Do you miss the days when you would stay up all night listening to the radio, waiting for the perfect song to record for your crush? How about scouring Limewire trying to find an actual download of “Simple and Clean”? There’s something awesome about collecting something you think is really cool and being able to share it with friends, so we’ve decided to put together a bundle of Toronto-made games! We’re looking for 5 games to include in Volume 1 of the HES Mixtape.

APPLY NOW!

What type of games?

• Toronto-made
• Playable and complete (as defined by the creator)
• Any length
• Any genre
• Any visual style
• Able to be zipped into an Itch.io bundle

Games included will receive a $50 honourarium for being part of the bundle. The Mixtape will be distributed for free on our Itch page. If you’re interested in supporting the Mixtape directly and other showcasing opportunities send us an email at sponsor@handeyesociety.com.

Once the bundle is done, we’ll be playing the games over on our Twitch, so keep an eye out for the announcement! You can also join us weekly for Hand Eye Hangouts, every Tuesday at 6PM ET. Come chat, play some games, and talk about art.

This call closes March 21 2022 11:59 EST

Send us your weird games!!

Have questions? Want to know more about what the Society does? Send us an email at info@handeyesociety.com!

The program will be running Saturdays starting October 9 through November 27th from 1-4PM.

Applications close October 1st!

Over the course of the past 4 years, we’re refined the course using interviews with experienced game creators, past alumni, and working closely with partners to get to the most critical and useful business learning for folks in the Ontario region. From things like tax credits to how to run your social media you’ll be going through a wide array of exercises via talks, homework, and discussion.

This program could be a good fit for you if:

• You have an awesome game prototype with commercial potential -OR- you’ve made game prototypes in the past and have an idea for a game with commercial potential
• You have less than 3 years of full time industry experience
• You are able to connect online for sessions
• You can commit to 3-6 hours a week for the hands-on assignments
• You are an Ontario resident

We ask that one or two representatives from your team attend. Throughout the program, you’ll be working on getting yourself, your studio, and your game ready to hit the ground running for things like pitching and applying for funding. Every week there will be homework associated with the topic of the upcoming session.

Selections will be made by Hand Eye Society staff in consultation with Ontario Creates, with an eye towards cultural innovation and viability. The HES is also committed to ensuring a diverse range of participants are considered, so you are strongly encouraged to apply if you or your team are from a traditionally underrepresented background such as women, BIPoC (Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour), LGBTQIA+, etc. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out at info@handeyesociety.com.

The six (6) participants who complete the program will be eligible to submit an application to the IDM Fund Concept Definition or Production programs starting in the Spring 2022 deadline. This will allow you to bypass the 3 years of full time industry experience requirement. Applicants that apply to more than one partner organization in the Fund Futures stream will only be accepted to one program.

Fund Futures covers topics about how to start your studio, hiring, building your community, and so much more!

Topics covered in this years programs are as follows:

• October 9: Pitching and Financing: Funding Sources, Publishers, Tax Credits, Deferrals
• October 16: Legal: Incorporation, Insurance, and Contracts
• October 23: Budgeting: Payroll, Cash Flow & Accounting
• October 30: Production Methodology: Scaling Up, Hiring, Timelines/Schedules
• November 6: Audience Connection: Community Building, Publicity & Marketing
• November 20: Strategy: Designing Your Company & Alternate Income Streams
• November 27: Repitch: Moving Forward With Grant Writing

Apply By October 1st!

There is no cost to apply. If selected, you will be required to become a Hand Eye Society member ($7/month) and pay a $100 deposit that will be returned to you on successful completion of the program. As we only have 6 spots available, we want to ensure that all the spots are filled by participants who are committed to finishing the course.

Got questions about the program? Feel free to send us an email at info@handeyesociety.com! Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list for updates, as these programs tend to fill up fast.

This program is in partnership with Ontario Creates.

Throughout 2020 we did strategic planning with Currents Group. So we’ve put together a Strategic Plan! You can check it out here. After 12 years of incorporation we’ve been working towards documenting and improving our programming to keep improving, keep tweaking, and pushing ourselves to make the best events we can! That means things like multi-year planning, sponsorship goals, and adapting programming when needed. We’d love to hear your feedback on it and what type of programming you’d like to see from us in the future!

Over the past year and a half, we’ve been moving our programming non-congregational and online. Moving forward, we’ll be keeping our programming online as we feel as a small organization and the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic that it is the best, and safest, option for us to run our programming.

Just as we did last year we’ll be hosting it online on our Discord. The first half of the AGM is open to the public while the second half is closed to Membership. You’re welcome to continue hanging out in the Public channels while the members-only portion takes place. Please use the link below to register for the AGM.

