Canadian government investing in video games [Archive]

GunnyMo

11-16-2006, 05:11 AM

Now this is (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6136070.html?tag=zdfd.newsfeed) a forward looking government!

Grabbing a piece of the $20 billion video game industry, the Canadian government on Wednesday said it would invest 2 million Canadian dollars ($1.8 million) to develop homegrown video games.
Great comedians and governmental video game investment. Is there anything Canadians can't do?

disc

11-16-2006, 05:15 AM

2 million canadian dollars is one game. Unless they are developing for the DS.

soco

11-16-2006, 05:19 AM

could also be the fee of getting quite a few really decent canadian homebrew games on XBLA or even steam. could be the only boost some of them need to develop into full companies.

Sophism

11-16-2006, 05:23 AM

Great comedians and governmental video game investment. Is there anything Canadians can't do?Make me INSERT_SENSORY_ACTION to INSERT_CANADIAN_CELEBRITY.

Now THAT'S edgy!

Captain Awesome

11-16-2006, 05:30 AM

I know Australia does this aswell to help propel businesses within some of their growing industries.

Good move Canada.

Fartacus

11-16-2006, 05:36 AM

Great comedians and governmental video game investment. Is there anything Canadians can't do?

Canada has produced some good comedians, that's true. But Canada has also produced Martin Short and Celine Dion, and that is unforgivable.

Spigot

11-16-2006, 05:38 AM

Probably 20 million dollars more to EA Vancouver :(

This is good though. We've already extended our maple-syrup covered tentacles into the games industry by way of Bioware and Ubisoft... soon we will control the world!

GunnyMo

11-16-2006, 05:40 AM

Canada has produced some good comedians, that's true. But Canada has also produced Martin Short and Celine Dion, and that is unforgivable.

Hey now, Mr. Short did some great stuff back in the 80's. :)

Limech

11-16-2006, 05:42 AM

More of my tax money being wasted on stupid stuff. :(

Captain Awesome

11-16-2006, 05:45 AM

More of my tax money being wasted on stupid stuff. :(

Speaking in tax terms, 2 mill isnt really much. I can bet they waste alot more money on really mundane stuff like why bears use live rabbits to wipe their asses with them.

Edit: Now that I think about, that's not really mundane. I'd like to see that study conducted myself.

Ph00p

11-16-2006, 05:50 AM

Well SHIT Harper doesn't have a fucking clue does he? Cuts women's equality and SEVERAL literacy programs, fuck him ,someones gotta find him a bullet for a fatal headwound.

Captain Awesome

11-16-2006, 05:52 AM

Well SHIT Harper doesn't have a fucking clue does he? Cuts women's equality and SEVERAL literacy programs, fuck him ,someones gotta find him a bullet for a fatal headwound.

You can teach people to read through games. Hey, and broads can play too!

Spigot

11-16-2006, 05:52 AM

Oh no... Ph00p's a fellow Canuck? NOOO!

Odyzen

11-16-2006, 05:54 AM

Speaking in tax terms, 2 mill isnt really much. I can bet they waste alot more money on really mundane stuff like why bears use live rabbits to wipe their asses with them. The conclusion of that invaluable research is that it's a myth that bears can get actually get a hold of the softest toilet paper (http://www.charmin.com/chm_gateway.htm).

This is what it's like to not have a Jack Thompson in the country. :D

Spigot

11-16-2006, 06:00 AM

Hee hee... Those bears and their toilet paper.

Mr.Green

11-16-2006, 06:07 AM

http://www.informanews.net/IPBforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gifhttp://www.lamda-gaming.de/images/flags/ca.gif

Shifteh

11-16-2006, 06:19 AM

More of my tax money being wasted on stupid stuff.
That's like 10 cents of your tax money.

