Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ubisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/#comments ImageUbisoft Montreal, as we've reported before, is a huge video game outfit with a large team of developers coordinating multiple projects at a time, across up to six different studios. Ubisoft wants to repeat that structure in its new Toronto studio, according to the Financial Post. The French company is adding over 600 employees to the current staff of 210 over the next 10 years, which means an investment of over $500 million in that time.

That has big ramifications, not only for Ubisoft's future as a publisher and developer, but for Toronto's Wallace Avenue neighborhood as well (where these employees will live, work, and spend all of this money). As for the studio itself, it's currently at work on five upcoming Ubisoft titles, including the next Splinter Cell. As more and more is invested in the operation there, that list will probably grow.

JoystiqUbisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanadiandevelopersemployeeshiringinvestmentjade-raymondneighborhoodsplinter-cellstudiotorontoubisoftwallace-avenueWed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capy posts ideas from its internal game jam, and they all sound pretty good]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/capy-posts-ideas-from-its-internal-game-jam-and-they-all-sound/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/capy-posts-ideas-from-its-internal-game-jam-and-they-all-sound/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/capy-posts-ideas-from-its-internal-game-jam-and-they-all-sound/#comments Given the talent of the folks at Capy Software (who've made the excellent Critter Crunch, Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, and most of the programming behind Sword and Sworcery), you'd expect them to prototype an interesting game in less time than it takes some to develop a full game. You're partially right -- they made seven.

All seven games from Capy's internal game jam are now listed over on the company blog, and to a title they all sound pretty good. The Final Act has the player acting on stage to win a battle, Ferret Wings features Captain Farris the Ferret fighting against Adolph Hamster, and Jetman Adventures (above) is described as "a kind of touch screen Panzer Dragoon/Defender hybrid with Fruit Ninja influence." Yes please!

Unfortunately, these are just prototypes developed over the two-day period of a game jam, so they're all unfinished (one turn-based tactical game, for example, didn't get any further than having just one unit), and most likely unplayable by the public. But one of these might plant a seed for Capy's next title, and when that flower blossoms we'll be happy to stick our noses right in it.

JoystiqCapy posts ideas from its internal game jam, and they all sound pretty good originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capycapy-softwarecapybaraCritter-Crunchgame-jamideasiosmobilepcprototypestorontoMon, 30 Jan 2012 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Capybara, Metanet helping to develop Sound Shapes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/capybara-metanet-helping-develop-sound-shapes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/capybara-metanet-helping-develop-sound-shapes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/capybara-metanet-helping-develop-sound-shapes/#comments This morning, while thoroughly enjoying a preview of Queasy Games' next project, Sound Shapes for the PlayStation Vita, I had a chance to chat with project leads Jonathan Mak and Shaw-Han Liem. Given Mak's past with game development (Everyday Shooter), I wondered how much his team had grown since its first Sony game -- and accidentally stumbled on a really exciting detail about the forthcoming music/platformer. "It started with us two, then there were four of us, then there were six, then there were eight," Liem told me.

"We have some people helping, on contract," said Mak. "Capybara Games is helping us, Metanet is helping us. We're all friends in Toronto." It seems that, beyond the small group of people employed under the "Queasy Games" umbrella, folks from acclaimed indie dev houses Capybara Games (Critter Crunch) and Metanet (N+) are putting work into Sound Shapes.

Mak further noted, "A lof of these levels are actually Capy," referencing the levels I played in the preview build on-hand. He also explained to me that the folks at Queasy iterate on the levels before they make it into the game. Which isn't to say that the only folks working on Sound Shapes are Queasy Games and the aforementioned duo of dev houses.

"All the indie game companies in Toronto hang out together and help each other out," Liem explained. "For us, I think a lot of the stuff that we're doing is new to us, or stuff that we're doing for the first time. So to be able to draw upon the people who've gone through it before is really great."

