4th Annual Power of Play 2010

WIN and IGDA Seattle are partnering to give IGDA members a significant discount to Power of Play 2010!

Enter Discount Code: WIN-IGDA IGDA Members register by November 22 to receive lowest cost available. Register Today!

The 4th Annual Power of Play The State of the State of Interactive Media December 9, 2010 at the Marriott at Redmond Town Center
Program - 3:00 – 5:30 pm Holiday Reception - 5:30pm – 7:30pm

The annual State-of-the-State of the Interactive Media industry is here again! Every year, the Washington Interactive Network brings industry executives together to talk about the new trends and innovations coming our way and the opportunities it creates for business. With the recent launch of Kinect and the strong growth of social and mobile content, this discussion is bound to be lively.

The program will begin with a feature presentation by Nick Berry, President of Data Genetics and noted expert on data mining and privacy. This is a must-see topic for anyone serious about monetizing their games.

Next, the panel of industry executives will explore the state of our region's $4.2 billion Interactive Media Industry. But wait, there’s more! This year's event will also include a two-hour reception following the Power of Play program. Good food and drink just in time for the holidays!

Don’t take it from us, here’s quote from an attendee from last year: “The best thing about this event was getting to hear lots and lots of very concise and distilled nuggets of industry insight, and meeting with people….This was one of the best networking events I've been to so far.”

Speakers to date:
John Vechey, Founder and VP Corporate Strategy and Development PopCap Games
Chris Chung, CEO Motiga * Former President, NCsoft North America / CEO, NCsoft West
Marty O’Donnell Bungie
Nick Berry, President Data Genetics
Scott Steinberg, CEO TechSavvy Global

IGDA Members register by November 22 to receive lowest cost available. Only $50 when you enter the discount code below.

Regular Program Cost: $85 –Enter discount code WIN-IGDA

For additional information, go to: www.PowerOfPlay2010.com

Brought to you by For more information in the Seattle IGDA Chapter or if you would like to lend a hand or sponsor the chapter and its events contact tom@igda.org.

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Gamesauce Conference

Tracks include: Game Development, Leadership, Funding, Mobile Development and Audio

What: Gamesauce Conference
When: July 19th, 2010
Where: Seattle, Washington
Details: http://www.gamesauce.org/

SEATTLE, Washington – Gamesauce, a magazine and conference for professional game developers, today announced the speakers and lectures scheduled for the Gamesauce Conference, an event designed specifically for professional game developers, which will take place in Seattle, Washington on July 19th, 2010 in conjunction with Casual Connect Seattle.

“Video games are cool. Let’s face it, they are. Making them is even cooler.” said Jake Simpson, editor in chief of Gamesauce Magazine. “The Gamesauce Conference is here to help professional developers share information and experiences with some of the best and the brightest covering topics from finance to developing fun and many other stops along the way.“

The Gamesauce Conference is organized by IGDA, IGDA Women in Games, Women in Games International, Women in Games Vancouver, The Corum Group, NVIDIA, Game Audio Alliance and the Gamesauce Magazine staff.

Speakers and Sessions

1- Game Development
Train: How I Dumped Electricity and Learned to Love Design
Brenda Brathwaite, Lolapps & IGDA Board Member

How to Train Your Publisher
Jamil Moledina, Business Development EA Partners & IGDA Board Member

Ten Years of Keeping People Working
Mat Noguchi, Bungie

True Player Driven Stories: How Do We Get There?
Kent Hudson, 2K Marin

Designer vs. Coders: Flawless Victory
Dan Boutros

Leadership: How Every Single One of Us Can Make a Difference
Bob Berry, co-Founder & CEO Uber Entertainment
Jason Robar, VP Amazing Society - A Gazillion Entertainment Game Studio
Jeff Pobst, Founder & CEO, Hidden Path Entertainment
Megan Gaiser, CEO, Her Interactive

You’re Doing it Wrong: The Creation & Survival of Runic Games
Travis Baldree, Runic Games

