Quebec
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Ubisoft Quebec adds a Longtail studio
Ubisoft has reached a deal to absorb 48 members of Longtail Studios Quebec into its own Quebec City studio, reports French-language outlet Le Soleil (Google translation). The acquisition will also result in a reported 5–6 staff layoffs and effectively closes Longtail's Quebec branch, though its New York headquarters and remaining studios are expected to remain in operation for now. Le Soleil claims that anonymous staff from the studio are pleased to now be working directly for a well-established developer -- plus they'll only have to move a few floors in their current office building, which they share with Ubisoft. The move comes just weeks after Longtail Quebec's studio director, Andreas Mollman, abruptly departed. The studio had most recently contributed to the development of Ubisoft's Michael Jackson: The Experience and other unnamed, but "key" Kinect projects, Ubisoft clarified in a short statement. The Quebec outfit represented about half of Longtail's total workforce, and the company will now shift the bulk of its development efforts onto its Halifax studio, director general Estelle Jacquemard confirmed. Jacquemard also denied suggestion that the company's future was in question, heralding the success of its most recent release, Dance on Broadway, and saying that ten new jobs would open up in the coming weeks. He also shot down rumor that Longtail's owner, Gerard Guillemot, has plans to get out of the games business altogether -- Gerard is indeed the brother of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot and a co-founder of the mega-publisher himself.
Videotron's 120Mbps broadband is Canada's fastest, now available in Quebec City
Fittingly called Ultimate Speed 120, Videotron's latest internet access service is raising Canadian heartbeats today. Starting out in Quebec City and eventually expanding to the whole province, this broadband package will give users access to a 120Mbps information superhighway, complete with 20Mbps upload lanes. There are monthly usage caps, of course, set at 170GB down and 30GB up, but you can break them so long as you're willing to pay the surcharge. The broadband itself costs 160 Canadian bucks a month, though you can cut that down to C$150 by bundling it with a TV or telephony service. That's not exactly a bad deal, but given the choice, we'd still rather go live in Chattanooga. [Thanks, Gary]
Vidéotron launches mobile service in Canada, lots of smartphones in tow; iPhone in the cards?
Canada's Quebecor has launched mobile service through its Vidéotron brand today, adding another start-up to an increasingly confusing array of new players challenging the country's legacy wireless giants, Rogers, Bell, and Telus. Like Mobilicity, Public Mobile, and WIND Mobile, Vidéotron uses AWS spectrum to offer 3G service, and the selection of devices at launch is surprisingly decent: you've got access to the Nexus One, Motorola XT720, Garmin A50, and BlackBerry Bold 9700, alongside a bunch of lower-end offerings and a data card. Though the carrier's network is restricted to Quebec, roaming deals are in place that should allow them to offer service "almost 95 percent of the country." Perhaps the juiciest thing to come out of the launch today, though, happened during the Q&A session of the launch press conference, where one of the company's executive vice presidents apparently noted that Apple is in the process of manufacturing an AWS-compliant iPhone and that we should "expect an announcement in the coming months" regarding Vidéotron's launch. That certainly lends credence to recent rumors that T-Mobile USA is preparing to offer the iPhone -- like Vidéotron, it uses AWS 3G -- but just as with the perpetual Verizon rumors, we're going to hold off on calling this one gold until we see the units on a store shelf. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Report: Warner Bros. Interactive opening Montreal studio
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is the latest company to take advantage of Canada's talent (and yummy, yummy tax incentives) for game developers and publishers. GameFocus reports that WBIE (WBI-oui?) will open a new studio in Montreal that will be lead by division president Martin Tremblay and employ over 300 people. The studio will be known as WB Games Montreal. We've contacted WBIE for comment on the new studio, but the publisher has yet to make a formal announcement. In a previous professional life, Tremblay was the big fromage at Vivendi and Ubisoft Montreal. The executive also apparently claimed that the publisher would open a studio in another city soon. That could be a new studio, or it could be a developer WB has invested in, like Turbine -- or a solid developer that's recently tripped into some eye-catching success. Update: The province of Quebec has made it official.