Gallery: Sound Shapes (E3 2011)

JoystiqCapybara, Metanet helping to develop Sound Shapes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capybara-gamesmetanetplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitaqueasy-gamessonysound-shapestorontovitaWed, 20 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zynga acquires developer Five Mobile, turns it into Zynga Toronto]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/zynga-acquires-developer-five-mobile-turns-it-into-zynga-toront/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/zynga-acquires-developer-five-mobile-turns-it-into-zynga-toront/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/zynga-acquires-developer-five-mobile-turns-it-into-zynga-toront/#comments Much like the Borg, assimilating all the sentient lifeforms in the known universe; and also much like a really, really fat guy eating all the pasta in the world and turning it into energy for his body, Zynga has announced its 15th acquisition in a little over a year. The devoured company this time is Toronto-based dev Five Mobile, a freelance firm that creates licensed apps for any brands which require their services. Which, for the foreseeable future, is Zynga.

The developer has been renamed "Zynga Toronto," and will fit squarely in the left shoulder socket of Zynga's Voltron-esque compartmentalized robot. Oh, you didn't know Zynga was working on that? Yeah, they totally mentioned it on their last conference call. You should really pay more attention.

JoystiqZynga acquires developer Five Mobile, turns it into Zynga Toronto originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscanadafive-mobilemobiletorontozyngazynga-torontoFri, 08 Jul 2011 22:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Extra, Extra: Big Daddy marries Little Sister in Toronto!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/bioshock-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/bioshock-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/bioshock-wedding/#commentsPerhaps the underwater utopia was already booked when Anna and Jon decided to get married in the backyard of his aunt's (really nice) place in Toronto. Nevertheless, the couple tied the knot last May with plenty of inspiration taken from their "favorite video game," BioShock, in a totally geeky hip wedding.

The cupcakes served at the celebration featured edible blue morpho butterflies, "a reference to the game," Anna confirmed in a recent account of the wedding on Offbeat Bride. "Topping the tower of cupcakes were two figurines from the game" (pictured).

The ceremony programs, designed by Jon, also featured nods to the Art Deco shooter, though the choice in music -- "We walked in to 'Strangers' by The Kinks, played 'Loving Cup' by the Rolling Stones while we signed the register, and walked out to 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,'" recalled Anna -- was a bit unorthodox.

Congratulations, you two! May you love, honor, comfort and rapture each other in splicing and in health.

[Image credit: WyseVegan]

JoystiqExtra, Extra: Big Daddy marries Little Sister in Toronto! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockcakegeek-chicmicrosoftpcplaystationps3torontoweddingxboxFri, 21 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft Toronto aiming to develop five big games at once]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/ubisoft-toronto-aiming-to-develop-five-big-games-at-once/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/ubisoft-toronto-aiming-to-develop-five-big-games-at-once/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/ubisoft-toronto-aiming-to-develop-five-big-games-at-once/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director Jade Raymond hopes to eventually have five triple-A projects going on at the studio. Speaking with Develop, she reiterated that the site is currently working on two projects, one of them the next Splinter Cell, and that the Toronto studio will eventually have five "major" projects in about ten years, when it beefs its staff roster up to 800.

Even with such a massive staff, it sounds unlikely all the development for any one game will take place in Toronto. Raymond expressed that triple-A development currently requires several Ubisoft studios working together, explaining that "once [a] team reaches over 200 people - even if they're in the same studio - you need complex management methods to make sure everything is held together; the feature development, the communication, and everything else." A year since its creation (thanks to hundreds of millions in tax breaks), Ubisoft Toronto is shaping up to be a beast -- whether local newspaper columnists like it or not.

JoystiqUbisoft Toronto aiming to develop five big games at once originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CanadaJade-Raymondmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3splinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionTorontoUbisoftUbisoft-TorontowiixboxMon, 09 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Toronto studio making next Splinter Cell and another 'triple-A' game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/#commentsThe new Toronto branch of Ubisoft has been operating quietly, going largely unnoticed for almost a year since its initial announcement. It sounds like the perfect group to develop a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft announced that the new Toronto studio will produce the next game in the series, and will work on a second, unannounced title with Ubisoft Montreal.

