nGen News

Local War of 1812 app released for iPhone

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

A locally-developed War of 1812 application for iPhones has been released in Apples' iTunes online store.

Titled Niagara 1812: Return of the Fenian Shadow, it showcases people and places key to the nationally-defining war in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund - Deadline: September 20, 2010 (by 5:00 pm)

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is pleased to announce a new deadline for the OMDC Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund.

Interactive media centre opens its doors

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

On the third floor, a man in a black body suit swings a mock battle axe.

Sensors around him connect to a large screen that captures his motion.

On the floor below, a device carves out a precise 3-D colour replica of a chain-link image.

High-tech opening generates excitement - video

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:01:00 EST

Watch the video...

High-tech opening generates excitement

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Barely half a year ago, much of the space on the second and third floors at One St. Paul St. was empty.

It now houses millions of dollars worth of high-tech equipment designed to propel St. Catharines and Niagara to the forefront of the burgeoning digital media sector.

The Generator at one — the name given to the new facility inside Niagara Interactive Media Generator (nGen) — had its grand opening Friday.

Big Boost for nGen - Three new tenants

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Students at Brock University and Niagara College will have access to some of the same technology used on the movie Avatar, as their schools move programs into nGen's offices.

The Niagara Interactive Media Generator is celebrating the grand opening of its state-of-the-art digital media facility later this week, coinciding with the welcoming of three new tenants — Brock, Niagara College and the company 211 Interactive.

Intellectual Property Development Fund

Tue, 25 May 2010 11:22:00 EST

The IP Development Fund assists Ontario corporations by providing a refund of 30% of prior costs incurred in direct support of eligible early stage development activities to bring screen-based content properties closer to production or market ready stage.

$26.2. million for downtown arts school

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

Brock University gets funding from province

High-tech companies land federal cash

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

St. Catharines MPRick Dykstra announced Monday morning that Ottawa will give Convergent Telecom $185,250 through the government's community adjustment fund, while Shark Marine Technologies Inc. will get $61,250.

Video game company gets $4-million boost

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

Local company Silicon Knights is getting nearly $4 million in federal money to create a new video game, leaving community leaders gushing the region is one step closing to being a gaming capital.

nGen joins digital media network

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

St. Catharines-based nGen is hoping a new digital network will help rev up its incubating power.

CMF Doubles Interactive Funding To $27M

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Canada Media Fund is a not-for-profit corporation that delivers $350M in funding annually. Through the Experimental Stream, the CMF will encourage the development of leading-edge, interactive, digital media content and software applications. Through the Convergent Stream, the CMF will support the creation of innovative, convergent television and digital media content.

Canadian Digital Media Network adds Niagara Organization nGen to Growing Network

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) announced today that the Niagara Interactive Media Generator (nGen) has joined the CDMN network. The CDMN is working to connect organizations such as nGen in a nationwide network to collaborate and share digital media research, technology development and commercialization expertise.

High school student wins nGen competition

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

A Thorold High School student has won nGen’s first video game pitch competition, which was judged by fourth year Interactive Arts and Science students from Brock.

Thorold student wins video game contest

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Inspired by the frenetic combat of fighting games like Mortal Combat and Street Fighter, 16-year-old Matthew Webb dreams of digital fisticuffs.

His video-game idea, to pair characters drawn from everyday life to duke it out, from baseball players to criminals, won a contest hosted by Brock University's interactive arts and science program and nGen, Niagara's new-media incubator.

OMDC Gives $2.9 M to Boost Innovation

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

TORONTO – The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) proudly announces that it has invested $2.9 M in funding support through its Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund (the Partnerships Fund) to leverage an additional $7.1 M from 94 partners to support 17 innovative projects.

3-D role in building up America

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

A 3-D imaging company becomes a worldwide leader in its industry despite difficult odds.

The OMDC Intellectual Property (IP) Development Fund

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

The OMDC Intellectual Property (IP) Development Fund assists Ontario corporations by providing a refund of 30% of prior costs incurred in direct support of eligible early stage development activities to bring screen-based content properties closer to production or market ready stage.

Cerebral Vortex Games and Psi Pi Group Release iPrioritize for iPhone/iPod Touch

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Cerebral Vortex Games, a Thorold, Ontario-based developer of casual games, and Psi Pi Group Limited are pleased to announce that i-Prioritize, a handy personal organization app, is now available for download on the iTunes App Store.

