Manitoba News Release
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January 24, 2007
PROVINCE WELCOMES CANADA'S FIRST INTERACTIVE DIGITAL GAMING BUSINESS INCUBATOR
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Funding Announced at Opening Of New Fortune Cat Games Studio
The Manitoba government today recognized Canada's first gaming business incubator and outlined support for seven Manitoba companies developing new digital media projects, Science, Technology, Energy and Mines (STEM) Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.
"We know a big part of Manitoba's economic future will be the development of cutting-edge technology," said Rondeau. "The digital media industry in Manitoba has already established its importance to our economy with more than 230 digital media companies in operation in the province, a growth rate of 1,850 per cent during the past three years."
Digital media companies receiving $138,612 in assistance under the Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Fund include:
- White Magic Robotics Inc. - $20,000 for market research and development of a robotic game prototype.
- Nihilonaut Productions Inc. - $40,000 for market research and development of an alternative reality game prototype and six-episode Internet protocol television (IPTV) series.
- Les Production Rivard - $20,000 for market research and development of a prototype for an interactive website for preschool children, daycares and their educators.
- Project Whitecard - $20,000 for market research and development of a prototype for an in classroom lunar simulation of the Apollo mission and a colonization learning module.
- Tomkorp Computer Solutions - $11,000 in financial assistance for market research and development of a real-time puzzle game prototype.
- Animiki See Productions and Distribution Inc. - $19,312 for market research and development of a multi-platform initiative.
- Lateral Thinking Inc. - $8,300 for product development and market funding for a 3D platform game for PCs.
Rondeau made the announcement at the official opening of Winnipeg's Fortune Cat Games Studio, Canada's first interactive digital gaming business incubator.
An incubator is a facility designed to encourage entrepreneurship and minimize obstacles to new business formation and development, particularly for high-technology firms, by housing a number of budding enterprises that share an array of services such as rent and business counselling. The companies involved with Fortune Cat will also have national and international gaming experts to mentor them in the development of their products.
"Fortune Cat Games Studio provides successful applicants with training opportunities that will enhance their knowledge base and skill set," said Rondeau. "The studio works closely with game developers to help them prepare their project for production and game publication. I congratulate them on the opening of their studio."
"These are exciting times for the new media and emerging interactive gaming industry," said Michael Boyd, executive director of Fortune Cat Games Studio. "We are thrilled to be an important part of the provincial strategy for growth in the sector and very thankful for the funding and support we receive from STEM. The three young gaming companies presently in the studio - Complex Games, Project Whitecard and Tomkorp - will be the first wave of new and successful organizations as a result of the province's vision and faith in Fortune Cat."
Manitoba's $300,000 Interactive Digital Media Fund provides assistance with production, professional development and marketing. It also provides non-repayable advances to support activities and initiatives that contribute to the development of interactive digital media in Manitoba.
Video game and new media developers may also apply for the Manitoba New Media Production grant which provides eligible companies with grant assistance equal to 45 per cent of the eligible Manitoba labour costs directly attributable to the development of an eligible new media product.
"Manitoba is working hard to help develop and support an active industry," said Rondeau. "Investing in the digital media sector translates into keeping highly-skilled labour in Manitoba."
More information about the new media digital industry in Manitoba is available at:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/stem/knowledge/digital_media.html
More information on Fortune Cat is available at http://www.fortunecatgames.ca/objectives.shtml
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Do Video Games Help Kids Learn?
Do Video Games Help Kids Learn?
UWinnipeg first in Canada to share learning from $50-million in US research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY 16, 2008
WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are hosting a two-day learning event Jan. 24-25, 2008, that includes workshops for faculty, staff and students, demonstrations by a team of educational experts and a free public forum on groundbreaking research into Digital Media and Learning. This is the first time the MacArthur Foundation will present its innovative research in Canada, exploring the revolution in learning in today’s digital world.
“The University of Winnipeg’s Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre is a successful and concrete example of utilizing digital media in the learning process, a field the MacArthur Foundation has researched, invested in and pioneered over the last five years,” said UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, who is the only Canadian member of the MacArthur Foundation Board of Directors. “Having an organization of the caliber of the MacArthur Foundation coming to our campus to discuss and share its research is an honour and an incredible opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and community.”
Keynote speakers include Sasha Barab of Indiana University, Nichole Pinkard, Director of Technology at the University of Chicago’s Center for Urban School and Constance M. Yowell, Director of Education in the MacArthur Foundation's Program on Human and Community Development.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Naniece Ibrahim, Marketing & Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7130, E: n.ibrahim@uwinnipeg.ca
http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/release-080116
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UWinnipeg first in Canada to share learning from $50-million in US research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY 16, 2008
WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are hosting a two-day learning event Jan. 24-25, 2008, that includes workshops for faculty, staff and students, demonstrations by a team of educational experts and a free public forum on groundbreaking research into Digital Media and Learning. This is the first time the MacArthur Foundation will present its innovative research in Canada, exploring the revolution in learning in today’s digital world.
“The University of Winnipeg’s Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre is a successful and concrete example of utilizing digital media in the learning process, a field the MacArthur Foundation has researched, invested in and pioneered over the last five years,” said UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, who is the only Canadian member of the MacArthur Foundation Board of Directors. “Having an organization of the caliber of the MacArthur Foundation coming to our campus to discuss and share its research is an honour and an incredible opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and community.”