Splinter Cell: Conviction producer Alexandre Parizeau has joined the Toronto team for this new Splinter Cell project. Managing director Jade Raymond told Gamasutra that many Montreal staffers -- "all the core team," as she described it -- relocated to the new Toronto studio. She said that, because of significant investments from both Ubisoft and the Ontario government, Ubisoft Toronto can start right away on large-scale games. "It's a really nice position to be in," Raymond said. "Instead of starting a studio and working on small projects, Nintendo DS or portables, we're starting out of the gate with triple-A only."

The second game in Toronto's slate involves a small team coordinating with Montreal, led by A2M alum Lesley Phord-Toy. She told Gamasutra that the second team "gives us the chance to focus not only on bringing the right people in at the beginning, but putting them in the right place either to train or for training. When we look to grow this second team into a full team, we'll have the core team."

JoystiqUbisoft's Toronto studio making next Splinter Cell and another 'triple-A' game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jade-raymondlesley-phord-toySplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictiontorontoubisoftubisoft-torontoTue, 25 May 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Remedy's Oskari 'Ozz' Hakkinen on Alan Wake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/interview-remedys-oskari-ozz-hakkinen-on-alan-wake/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/interview-remedys-oskari-ozz-hakkinen-on-alan-wake/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/interview-remedys-oskari-ozz-hakkinen-on-alan-wake/#comments After five long years of development, Remedy Entertainment is weeks away from delivering on one of the "most anticipated titles of 2010." Alan Wake's long journey comes to an end on May 18 (in North America) and the Finnish developer is in full "promo" mode -- when it isn't partying it up, that is.

During a press stop in Toronto, Joystiq pressed Remedy's head of franchise development Oskari 'Ozz' Häkkinen on the hard-hitting questions: How much like a homeless Vin Diesel does the new Max Payne look, and when can players expect Alan Wake Wars to ship?

We also grabbed a few tidbits about Alan Wake's New York City flashback, dreams of Alan Wake 2 and more on Wake's planned DLC. If that kind of stuff is important to you.

Gallery: Alan Wake

Continue reading Interview: Remedy's Oskari 'Ozz' Hakkinen on Alan Wake

JoystiqInterview: Remedy's Oskari 'Ozz' Hakkinen on Alan Wake originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakeMicrosoftoskari-hakkinenremedy-entertainmenttorontoXbox-360Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3: ODST public preview event drops into Toronto tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/halo-3-odst-public-preview-event-drops-into-toronto-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/halo-3-odst-public-preview-event-drops-into-toronto-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/halo-3-odst-public-preview-event-drops-into-toronto-tonight/#comments
Xbox Canada is hosting a Halo 3: ODST training event in Toronto -- and you're invited. Starting tonight at 7PM (and ending 10PM), fans will get a chance to participate in a variety of Halo-inspired events, including basic training and going head-to-head with other ODST "recruits."

The public event takes place at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto's Distillery District. As far as what kind of "training" Canadian gamers can expect... well, it's a good thing health care is given away like candy in the Great White North.

JoystiqHalo 3: ODST public preview event drops into Toronto tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventhalohalo-3-odstpublic-previewtorontoMon, 21 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jade Raymond to head up Ubisoft Toronto, focusing on AAA games and new IPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/jade-raymond-to-head-up-ubisoft-toronto-focusing-on-aaa-games-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/jade-raymond-to-head-up-ubisoft-toronto-focusing-on-aaa-games-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/jade-raymond-to-head-up-ubisoft-toronto-focusing-on-aaa-games-a/#comments While the whereabouts of Beyond Good & Evil 2's Jade are still - frustratingly - unknown, the whereabouts of Ubisoft's other Jade - that would be Jade Raymond, of Assassin's Creed fame - are quite known. Though she's been somewhat out of the limelight after initially trumpeting up the still-not-out-yet I Am Alive, Ms. Raymond is still alive and has been chosen as the head of the recently announced Ubisoft Toronto.

