Canadian success waddles onto DS

By David Wylie

Canwest News Service

The march of Canada’s colourful penguins has continued all the way to the top of video game sales charts.

The journey to the release of Disney Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for the Nintendo DS is a fairy tale success story.

In 2005, three Kelowna, B.C., residents decided to launch a virtual world in which penguins are used to represent community members. All were parents who wanted a safe place online where their kids could interact with others.

Word of Club Penguin spread quickly, gathering millions of users before the popular site caught the eye of Walt Disney Co.

Captivated by Club Penguin’s ability to attract and retain users, Disney bought the icy online paradise – designed for kids aged six to 14 – in 2007 for $350 million US.

Now, 18 months later, Club Penguin’s success continues to snowball with the newly released DS game, which is currently one of the best-selling North American titles for the hand-held console.

Call of Juarez prequel set in Civil War

Ubisoft just announced it’s going to publish a prequel to Call of Juarez.

The game, titled Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, will be set in part during the Civil War, which is definitely different from the usual settings.

Here’s what Ubisoft Canada general manager Olivier Ernst said in a statement: “Call of Juarez was well received by gamers and critics. We’re confident this new collaboration with Techland will bring an even bigger and better adventure to fans of shooters and the lawless Wild West.”

Ubisoft said Bound in Blood will transport players from “a ravaged Civil War-era Georgia to the Aztec ruins of Mexico.”

Sony’s Smackdown

Is Sony tired of demands for a price cut?

I had an interesting news release from Sony waiting in my inbox this week.

Interesting is a word I use when I mean something more than interesting; this media release was more accurately an attempted smackdown.

The last paragraph of the news release sent Thursday pretty much sums it up: “So as PS3 continues to evolve without the need for additional parts or expenses, expect the competition to continue peddling add-ons in an effort to keep up with the Jones’.”

Canadian company acquires largest game studio in South America

Wanako Games made the Xbox Live Arcade title Assault Heroes 2.

Canada’s biggest independent game developer has gobbled up a Chilean game studio that specializes in titles for Microsoft.

Montreal-based Artificial Mind and Movement made the announcement late Thursday that it had acquired Wanako Games, which is the first and largest game studio in South America.

It changes hands from Activision Blizzard. Details of the deal were not released.

“The acquisition of Wanako Games is an opportunity to work with an experienced, motivated team, and to add successful downloadable games to our portfolio, including Assault Heroes 2 and 3D Ultra Mini Golf 2,” said Remi Racine, A2M’s president and CEO.

Racine said the addition of downloadable content has been part of the company’s growth strategy.

“We couldn’t miss this opportunity to provide A2M with a strong foot hold in the downloadable space and access to a great talent pool,” he added.

The company said it will now be able to expand its offering across Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network.

A2M specializes in family games, such as Happy Feet, Ant Bully and Spider Man: Friend or Foe.

“The complementarities of our titles, target markets and technologies, combined with our understanding of the licence-based development, are paving the way to a solid alliance between the studios,” said Tiburcio de la Carcova, head of Wanako Studio. “In addition, we have developed relationships with prestigious universities and art schools in Chile, which will bring new approaches and favor exchange between the two cities.”

Ms. Pacman eating up video game world

When Marcie McIndoe found herself on maternity leave during a snowy Ontario winter, she turned to the world of video games for fun and friendship.

“Gaming has provided a major social outlet for me,” she says. “I was on maternity leave all winter. And when there are feet of snow outside, to be able to turn on the Xbox and laugh with friends is such a joy, and a necessary one.” McIndoe, 33, is no longer considered an anomaly in what was once a testosterone-dominated digital world. About half of those who play who play video games are female, according to recent surveys in both Canada and the U.S.

Call of Duty 5 has big boots to fill

As Call of Duty: World at War was released on Nov. 11, there was one resounding question: Could it live up to its jaw-dropping predecessor?
By Tuesday the early feedback to this fifth instalment of the series has been positive, but measured, compared to the fourth instalment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

As one Australian reviewer noted, “Call of Duty: World at War doesn’t have big boots to fill. No, it has giant, size-46 novelty boots to fill, the kind you’d find Goofy wearing at Disneyland.”

Far Cry 2 sells a million

Hit-video game Far Cry 2 has reached the million mark.
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the first-person shooter game has sold more than one million units worldwide. It’s been on store shelves for three weeks.
“The holiday quarter is off to a solid start with the successful launch of Far Cry 2,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “The game is well on track to achieve our expectations for the year.”
The open-world game is known for its lush landscapes and the ability to create levels. The second instalment takes place in a war-torn African state.
The game is available for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Starbucks plans to go gold

I luvs my Starbucks.

So I’m happy to hear Starbucks Coffee will be introducing a gold card in the U.S. Details are slim, but I like the free birthday drink.

Says Brad Stevens’s Starbucks blog: And when you register your Gold Card, you’ll unlock additional benefits like a free drink on your birthday, exclusive offers and discounts, and access to the Gold members-only website.  That’s when the top-shelf treatment really begins.

Details are here.

Also, he notes “I’m letting you know about Starbucks Gold early, so don’t be surprised if your barista isn’t up-to-speed yet!”

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.