Cerebral Vortex Games Releases Word Burst and Sonus for iPhone/iPod Touch

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Cerebral Vortex Games, a Thorold, Ontario-based developer of casual games, is pleased to announce that the games Word Burst and Sonus are now available for download on the iTunes App Store.

Ontario Government Infuses $26 Million into Kitchener Digital Media Hub

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ontario's Minister of Research and Innovation John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener-Centre, today announced that the province is providing $26 million to Communitech to create Ontario's hub for digital media tools, technology and applications.

The Big Table of Film and Video Incentives in Canada

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:36:00 EST

While the downturn affects the pace of growth in each segment, PwC's forecast reveals it does not alter the underlying pattern of digital revenues expanding at the expense of their non-digital counterparts. Our forecasts show film entertainment spending in Canada will increase at a 4.2% compound annual growth rate to US$4.2 billion in 2013 from $3.4 billion in 2009.

Brock 2.0

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The founders of FourGrounds Media are examples of Niagara’s new entrepreneurs of interactive media.

Knight News Challenge

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:49:00 EST

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: "You invent it. We fund it."

Community Arts and Media Project

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:02:00 EST

On behalf of the Laidlaw Foundation (www.laidlawfdn.org) Felicia Mings and Justin Williams are conducting research to determine the benefit, community support and young people’s interest in a youth led media arts program that highlights arts and culture of the African- Caribbean diaspora.

Call for Applications: OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund
deadline: November 16, 2009 (BY 5:00 PM)

Harper Government Launches Southern Ontario Development Program

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

FedDev Ontario is now accepting applications under the Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) for projects that will stimulate local economies and enhance the growth and competitiveness of Southern Ontario businesses and communities.

New media generator powers up

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Right now, it's just two floors of lifeless office space.

But in coming months, it will be transformed into one of Canada's most dynamic new media hubs.

Government of Canada Announces Creation of the Canada Interactive Fund

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Sep 23, 2009 -- On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Dean Del Mastro, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Peterborough), today announced at Seneca College the creation of the Canada Interactive Fund (CIF)

Ontario Power Authority Request for Proposals (RFP)

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Website Design Implementation and Related Services

nGen Brings State-of-the-Art to Niagara

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Downtown St. Catharines will soon be home to a brand new state–of–the–art digital interactive media production facility thanks to over $3 million in funding from the federal government.

nGen receives $3 million for cutting-edge equipment

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

The barely one-and-a-half year old Niagara Interactive Media Generator is about to grow by leaps and bounds both in size and technological capabilities.

nGen-erating new jobs

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

A production studio to make complex live-action video.

A state-of-the-art motion capture system for tracking and analyzing movement.

These and other leading technologies will soon be available thanks to more than $3 million in federal cash for the Niagara Interactive Media Generator.

Federal government invests in St. Catharines' future

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

St. Catharines – M.P. Rick Dykstra is thrilled to announce that nGen, Niagara Interactive Media Generator, will receive over $3 million from the Federal government’s Community Adjustment Fund.

Ontario, Canada

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

In our Region Specific series of articles, we've frequently visited Canada - exploring the game development communities of British Columbia, Quebec and even Prince Edward Island - but there's one province that's been conspicuous by its absence.

nGen receives grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:14:00 EST

nGen is pleased to announce it has received a $54,300 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Important information regarding the Canada Media Fund

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST

Virtual Town Hall taking place August 6th

Analysis: Is There Money To Be Made In Indie Games?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

[In this in-depth Gamasutra analysis, veteran game developer Jeff Ward crunches the numbers to craft a sobering look at the realities of independent game development business models.]

I'm looking at releasing an Xbox Live Indie Game in the next few months. Recently, along with colleague Darius Kazemi, I started doing a little bit of math about indie game numbers, and it's gotten me wondering whether you can actually support yourself, and a company, on indie games -- indie, in this case, meaning a smallish team experimenting with interesting gameplay concepts and styles.

Collaborating companies hope their 'apps' win approval

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

You're a painter and need to provide a fast quote for a complex house job.

With a new and innovative handset application, you could simply tap out specifications like paint codes and wall sizes on an iPhone, iPod Touch or BlackBerry.

In an instant, your client has the estimate at her fingertips.

The customizable project-management program is among several applications and games being created by a pair of collaborating St. Catharines companies, Symetric Productions and Cerebral Vortex Games.

