Joystiq

Next Friday through Sunday the Arcadia gaming festival wil be held at the Stade Uniprix, Montreal. We previously reported we had some basic details about the Canandian gaming event, which has Nintendo, Microsoft and Ubisoft as sponsors. We've now spoken with "conceptrice d'atmosphere" and festival organizer Marie-Annick Boisvert.

The second annual Arcadia festival's big news is that 10 Wii units will be available to play, which Boisvert says is a "miracle." Considering it's a three day event, that's a lot more Wii time than you'll get at your local games merchant before they tell you to buy or get out. If you couldn't make it to PAX this year, the Minibosses will also be performing at Arcadia. Boisvert says that Burger King just contacted them and will be showing off their three new titles going on sale November 19 -- like the pseudo-scary Sneak King.

There will be an academic area, serious games area and "Lan Arcadia," which will allow 250 players to compete in Counter Strike 1.6, UT2004, and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne. Registration is required and the cost is $55 for pre-registration, $65 at the door (if space is available). Cash prizes will be awarded and the competition lasts two days. There will also be DDR and Guitar Hero competitions with prize awards (no registration required). Oh, and TAG body spray booth babes, which Boisvert says, "You can take pictures with." Ahh, booth babes, what would a video game festival be without them?