RSVP for HES AGM 2021

Hand Eye Society Discord

Board Nominees

We’re excited to announce our Board nominees for 2021! We’ll be voting on them on the AGM, so if you’re a member give them a look over.

Yifat Shaik

Yifat Shaik is an Assistant Professor in Computational Arts at York University and an indie game developer whose focus is on creating personal autobiographical work and the use of systems, data, and game mechanics in social interaction and political activism. Her work explores the way “play” can become a powerful way to talk about and examine social structures, especially using mechanics as the primary tools of subverting the meaning of well-established video game systems. As an independent game developer, Yifat is currently working on Real Army Simulator, an anti-militarization game about the mundanity of military service, The Mattress of St. Dundas, a game about gentrification in Toronto and The Engine is the Message, a series of small experimental games which are done in nontraditional game engines. Her work has been exhibited and presented internationally in events like MIGS (in which she was keynote speaker in 2018), Indiecade, Full Indie, Qgcon, and more and has received press attention from publications like Boing Boing, The Financial Post, and The Torontoist. Since graduating from OCAD University in 2014,  Yifat has been working as an instructor and course director in such institutions as OCAD University, Sheridan College, The Toronto Public Library and since 2016 she has been a course director (and later Assistant Professor) at York University’s Computational Arts program. Yifat was co-director of Dames Making Games Toronto and is a member of the Different Games Collective and head organizer of Different Games Toronto conference in 2017.

Nick Fox-Gieg

Nick Fox-Gieg is a researcher, animator, and developer in Toronto. Most recently, he’s been working on XR projects for the Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge, NYT T Brand Studio, the University of Waterloo, Google Creative Lab, and Framestore. His awards include a 2017 Engadget Alternate Realities grant, Eyebeam and Fulbright Fellowships, and the jury prize for Best Animated Short at SXSW 2010; his work has also been shown at the Ottawa, Rotterdam, and TIFF film festivals, at the Centre Pompidou, and on CBC TV; his practice has been supported by grants from Bravo!FACT, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the arts councils of Ontario, Pennsylvania, Toronto, and West Virginia. Fox-Gieg holds an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts and a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Maxwell Neely-Cohen

Maxwell Neely-Cohen is a writer based in New York City. He is the author of the novel Echo of the Boom and was Editor-At-Large for The Believer from 2018-2021. When not writing he spends his time making and funding music, games, art, and dance. 

I, Alenn, unfortunately dear readers will no longer be bringing you the news of the month. You’ll still be seeing me around at events, running programming, and helping you navigate the Society though! But the wind keeps blowing, and the wonderful Royel Edwards, will be taking my place. So while I gotta go (fast), give him a ring about all the cool stuff happening in the city you’d like to be in the newsletter. Chaos!

Don’t forget, there’s Google Calendar, in which you can check out all of the events here in one handy, downloadable place!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

October 2

Learn how to hook up Bluetooth to sound in this Inter/Access workshop. Use it for some interesting hook up with your next game.

Check out the TorontoVR 48 -Mixed Reality Museum in Kyoto + Multiplayer Game Projection, it looks like it’s going to be fantastic.

October 9

Want to learn how to grab huge amounts of data and actually use it? Check out Inter/Access’ Critical and Creative Uses of Big Data!

October 10

Learn how to make Tiny 2D Point and Click Adventure games at the DMG with Gillian Blekkenhorst!

October 12

Come check out the VVV Game Jam at the DMG. Make some awesome FMV games with friends, and learn a great new skill to boot!

Head over to Electric Perfume ANYTHING Stupid with Dogson, PWYC (suggested $10, fees will go directly to the artist) starting at 8 PM

October 13

Want to learn how to make visualizations alongside your audio? Check out Electric Perfume’s Audio Visualizations For Live Performance With Touchdesigner.

October 16

Learn about Op Amps and Analog Electronics and how to hook up different power supplies, check an oscilloscope, and understand circuits with Rob Cruickshank.

More into 3D modelling than audio? Take the Intro to ZBrush 1 workshop at DMG!

October 20

Interested in getting into games and don’t know where to start? You can head over to Trinity Square Video and take a workshop on Intro To Game Design For Artists.

October 23

Come and learn how to build your own synthesizer! Learn about the 555 chip, practice your soldering and circuit building skills, and make some old school sounds with the Atari Punk Console with Tess Sutherland.

Intro to ZBrush 2 continues at DMG.

October 28

Are you a 2D artist that wants to learn about using AR? Check out Trinity Square Video’s workshop here!

October 30

Tess Sutherland is also teaching a workshop on learning how to Draw With Code using Processing!

November 10

While we know this is the October Newsletter, the Zeenok’s Nebula Derby 2018 has historically sold out. You can get your tickets here.

