for interviews upon request. For more information, please contact:
Sarah Richards
Public Relations Specialist
Vancouver Film School
+1 (604) 631.3562
Posted by JasonElliott on November 6, 2007 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
Game Design Challenge #2 - THIS SATURDAY!!!
Posted by JasonElliott on October 7, 2007 07:18 PM
Ace Starlord's Guitar Hero Rockoff II
August 23, 2007
Vancouver BC
This past Thursday saw Ace Starlord's Guitar Hero Rockoff II come to life. Hosted by the Artery.ca, Chivana Resto-Lounge and the Vancouver Chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) an ecclectic crowd of about 50 showed up to rock out with Activision's Guitar Hero "Rocks the 80's" video game.
The evening started with Ace Starlord (aka Jason Elliott) out in all his glory, stretchy pants, make up and all announcing that it's not how good you play, but how good you look playing. Everyone paired up for chances at the Pro Face Off mode and enjoying the music and atmosphere. Many other people enjoyed themselves by watching all the antics from the sofas and tables. All around you could see people smiling, talking, and meeting others on a very successful night.
That's not to say the evening was perfect. It started out with some sound problems, which were promptly fixed to the relief of everyone. While everyone wanted to rock and roll all night, the Playstation 2 wasn't quite up for it. By the half way point, the machine began to pause for a few seconds, knocking the players out of their groove. Luckily most of the crowd took it as a bit of additional amusement.
The Artery.ca, Chivana Resto-Lounge, and the IGDA Vancouver would like to say thank you to everyone who made it out. You made the evening the success that it was and we couldn't have done it without you. This is hopefully only one of many to come. Now, without further adieu, here are the photos of the evening...
(If you have any photos you would like to share, please post them in the Guitar Hero thread in the Artery Lounge Forum.)
For More photos, check out the Artery Forum
Posted by JasonElliott on August 24, 2007 03:54 PM
The Big Game Design Competition 2007
The Belonging Initiative, in collaboration with Aitken Leadership Group, is supporting the development of games that are fun and accessible for everyone, games that take play beyond computers and into the spaces around us, games that require people working together. BIG stands for Belonging In Games. We are hosting a competition to see who can invent the best BIG game.
We are inviting everybody we know. The kids rolling down the sidewalks, moms and daughters, directors of non-profits, disaffected Emily Carr grads, and you. This is grass-roots game design, a competition for non-gaming-professionals, whose game
experience may be limited to bouts of Tag or Snakes-and-Ladders.
We want you to enter this competition. You can win a little money and considerable acclaim, and help us fight isolation at the same time.
BIG games are fun, accessible games that include play in the ‘real world’ and interaction with other people. BIG games are definitely not solo, computer-only adventures. They are playable across urban landscapes, in real time, with real people, who may or may not have super-abilities.
Your challenge is to design such a game and pitch it to our panel of judges in October, 2007. You will win or lose on the strength of your pitch. The game need not be playtested to win — though a playtest might make your pitch meatier — it just needs to win over the panel.
The competition starts now. You need to submit your team’s name and the names of its members ASAP. The competition will be restricted to 20 teams. The competition will end on Saturday October 13th, when your team must pitch its game to a panel of expert judges. The judges will judge and there will be one winner. They will leave with a $5000.00, an honorarium for their genius, and a truly enviable notoriety.
The judges will judge your game on the following BIG games criteria:
1) the game must be fun
2) the game must be playable by pretty much anyone: young, old, straight, gay, transgendered, street-engaged, married, people living with disabilities, people living in yaletown, people who play World of Warcraft, etc.
3) the gameplay requires real-world interaction between people (such as online interaction, personal ads, phone-tag, postcards, flashmobs, etc.)
4) Players’ social networks are expanded to include people who are “different” from themselves
How to enter the competition:
Email Brian Smith [ bsmith@plan.ca ] with your intention to play. He will forward you some fine print.
Enter the BIG games competition now. Save the world with play, get famous, win 5k.
Posted by JasonElliott on April 16, 2007 03:33 PM | Comments (0)
Boardgame Challenge Results
We had an amazing turn out at the first ever IGDA Vancouver Boardgame Design Challenge. We had eight teams enter and dozens of people came out to play. A special thanks goes out to Strategies Hobbies and Games for hosting the event and putting up some of the prizes.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a small novels worth.