Just Getting Started
Ian Fischer, Robot Entertainment

Q&A: The Evolution of the FPS
John Romero, Gazillion Entertainment -Interviewed by Rick Johnson, Valve

Motivating Casual Players in An Online Game
Laralyn McWilliams, Sony Online Entertainment

Practical Applications for Art Outsourcing
Greg Foertsch, Firaxis Games

How Nine Women Can Have A Baby In A Month: Making the Most of Multiple Cores Efficient Asynchronous Engine Design for the PS3 and 360
John Harries

Emcees
Dan Magaha, Content Director, Gamesauce Conference
Chris Taylor, Founder & CEO, Gas Powered Games

Welcome
Jake Simpson, Editor-In-Chief, Gamesauce Magazine

2- Alternative Funding, Exit Strategies and M&A
Funding: The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Margaret Wallace, Rebel Monkey

Mergers and Acquisitions: State of the Industry
Dougan Milne, Corum Group

Selling Up and Selling Out
Nat Burgess, Corum Group

M & A Interview With the Buyers
Ian Atkinson, THQ
Dan Winters, Activision
Sean Phinney, Playdom
Robert Goldberg, Zynga
Moderator: Nat Burgess, Corum Group

3- Leadership and Professional Development for Women in Games
Vertical and Lateral Promotion and Advancement:
Taking Pro-Active Steps toward Your Dream Job
Shanna Tellerman, Wild Pockets
Lori Inman, Microsoft
Moderator: Perrin Kaplan, Zebra Partners
(Organized by Women in Games International)

Self-Promotion: How to be Your Own PR Firm
Sande Chen, WIGI
Jessica Rovello, Arkadium
Moderator: Perrin Kaplan, Zebra Partners
(Organized by Women in Games International)

Building the Next Generation of Rockstars
Brenda Bailey Gershkovitch, Silicon Sisters Interactive Inc., Chair WIGI Vancouver
Karen Clark, Electronic Arts, committee member for GameMentorOnline
Chris Oltyan, ZeeGee Games, committee member for GameMentorOnline
Cordy Rierson, Microsoft Game Studios
Moderator: Fiona Cherbak, ThemePark Studios
(Organized by IGDA Women in Games)

Successful Female Game Devs Speak: It Pays to Hire Women in Games
Maryann Klingman, PlayFirst
Prof. Carrie Heeter, Michigan State University
Ann Grant, Her Interactive
Brenda Brathwaite, Lolapps
Moderator: Solveig Pederson Zarubin, PlayFirst
(Organized by IGDA Women in Games)

Follow Your Bliss (Inspiration as a Reminder of Why We’re in This Industry)
Bryna Dabby, Smoking Gun Interactive
Crispin Hands, Independent
Joe Nickolls, Electronic Arts
Tara Mustafa, Big Park, Microsoft
(Organized by Women in Games Vancouver)

Art Portfolio Preparation (Putting Your Best Foot Forward)
Rick StringFellow, Electronic Arts
Erin Olorenshaw, Smoking Gun Interactive
(Organized by Women in Games Vancouver)

Roundtables
#1: Starting & Running a Small Business
#2: Marketing Outside the Box (There is No Box)
#3: Working with 3rd Parties
#4: Platforms – Where Should I Launch My Game?
(Organized by Women in Games Vancouver)

4- Audio and Music
Game Music & Sound History: From Pong to Final Fantasy
Aaron Walz, Walz Music

How Do I Pimp My Game Audio?
Barry Dowsett & Kevin Tone, Soundrangers

Fun In Soundville: Exploring the World of Audio for Social and Online Games
Greg Rahn, Soundmindz

Game Audio Experts Spill Their Guts and Answer Your Burning Questions
Jesse Holt

Game Developers & Audio Professionals: Successful Interaction is a Win-Win
Game Audio Alliance Panel

5- Mobile Game Development
Performance Gaming on Android
Bill Rehbock, NVIDIA

Fast and Pretty: Making Responsive, Quality 3D Content on Android
Lars Bishop, NVIDIA

