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EDUCATION
BROCK UNIVERSITY
Interactive Arts and Science Program
The Interactive Arts and Science program, offered through the Brock University Centre for Digital Humanities, offers a BA and a Minor in the study of and creation in new media, digital interactivity and games. The program provides opportunities for students to build a depth of understanding at the intersections of technoculture, narrative, gameplay, computing, art and media production.
Computer Science Program
The Department of Computer Science at Brock University offers a BSc degree with two streams: software engineering and intelligent systems as well as a a minor program in Applied Computing. Brock's Computer Science program prepares students for professional practice in computing, especially the interaction of hardware and software. Students develop software, understand operating systems, database management systems, graphics and artificial intelligence in varied applications.
NIAGARA COLLEGE
Niagara College has positioned their programs (Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer Analyst and New Media Web Design) towards the emerging multimedia markets. Their focus includes Web, Mobile, and Gaming products. Students learn a range of design and programming skills during a common first year then specialize in subsequent years.
Niagara College is in the preliminary stages of developing comprehensive gaming streams within the Graphics Design and Programming programs at the post-secondary and post-graduate levels. They are partnering with Brock in terms of Degree Completion and joint curriculum/delivery and have external partners (Niagara Research, nGen, Silicon Knights) providing students and graduates various opportunities; the goal being - expand the emerging multimedia markets within the region and create new opportunities for people to work in the Niagara region.
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COMPANIES
180 Marketing
180 marketing is a full service agency dedicated to achieving client marketing objectives using multiple forms of media. With a strategic outlook, 180 develops and executes marketing campaigns that involve print, outdoor, digital and direct channels to reach and register with the target audience. In 2006, 180 saw the emergence of online video and understood its potential as an integral part of a firm's marketing mix. As a result they developed BODtvR - a video publishing, distribution and monetization platform; effectively, an online micro-television network.
BODtvR was built for marketers by marketers. 180 researched the market and competition extensively. There were no shortage of video players, but they were either too primitive, too expensive or severely lacked the flexibility to adapt to client business models. As a result 180 built their own player, publishing, distribution and monetization platform. The platform includes an extensible CMS (content management system), built in SEO/SEM, viral, syndication and social media tools. Powerful reporting and analytics allow clients to quickly and easily measure performance, manage videos and optimize monetization of their content.
In 2007 the investment in state-of-the-art video production equipment and crews and a professional editing suite, make 180 Niagara's largest full service marketing firm.
Website: www.180marketing.ca
Primary Contact: Kim KalogerakosCerebral Vortex
Established in October 2006, the St. Catharines, Ontario-based Cerebral Vortex Games is a developer of quality games for casual audiences. Previous titles developed by CVG include Word Burst and Ice Cream Dee-Lites, which can be found through the company's website.
Cerebral Vortex Games' premier title, Ambush! Trivia, was a finalist in Telefilm Canada's Great Canadian Video Game Competition.
Website: www.cerebralvortexgames.com
Primary Contact: Keith MakseCFAV
The Centre for Advanced Visualization, CFAV, helps you bring your project and products to life. If a picture is worth 1000 words, consider the value of a 3D visualization. You know that speed of approvals or multiple redesigns of your project or product impact on your costs and risks. Our productions have proven to save approval time and reduce the number of redesigns and separate your proposals from your competition.
Website: www.cfav.com
Primary Contact: Bob BirrellDragonchess
Dragonchess Interactive Inc., a division of Dragonchess Inc., is a newly incorporated business working in the Video Game Industry. This corporation is a collaboration between Dragonchess Inc., John Bachynski and Andrew Cheesman. Dragonchess Inc. developed the Dragon Chess board game, a variant of traditional chess that has an expanded board size with flanks, two more Pawns and introduces the exciting new Dragon piece. The Dragon piece, second most powerful to the Queen, can move three spaces in any direction. Dragonchess Interactive Inc. plans to develop an interactive version of the board game with a variety of special and unique features. They are currently in the early stages of developing a prototype.
Website: www.dragonchess.net
Primary Contact: John BachynskiFourGrounds Media Inc.
