Made in Canada: Microsoft sets up in B.C.

Your favourite Microsoft gadgets and games will soon be made in Canada.

Microsoft has opened its first Canadian development centre in Vancouver-suburb Richmond, B.C.

While the company is plugging this as a good development for the economy there, etc., the good news for Canadian gamer folks is that we have another place in Canada where we can work in the gaming industry.

Microsoft has already hired 300 “of the world’s best” software engineers from around the globe who work on more than half of Microsoft’s products including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, the Zune Media Player, Windows Mobile and the Xbox 360.

“Establishing development centres in Canada and around the world is a deliberate and purposeful strategy for Microsoft. We believe that in order to capitalize on global talent and creativity we must locate in places that are attractive to global talent. Simply put, Microsoft is going to the talent, that’s why we are here in Richmond B.C.,” said Microsoft’s senior vice-president of human resources, Lisa Brummel.

Simply put: Canadians are good game programmers. And that’s a nice complement.

Oh yeah, it’s election time

Saturday night’s the night Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper stays home and pets his kittens and whatever else he does at home. But it’s Sunday, and Harper’s now wearing his business socks.

Harper has called the the much-expected federal election for Oct. 14, and my bet is, frankly, nobody cares.

Nintendo out of tune, out of touch

The more I hear about Wii Music, the more I want to throw up.

Rock Band = cool: You get to play drums.

Guitar Hero = cool: It has great tunes and the guitar is awesome.

Wii Music = crap: You use the Wii remote to simulate playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on the flute?