Androids of the World Unite: Using Unity to Extend The Reach Of Mobile Development
Tony Garcia, Director Business Development, Unity Technologies

Airplay SDK Case Study with Natural Motion’s Backbreaker
Ideaworks / Natural Motion

Using ShiVa 3D on NVIDIA Tegra-Powered Platforms
Philip Belhassen, Stonetrip

Adobe Flash and Air – Mobile Games Fast!
Ryan Stewart, Adobe
Richard Seis, NVIDIA

How to – Unreal Engine for NVIDIA Tegra
Epic Games

Gamesauce Conference Registration
Professionals may purchase a discounted one-day pass to the Gamesauce Conference or may use their Casual Connect pass for entrance. One-day pass registration can be found at http://www.gamesauce.org/. Casual Connect Registration can be found at http://seattle.casualconnect.org/registration.html.

About Gamesauce
The Gamesauce Conference, July 19th 2010, is for those who have already discovered the great secret about making games: it’s fun, it’s cool and you get paid to do it. We promise the Gamesauce Conference will be fun and cool—just like making games should be.

Gamesauce is intended to get you to stop doing for a few minutes so that you might spend a little time thinking. Thinking about your place and your purpose and your passion. Thinking about your various opportunities to make a lasting impact on others. Thinking about some bigger questions than "Where are we going for lunch today?"

PENNY ARCADE REVEALS PAX 2009 EXHIBITORS AND FIRST PROGRAMMING DETAILS

SEATTLE - Aug. 6, 2009 - The organizers of the sixth annual PAX gaming festival today announced key details of the upcoming show to be held Sept. 4-6 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. This year's exhibition hall will offer PAX attendees hands-on time with highly anticipated games and products from nearly 100 exhibitors, including top publishers Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Blizzard and Wizards of the Coast (see below for a complete exhibitor list).

In addition to seeing an enormous number of pre-release games on the show floor, attendees can expect a slew of panels, the Omegathon gaming competition, tournaments and more. First details of PAX 2009 programming include:

* The first live US demonstration of LucasArts' Star Wars: The Old Republic and a sponsored cantina where LucasArts community members attending PAX can mingle with staff and developers

* Demonstrations of Ubisoft's hottest titles, including Assassin's Creed II and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction

* The PAX 10 independent games showcase

* Sponsored parties throughout Seattle's downtown core

* Two nights of beguiling concerts featuring the best artists in nerdcore

"PAX IS SO GREAT," said Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. "SO GREAT."

Aug. 15 is the deadline for "mailed" pre-registration, so if you want to have your badge delivered directly to your doorstep, pre-register now at http://paxsite.com. Registrations after that date will have to be picked up on site during the show.

Complete List of PAX 2009 Exhibitors:

- 1up

- 2K Games

- Aeria Games & Entertainment

- Alienware

- Alteil

- Ankama Games

- Antec

- Astro Gaming

- Atari, Inc.

- Bethesda Softworks LLC

- Big Fish Games

- Bioware

- Black Sheep Studios

- Blizzard Entertainment

- Capcom Entertainment, Inc.

- CCP Games

- CDV Software Entertainment USA

- Chessex

- Disney Interactive Studios

- Dolby Laboratories

- ECA

- Electronic Arts

- Eminence Group Pty. Ltd.

- Fallen Earth LLC

- Flying Frog Productions

- Flying Lab Software

- Frogster America

- Funcom

- Garage Games

- Geek Chic HQ

- Gunnar Optiks

- Harmonix Music

- Hi-Rez Studios

- Hothead Games

- Hudson Entertainment

- iGlove Inc.

- Ignition Entertainment

- ITT Technical Institute

- Jones Soda Co.

- Klei Entertainment

- Mana Energy Potions

- Mega64

- Microsoft

- Microsoft-XNA

- Mythic Entertainment

- Namco Bandai Games America inc

- Namco Networks America Inc.

- NCsoft

- Nexon

- Nintendo of America Inc

- NVIDIA

- Omni Consumer Products (Tru Blood)

- Oni Press

- Patriot Memory

- Phantom EFX, Inc.