FourGrounds Media Inc. is a St. Catharines-based company created by three Brock students to provide expertise in web video production to Niagara and beyond. This new and innovative business strives to bridge the gap between corporate and artistic filmmaking.
FourGrounds is gearing up to produce a Niagara-based Internet television network that will cater to artists, local organizations, businesses, events co-ordinators and Niagara residents.
Website: www.fourgrounds.com
Primary Contact: Mike GillespieFreedomWorks
FreedomWorks provides innovative simulation products and engineering design. If you have a project prohibitively expensive or simply too dangerous to allow trainees to use equipment in the real world FreedomWorks can provide a safe low cost solution. We model key characteristics or behaviors of your project, which allows operators to spend time learning valuable lessons in a "safe" virtual environment. Mistakes can happen during training with no danger to the operators or the real-world equipment. Our primary goal is to ensure that we remain dedicated to the principle that thorough, high-quality simulation is vital to helping you achieve your bottom line.
Website: www.freemdomworks.ca
Primary Contact: Christian MengeFuri Enterprises
Furi Enterprises Inc. is a technology consulting company with an expertise and leadership in web, internet and mobile technologies while maintaining a commitment to aesthetically pleasing and functional experiences. For the past 10 years, Furi has been striving to match business needs with technology solutions while aiming to utilize the latest and greatest technologies of the time. Furi's approach to solving problems aims for a level of openness and maintaining technology independence to allow some of most innovation and creative uses of technology without rebuilding the best of the breed technologies. To name a few technologies, Furi is actively developing various technological advancements, including a web platform, a distributed social networking platform, advanced webcasting technologies, Internet infrastructure technologies, and interactive iPhone applications and games.
Website: www.furi.ca
Primary Contact: Thomas MadejKeyframe
Keyframe Digital Productions Inc. is a VFX and animation studio which has been operating in the Region of Niagara since 1997. In 1999, its principals, Darren Cranford and Clint Green, won the "Young Entrepreneurs" award given by the Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and it continued to grow to 35 employees and a 5000 sq. ft. studio space in 2008. It has performed its digital magic for all the big film and television clients including Sesame Workshop, Disney, NBC, Universal Studios, Fisher Price, and Cartoon Pizza. In addition, it produced its own animated series, "The Hugglers", which has been shown on all the major Christian network stations in North America. At present, Keyframe has entered into a number of co-production agreements with studios in the United States, Ireland and France and in addition, has several of its own animated proprietary projects picked up for broadcast development, all of which is in addition to its current visual effects work on such television projects as "XIII", "Warehouse 13", "Lost Girls", and "Deadliest Sea".
Website: www.keyframe.ca
Primary Contact: Brian Simpsonmorro images Inc.
morro images Inc. is a visual effects (VFX) and 3D computer animation company (it is the sister company of morro images GmbH & Co. KG located in the well known historic film town Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany). The main field of expertise of morro images Canada Inc. is the production of VFX, and 3D computer animation (including the whole 3D workflow for TV / movie productions and interactive media projects), as well as motion graphics, character design, titles design, on-air design, production design and compositing.
Website: www.morroimages.com
Primary Contact: Tobias WiegandSilicon Knights
With names like "Too Human", "Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem" and "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes", Silicon Knights has blasted to the top of the video gaming world, working closely with the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft. Silicon Knights began in the basement of a home in St. Catharines almost twenty years ago. The company was incorporated in July, 1992, and its first games were real-time strategy/action hybrids for the PC, Amiga and Atari systems. During the final stages of development of the company's last PC game, Dark Legions™ (1994), Silicon Knights found its calling - creating and writing compelling stories, and the creation of backgrounds for characters.
The company has turn this expertise toward developing new ways to make non-linear content in games. This resulted in the company's first action-adventure game, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain™ (1996) for the Sony PlayStation. In 2000, Silicon Knights® became an exclusive second-party developer for Nintendo, during which time they created the critically acclaimed, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem™ (2002). Later with Nintendo and Konami, Silicon Knights® created Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes™ (2004). Most recently, Silicon Knights® released Too Human™ with Microsoft on the Xbox 360.
The company is based in downtown St. Catharines and utilizes the talents of more than 140 employees. Silicon Knights is an active member of the video gaming industry, working with the Ontario government and peers to develop an action plan for the province, and to make Ontario a more attractive place for this industry.