Yama

11-16-2006, 06:19 AM

The money is only going to independent developers, not to publishers and not to developers who have already signed with a publisher. $2 million CDN won't go far for an established developer or publisher, but to a dozen guys trying to get their company off the ground it's perfect. Promoting new developers and studios is what this is about. If they wanted to help out established companies, they'd just make tax breaks.

ccranium

11-16-2006, 06:36 AM

The Canadian government and Telefilm have, in the past, made quite succesful investments in small gaming companies. A few years back they invested $400,000 in Ludicorp, a Vancouver company making an online game called Game Neverending. The game itself kind of panned out, because a small photo-sharing portion of the social part of the game took off and became Flickr, which eventually was acquired by Yahoo! resulting in a fairly decent return on investment.

2 million isn't a whole lot, but it is enough to give several ideas a real chance to get up and running.

Malovech

11-16-2006, 06:41 AM

Well SHIT Harper doesn't have a fucking clue does he? Cuts women's equality and SEVERAL literacy programs, fuck him ,someones gotta find him a bullet for a fatal headwound.

Worry not, he won't be in office for very much longer, especially with the US going away from the right.

Johan

11-16-2006, 06:52 AM

Worry not, he won't be in office for very much longer, especially with the US going away from the right.

You're paying attention to labels in making that assertion. Quite a few of the Republicans voted out were moderates, and most of the new Democrats in the House, and several in the Senate, are conservative. This has been repeatedly discussed in the news, especially as regards the work Pelosi and Reid (especially Pelosi) have ahead of them in holding together a caucus of newly elected conservative members with reelected liberals.

The past election revealed a few things about the U.S.. One is that the country is concerned and weary of the Iraq war. The other is that the country has seen a shift rightwards, where even Democrats who are elected are conservative Democrats.

Do some reading...check up on your assertions!

Oh, and 1.8 million dollars is like a spitball against a tank...it's barely even seed money. Of course, this is coming from a country whose military force isn't too terribly much larger than the New York City police force, so what can be expected? ;)

*Flame on!*

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 07:19 AM

I don't think he's making assumptions, but is rather confused. Hell, I'll admit it. So-called conservatives engaging in things deviating from conservative policy...democrats being consertive...and liberal. It seems to me any lable just doesn't accurrately describe any politician today...unless that label is "worthless". Honestly, do each party really come on agreeance where their party stands on most issues? No. Lame!

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 07:20 AM

Anyway, BOT. Canada...you're still Canada. You have a long ways to go. Still, not too shabby.

drakkarim

11-16-2006, 07:29 AM

the sad thing is that there's nothing that this country (US) couldn't do if they just stopped pretending to be the world police.

Captain Awesome

11-16-2006, 07:31 AM

Oh boy!

As usual another thread turning into another lame dick-waving contest.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 07:34 AM

Oh boy!

As usual another thread turning into another lame dick-waving contest.

He speaketh truly!

Serapth

11-16-2006, 07:50 AM

Um... this isnt news. Canada has been investing in video game companies for ages.

Telefilm has helped produce tons of tv shows and movies ( watch the ending credits some time, you may be shocked just how many films are funded/co produced by telefilm! ). In 2001 they upped "New Media" funding to nine million a year. Its been uped a number of times since then. Many Canadian game devs got their start with telefilms support.

Hey, if we are going to waste huge money funding "fine arts", I have no issue through money at art people actually enjoy!

Not to mention, Ubisoft in Montreal started out thanks to Canadian/Montreal breaks and incentives. Now its a huge employeer in the area. This things might cost money up front, but if one of say four of these companies takes of, it could bring 100+ high tech jobs to Canada, which from taxes will easily pay for a few million loaned up front.

novaskull

11-16-2006, 07:54 AM

Guys, I've been around on this site for years now. I don't make many posts and I usually stay out of the forums.

I teach at a video game school in Toronto and was fortunate enough to go to the Montreal International Game Summit last week where they made this announcement. A few instructors and myself are already in development of a small project and we can get a boost to our development of the potential $800K Cdn. that Telefilm is putting up. With a little financial assistance, we figure we can get a better product out there as well as boost our marketing which will increase our sales figures and our ROI overall.