- Pink Gorilla LLC

- Playlogic Entertainment Inc.

- Privateer Press

- Riot Games

- Rockstar Games

- Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC

- Runic Games

- SEGA

- Sony Computer Entertainment America

- Stardock Entertainment

- SteelSeries

- Sweet Kitty

- Swell Games / Simon Fraser University

- Telltale Games

- The Behemoth

- The Dreaming Comics and Games

- The Guildhall at SMU

- THQ

- TN Games

- Tozai, Inc.

- Tritton Technologies

- True Games Interactive

- Turbine

- Turtle Beach

- Twisted Pixel Games, LLC

- Ubisoft Entertainment

- Unknown Worlds Entertainment, Inc.

- Upper Deck Entertainment

- Valve Software

- Vancouver Film School

- Wacom Technology

- Warner Bros. Games

- Wizards Of The Coast

- Y-Bot Classic Video Games

- Zalman USA Inc.

About PAX: PAX is a three-day celebration of games and gamer culture. The festival includes an exhibition floor filled with playable builds of upcoming tabletop, console, and computer games; a conference program of game industry speakers; music concerts; freeplay areas; industry parties; game tournaments and more. Since its inception in 2004 the show has doubled in size year-over-year, growing from 4,500 attendees to 58,500 in 2008, making it the largest gaming festival in North America. For more information, visit www.paxsite.com.

About Penny Arcade: Equal parts online comic and commentary, Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com) keeps its finger on the pulse of the gaming industry, prompting conversation and controversy alike from community members and industry experts. What started as a hobby in 1998 for Jerry "Tycho" Holkins and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik has grown into an online phenomenon serving over 70 million page views a month to millions of readers worldwide. In addition to the comic strip and PAX, Penny Arcade has expanded its reach to include a growing line of merchandise, a video game and management of Child's Play (www.childsplaycharity.org), a gamer-driven charity for children that spans the globe.

New Media BC announces line up for Vancouver Digital Week 2009

New Media BC announced its second annual Vancouver Digital Week will be held May 11-14, 2009 at the brand new Vancouver Exhibition and Convention Centre. Partner events include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Canada, marking the first time the famed gamers meet up has come to Canada; Cossette West’s Convergence Conference, a digital marketing and social media gathering; and nextMEDIA’s first Vancouver event. New Media BC will present its own Vancouver International Partnering Forum and its People’s Choice PopVox Awards during Vancouver Digital Week.

“British Columbia is a global leader in digital media”, says Kenton Low, President of New Media BC. “Vancouver Digital Week is a partnership of top notch events focusing on digital media that brings attention to the world class talent and companies we have here in BC.”

Presented by New Media BC, Vancouver Digital Week supporters include Telefilm Canada and British Columbia Film. New Media BC is a federally incorporated not-for-profit full service association. New Media BC’s membership is comprised of businesses, educational organizations, government agencies, and individuals whose core products and services include interactive design and marketing, digital entertainment, animation, visual effects, digital learning initiatives and social media applications.

Artimation Showcases Opportunities for Young Creative Talent

ARTimation Media Arts Festival
Vancouver, BC Canada
http://artimation.ca/

The Artimation Media Arts Festival, put on by the Art Institute of Vancouver, takes over the spacious Rocky Mountaineer Station on March 1, 2009. Creativity and imagination breed the type of students who possess unlimited and inexhaustible talents. These students have the ability to take you into a world in which they become the master. Don’t miss this opportunity to join them on a journey to the end of their story, told passionately though fantastical characters, animated creatures, visual effects, mythical environments, music and lyrics, and cinematic art. Their power lies not in which form of media arts they use, but rather in the students’ creativity, originality, ambition, passion and commitment to art and design.

Idaho Fandom News

Welcome to Fans! A free Idaho Fandom information service, provided by www.Fandemonium.org. Its goal is to provide current information about Idaho’s Fandom Community, Events & Conventions to Idaho and Regional Fans.