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

October 1

Games with Friends is back, now hosted by Jord Farrell! Head over to TMAC at 32 Lisgar, the fun begins at 6:30.

October 4

Head over the the Black Cat Espresso Bar for the Breakfast GA Club at 9 am.

October 5

Power Up Bar is having a weekend of Mario Parties! Head over and play a bunch of different Mario Party games.

October 6

It’s time for the DMG Speakers Social, this month the talks are Reimagining Technology Through Brujería and Ancestral Teachings with Gabriela Aveiro-Ojeda and Experimenting with Volumetric Video with Max Lander. Doors open at 6:30.

October 16

Check out Bonus Stage with Eat Play Mingle & 13AM Games at the Power Up Bar, doors open at 6.

October 24

Want to grab a drink and hang out with other indies? It’s time for Torontaru at Get Well, head over for 7!

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

October 26-28

It’s time for EGLX Developer Conference! Happening at the Metro Convention Centre downtown, it’s super easy to get to this year. There’s so much going on from an amazing line up of games, to some seriously talented artists, and a bunch of great tournaments. Note that HES members get a discount, which was e-mailed to all active membership tiers.

#ICYMI

We had our 4th Hand Eye Society Ball last month! This sold-out event rocked 600 socks with tons of games, some fantastic music, and a spooky organ. Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported us, or just had fun. It’s through this community that we can continue to bring you all of the programming that we do, so we hope that everyone had as magical an evening as we did! Watch for a very special recap post coming soon.

Congratulations to everyone at Numizmatic Games for releasing Light Fingers this month on the Switch! We’ve had so much fun when we’ve played, and are so excited for you all!

Wordplay submissions have closed. Keep an ear out to hear our announcements about who’s going to be speaking, workshopping, and showcasing at the Toronto Reference Library on November 10!

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

October 2

Are you an emerging or established artist (you totally are!!) making media art with a project in mind? Check out the Ontario Arts Council Media Arts Grant for projects here.

October 5

Are you interested in the Ontario Creates IDM program but don’t have 3 years on industry experience? We have you covered! Sign up for the Fund Futures Program, which will fast track you into being ready to apply. You can check out all the information about it here and our partnership with them here.

Do you have an idea for a GDC Summit? Submissions will be closing, so get them in soon!

October 10

Interactive Futures call for speakers closes, submit here

October 15

You can apply to be an artist is resident in the Toronto Library system!

October 16

There’s a Toronto Arts Council Media Arts program available for for artists, check it out here.

October 26

PAX South submissions for 2019 are open, apply here

Gaming Istanbul submissions are open for speakers and games

November 30

While this is far away, the Alt. Control submissions for GDC will close on this day, you can apply here

Little Robot Friends is looking for a 3D Asset Designer and Animator 

Mike Bithell is looking for a Level Designer

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com before the month in which the event takes place.

The weather is finally cooling down, just in time for a bunch of exciting events to heat up! As the air begins to cool we’re all filled with energy, it’s time to enjoy the weather before the chill begins. From a big showcase of games at Damage Camp, to the Ball, to the ever secretive Funhouse, this month is bursting at seams with events.

Don’t forget, there’s Google Calendar, in which you can check out all of the events here in one handy, downloadable place!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

September 1

Power Up Game Bar is having an Unofficial After Party for Fan Expo! The event starts at 9PM, you can check out the details here

September 7 and 8

Head on over to the Toronto Media Arts Centre at 32 Lisgar to check out Damage Camp! There’s going to be a ton of games, talks, and workshops that you can go to. We’ll see you there!

September 13

Toronto Game UX is having its next event: “Unity UI Tips and Lessons Learned from Quench” with Tabby Rose and Nate Davis. Come check it out at the Toronto Media Arts Centre, 32 Lisgar st. The talks starts at 7PM

September 15

Come check out the music of Cuphead LIVE! at El Gordo’s at 9PM. It’s all part of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival.

September 14-16

VRTO is joined by Constant Change Media Group, Inc. for their fourth year of the Festival of International Virtual and Augmented Reality Stories (FIVARS). FIVARS focuses on curating the best immersive story-driven content from around the world with the aim of exploring and nurturing this platform for new narrative forms. They are the first Canadian festival of its kind featuring many world premieres, and in our preview screenings and events, audience responses are consistently full of contemplation, surprise, delight, controversy, and wonder. Click here to purchase a ticket and join in on this showcase. Hand Eye Society members get 15% off on all ticket types!

September 22

The fourth Hand Eye Society Ball makes its return at 918 Bathurst, a Buddhist temple turned arts & culture sanctuary in the Annex. This is a traditionally sold out event so grab your tickets today or else.. you’ll have to wait for next year! Want to volunteer? Check out the current schedule to see where we need help and sign up using this Google Form here.