As Captain Awesome said: "Oh boy! As usual another thread turning into another lame dick-waving contest." I tire easily of these and that's why I don't post or read forums. This time, I am putting my money where my mouth is and entering into this competition.

I'll let you know if we make it.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 08:16 AM

You should post more often, NovaSkull. Well spoken.

walkstheplanes

11-16-2006, 08:27 AM

Kids In The Hall!!!!!

Thenetcase

11-16-2006, 08:31 AM

Now this is (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6136070.html?tag=zdfd.newsfeed) a forward looking government!

Great comedians and governmental video game investment. Is there anything Canadians can't do?

Yes there is... they can't provide supperior medical care for their people because of their fucking socialist viewpoint.

Idiots.

Other than that, Canada rocks teh bawls.

Thenetcase

11-16-2006, 08:34 AM

You should post more often, NovaSkull. Well spoken.

Yeah... Why the f*** would anyone say anything intelligent here?

-TNC-

DaedalusFolly

11-16-2006, 08:36 AM

Hey now, Mr. Short did some great stuff back in the 80's. :)

His latest show (on Broadway?) has been getting excellent reviews.

eltee38

11-16-2006, 08:36 AM

haha, dick-waving contests r funny.

Philonious

11-16-2006, 08:43 AM

Investing in the gaming industry actually makes good business sense. If you check the credits in the Baldur's Gate manual you'll see that the Canadian government covered part of the production costs. Years later Bioware is huge and Canada is reaping the benefits in terms of employment and taxes. Helping Canadian businesses helps Canada in the long run.

F3nyx

11-16-2006, 08:46 AM

Man, I can't wait to play Canada's Army.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 08:47 AM

Man, I can't wait to play Canada's Army.

Its a really fun game, but after the 4th or 5th hour, you get really sick of paddling the canoe.

The Bashar

11-16-2006, 08:49 AM

Codicier

11-16-2006, 08:49 AM

Its a really fun game, but after the 4th or 5th hour, you get really sick of paddling the canoe.

And it's really annoying that everyone has to share the gun.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 08:50 AM

And it's really annoying that everyone has the share the gun.

Man, you managed to unlock the gun!!!! I just managed to get the upgrade from slingshot to musket. You must rock at the game!

Serapth

11-16-2006, 08:52 AM

That's the Royal Canadian Navy game. Canadian Army game is shovelling snow in the mean streets of Toronto. ;)

No offense intended to the men and women serving our country, just a little poke at some of the stuff they get stuck doing.

edit: 100th post WOOO!! :D

Actually, our soldiers are great, well trained and have a great international reputation. The people behind our soldiers are a bunch of morons.

The only good thing about Harper is he finally allocated more money to them. In recent years ( the last 8 or so ), the Canadian army has been doing a shitton more "policing" and humanitarian work, but havent seen any real upgrades.

LikeTheRazor

11-16-2006, 08:55 AM

lololol

any post where you get to make fun of Canada is an excellent post.

Codicier

11-16-2006, 08:58 AM

lololol

any post where you get to make fun of Canada is an excellent post.

I like to think we Canadians have, overall, a fairly good sense of humor about ourselves.

Talltale

11-16-2006, 08:59 AM

The WAR of 1812, the game! Light your torches!

Codicier

11-16-2006, 08:59 AM

Man, you managed to unlock the gun!!!! I just managed to get the upgrade from slingshot to musket. You must rock at the game!

Yeah once you get out of the Bronze Age the game really picks up.

Dag-Sabot

11-16-2006, 09:01 AM

I hope they invest that cash on a videogame about 2nd hand submarines that DON'T catch fire. The title: "Bargain bin UK diesel/electric sub manager"

Oddmaker

11-16-2006, 09:09 AM

Sorry but why not put that money into something else.. Helping Children for example.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 09:11 AM

Sorry but why not put that money into something else.. Helping Children for example.