- Halloween Bash V: Rise of the Zombie Apocalypse Party - Sat. Oct. 25th, 2008 @ 7:00pm to 1:00am
- Location: The Community Center - 305 E. 37th St, Garden City ID 83714 - (208) 336-3870

- Boise Zombie Walk - Sat. Oct. 25th, 2008 @ 8:00pm to 9:00pm
- Location: Downtown Boise, exact location TBA check website bellow.

- ThanksGaming 3: Video Gaming Megathon - Sat. Nov. 15th, 2008 @ 12:30pm to 9:00pm
- Location: Game Block - 3715 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705 - (208) 331-9700

- Middle of Nowhere Anime Club: Free Weekly Anime Showings - Sat. @ 7:30pm to 9:00pm
- Location: Outpost 12 - 3890 W. State St. Boise, ID 83703 - (208) 344-2498

*** Check Bellow for More Information ***

# Fandemonium '09 - Idaho's Sci-Fi, Anime, Gaming Expo - August Fri. 7th - Sun 9th, 2009
# At the Nampa Civic Center - 311 3rd St. S., Nampa, ID 83651 - 208-468-5500
# Information -> http://www.fandemonium.org/ or P.O. Box 701, Middleton, ID 83644

------------- [Event 1]

*** Upcoming Idaho Fandom Events ***

[Event Type: Dance Party]

Fandemonium's - Halloween Bash V: Rise of the Zombie Apocalypse
Presented By: www.FANDEMONIUM.org & Magic Dragon Games
Sat. Oct 25th, 2008, 7:00pm - 1:00am
www.FANDEMONIUM.org Presents: Halloween Bash 5

Fandemonium’s fifth annual all ages Halloween Bash rises from the grave once again to bring you: Live DJ’s, Dancing, Tons of Candy, Costume Contest, Bizzare Games, Prizes, Classic Horror Movies, Bottomless Cups of our High Energy Cthulhu Juice for just $3!!!

The Community Center
305 E. 37th St,
Garden City ID 83714
(208) 336-3870

Located off of W. Chinden Blvd, if you hit Adams St. you’ve gone too far. Park in the ACHD parking lot across the street.

Admission:$6.00 per person or $10.00 per couple
(Non-gender specific but you must come together)
Website: http://www.fandemonium.org/
Contact: Daniel (Borneo) Armstrong
borneo@fandemonium.org

------------- [Event 2]

[Event Type: Zombie Walk]
Boise Zombie Walk
Sat. Oct 25th, 2008, 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday night October 25th, 2008 (the eve of World Zombie day) will be the 3rd Annual Boise Zombie Walk!! At 8pm, everyone that would like to participate should meet up at the destination which will soon be announced, get fueled up with liquid inspiration if you wish, and around 8-ish, we’ll set out on a walk through Downtown Boise. This experience is a non-violent, non-protest, just for fun thing open to zombies of all ages.

The idea is to dress up in your own interpretation of "zombie", walk about with others, and present a bit of absurdity in this ever-increasingly absurd world.

Location: Downtown Boise, exact location TBA check the website.
Cost: Free!
http://groups.myspace.com/boisezombiewalk
Contact: Leighann
http://www.myspace.com/lusciousleighann

------------- [Event 3]

[Event Type: Video Gaming Gathering & Tournament]
Thanks Gaming 3 - Video Gaming Megathon
Brought To You By: www.FANDEMONIUM.org & Game Block
Sat. Nov 15th, 2008, 12:30pm - 9:00pm
www.FANDEMONIUM.org Presents: Thanks Gaming!

Fandemonium's annual all skill levels welcome video gaming megathon is back, Win tons of Prizes including hundreds in gift certificates and passes to Fandemonium '09 Idaho's Ultimate Sci-Fi, Anime & Gaming Expo. Plus meet and greet other gamers and enjoy a pizza & soda party! Brought to you by the crew at www.FANDEMONIUM.org & Game Block.