Website: www.siliconknights.com
Primary Contact: webmaster@siliconknights.com -
nGen
PROJECTS
nGen Niagara Interactive Media is a hub for interactive media project and business development in Niagara. This initiative is aimed at development of an economic cluster in interactive media in Niagara. nGen will foster new enterprise and build capacity in Niagara in this fast growing sector of the economy.
TENANTS
XNiagara Interactive Media Generator
Niagara Interactive Media Generator fosters synergies between creative and enabler enterprises, local arts and culture industries in Niagara, as well as the educational programs, research and development expertise, and infrastructure at Brock University and Niagara College. A significant feature of nGen is the development of content-driven interactive media projects to bring public, private and not-for-profit players together in an environment of collaboration and creation. nGen's activities enable creative enterprises to produce and exploit their intellectual property and gain clout in the rapidly growing global marketplace for games, interactive tools, and web 2.0 applications. It facilitates networking, collaboration, prototyping, production and business development. The concept for nGen evolved out of a comprehensive analysis of the Niagara region's capacity for growth in the Interactive Media sector of the economy. nGen came to be through a broad community collaboration between Brock University's Faculty of Humanities, Niagara College, City of St. Catharines Economic Development Services, Interactive Ontario, Niagara Economic Development Corporation, Niagara Enterprise Agency and Silicon Knights. nGen is supported in its activities with a generous contribution from the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
XNoise in Niagara
Noise in Niagara Background Noise in Niagara is a social networking application for Niagara’s music scene. It is a portal and web magazine aimed at showcasing independent bands. Bands and venues can create profiles, promoters and local music stores can post ads or event listings, and music fans can plan their week around the upcoming local shows displayed in the site’s “now playing” section. This will provide opportunities for musicians to collaborate, for fans and programmers to connect with musicians and to provide a schedule of music events and appearances. The website was developed by a group of programmers at Niagara College’s Welland campus, and it was officially launched in September 2008 as a beta site to gain feedback and test with groups of potential users. Noise in Niagara is being funded by Niagara College and nGen, and it is free to use.
X1812: Interactive Niagara
1812: Interactive Niagara is an educational game about the War of 1812 that uses simulations, role playing, and strategy to provide students and others interested in history with a chance to see the impacts of various historic facts and choices on the outcome of this conflict that defines Canadian History. The game will be based on prototypes created by students in the Brock University Interactive Arts and Science Program. Tourists will explore the real world environment of Niagara, as well as virtual space, which they will access through phones such as the Apple iPhone. The medium of a hybrid reality game will be used to incorporate Niagara’s history and culture – especially those places, people and events connected to the bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812 into an enjoyable, interactive, and enlightening experience for tourists.
XInvestment Attraction Tool
The Investment Attraction Tool will serve the St. Catharines Economic Development and Tourism Service. A website has now been launched, entitled “Ontario’s Digital Interactive Media Engine.” It showcases nGen as well as the entertainment and digital media sector. It highlights significant Niagara content creators such as Silicon Knights and other anchors of the new media industry in Niagara such as the Centre for Advanced Visualization at Niagara College, and the Interactive Arts & Science Program at Brock University. This website has an interactive feature that showcases regional talent and demonstrates the capacities of Niagara. It also has videos and sharing options, as well as information about the companies investing in this project.
XDragonchess
Dragonchess Interactive Inc., a division of Dragonchess Inc., is a newly incorporated business working in the Video Game Industry. This corporation is a collaboration between Dragonchess Inc., John Bachynski and Andrew Cheesman. Dragonchess Inc. developed the Dragon Chess board game, a variant of traditional chess that has an expanded board size with flanks, two more Pawns and introduces the exciting new Dragon piece. The Dragon piece, second most powerful to the Queen, can move three spaces in any direction. Dragonchess Interactive Inc. plans to develop an interactive version of the board game with a variety of special and unique features. They are currently in the early stages of developing a prototype.
XFourgrounds Media Inc.
FourGrounds Media Inc. is a St. Catharines-based company created by three Brock students to provide expertise in web video production to Niagara and beyond. This new and innovative business strives to bridge the gap between corporate and artistic filmmaking.