Half-Minute Hero can't rescue Quebec
If you're looking for a UMD version of Half-Minute Hero in Quebec, stop trying. A Destructoid reader looking for the game was surprised it had skipped a release altogether in the Canadian province -- and it's all thanks to the law. "Canadian distribution is always tricky because of the bilingual law that Quebec enforces, so for titles with limited distribution we do not create a second bilingual version specifically for Canada because it's too expensive. Unfortunately, that's what happened to Half-Minute Hero," an XSEED representative stated. Thankfully, digital distribution offers a workaround. PlayStation Network appears to be exempt from Quebec's bilingual laws, so a simple visit to the PlayStation Store is all it takes to bypass the French language police.
Enter to win five Creative WoW headsets for your 5-man group
So we've been doing these Creative contests to give away their shiny new World of Warcraft-branded wireless gaming headsets for a few months now. But if you haven't won one yet, worry not: today, we're giving away five headsets to one lucky instance-running group out there, so you can all talk to each other while you're wiping in Heroic Old Kingdom.To enter, you've got to send us a .JPG-formatted picture (no bigger than 800px please) of your favorite five-man group -- you and four friends -- to contests@wow.com by 5pm October 29, 2009 (that's one week from today!). Make sure you put "Creative 5-man contest" in the email subject so we can recognize what it's for, and while you can take it wherever and however you want to in-game (or even in real-life!), just make sure there are five people in there. Because one lucky random entry will win five Creative World of Warcraft wireless gaming headsets, one for each member of the group, at a value of $150 each, or $750 total. That's a lot of headsets! You must also be 18 or older, and live in the United States or Canada excluding Quebec -- full official rules can be found right here.Please note: in addition to emailing us the .jpg picture, you will also need to copy and paste the form below (filled out) into your email -- it was put together by our legal department and simply says that you understand and will adhere to the rules of the contest. You need to include the names and e-mail addresses of all five players in your group so that we can contact you all about prizes if you win.Good luck to everyone who enters -- we can't wait to see what your five-man groups look like! And stay tuned, because we've got an even more epic contest planned out soon.
Funcom to open Montréal studio
Word got out earlier today that Funcom is establishing a new game development studio in Montréal. If your French is up to snuff, you can read all about it on Les Affaires, but Funcom was quick to make an announcement of their expansion plans. According to their official release, the new studio is being established in cooperation with Investissement Québec, with Ole Schreiner as CEO of the Montréal studio. Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas made a statement on Funcom's reasons for establishing a Québec studio: "We are excited about the opportunity that Montréal represents to our company, not only because of the great incentives offered by Québec, but also the authorities' strong commitment to training qualified video games personnel and building a video games cluster in Montréal and Québec."
Quebec law outlaws English-only titles if French versions exist [update]
[Update: We've clarified the exact implications of the law -- English-only titles are affected if there is a French version available, which is now given preference. We apologize for any confusion caused.]Beginning today, if you live in Quebec and want to buy a game that doesn't contain any French text or voice-over while alternate (read: French) versions exist -- you can't. You'll have to wait until the existing French version becomes available in store, which, in many cases, can take weeks or months.The Toronto Star reports that the new law is meant to "promote and protect the French language." The paper spoke with one retailer who says that goal carries a high price. "I'm afraid it's going to cost me my business," said Ronnie Rondeau, who owns eight Game Buzz stores in Montreal. "If it really was going to make a difference, I'd be for it, but only a small number of people want to play in French."Quebec's government threatened legal action against Nintendo and Sony in 1999 if the companies did not begin including a French language option in games (and game manuals) they published in the territory. The companies complied, and many third-parties produce French localizations of their games -- but work often isn't started until after the English version ships. Even the head of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, Danielle Parr, admitted to the paper that French-language games -- designed for release in France -- may never make it to Quebec due to the province's relatively small market. It seems that if you want to play those English-only games on time, you'll have to hope that there isn't a French version available at all.[Via GamePolitics]
Reminder: Enter WoW Insider's Guild of the Month contest
Don't forget -- we're just a few days away from the end of the month, which means we're going to be wrapping up the first month of our new Guild of the Month contest. If you think your guild is overly exceptional, really original, or just generally awesome, let us know about it: we're asking for 200-word entries, which you can send along to guildofthemonth@gmail.com (remember also that you need to be in the US or Canada excluding Quebec -- official rules are here), and next week we'll be choosing our first winner.They'll be profiled right here on WoW Insider, and they'll even pick up a raid pack from our friends over at Swagdog. Even if you don't win, you can go over to Warcraft.Swagdog.com and pick up customized guild gear, both shirts and hats with your guild's logo and name on them. Very cool.If you haven't entered the contest yet and think your guild can be chosen as the best of the month, please do enter. And stay tuned -- after the first of the month, we'll reveal the winner for March, and then the contest starts all over again.