Got any idea how much they already put towards that?

Not to mention, wars cull off the children population pretty good, making it a win win investment!

Darkmatter

11-16-2006, 09:18 AM

Guys, I've been around on this site for years now. I don't make many posts and I usually stay out of the forums.

I teach at a video game school in Toronto

Which school do you teach at if you don't mind me asking? :)

phantomhitman

11-16-2006, 09:41 AM

Yeah once you get out of the Bronze Age the game really picks up.
I heard that in Battlfield Canada: 2142 You get to use six shooters and horses.

Sophism

11-16-2006, 09:54 AM

Its a really fun game, but after the 4th or 5th hour, you get really sick of paddling the canoe.
About my favorite post this week. Thanks. :)

novaskull

11-16-2006, 10:19 AM

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 10:22 AM

Man, you guys suck at Canada's Army. I pwn Canada's Army! I've already unlocked the Moose, a ride so boss that it makes the Warthog look like a little bitch.

Dag-Sabot

11-16-2006, 10:27 AM

You're going to love unlocking Canadian beer, it actually has alcohol!

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 10:32 AM

Dude, I've been to Canada, and I shit you not they have "Moose Beer". WTF?

ÜberJumper

11-16-2006, 10:34 AM

Thenetcase:

Dude our healthcare system ROCKS (when you're critically ill).

I had cancer two years ago, got emergency surgery, was in hospital for a month, lost half my stomach, spleen, gallbladder, and 90-95% of my pancreas and I didn't have to pay a CENT.

ps. For those americans knocking our military, I suggest you talk to some of your soldiers that have served with Canadian soldiers (especially in afghanistan, were one of our sniper teams saved a US company from being badly mauled, earning the distinction of the longest recorded sniper kill in history in the process) before you go dissing what you know not of. Yes our military is 10 times smaller than the US military, but we're also 10 times smaller population wise.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:37 AM

Great comedians and governmental video game investment. Is there anything Canadians can't do?

Call a minority a name.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 10:37 AM

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:40 AM

Canada has produced some good comedians, that's true. But Canada has also produced Martin Short and Celine Dion, and that is unforgivable.

Blasphemy! Martin Short is fucking hilarious, to claim otherwise shows ignorance.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:52 AM

Hey now, Mr. Short did some great stuff back in the 80's. :)

He still does. Jimmy Glick can make me shit my pants with laughter.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 10:54 AM

He still does. Jimmy Glick can make me shit my pants with laughter.

Amen. But Celin Dion is a cunt and Canada should be held accountable for her actions.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:57 AM

Speaking in tax terms, 2 mill isnt really much. I can bet they waste alot more money on really mundane stuff like why bears use live rabbits to wipe their asses with them.

Edit: Now that I think about, that's not really mundane. I'd like to see that study conducted myself.

2 mil is a nice chunk up here. Recall that we have 1/10th your population and a lot less money. But you're right, on the federal level, meh. I know we're spending 3 billion paying off all the Indian (read: North American Indian if you're confused) people who got sexually abused by the state run schools we used to erase their culture. It's essentially one final big payoff so we don't have to feel bad about that anymore.

And considering we just had a federal budget surplus of 8 billion dollars, well make what you will from that.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:57 AM

Amen. But Celin Dion is a cunt and Canada should be held accountable for her actions.

Oh, just like you're accountable for Steve O's actions? I can think of a lot of dumbfuck Americans I want apologizes for. ;)

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 10:59 AM

Well SHIT Harper doesn't have a fucking clue does he? Cuts women's equality and SEVERAL literacy programs, fuck him ,someones gotta find him a bullet for a fatal headwound.

Eh. He's not the worst. I didn't vote for him, but he's turned out better than I thought he would. I like his standoff with China right now over human rights.