FourGrounds is gearing up to produce a Niagara-based Internet television network that will cater to artists, local organizations, businesses, events co-ordinators and Niagara residents.
XFuri Enterprises Inc.
Furi Enterprises Inc. is a technology consulting company with an expertise and leadership in web, internet and mobile technologies while maintaining a commitment to aesthetically pleasing and functional experiences. For the past 6 years, Furi has been striving to match business needs with technology solutions while aiming to utilize the latest and greatest technologies of the time. Furi's approach to solving problems aims for a level of openness and maintaining technology independence to allow some of most innovation and creative uses of technology without rebuilding the best of the bread technologies. To name a few technologies, Furi is actively developing various technological advancements, including a web platform, a distributed social networking platform, advanced webcasting technologies, Internet infrastructure technologies, and interactive iPhone applications and games.
Xmorro images
morro images Inc. is a visual effects (VFX) and 3D computer animation company (it is the sister company of morro images GmbH & Co. KG located in the well known historic film town Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany). The main field of expertise of morro images Canada Inc. is the production of VFX, and 3D computer animation (including the whole 3D workflow for TV / movie productions and interactive media projects), as well as motion graphics, character design, titles design, on-air design, production design and compositing.
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ADVANTAGES
UNPARALLELED ACCESS
Well-integrated transportation infrastructure including immediate access to provincial highways, 4 international border crossings, three international and local airports all within a one-hour drive. The community serves as a critical telecommunications hub in North America, linked continentally and globally by high speed advanced fibre optic networks that cross the international border.
EDUCATED and INDUSTRY READY WORKFORCE
With immediate access to highly skilled, well educated and productive labour force of over 200,000 St. Catharines is industry ready! Post secondary education provided through Niagara College and Brock University continues to graduate our leaders of tomorrow.
GEOGRAPHICALLY CLUSTERED INDUSTRY
Leveraging investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent development few other communities in Ontario can match St. Catharines for the sheer concentration of players currently making key investments to support the future development of the sector
ONE MARKET - 6 BILLION CONSUMERS
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TESTIMONIAL
Bob Birrell - Centre for Advanced Visualization
The Centre for Advanced Visualization, CFAV, helps you bring your project and products to life. If a picture is worth 1000 words, consider the value of a 3D visualization. You know that speed of approvals or multiple redesigns of your project or product impact on your costs and risks. Our productions have proven to save approval time and reduce the number of redesigns and separate your proposals from your competition.
Christian Menge - FreedomWorks
FreedomWorks provides innovative simulation products and engineering design. If you have a project prohibitively expensive or simply too dangerous to allow trainees to use equipment in the real world FreedomWorks can provide a safe low cost solution. We model key characteristics or behaviors of your project, which allows operators to spend time learning valuable lessons in a “safe” virtual environment.
Darren Cranford - Keyframe Digital Productions Inc.
Keyframe Digital Productions Inc. is a VFX and animation studio which has been operating in the Region of Niagara since 1997. In 1999, its principals, Darren Cranford and Clint Green, won the “Young Entrepreneurs” award given by the Niagara Chamber of Commerce. It has performed its digital magic for all the big film and television clients including Sesame Workshop, Disney, NBC, Universal Studios, Fisher Price, and Cartoon Pizza.
John Bachynski - Dragonchess Interactive Inc.
Dragonchess Interactive Inc., a division of Dragonchess Inc., is a newly incorporated business working in the Video Game Industry. This corporation is a collaboration between Dragonchess Inc., John Bachynski and Andrew Cheesman. Dragonchess Inc. developed the Dragon Chess board game, a variant of traditional chess that has an expanded board size with flanks, two more Pawns and introduces the exciting new Dragon piece.
Justin Howe - Silicon Knights
Silicon Knights has blasted to the top of the video gaming world, working closely with the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft. Silicon Knights began in the basement of a home in St. Catharines almost twenty years ago. The company was incorporated in July, 1992, and its first games were real-time strategy/action hybrids for the PC, Amiga and Atari systems.