Cogeco Cable picks up TSN2 HD and Canal Indigo HD in Quebec
Cogeco Cable already added TSN2 HD (among other stations) in the Ontario market, but now folks located in Quebec can finally be on level ground. Starting this week, the carrier will begin broadcasting TSN2 HD (slot 542) and Canal Indigo HD (slot 500), and there's also the SD version of TELETOON (slot 90) for those obsessed with pixelated animation. As for extra costs, both of the high-def stations will be provided gratis for those already paying the monthly $2.99 HD service fee, while TELETOON will be free for those who subscribe to the Digital TV package.
Videotron ups the HD ante in Quebec
Keeping the HD news from up North flowing is Vidéotron, which has just announced its plans to revamp its HD lineup. The Quebec-servicing cable provider has been able to get its illico digital television service out to over a million households, and it's vowing to "continue its digital terminal and HDTV service rollout with the upcoming arrival of RDI HD and ARTV HD in early May, with 30 HD stations, 14 of which are in French." Unfortunately, there aren't any details about channel names or anything lovely like that, but we figure a tease is better than nothing at all, right?
Quebec working on deal for more games in French
A joint initiative between the French-speaking province of Quebec in Canada and the video game industry is looking to have more games in French. A spokesperson for the Quebec government said a deal is in the works for all games entering the province to be translated into French. Video-game distributors will allegedly pick up the tab and the full details will be made public in a few weeks. Currently less than 40% of the "most popular" games in Quebec are available in French.As long as it doesn't slow down the release of games outside of Quebec, we're totally for it. Actually, it has been nice to play the Heavenly Sword demo in many different languages with English subtitles. Sure, the voice work isn't as good in some of the languages, but it's still nice to have options. Why shouldn't people be able to have their games in their own languages as long as they're willing to foot the bill?[Via Game|Life]
Eidos sets up shop in Montreal alongside Ubisoft, EA
Rampant piracy hasn't stopped Ubisoft from making moves in Montreal, initiating a massive studio expansion that will see 1,000 new jobs created over the next six years. And now Ubisoft, and existing neighbor EA Montreal, will be joined by Eidos. The UK powerhouse has formally announced plans to launch a new game development studio headed by general manager Stéphane D'Astous in Quebec's largest city. "Montreal is the ideal location to open a new studio because of its thriving game development community and favorable economics," said Eidos Commercial Director Bill Ennis, referring to beneficial tax and government incentives.The new studio is expected to provide an estimated 350 new jobs by 2010.
Ubisoft Montreal expanding, 1,000 new jobs by 2013
As supposed by La Presse, Ubisoft has formalized plans to expand its Montreal studio with the help of government aid. The Paris-based company will spend as much as C$454 million (approximately $383.9 million USD) over the next six years, while Quebec will chip in C$19 million in tax credits. Ottawa's also offering a C$8-million loan to help grow the studio, which is expected to create roughly 1,000 new jobs in the Montreal area by 2013.The expansion will unfold in two simultaneous phases. The studio's video game division will be beefed up with 500 new positions, while a CGI studio is created, eventually providing an additional 500 jobs. The new studio will produce short films based on Ubisoft properties, including an 8-minute Assassin's Creed featurette.