But the way he handles the media and runs his cabinet? Yeesh. No biggie, his minority government can only last another year or so before another election is called.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:01 AM

Of course, this is coming from a country whose military force isn't too terribly much larger than the New York City police force, so what can be expected? ;)

*Flame on!*

Hunh, must be why the U.S. has to come up here to train their snipers. We don't waste money on crazy ass military tech, instead we just learned how to become #1 in the world at firing a gun. ;P

Darkmatter

11-16-2006, 11:04 AM

I work at the International Academy of Design and Technology in the Video Game Design and Development program. It's a mouthful to say but it's a good place and a good group of professionals to work with. A few of us wanted to get more development done while we are there so we formed a business to do it with.

I also am the founder of GetGames.ca, a Canadian online video game rental service (similar to what Gamefly does in the US). Our development group includes people with writing, design and coding experience combined with some business knowledge. We should have a fair shot at the competition so I'll definitely post if we make it.

Darkmatter, are you in Toronto, perhaps at a particular school yourself?

I am in Toronto. ATM I'm just finnishing up an independent project to complete a diploma at Seneca@York for a Digital Media program. I also did a 1 year art program at Seneca. I am now hoping to do a Gaming program which is why I asked. I must admit I don't really know much about your school/gaming program. I know of the Seneca program and I actually have applied for this Jan but the competition to get into it is crazy so who knows what will happen.

How does your program compare/differ from Seneca's? Not asking which is better since its natural for a person to think "ours is the best." Having pride in your work/school is a good thing afterall. More asking whats different and whats the same, and why.

Thanks :)

I always wondered how many Evil Avatar readers were also Gaming Industry people in Toronto...

Serapth

11-16-2006, 11:07 AM

Amen. But Celin Dion is a cunt and Canada should be held accountable for her actions.

We were, so we shipped the bitch to vegas. She is your problem now, suckers!

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:07 AM

Man, I can't wait to play Canada's Army.

You can. It's in Call of Duty 3.

Snowmit

11-16-2006, 11:08 AM

Hi! Also Toronto Gaming Industry Torontonian. I work for Capybara Games. We make videogames for cellphones. To us, 2 million dollars is enough to make a LOT of games. So depending on the scope of the projects funded, this could be a very big push for a lot of small projects.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 11:10 AM

Oh, just like you're accountable for Steve O's actions? I can think of a lot of dumbfuck Americans I want apologizes for. ;)

Steve-O only harms himself...Dion is a different beast altogther. Most of the time Steve-O is annoying the shit out of some tribe...canada and america rarely have to put up with him.

Yeah, America has it's fair share of stinkers...but you guys gave us Andy Dick and Celine Dion...that can't be topped in terms of sheer shittyness.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:10 AM

Dude, I've been to Canada, and I shit you not they have "Moose Beer". WTF?

We also have Alexander Keiths beer. Which had a pedophile as their spokesperson for years (before they knew he was one). Damn was that funny.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 11:12 AM

Steve-O only harms himself...Dion is a different beast altogther. Most of the time Steve-O is annoying the shit out of some tribe...canada and america rarely have to put up with him.

Yeah, America has it's fair share of stinkers...but you guys gave us Andy Dick and Celine Dion...that can't be topped in terms of sheer shittyness.

Dont forget Tom Green, Avril Lavine and Rush.

We love dumping our garbage onto the American public. Ironically all the great bands stay in Canada.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:13 AM

Dude our healthcare system ROCKS (when you're critically ill).

I had cancer two years ago, got emergency surgery, was in hospital for a month, lost half my stomach, spleen, gallbladder, and 90-95% of my pancreas and I didn't have to pay a CENT.

ps. For those americans knocking our military, I suggest you talk to some of your soldiers that have served with Canadian soldiers (especially in afghanistan, were one of our sniper teams saved a US company from being badly mauled, earning the distinction of the longest recorded sniper kill in history in the process) before you go dissing what you know not of. Yes our military is 10 times smaller than the US military, but we're also 10 times smaller population wise.

