Manitoba Featured in PC World

There is an article in PC World that gives a good overview of the present state as well as some of the efforts to grow the emerging Video Game Industry in Manitoba. The article can be found here.

Video Games Live press release

Video Games Live

Presented by Future Shop

Tickets on Sale Now.

Date: Thursday, June 5 Time: 8:00pm

Pre Show Festival in lobby: 5:30pm

Venue: Centennial Concert Hall

Tickets: $35.00 – 65.00 plus fees & GST

Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca or 204.780.3333

www.videogameslive.com

www.keystonemusic.ca

Game on! Video Games Live visits Winnipeg with a new show for 2008 featuring members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. It’s the power and emotion of a symphony mixed with the excitement and energy of a rock concert and the technology and interactivity of a video game all completely synchronized to amazing cutting edge video screen visuals, state of the art lighting and special on-stage interactive segments with the audience

Video Games Live is a multimedia concert experience featuring the best music and exclusive synchronized video clips from the most popular games from the beginning of video gaming to the present. Performed by top orchestras and choirs, the show combines

video clips and specially designed Laser and light sequences, special FX showcasing over 50 different games in a wide variety of styles. The show has a segment dedicated to the old arcade classics – but there is also modern music and older, more memorable pieces that few have ever heard live.

Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, the creators and producers of the show are actual video game composers and are personally involved in every show. Tommy is the charismatic host and Jack is on stage as the conductor. The video game industry takes this opportunity to help encourage and support the culture and art that the video game world has created.

Video Games Live had a fabulous 2007 selling out venues all over the world, appearing on Spike TV’s Video Games Award Show, opening the LA Live Nokia Theatre and a worldwide recording deal announcement with EMI Classics.

There is a pre-show festival & post show meet and greet (with industry designers, creators, voice actors, performers and special guests) open to all ticket holders – at NO extra cost. Pre-show activities include hands-on game demonstrations, Guitar Hero competition, costume contest and prizes including a draw for a gaming console from Future Shop.

Keystone music with support from Destination Winnipeg is presenting this unique feast for the senses.

As reviewer Leo Cotterell noted, “Nothing could have prepared me for the spectacle…I found myself surrounded by video game characters. These were not paid professionals but enthusiastic fans… I discovered and enjoyed being part of another world for a night.”

For more information, photos or interviews please contact:

Ruth O’Doherty, Publicist, Keystone Music Inc.

403.355.2361 Ruth@KeystoneMusic.ca

Bryan Taylor, Director of Events and Operations, Keystone Music Inc.

403.355.2349 Bryan@KeystoneMusic.ca

Business Plan course for new media companies

On Monday, March 31, 2008, New Media Manitoba presents the first of its kind Business course for new and existing businesses entitled, "New Media Business Plans for Procrastinators." This course will be delivered one evening per week for six weeks and will force you to create a business plan for your company or product.

For more information on the course can be found here. If you are interested in registering, click here. Questions... contact Kevin Hnatiuk at (204) 228-3252 or info@newmediamanitoba.com.

This will be an impressive course to be sure!!!!

Winnipeg Free Press article

Brian Bowman has written an article on the rise of the digital gaming industry. Fortune Cat is noted as a key player with some very encouraging words from Minister Jim Rondeau, Province of Manitoba (Science, Technology, Energy, and Mines). Click here to view the article.

CBC.ca article on Fortune Cat

There is an article posted at CBC.ca as a follow up to our open house event that can be found here. Some of the information was combined from Minister Rondeau's provincial announcements and assumed to be a part of the studio but overall a good article.

GDC or bust!!!

Fortune Cat Games Studio is going to San Francisco from February 18 - 22, 2008 to participate in the Games Developer Conference (GDC). The GDC is the largest interactive digital gaming conference in North America. The expected attendance according to the GDC website is over 16,000 people.

As a part of the "Game on Manitoba" initiative, Fortune Cat will be joining many other Manitoba and Canadian based organizations at the Canada Games Booth (#6619 - North Hall). We hope you take the time to stop by and meet with us.

More information on the GDC can be found at www.gdconf.com.

Smart Award Winners...

Congratulations to Khal Shariff of Project Whitecard (Fortune Cat successful applicant and current studio resident) and Ovide Mercredi (Fortune Cat Board Member). Both are the recipients of Smart Awards from the Smart Partners of Winnipeg group. The awards are to be given out this evening at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

More information on the awards can be found at www.smartwinnipeg.mb.ca.