Ubisoft to open CGI film studio in Quebec, partially funded by Canada
Word from the Canadian newswire is that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot is preparing to announce a major "growth plan for the company" tomorrow. According to Québécois newspaper La Presse, Guillemot will unveil plans for a new computer-animation studio in Quebec, which would initially produce "short films for the general public."Ubisoft's new CGI studio would be made possible, in part, by an ongoing government grant that is providing the company with roughly C$454 million (approximately $383.9 million USD) over time, in order to create 1,000 new jobs in Quebec. Supposedly tomorrow's announcement will see Canada labor minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn and Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay present Ubisoft Montreal with a portion of the grant worth C$8 million (approx. $6.8 million USD).
Miss Video Game competition [update 1]
missvideogame.com/index.phpmissvideogame.com/index.phpmissvideogame.com/index.php The four day Miss Video Game competition will be held from June 10 -14 2007 in Montreal, Canada. Yeah, another Canadian gaming event! Why are we telling you about it this early? Registration is due by midnight December 31, 2006. Event organizers say 50 women have already agreed to step into the virtual ring. Allegedly Becky Young of Video Games Live and Faith Naked of The Girl Gamer are ready to lock and load.The competition will test the players across various game genres. This isn't some wimpy one genre FPS fest, no sir, these ladies have to be good at it all: FPS, RTS, strategy and anything else the organizers come up with -- along with having gamer spirit and attitude. Invariably a fair amount of you are saying, "But I'm a guy, what do I care?" This is where the sick/fun part comes in. Between Dec. 31 and Jan. 20 the rest of us are allowed to vote on the ladies we want to see in the competition based on personality, creativity and gamer representation. The competitors will be allowed to upload videos, interviews and audio clips during this time to sway our vote.The pre-competition will determine four finalists and one additional finalist will be picked by the celebrity judges. No word yet on who the judges will be. The finalists will be flown to Montreal next June and battle for three days. The competition will be broadcast across the interwebs. The winner receives $1000 USD, a trip to Mexico and a gaming system. No word yet on whether Miss Video Game gets a tiara.[Thanks, Faith][Update 1: Updated contest homepage link]
Quebec puts the brakes on electronic voting
While the U.S. mid-term elections are going full steam ahead with a myriad of maybe-reliable and not-so-reliable electronic voting systems in place, Quebec is pulling back from its adventures in e-voting, after the province's chief electoral officer Marcel Blanchet delivered a harsh report on the 2005 municipal elections. The voting machines were used in some 140 municipalities in the province last year but, according to the report, they went down like bad plate of poutine, suffering from blackouts and transmission errors, resulting in unreliable results -- although he adds that there's nothing that can be done about the results now except to move on. He also reported that the electronic voting machines weren't any faster or more economical than manual counting. As a result of the report, Quebec's Municipal Affairs Minister Nathalie Normandeau is accepting Blanchet's recommendation that the current moratorium on electronic voting put in place after last year's elections be maintained, apparently indefinitely. [Via Slashdot]
DIY project merges VR goggles with RC airplane
Those crafty Canadians, they've invented everything from the beloved BlackBerry to medicalbots. Well, let's add another really sweet creation (DIY-style, this time) to the mix: a radio-controlled airplane with an on-board wireless pan-tilt camera that's linked up to a pair of VR goggles to show what the cam sees. When the terrestrial-bound viewer wears said goggles and moves his or her head, the plane-based cam will adjust accordingly -- if the viewer looks up, the cam looks up, and if the viewer looks to the left, the cam looks to the left, et cetera. Just check out the video linked below, for an amazing aerial tour of the "Club de golf Royal" in Bromont, Québec (near Montreal).[Via digg]
Apple Store openings: Your reports
This weekend saw the openings of three new Apple retail stores. One in Quebec, one in Virginia and another in New York. As usual, we're looking for any reports, photos and/or videos you may have made over the weekend at any of these locations. Let us know what you've got in the comments. Here's hoping you scored a T-shirt.
Apple Store grand opening in Quebec
Attention all Québécois, Apple is headed to Laval (more specifically 3035, boulevard Le Carrefour, local C14B). That's right, Laval will soon have its very own Apple Store. The grand opening is set for September 9th, and as usual there will be t-shirts for the first 1000 people, and well as a drawing with a grand prize of a 17 inch iMac, a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, a Canon ZR700, and an Espon R220 photo printer.If any TUAW readers plan on being there we would love to see your pictures.