Keith Makse - Cerebral Vortex Games
Established in October 2006, the St. Catharines, Ontario-based Cerebral Vortex Games is a developer of quality games for casual audiences. Previous titles developed by CVG include Word Burst and Ice Cream Dee-Lites, which can be found through the company’s website. Cerebral Vortex Games’ premier title, Ambush! Trivia, was a finalist in Telefilm Canada’s Great Canadian Video Game Competition.
Kevin Kee - Brock University
Kevin Kee is the Canada Research Chair in Digital Humanities, and an Associate Professor in the Department of History, at Brock University, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education at McGill University. Before arriving to Brock in 2005, he was a Director and Project Director at the National Film Board of Canada (1999-2002), and an Assistant Professor at McGill University (2002-2005). Along with my colleagues at Brock, he has organized the "Interacting with Immersive Worlds Conference", and helped create nGen - an interactive media generator located in Niagara.
Luke Courtois & Jim Kalogerakos - 180 marketing
180 marketing is a full service agency dedicated to achieving client marketing objectives using multiple forms of media. With a strategic outlook, 180 develops and executes marketing campaigns that involve print, outdoor, digital and direct channels to reach and register with the target audience. In 2006, 180 saw the emergence of online video and understood its potential as an integral part of a firm’s marketing mix.
Mike Gillespie - FourGrounds Media Inc.
FourGrounds Media Inc. is a St. Catharines-based company created by three Brock students to provide expertise in web video production to Niagara and beyond. This new and innovative business strives to bridge the gap between corporate and artistic filmmaking. FourGrounds is gearing up to produce a Niagara-based Internet television network that will cater to artists, local organizations, businesses, events co-ordinators and Niagara residents.
Thomas Madej - Furi Enterprises Inc.
Furi Enterprises Inc. is a technology consulting company with an expertise and leadership in web, internet and mobile technologies while maintaining a commitment to aesthetically pleasing and functional experiences. For the past 6 years, Furi has been striving to match business needs with technology solutions while aiming to utilize the latest and greatest technologies of the time.
Tobias Wiegand - morro images Canada Inc.
morro images Canada Inc. is a visual effects (VFX) and 3D computer animation company (it is the sister company of morro images GmbH & Co. KG located in the well known historic film town Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany). The main field of expertise of morro images Canada Inc. is the production of VFX, and 3D computer animation (including the whole 3D workflow for TV / movie productions and interactive media projects).
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THE INSPIRATION
Discover the Testimonials
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TAKE PART
LEARN
Learn the Skills and Theory You Need to Succeed
Brock University
"The success of our university is clearly reflected in the success of the region. We continue to fuel this knowledge-based economy with talented, bright young minds. Our students and faculty are constantly collaborating with local business to develop and transfer technology and knowledge developed at the institution. This continuing flow of intelligence assists in placing the Niagara region above the provincial average for R&D." Dr. Jack N. Lightstone, President & Vice Chancellor, Brock University
Niagara College
"We are ensuring the region's sustainability and competitveness with graduates who recognize all the opportunities in the Niagara region - and they are staying, working and growing here. With our Building Futures project, we're expanding our capacity with improved facilities and new technology to create more than 1000 new spaces in programs designed to accomodate the growing needs of business in Niagara." Dr. Dan Patterson, President, Niagara College
START
Start by Choosing the Right Path for Your Business
St. Catharines Enterprise Centre
The St. Catharines and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre focuses on providing support to start-up and small enterprises during their initial years of development and operation. Entrepreneurs are provided with easy access to business consulting services and information covering management, marketing, technology and financing
BizPal St. Catharines
BizPaL St. Catharines is an online service that simplifies the business permitting and licensing process for entrepreneurs, governments, and third party business service providers. Easy and convenient, BizPaL St. Catharines provides Canadian businesses with one-stop access to permit and licence information for all levels of government. The service’s primary goals are to slash document research time and help entrepreneurs start up faster.
GROW
Grow Your Business
St. Catharines Economic Development and Tourism Services
The City of St. Catharines Economic Development Department is responsible for the attraction of new businesses to St. Catharines as well as encouraging the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the community. The office is available to work closely with businesses in order to bring together the right tools necessary that best suit business and community needs BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER establishing an operation in St. Catharines.