But hey, we know you're worried about Yannis Mallat, CEO of both Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Toronto, who told us last month that he would be "handling both" studios. Well, don't fret - Ubisoft's press release says that while "Raymond will oversee day-to-day operations of the Toronto studio's work on video game project," she will do so "under the governance of Yannis Mallat." Ubisoft Toronto is scheduled to open its doors by the end of the year and begin "work on AAA games and new intellectual properties," according to Raymond.

JoystiqJade Raymond to head up Ubisoft Toronto, focusing on AAA games and new IPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessJade-RaymondTorontoUbisoftUbisoft-TorontoYannis-MallatMon, 31 Aug 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Ubisoft Montreal & Toronto boss Yannis Mallat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/interview-ubisoft-montreal-and-toronto-boss-yannis-mallat/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/interview-ubisoft-montreal-and-toronto-boss-yannis-mallat/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/interview-ubisoft-montreal-and-toronto-boss-yannis-mallat/#comments
Earlier today, Ubisoft announced its continuing Canadian expansion, with a new studio being established in the province of Ontario's capital city of Toronto. In a joint announcement with the Premier (his actual title) of Ontario, Ubi revealed the studio will have about 800 employees, while the government is committing $263 million in funding over the next decade. We spoke with Ubisoft Montreal CEO (and newly formed Ubisoft Toronto boss), Yannis Mallat, about his plans for the company why Toronto was "culturally" the right place for Ubisoft to expand its development reach.

Continue reading Interview: Ubisoft Montreal & Toronto boss Yannis Mallat

JoystiqInterview: Ubisoft Montreal & Toronto boss Yannis Mallat originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessinterviewtorontoubisoftubisoft-torontoyannis-mallatMon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft opening studio in Toronto, continuing to take over Canada [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ubisoft-opening-studio-in-toronto-continuing-to-take-over-canad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ubisoft-opening-studio-in-toronto-continuing-to-take-over-canad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ubisoft-opening-studio-in-toronto-continuing-to-take-over-canad/#comments
Having already built successful strongholds in Quebec, Vancouver and Montreal, Ubisoft will reportedly continue its fiendish occupation of Canada by building a studio in the heart of Toronto as part of an agreement with the Ontario government to create more digital-age jobs in the area.

The focus of the studio, the number of jobs it will bring to Ontario and projects it will be tasked with developing are still unknown, though Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat are expected to make a detailed formal announcement later today. Heck, we don't even know what the new studio will be called -- hopefully it'll break from the "Ubisoft + Territory Name" formula the company has used so many times in the past. C'mon, guys! Get original!

Update: Sure enough, McGuinty and Mallat's press conference pulled the veil off of Ubisoft Toronto (ugh!), a new studio which will open up 800 new jobs to the area over the next decade. The new studio will be headed up by Mallat himself, and "will work on Triple-A games" as well as "build on the city's existing experience with the film production industry." Ubisoft has been boasting its digital effects work in films lately -- this new studio will likely lend even more pizzazz to Canadian-made movies. We've got an interview scheduled with Mallat later today, so stay tuned for more specific details.
[Image]

JoystiqUbisoft opening studio in Toronto, continuing to take over Canada [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadadeveloperpublisherstudiotorontoubisoftMon, 06 Jul 2009 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Inside Xbox at the Fable II launch event in Toronto, Canada]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/video-inside-xbox-at-the-fable-ii-launch-event-in-toronto-cana/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/video-inside-xbox-at-the-fable-ii-launch-event-in-toronto-cana/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/video-inside-xbox-at-the-fable-ii-launch-event-in-toronto-cana/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week X3F was lucky enough to attend the Canadian launch of Fable II for the Xbox 360 in Toronto, Canada. While throwing back a few brews, invited members of the Xbox community in Canada were able to play through the retail version of the game a week before its release. Canadian Xbox 360 owners connected to Live are now able to see some highlights from the event on Inside Xbox -- including interviews with (a mid-flu) Xav de Matos and our friend DjDatz. Non-Canadian members of the community are invited to check out the video above and see exactly what alcohol can do to some Canadians. Think of it as a Fable II promo and a public service announcement ... all rolled into one.