Ubisoft® Extends Global Reach, Opening New Studio in Toronto

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ubisoft announced plans today to open a full development studio in Toronto, Ontario - a first for the company in the province. This significant announcement is expected to result in the creation of 800 net new jobs within the province over the next decade. The government of Ontario is investing CA$263 million over ten years in the company and Ubisoft's net investment will be over half a billion CAD in the new studio, which will begin operations in late 2009.

Boosting Jobs in Ontario's Creative Economy

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

McGuinty Government to Strengthen Entertainment and Creative Sector.

Video gaming the hard way

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

By and large, most video games end the same way.

You save the princess. You kill the zombies. You find the treasure. You blow something up. There is always a goal for the hours you've invested.

Niagara Falls graphic artist Anthony Perri knows it, which is why his brief-but-baffling games garner such a strong reaction. He's messing with you, and he'll wait for you to catch on.

Videos, website market city as digital interactive media engine

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

A green seed falls into soil, sprouting a tree.

Soon after, another grows and then another.

Key players in Niagara's interactive media community tout the benefits of living here: everything from the golf and wine to the low cost of living, and proximity to Toronto and the U. S. border.

Brock videographers get Niagara entrepreneurship award

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

A trio of filmmaking Brock grads has been awarded the 2009 Nitsopoulos Family Entrepreneurship Award.

FourGrounds Media Inc., founded and run by Michael Gillespie, Kristen Nater and Adrian Thiessen, will receive the award designed to encourage young businesses and keep them in Niagara.

Ontario's businesses shine in second edition of landmark study of Canada's interactive digital media industry

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Canadian Interactive Alliance / l'Alliance interactive canadienne (CIAIC) today released complete results of its 2008 Canadian Interactive Industry Profile (CIIP), including an analysis of the interactive media industry in Ontario.

Request for Proposals - Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI), by its agent the Ontario Shared Services, has posted a Request for Proposal for evaluating co-investor and investment applications, and administering and monitoring Investments for the Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund (OETF).

OMDC Export Fund- Interactive Digital Media

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Industry Initiatives - Bulletin

OMDC Export Fund - Interactive Digital Media

Application Deadline: June 22, 2009 (BY 5:00 PM)

Breathing fire into a board game with interactive video

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Susan Parker's dragon has been happily overtaking pawns and castles in its board game for a couple of years, but it's all fired up for a new challenge.

nGen announces tenancy of two local interactive media companies

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

nGen is pleased to announce the tenancy of two new Niagara based companies - Dragonchess Interactive Inc., a newly incorporated business working in the Video Game Industry and a division of Dragonchess Inc., as well as morro images Inc. (sister company of morro images GmbH & Co. KG in Germany), an animation studio specializing in the fields of visual effects, and graphic design, in to their offices at One St. Paul St. in downtown St. Catharines. nGen currently has two existing tenants at their facility, Furi Enterprises Inc. and Fourgrounds Media Inc., now bringing their total to 4 tenants.

Ontario is expanding its support of an innovative economy

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ontario’s Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund renewed for four years

nGen gives new media businesses a running start

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

These days, St. Catharines and the Niagara Region are feeling the pressure of a recession more than many other areas in Canada. Many question what the future holds for Niagara, and what industries will pick up the slack for the struggling auto industry.

Industry Advisory - Changes to Canada New Media Fund Guidelines for 2009-2010

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Donation of state-of-the-art computers boost for new-media operation

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

A donation of $55,000 worth of computer hardware from Dell will be a huge boost for nGen, says Jeff Chesebrough, executive director of St. Catharines' new-media incubator.

nGen Receives Boost from Dell

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Donation will help foster success of innovative new media Startups in Niagara Region

OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

OMDC INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA FUND
deadline: May 11, 2009 (BY 5:00 PM)

nGen Media Showcase

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Community News

The Niagara Interactive Media Generator, more commonly referred to as “nGen” represents the Community of Niagara as a hub for interactive media projects and business development in the region.

nGen a magnet for bright, young minds

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Dustin Stroud and others like him are the future of Niagara: young, bright and innovative.

But too often in the past, Stroud and his ilk graduated from Brock University or Niagara College and promptly looked for greener pastures outside of Niagara, which has traditionally had an economy driven by old-school industries rather than so-called 'knowledge-based' businesses.

nGen wants to be self-sustaining

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:00:00 EST

As it nears its first anniversary, nGen says it's putting a plan in place to ensure it keeps on running.