Tournaments:
- Halo 3: 2v2 Team Slayer @ 1pm
- Smash Bros Brawl @ 1pm
- Soul Calibur 4 @ 3pm
- Two Fisted Duck Hunt @ 3pm
- Battle Stadium DON @ 6pm

Extras:
- Prizes
- Pizza & Soda Party
- Open Gaming
- Live DJ Spining VG-Remixes

Location: Game Block
3715 W. Overland Rd
Boise, ID 83705
(208) 331-9700
http://www.thegameblock.biz/

At the corner of W. Overland Rd. & S. Latah St.

Cost:$5.00 per person
Website: http://www.fandemonium.org/

Contact: Daniel (Borneo) Armstrong
borneo@fandemonium.org

------------- [Event 4]

[Event Type: Free Japanese Anime Showings in the Boise Area]
Middle of Nowhere Anime Club (MoNAC)
Every Saturday at 7:30pm to 9:00pm

We meet weekly to watch shows, discuss anime related topics; including but not limited to clubs, shows, conventions, cosplaying, j-pop/rock, games, the treatment of shows on American television and more.

Location: Outpost 12
3890 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83703
(208) 344-2498

On State Street just down from Veterans Memorial Park Way, next to the Big Smoke.

Cost: Free!

Website: http://anime.meetup.com/29/

NEW MEDIA BC ANNOUNCES DATES FOR VANCOUVER DIGITAL WEEK 2009

A POWERFUL LINEUP OF EVENTS DESIGNED TO TAKE DIGITAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, September 25, 2008 - New Media BC announced today new partnerships and enhanced programming for the second annual Vancouver Digital Week to run May 11-15, 2009 on Granville Island in Vancouver.

Vancouver Digital Week 2009 includes the following events:

• Vancouver International Digital Festival (VIDFEST)
• Game Developers Conference Canada (GDC Canada)
• Convergence 2009 Digital Marketing & Communications Forum
• The International Partnering Forum
• New Media BC’s Digital Media Awards Show and Gala

Vancouver Digital Week is an immersive week of innovative programming and partnership opportunities for the digital media industry that features top minds and deal makers from around the globe. Participants gain access to international business match-making, 'big picture' conference sessions on the latest trends and markets in digital media, high-level seminars for creators, designers, and producers, and vibrant networking parties.

"British Columbia is a global center for digital media and has attracted top level companies, talent, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world." states Kenton Low, President of New Media BC. "We are delighted to bring together an outstanding group of partners to provide a comprehensive week of best in class events. New Media BC is joining forces again with Reboot Communications and the Cossette Communication Group and we are thrilled that Think Services is bringing their world renown Game Developers Conference to Vancouver."

"We are excited to be part of Vancouver Digital Week 2009," Kathy Schoback, Executive Vice President of Global Events, Think Services, said. "Bringing GDC Canada to Vancouver makes a lot of sense for us given the city’s position as a world class interactive entertainment center, and the region's contributions to international game development."

"Vancouver Digital Week 2009 is the ideal platform for Cossette's Convergence 2009 digital marketing forum," says Sandy Fleischer, Vice President and General Manager of Fjord Interactive (Cossette's digital marketing group). "The quality and scope of the week makes this the 'must-attend' event of the year for anyone interested in digital media, and we are proud to be a part of it."

"Our partnership with New Media BC and Digital Week has contributed greatly to the growth of the Vancouver International Game Summit" says Greg Spievak, CEO of Reboot Communications. "We look forward to building on that momentum with the addition of GDC Canada to Vancouver Digital Week 2009."

Vancouver has the perfect ecosystem for a thriving digital media industry: post-secondary institutions providing outstanding digital media, facilities, training and research, a favorable business environment and a strong base of creative and business professionals working in top companies that include Electronic Arts, THQ, Nexon, Activision, Disney, Rainmaker, Nintendo, and Microsoft.


About New Media BC – http://www.newmediabc.com

New Media BC is British Columbia’s not-for-profit digital media industry association representing over 1,100 digital media companies employing 16,000+ individuals working in sectors including games, visual effects, interactive marketing & design, eLearning, animation, Web 2.0 and mobile content & applications. New Media BC helps these businesses to grow via professional development, networking and advocacy services.