JoystiqVideo: Inside Xbox at the Fable II launch event in Toronto, Canada originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fable-2inside-xboxinside-xbox-canadatorontoFri, 24 Oct 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Recap: Sony Holiday Preview Event - Toronto]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As the gaming world sets its focus on Japan for the Tokyo Game Show, Sony decided to hold a preview event for the media (and later for community) in Toronto, Canada. Showcasing some of the most anticipated titles of the year for the platform, Sony showed off everything you'd want or hope to see.

Prince of Persia made its community debut and we had a chance to take the adventure for a spin. Killzone 2 surprised everyone with its presence but no one with its style and Dead Space proved that even a game releasing next week will garner a pile of crowd attention.

Here's a recap of all the coverage out of the Sony Holiday Event in Toronto, Canada, as well as images from the event:

Gallery: Sony Holiday Preview 2008 -- Toronto, Canada

JoystiqRecap: Sony Holiday Preview Event - Toronto originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PS3PSPsonysony-holiday-preview-08torontoFri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq & X3F invade X08 Toronto]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-and-x3f-invade-x08-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-and-x3f-invade-x08-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-and-x3f-invade-x08-toronto/#commentsFiled under:


If you were lucky enough to score an invite when we tipped you off earlier in the week you should be making your way down to Toronto for Microsoft's X08 event later today. Promising a ton of hands-on experience with games from Microsoft Game studios, EA, Activision and Warner Bros., X08 is sure to have something for everyone. The event kicks off tonight from 5PM until 8PM EST. Remember, this was an invite only event so dropping by and hoping for the best isn't recommended.

If you're going make sure to say hello to X3F and Big Download staffer Xav, X3F alum Knuckles Dawson and one of our more seasoned comment/tipsters DjDATZ, who just celebrated his 2 year anniversary on the site.

JoystiqJoystiq & X3F invade X08 Toronto originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsofttorontox08x08-torontoThu, 21 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sex Worker Alliance: GTA normalizes violence against sex workers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/sex-worker-alliance-gta-normalizes-violence-against-sex-workers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/sex-worker-alliance-gta-normalizes-violence-against-sex-workers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/sex-worker-alliance-gta-normalizes-violence-against-sex-workers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


On this fifth annual "International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers," we remind you to tip -- but not to kill -- your service providers. According to The Toronto Sun, Anastasia Kuzyk of the Sex Workers' Alliance of Toronto believes that games like Grand Theft Auto feed into the "subculture of allowing the violence to continue," and that violence "against sex workers should not be normalized, but it is." Although she doesn't mention GTA by name in the quote, it's the only well-known game we can think of that lets you "run down prostitutes and kill them and beat them up and take their money."

Kuzyk has cause for concern, as 171 female sex workers (no stats on men given) were killed between '91 and '04 in Toronto. This is also not the first time in recent memory that GTA has received flak from sex worker advocates, though there's no word yet on whether GTA IV will allow for the ironically health-enhancing activity of picking up a prostitute like in other installments in the series. So, Happy International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers everyone! Boy, that's a mouthful.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqSex Worker Alliance: GTA normalizes violence against sex workers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gtaivhookersprostitutesPS3rockstarsex-workerssexworkerstorontoviolenceXbox-360Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Meetup: Toronto, Ontario on August 27th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/18/x3f-meetup-toronto-ontario-on-august-27th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/18/x3f-meetup-toronto-ontario-on-august-27th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/18/x3f-meetup-toronto-ontario-on-august-27th/#commentsFiled under:


So, as luck would have it, I'll be in Toronto immediately after PAX'07. My flight comes in around 4:30 PM ET, and that evening I'll be free to meetup with you readers. Unfortunately, Red Robin isn't as widespread as originally thought. It turns out there are only 18 in Canada, and much to my surprise, 14 of them are in British Columbia, which would explain how commonplace I thought they were. The other four are in Alberta which doesn't really help matters.