Ouch dude, nice. I spent a week in there for galstones stuff and didn't pay a cent either (not to mention the number of times I broke bones as a kid). It's funny because everytime I assume I'm going to get a bill for all the work they've done, then someone looks at me like I'm crazy and says "it's free". Personally I have zero problem with my tax money funding the system. I guess I'm just one of those people who doesn't get worked up about being taxed, since I make more than enough to piss my money away on my hobbies and live a great lifestyle and still afford to pay for people to get medical help. (And at tax time every year I always end up getting ~$500 returns back to me, I never end up paying them anything.)

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:14 AM

Dont forget Tom Green, Avril Lavine and Rush.

We love dumping our garbage onto the American public. Ironically all the great bands stay in Canada.

Whoa there chief. I won't apologize for any of those. Well, maybe Tom Green.....

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 11:15 AM

Dont forget Tom Green, Avril Lavine and Rush.

We love dumping our garbage onto the American public. Ironically all the great bands stay in Canada.

Avril is Canadian?! Fuck this noise, it's time we went to war! Blame Canada!

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:15 AM

I always wondered how many Evil Avatar readers were also Gaming Industry people in Toronto...

Not I. I just do I.T. security. Though I know of people in the Toronto gaming industry.

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 11:16 AM

As for Rush...c'mon. I'm not huge fans of theirs, but I'll be damned if they ain't talented. I got respect for them.

TrackZero

11-16-2006, 11:17 AM

Yeah, America has it's fair share of stinkers...but you guys gave us Andy Dick and Celine Dion...that can't be topped in terms of sheer shittyness.

You know it's odd. I HATE Andy Dick. But there have been times I've actually laughed at him without realizing it (usually on the MTV movie awards sketches).

Serapth

11-16-2006, 11:24 AM

As for Rush...c'mon. I'm not huge fans of theirs, but I'll be damned if they ain't talented. I got respect for them.

Why does it happens, because it happens, roll the bone!

That is all I need to say. Rush is dead to me now.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 11:25 AM

Whoa there chief. I won't apologize for any of those. Well, maybe Tom Green.....

Why, are you a skater boi?

Ultima Thulian

11-16-2006, 11:26 AM

I see. In that case, punch yourself in the sack everytime you laugh at Andy Dick. This is negative reinforcement. Everytime you laugh, a punch in the manberries. You'll learn eventually.

Serapth

11-16-2006, 11:30 AM

You know it's odd. I HATE Andy Dick. But there have been times I've actually laughed at him without realizing it (usually on the MTV movie awards sketches).

Its people like you that keep those fucking Jon Lovitz Subway ads on tv!

I am still angry at you over that.

novaskull

11-16-2006, 12:30 PM

Darkmatter,

Email any of the GetGames.ca addresses and I will eventually get it. We can discuss more school v. school stuff.

Spigot

11-16-2006, 02:31 PM

I work at the International Academy of Design and Technology in the Video Game Design and Development program. It's a mouthful to say but it's a good place and a good group of professionals to work with. A few of us wanted to get more development done while we are there so we formed a business to do it with.

I also am the founder of GetGames.ca, a Canadian online video game rental service (similar to what Gamefly does in the US).
So the IAoD&T is a good school, eh? I've been tempted to enroll somewhere and was looking at some courses but the cost of the education and the somewhat iffy job-market afterwards scared me. I've been tempted to see what your school has to offer but I'm still recuperating after the whole Art Institute Online shenanigans that I almost got suckered into.

I didn't know you were the founder of Getgames. I signed up with you guys the first day you launched and have been quite happy with the service. Do you need an Acton sales rep? I'll give all the games a nice leather smell...

I wish you hadn't axed the GBA section for rentals though. Not that there are a lot of them coming out anymore but it still helped keep me from buying games when I could rent them.

As for the cracks about the Canadian Navy, you have it all wrong. Our only working sub is in the middle of the West Edmonton Mall. You'd get to play a tour guide in that particular game...