The Crowd:
The Games and the Action!
Darren working the Room
The Crowd Anticipates the Winners
Winner for Fun Factor
Azam and Paden - Joust
Winner for Innovation
Craig - Space Invaders
Winner for Presentation
Chris D(Relic) - Joust
Posted by JasonElliott on April 7, 2007 12:18 PM
Vancouver International Game Summit 2007
Vancouver International Game Summit, May 3-4, 2007, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Join us in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia for the 1st Vancouver International Game Summit "Play, Network, Share"
Title Sponsor - 
WHEN: May 3-4th, 2007
WHERE: Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
ON-LINE REGISTRATION: http://www.rebootconference.com/games2007
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Alexander Seropian, Founder of Wideload Games and Bungie Studios (Creators of Halo)
Rory Armes, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager, EA Canada
CONFERENCE FOCUS:
Tapping into the fast growing pool of game creators residing on the West Coast of Canada and the U.S., the Summit will showcase designers and leaders from the digital entertainment community, highlighting the latest trends in game development and publishing, and global perspectives on industry growth. Enjoy educational, networking and business opportunities, and a world class agenda that features management, technical and design tracks, as well as interactive workshops. Click here for the full agenda and confirmed conference speakers: http://www.rebootconference.com/games2007/agenda.php
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Programmers, Artists, Game designers, Producers, Publishers, Studio leads
CONFERENCE PARTNERS:
* New Media BC
* International Games Developers Association, Vancouver
* National Research Council of Canada – IRAP
* Game Recruiter
* BC Ministry of Economic Development
* TeleFilm Canada
* Northwest Games Festival
* ACMSiggraph Vancouver
* Vancouver Film School
ACCOMMODATION:
The Sheraton Wall Centre invites you register at one of the 733 stunning guestrooms, with floor-to ceiling, wall to wall windows: scenic panoramic view, in the heart of downtown Vancouver. A special conference room rate of $229.00 per night is available quote "Game Conference" when booking.
1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
Phone (604) 331-1000
Fax (604) 893-7200
Email: reservations@wallcentre.com
Web Site: http://www.sheratonwallcentre.com
For full conference information and registration, please visit our website at: http://www.rebootconference.com/games2007.
2007 Conference Partners:
Posted by JasonElliott on March 20, 2007 09:17 AM
The Story of Supreme Commander
The International Game Developers Association of Vancouver is proud to present "The Story of Supreme Commander" with guest speaker Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games.
There is limited seating, approximately 75 people, and will be on a first come first serve basis. Here are the details:
The Story of Supreme Commander: Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games
When: Saturday, January 27th
Doors: 6:30PM
Location: Next Level Games, 1128 Homer Street, 3rd Floor, Vancouver, BC V6B 2X6
Max Capacity: 75 people, first come first served!
Cost: Current IGDA Vancouver Members Free, non-members $5 Refreshments included with admission.
For a larger poster: Click here!
Posted by JasonElliott on January 20, 2007 02:35 PM | Comments (0)
Game Design Expo
Game Industry Unites for Expo in Vancouver
Vancouver Film School Hosts Inaugural Game Design Expo
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Film School (“VFS”), the largest private post-secondary entertainments arts institution in Canada, is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Game Design Expo on January 13th and 14th, 2007, in Vancouver, B.C. This two day event targets both those thriving in the industry and those looking to be a part of it. The video game industry in Canada has exploded in the last decade, bringing more than 130 gaming companies to the Vancouver area alone. The VFS Game Design program is a key provider of new talent to this rapidly growing industry.
Highlights of the VFS Game Design Expo include:
Listen to and meet speakers from the biggest gaming companies in North America.
Announcement of a $25,000 scholarship to the VFS Game Design program, sponsored by Electronic Arts.
Tour the VFS Game Design campus and attend sample classes.
Get a job in the industry; come to the open recruitment session and meet HR specialists from the top game companies.
Play the new Nintendo Wii and enter to win a Wii console.
Exclusive speaker sessions for VFS students and alumni.
Saturday January 13th, Industry Day at Vancouver International Film Centre, features guest speaker lectures and panel discussions with the leading minds in Game Design and Development in North America as well as industry executives from Vancouver. The Expo is a comprehensive day focused on a variety of topics including: the future of gaming, designing for play, and storytelling and cinematics. Industry Day is open to the gaming industry and the public. Tickets are $40 (available through www.ticketmaster.ca), giving you complete access to all the day’s events. Complete details of our speakers, their discussion topics, and schedules are available at www.gamedesignexpo.com.