Keynote speakers include Sasha Barab of Indiana University, Nichole Pinkard, Director of Technology at the University of Chicago’s Center for Urban School and Constance M. Yowell, Director of Education in the MacArthur Foundation's Program on Human and Community Development.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Naniece Ibrahim, Marketing & Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7130, E: n.ibrahim@uwinnipeg.ca
http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/release-080116
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The Studio is busy...
Fortune Cat Games Studio has been busy of late. Flashman Studios (Vancouver / San Francisco) was just in Winnipeg to conduct an assessment on the teams. It was a great experience for all. This week, we have our open house event on January 24th as well as the MacArthur Foundation Events at the University of Winnipeg. More information on the latter after the two day meetings.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Grand opening of
FORTUNE CAT Games Studio
Date: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Location: 201 – 62 Albert Street
We open our doors to friends, colleagues, and stakeholders to celebrate the opening of Canada’s first Interactive Digital Gaming Business Incubator. Come see a preview of the projects being worked on in the studio by Complex Games, Project Whitecard, and Tomkorp.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Greetings
See photos of Minister Jim Rondeau's talk in Hong Kong at http://web.mac.com/jarueda/iWeb/Site/Rondeau.html I provided Mike Boyd of Fortune Cat with a DVD of Minister Rondeau's talk in Hong Kong for those of you interested. His talk was about the video games industry in Manitoba and Manitoba's global competitiveness. If anyone is interested in learning more about opportunities in Hong Kong please drop me a line (jobs, partners, outsourcing, training).
Game on.
Best regards,
J.A. Rueda
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Game on.
Best regards,
J.A. Rueda
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Pong in 2007
By J.A. Rueda
Why is so much technology in new consoles not used to provide fun to the player? Fun can be based on simple concepts enabled by simple electronics such as Mr. Ralph Baer's Odissey and Mr. Nolan Bushnell's Pong, vintage 1966 and 1972 respectively.
A few days ago, I discovered a Pong type game for the Nintendo Wii as part of the Wii Play game. This game reminded me of one of the universal principles of design, the Law of Economy (Ockham’s Razor): Simple is Better. Brain Age for the Nintendo DS is another example of the application of the same universal principle of design.
Many games have great art and great stories, but with so much computer power available to the designer, it seems that often the emphasis is in the art and story, not on fun.
Mr. Raph Koster (Sony Online Entertainment, EverQuest) reminded me that “real fun comes from challenges that are always at the margin of our ability” in his book Theory of Fun. I found that a 2007 version of the 1972 Pong played with the Wii controller provides such challenge and it is fun.
Why are some video games so frustrating? I'll ponder this question while I play some more "Pong" on the Wii...
Why is so much technology in new consoles not used to provide fun to the player? Fun can be based on simple concepts enabled by simple electronics such as Mr. Ralph Baer's Odissey and Mr. Nolan Bushnell's Pong, vintage 1966 and 1972 respectively.
A few days ago, I discovered a Pong type game for the Nintendo Wii as part of the Wii Play game. This game reminded me of one of the universal principles of design, the Law of Economy (Ockham’s Razor): Simple is Better. Brain Age for the Nintendo DS is another example of the application of the same universal principle of design.
Many games have great art and great stories, but with so much computer power available to the designer, it seems that often the emphasis is in the art and story, not on fun.
Mr. Raph Koster (Sony Online Entertainment, EverQuest) reminded me that “real fun comes from challenges that are always at the margin of our ability” in his book Theory of Fun. I found that a 2007 version of the 1972 Pong played with the Wii controller provides such challenge and it is fun.
Why are some video games so frustrating? I'll ponder this question while I play some more "Pong" on the Wii...
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Serious Games in Manitoba
ICTAM Event Calendar
Wednesday, 7th March 2007 at 9:00am
Location: Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg
RSVP: By March 5, 2007 to Nancy at (204) 233-2902 or nancyz@shaw.ca
Title: Serious Gaming
Description:
Presentation: Serious Gaming
You are invited to a presentation on Serious Games by Joe Biglin, co-founder of Breakaway Games Ltd and an information session on government procurement in the United States by Carrie Coogan representing FedSources. C.J. Scott, Trade Commissioner at The Canadian Embassy in Washington will talk about the Trade Commissioner Service, the core services they offer free of charge for Canadian business, and how they can fit with Manitoba companies' market strategy. C.J. will also give a market overview for the area and highlight opportunities for Canadian ICT companies.
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Wednesday, 7th March 2007 at 9:00am
Location: Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg
RSVP: By March 5, 2007 to Nancy at (204) 233-2902 or nancyz@shaw.ca
Title: Serious Gaming
Description:
Presentation: Serious Gaming
You are invited to a presentation on Serious Games by Joe Biglin, co-founder of Breakaway Games Ltd and an information session on government procurement in the United States by Carrie Coogan representing FedSources. C.J. Scott, Trade Commissioner at The Canadian Embassy in Washington will talk about the Trade Commissioner Service, the core services they offer free of charge for Canadian business, and how they can fit with Manitoba companies' market strategy. C.J. will also give a market overview for the area and highlight opportunities for Canadian ICT companies.
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
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