About the Think Services Game Group – http://www.tsgamegroup.com

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz, GameSetWatch.com, GamesOnDeck.com, SeriousGamesSource.com, the Game Developers Conference, the Austin Game Developers Conference, the Paris Game Developers Conference, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.

About Cossette Communication Group – http://www.cossette.com

Cossette Communication Group Inc. offers a full range of leading-edge communication services to clients of all sizes, including some of the most prestigious brands in the world. A customer-driven organization built around highly specialized business units, Cossette also offers Convergent CommunicationsTM, a unique working method that brings added value to the client by integrating various services offered by the Group, including strategic planning and research, advertising, media planning and buying, sales promotion, CRM, database and direct marketing, interactive marketing and technology solutions, public relations and alliance marketing, branding and design, ethnic marketing, sports marketing, branded content and product placement and business-to-business communications (B2B practices). Cossette has approximately 1,650 employees and offices in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, New York, Irvine, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Shanghai.

About Reboot Communications – http://www.rebootconference.com

Reboot Communications Ltd. is a Canadian company based in British Columbia, that specializes in organizing and implementing national and international conferences focused on information technology, public safety, privacy and security, health, electronic gaming and counterterrorism. Over the past twelve years, Reboot has provided a full spectrum of conference management services to the private and public sector, including: marketing and communications, logistics, agenda development, sponsorship sales, research and intergovernmental expertise.

New Vancouver Video Game Event?

There are various news reports here and here reporting on that Vancouver BC could soon be host to a major North American Video Game Convention. The convention would be operated by the company that runs the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany, and the Games Convention Asia event in Singapore.

Video Games Live Tour Cascadia

Video Games Live!
http://www.videogameslive.com

Los Angeles, CA -- Continuing its blockbuster award-winning world tour and coming off a major industry achievement of selling out its debut performance on Broadway in New York City, Video Games Live is proud to announce 50 shows in its effort to confirm to the world how culturally significant and artistic video games have become.

The Video Games Live tour created in 2002 by renowned video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, has become the top selling game concert in the world having already performed to more than 200,000 people around the globe including the U.S., Canada, England, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Spain and Korea. To date, Video Games Live has performed across five different continents and has held over 40 record-breaking shows since last summer. In addition to their touring success, EMI Classics will be releasing the Video Games Live album (entitled Video Games Live: Volume One) worldwide this summer.

Proudly presented globally by leading peripheral manufacturer Razer, Video Games Live is best described as utilizing the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra mixed with the energy and excitement of a rock concert combined with the cutting edge visuals, technology, interactivity and fun that video games provide.

The highest and most prestigious level of symphony and venue quality continues with the announcement of some of the world's most renowned orchestras and local theatres, arenas and stadiums. To further attract the biggest audience possible, Video Games Live also partners with some of pop-culture's most important conferences and conventions.

Vancouver, BC
October 29, 2008
Orpheum Theatre
Vancouver Symphony

Seattle, WA
January 24, 2009
Paramount Theatre

Calgary, Canada
May 15, 2009
Jack Singer Hall
Calgary Philharmonic

Calgary, Canada
May 16, 2009
Jack Singer Hall
Calgary Philharmonic

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

For complete tour and ticketing information please visit www.videogameslive.com. To suggest a particular song or city to perform in, please sign up to the VGL mailing list.

More tour dates for the 2008 and 2009 season are being added weekly. There will be over 50 shows in 2008 and more than 70 shows planned for 2009.

About Video Games Live™ (www.videogameslive.com)
Created by two industry leading video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Video Games Live™ (produced under their company Mystical Stone Entertainment, LLC) is the front runner in the field of live game music performance. Video Games Live, an immersive concert event celebration, features music from the best video games performed by top orchestras and choirs around the world combined with synchronized video footage, lighting, special effects, interactivity and live action to create an explosive and unique one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. The debut performance launched on July 6th, 2005 at the world famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with the LA Philharmonic with over 11,000 people in attendance making it the largest video game concert in the world.