Saturday Speakers include:
Glenn Entis (Keynote) Electronic Arts Senior Vice President, CVO and CTO
Eric Zimmerman, Gamelab Co-Founder & CEO
Mike Swanson, Gas Powered Games Studio Art Production Manager
Jim Sink, Backbone Vancouver Business Development Manager
Kevin Barrett, BioWare Corp. Director of Design
Rory Armes, Electronic Arts Senior VP and Group General Manager
Jay Balakrishnan, Beyond Virtual, Inc. CEO & Founder
Steve Bocska, Hothead Games Inc. Joint Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
Douglas Alan Tronsgard, Next Level Games Inc. Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Zmak, Radical Entertainment President
Sunday Open House, January 14th, is a free event at the VFS 420 Homer Campus. Sample a number of classes from the Game Design program, meet the faculty and alumni, play games that previous VFS students have designed, and check out the campus. The Open House will also be where VFS and EA announce the details of the $25,000 scholarship contest to the Game Design program. Nintendo will be on hand for attendees to play the newest Nintendo interactive console, the Wii, and win a chance to take one home.
The Game Industry in Canada is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. With more than 44% of the gaming companies based in the city, Vancouver is poised to be the gaming hub for Canada and VFS is the school that teaches the skills needed to gain entry into the industry.
Vancouver Film School, founded in 1987, offers a proven education for everything you see, hear, and experience in the entertainment industry. As a results-focused school, VFS teaches the arts through doing, with programs in Foundation Visual Art & Design, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Acting for Film & Television, Classical Animation, Digital Character Animation, Digital Design, Entertainment Business Management, Film Production, Game Design, Makeup Design for Film & Television, Sound Design for Visual Media, and Writing for Film, TV & Interactive Media. Students develop direct relationships with the people, industries, and ideas shaping these disciplines, and discover the passion and experience needed to become working artists. Graduates work for top companies or elect entrepreneurial routes starting their own studios.
A complete media kit is available online at www.gamedesignexpo.com/media. Our professional faculty is available for print, radio, and television interviews. For more information on this and other special events being planned for the 20th Anniversary of VFS, please contact:
Sarah Richards
Public Relations Specialist
Vancouver Film School
+1 (604) 631.3562
sarah@gamedesignexpo.com
Posted by JasonElliott on December 10, 2006 12:03 PM
ARTmageddon
Gamers Get Ready for ARTmageddon
11/22/2006
Think you’re one of BC’s best gamers? Prove it on December 2, 2006 as gamers from across the Lower Mainland battle to determine who has the reflexes and game-play wizardry needed to take home top prizes at the inaugural ARTmageddon festival.
The Art Institute of Vancouver has joined forces with Electronic Arts (EA) and Relic Entertainment to create ARTmageddon, an intense game competition featuring battles on two of the hottest new releases available. Official game tournaments include Need for Speed™ Carbon, developed by EA Black Box, and Company of Heroes™ developed by Relic Entertainment for THQ. Players will go head-to-head for merchandise and cash prizes.
Taking place at The Art Institute of Vancouver Burnaby location, ARTmageddon is set to host a number of renowned guest speakers from the game development industry. Members of Vancouver’s multi-billion dollar game industry will also be on hand to present their wares, with new games, as well as student games from The Art Institute of Vancouver, available for test-play. The festival is open to the public, with an expected audience of over 300.
"We're excited to host this unique game festival for Vancouver aimed at educating the public by bringing them in contact with an impressive group of local game developers and industry experts," says Tom Kim, Art Institute of Vancouver President.
More information about ARTmageddon can be found at www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.ca or by calling 604.298.5400. Pre-registration closes on November 29, and gamers interested in competing are strongly encouraged to apply early.
The Art Institute of Vancouver is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 32 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
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Contacts
Cliff Jones
Director of Public Relations
The Art Institute of Vancouver,
Ph: 604.639.5117
email: cjones@edmc.edu
www.artinstitutes.edu/vancouver
Penny Cholmondeley
Public Relations Specialist
604-298-5492 ext. 5268
pcholmondeley@aii.edu
Posted by JasonElliott on November 26, 2006 03:54 PM | Comments (1)