Blog Archives
Lessons in Prehistoric Love & Game Jams
I’ll start off this article by pre-empting your question with an answer – “Game Jam”. Usually comprised of several teams of 2 or 3 people, the Game Jam typically occurs over an intense weekend where programmers, artists, designers and coffee collaborate to build a game from scratch.
The purpose of Game Jams varies. Some are organized by big-name studios to foster the design process of their creative teams, allowing members a chance to develop their own ideas while still having access to top-of-the-line equipment. Others function on a local level, fostering the game development community, providing indie developers, students and artists alike a chance to network (provided they can bring their own computer). Read the rest of this entry
MOGA Pro Controller Review – A Hardcore Gamer’s Dream
Last year I was quite impressed the Power A’s MOGA Pocket controller. However, while it allowed me to play my favourite mobile games with a game controller, it had a number of issues like deadzones, battery-life, and an unreliable pivot app that annoyed me the more I used the gamepad. Thankfully, the brand-new MOGA Pro controller fixes all of the MOGA Pocket’s issues while bringing with it a few news additions that make it feel like a hardcore gamer’s dream.
Should you pick up the MOGA Pro Controller? Find out after the break. Read the rest of this entry
The 2013 Canadian Videogame Awards Red Carpet Gallery
Michael Mando (Vaas in Far Cry 3) at the CVA Red Carpet.
As you might have read in one of our earlier posts, April 20th was the night of the fourth annual Canadian Videogame Awards. And like many award shows, there’s a customary red carpet gala for the presenters, nominees, and special guests. Fellow JTM editor Lee Guille and I were there to cover not only the event itself but the red carpet as well.
The event saw the CVA’s host and Deus Ex: Human Revolution voice actor Elias Toufexis, Mass Effect 3′s Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, Far Cry 3′s Michael Mando (voice of the crazy Vaas), Electric Playground’s Victor Lucas, and many more. One thing was for sure, the Canada’s game community, developers, publishers and fans all came to support the Canadian video game industry’s night of celebration.
Check out the CVA 2013 red carpet gallery after the break.
Electric Playground’s Victor Lucas Talks CVA, Elias Toufexis, and Indie Games
The fourth annual Canadian Videogame Awards (CVA) took place on Saturday April 20th and showcased the great Canadian talent behind some of the biggest games of 2012. From Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3 to Klei Entertainment’s Mark of the Ninja, Canadians were able to meet and celebrate the people that collaborate to make these great games.
We recently had a chance to talk to Canadian Videogame Awards Co-founder and Electric Playground host Victor Lucas just before the awards ceremony where he discussed the CVA, choosing Elias Toufexis as the host, and the rise of Indie Games. Check out the full interview with Victor after the break. Read the rest of this entry
And The 2013 Canadian Videogame Award Winners Are…
Well, we just came back to the hotel after a crazy night at the fourth annual Canadian Videogame Awards and oh boy was it ever a blast. Not only did it put a spotlight on amazing Canadian-developed games, it also showcased the talented studios and people behind them.
Let me tell you, the competition this year was the fiercest it’s ever been. Indie breakout hits like Mark of the Ninja, Papo & Yo, and Sound Shapes faced off with Triple-A heavy hitters like Far Cry 3, Assassin’s Creed 3, and Sleeping Dogs in awards categories that blurred the line between Indie and big budget productions.
Our own pick for 2012′s Best Overall Shooter – Far Cry 3 took home six awards including the coveted Game of the Year, Mass Effect 3 won Best Console Game and two others, while Mark of the Ninja stood out of the indie scene with their two award wins including Best Indie Game.
Hit the jump for the full list of winners and nominees at the Canadian Videogame Awards. Read the rest of this entry
NAMCO BANDAI To Open Vancouver Game Studio This June
Industry hopefuls will be happy to know that one of Japan’s leading publishers, NAMCO BANDAI is set to open a Vancouver game studio this June. The new studio will open with 30 staffers and will work closely with government and local colleges and universities to acquire new talent and hopefully help bolster BC’s video game industry.
More information on NAMCO BANDAI’s Vancouver branch after the break. Read the rest of this entry
Vancouver Developers Collaborate For ‘Full Indie Summit’ Later This Month
A few years ago, Vancouver played host to GDC Canada; it had a lot of potential, but didn’t attain the success it needed to continue every year. Thankfully the indie gaming community, including Vancouver developers will collaborate for ‘Full Indie Summit’ later this month. Organized by VBlank Entertainment’s Brian Provinciano (Retro City Rampage), Full Indie Summit is a not-for-profit event that will host a number of talks from game developers around the country.
Hit the jump for more info on Full Indie Summit. Read the rest of this entry
Canadian Videogame Awards – Full Coverage Coming Soon
The 4th annual Canadian Videogame Awards is set to take place on April 20, 2013 and you can be sure that JTM Games will be there to give you guys full coverage of the event. From the Red Carpet, to the Gala, to the award ceremony, we’ll give you guys an inside look on the Canadian game industry’s most important night.
Taking place in beautiful Vancouver BC, the CVA’s celebrate the Canadian game industry as one of the top leaders in game design, art, publishing and development. More on the Canadian Videogame Awards after the break. Read the rest of this entry
Thoughts On Gaming – And The Game Industry – in Canada
Image Credit: Business Review Canada (www.businessreviewcanada.ca)
Want to know something that might surprise you about gaming in Canada?
Did you know that 58% of Canadians are gamers? And that a growing number of those gamers are Canadian women? Not only is the Canadian game industry maturing with titles being recognized as art, Canadians are now more educated about the industry and the act of gaming as not just child’s play; it’s a profitable industry that brings in billions of dollars into the country.
But what makes the Canadian game industry so special? Also, what pressing issue is the country’s entertainment industry facing? Read the rest of this entry
IGDA Faces Public Resignations After GDC Party Controversy
Yet again, it seems like the video game industry’s taken slow step forward and two quick hops back when it comes to equality in the work place. And this time, it led to the IGDA facing public resignations of a number of their prominent industry members.
This week many game industry professionals and hopefuls are attending the largest video game professional focused event in the world: Game Developers Conference. This event, better known as GDC, features panels, workshops, networking events and in the evenings, industry sponsored parties.
Last night at the International Game Developers Association event sponsored by YetiZen, a company specializing in funding social and mobile game development, attendees were treated to more than just food and alcohol, but also scantily clad dancers. More on this story after the break. Read the rest of this entry