The St. Catharines new media business incubator received a start-up cash infusion of $560,000 from its funding partners -- including the province and the City of St. Catharines -- to last it until March 2010.

But nGen is determined to find ways to generate revenue and continue the work it has begun, executive director Jeff Chesebrough said Wednesday.

Noise in Niagara and Beyond

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Newly launched and steadily growing, Noise in Niagara (www.noiseinniagara.com) is making its mark on the local music scene by providing a central forum for bands, venues, promoters and concertgoers to promote and peruse.

Niagara students making Noise

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Those of you around three years ago may remember the Bedlam Society - a Web site designed to keep Niagara residents informed of what was going on in the region's music scene.

Now, since the demise of that site, nGen, the Niagara Interactive Media Generator, and Niagara College have taken it upon themselves to get the word back out there, to help rebuild the community's vibrant music scene, with the launch of Noise in Niagara.

Cerebral Vortex Games To Develop iPhone Game "Ghost Breaker" With Funding From Ontario Media Development Corporation

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Cerebral Vortex Games Inc., a St. Catharines, Ontario-based developer of casual videogames, is pleased to announce that they have been granted funding from the Ontario Media Development Corporation’s Screen-based Content Initiative.

Downtown Booster

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Brock professor envisions city core as cultural oasis

When Rosemary Hale walks along St. Paul Street in St. Catharines, she looks up.

The beauty of downtown reveals itself in the intricately etched facades of the street's century-old buildings, she said.

In Hale's view, her adopted city not only has potential to be something great, it already is.

2008 was a year of seized opportunities: Mayor

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Mayor reflects on 2008 and looks ahead to 2009 The year which just came to a close will go down as one in which all the pieces started coming together in the city's effort to turn around its downtown and make it a thriving centre once again, says St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan.

New media generator takes in two tenants

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

The owners of two fledgling Niagara companies are moving out of bedrooms and basements and into some better office space: 1 St. Paul St. Furi Enterprises and FourGrounds Media are the latest tenants of nGen, Niagara's new media business incubator. Developed by ambitious students in their 20s, the companies will inhabit two of the three offices in nGen's headquarters.

Microsoft partners with nGen

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Microsoft has partnered with nGen to give local new media entrepreneurs free access to software worth tens of thousands of dollars. The Niagara New Media Generator is now a “network partner” in Microsoft’s newly launched BizSpark program, nGen executive director Jeff Chesebrough said. The program allows start-up companies to use Microsoft’s software development tools, technology and production licenses.

nGen running on all cylinders

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

As of next week, new media business incubator will be helping five projects get off the ground. It's too early to tell if it will be extended beyond two years, but so far, nGen is doing what it's supposed to do. Work has started on three inaugural projects for the new media business incubator, unveiled six months ago to much fanfare. Two more fledgling companies are scheduled to move in next week, executive director Jeff Chesebrough said. But it's still unknown whether the project will close after two years or start paying for itself, he said.

'Innovation is our future': Bradley

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

John Wilkinson is willing to bet money that local, cutting-edge research will become part of the cure for Niagara's sick economy. Ontario's minister for research and innovation said Thursday that many of the most marketable ideas "are locked up in our institutions."

Fight the War of 1812 on your cellphone

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Game will allow users to dial up battles, buildings Coming soon to a cellphone near you: The War of 1812. That's what St. Catharines based interactive media developer nGen is hoping for as the U. S. versus Canada skirmish approaches its bicentennial. By next year, it hopes to have a mobile video game people can view on their phones as they take a self-guided tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The company has put the call out to programmers, web designers and War of 1812 historians.

New Niagara College website will give space to local musicians, aid club goers

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The first project guided by Niagara’s much-anticipated nGen will launch in less than a month. Noise in Niagara, a Niagara College interactive website and music magazine, will give local musicians Internet space to promote their gigs and club goers a guide to planning their weekends, nGen executive director Jeff Chesebrough said. It is the first of three projects funded through the new media incubator.

NGen heating up

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Niagara’s ‘new media incubator’ is hoping to turn the region into a high-tech hot spot

New media incubator will position Niagara as an industry leader

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

A significant transformation is underway in Niagara. With the recent $245,000 funding announcement from the Ontario Ministry of Culture through the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) to support the creation of nGen (Niagara Interactive Media Generator), the region is positioning itself as an industry leader in interactive digital media development in Ontario and the world.