What does this mean? This means I need your help figuring out a good place to wine and dine. As the people from the local meetup would recall, I'm a fan of good burger joints (and bottomless fries wherever possible). Any suggestions? Also, feel free to start "signing up" now, so I can organize an RSVP list. Either leave a comment with your attendence or eatery suggestion, or shoot me an email at david [at] xbox360fanboy [dot] com with the subject heading X3F@T.O. I look forward to seeing you there.

JoystiqX3F Meetup: Toronto, Ontario on August 27th originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>TorontoX3FMeetUpSat, 18 Aug 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[8bit musicians announce world tour]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/22/8bit-musicians-announce-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/22/8bit-musicians-announce-world-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/22/8bit-musicians-announce-world-tour/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Former cellmates Nullsleep and Bitshifter have announced plans to embark on a world tour, blasting their blend of bleeps, bloops, and blizzasts from Boston to Brussels and back again.

If you're not an 8-bit believer yet, nothing will win you over except trying it out for yourself. To that end, here are links (1, 2, 3, 4) to some MP3s these torturers of Gameboys, Famicoms and other old-school video game consoles have kindly provided for downloading.

If you like what you hear, check the tour page and maybe even drop a few dollars in the donation bucket to help make it happen.

Joystiq8bit musicians announce world tour originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8bit peoplesamsterdambit popbitshifterbleep popBleepPopbostonbrusselschicagochiptunesconcertfamicomgameboygoteborghengelokyotolondonlos angeleslow-bit musicmalmomontrealmusicnew yorknintendonullsleeposakaphiladelphiaportlandrotterdamsan franciscostockholmtokyotorontoviennaWed, 22 Mar 2006 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toronto's "Art of Xbox 360" pics and consideration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/torontos-art-of-xbox-360-pics-and-consideration/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/torontos-art-of-xbox-360-pics-and-consideration/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/torontos-art-of-xbox-360-pics-and-consideration/#commentsFiled under: ,


Geoff Martin heeded our call for pics from the "Art of Xbox 360" gallery show being held in Toronto's Blue Dot Gallery, except he did one better. He linked us to a piece he wrote for canada.com, slideshow included! He writes, "Wil Overton, an artist from UK-based Rare Games, and the lead concept artist for the Xbox 360's Perfect Dark Zero, also doesn't have much time for quibbling over definitions, or debates on what should or shouldn't be considered 'art.' He said at the opening of "Play: The Art of the Xbox 360" on Thursday that he's thrilled to see his work hung on the walls of an art gallery."

On the other side of the net, Tony Walsh from Clickable Culture says, "If you happen to be at the Distillery this weekend, it couldn't hurt to drop by the Blue Dot Gallery to have a look, but I wouldn't recommend making a special trip just for the show. I think what we have here is a classic "post-release attention-span" grabber, geared towards retaining a semblance of public interest in the Xbox 360--in other words, this event isn't so much about art as it is about commerce."

Having not seen the show, I can only speculate, but I think Walsh's take sounds about right, but was their any doubt? All the games are published by Microsoft, and the show was advertised as being "Xbox 360" specific. We could also get into an argument about semantics--aren't many gallery shows about commerce and art?--though, this case takes that observation to an extreme, replacing enterprising artists with a Fortune 500 company.

Also found another gallery of images from photojunkie (via Flickr): Play: The Next Level of Gaming.

[Thanks, Geoff]

UPDATE: 360 Fanboy reader Zoltan posted his own review of the "Art of Xbox 360 exhibit", complete with pictures at YYZTech.ca. Thanks!

JoystiqToronto's "Art of Xbox 360" pics and consideration originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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