September 29/30

While just a little ways away (in Montreal) QGCon is a conference about queerness and video games. Grab tickets here and go and check out all of the fantastic games and talks!

September ???

Fairland Funhouse got pushed back a month, we’re excited to see what it is when it opens!

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

September 6

It’s time for the 9AM Breakfast Game Audio Club! Like always, it’s happening at the Black Cat Espresso Bar. Come hang out and talk shop with game audio!

September 8

Play to Practice is back at triOS College on September 8 from 1-4pm. Learn more about the video game projects that students from the Video Game Development & Design program are working on and learn more about what the video game industry has to offer! You may also receive a $500 bursary towards a Video Game Design and Development diploma at triOS if you attend this event. Space is limited so RSVP on Eventbrite today!

September 10

Hang out and chat with the folks at Extra Life Toronto and learn about all the great work they do while playing boardgames.

September 26

It’s time for Torontaru! Come hang out at Get Well Bar and talk about the projects your working on.

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

Aug 31-Sept 1

Tanya Kan is showing Solace State at PAX West following exciting news that it’s been finally wish-listable on Steam! Play as Chloe, a young hacker who comes to her political awakening as she seeks out her friends in a sci-fi surveillance society. Stay tuned for a Discord channel for further updates on a release!

September 20

Light Fingers by Numizmatic releases on the Nintendo Switch! Pick up a copy and get together with your friends to play the strategic pick-pocketing and betrayal.

Kitfox Games went live on their Kickstart for Boyfriend Dungeon! They’re fully funded, and are working towards their stretch goals. You still have time to pick up a copy!

September 23 + September 30

WordPlay submissions are open and we are excited to fall on the last day of International Games @ Your Library Week. Speakers submissions are due at 11:59pm on September 23rd, 2018 and games submissions are due at 11:59pm on September 30th, 2018.

Night in the Woods

 

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

August 3

Humber Summit Library is running workshops on making video games using Twine! You can sign up here.

August 4

Our friends at Little Dada are putting on the Long Exposure Festival! In North York’s Flemingdon Park starting at 6 PM, a festival of lights, photography and all things glowing will light up the night. The Long Exposure Festival will feature explorations of light in all of its formats, from wearable technology and performance art to interactive sculptures and take-home long exposure photography. All ages.

August 7

Secret City Adventure is running a beta test of a new game! You can sign up to be a part of it here.

August 12

Are you a Black creative interested in digital storytelling? Writing While Black is partnering with Hand Eye Society to bring you an interactive narrative workshop! Twining While Black will be using Twine, an open-source tool for creating a non-linear, choose-your-own-adventure style video game. This is an introductory workshop; no coding or gaming experience required! Margin of Eras Gallery, 1 to 4 PM.

This workshop is a Closed Black Space. Non-Black writers can look forward to announcements about WordPlay 2018 soon.

August 13

Know a kid between 10 and 13 that’s interested in learning to make games? TinkerBuilderGamerPi is running a camp just for them.

EDIT: August 13 to 17

Hand Eye Society is proud to bring Camp Make-a-Game to Maria A. Shchuka Library at Eglinton and Dufferin. Mornings are spent indoors learning how to make videogames using point-and-click creation tools. Afternoons are spent outdoors, playing physical games like tag and soccer and then learning to design unique rule sets. By the end of the week, participants will be game makers! For participants age 8-12, registration required.

This program is made possible thanks to the support of our fantastic Studio Members: Capybara Games, Reptoid Games, Stitch Media, Rocket 5 Studios, DrinkBox Studios, Little Guy Games, Longbow Games, Globacore, Dave Burke, Get Set Games, Phantom Compass, Uken Games, Asteroid Base, and newest supporter VRGEN!

August 14

Interested in learning how to use Twine for game making? You can join others at the Humber Summit Library at 6pm!

August 18

Did you see that GIF going around of the multi-CRT game? Did you know it was made by the fantastic Ryan Mason, and there’s a game jam for learning how to make it yourself? The Cathode MK1 is a game console that plays Unity3D games across multiple CRT televisions. Locally designed and built In Corktown Toronto using free software and open source hardware. Check out the workshop here at Electric Perfume!

August 20-24

Know a kid between 7 and 9 that’s interested in learning to make games? TinkerBuilderGamerPi is running a week-long beginner-level Unity workshop just for them!

There’s also Codezilla, which has spots for kids between 8-14.

August 25

In 1958 the Gardiner Expressway opened to the public. In 2018, the Gardiner Expressway opened for the public! We’ve teamed up with the Bentway Block Party to bring you an open air arcade of three outdoor games by local artists (soon to be announced in their own blog post), along with a ton of other activities, installations, and live performances, all under the Gardiner Expressway.

August 25

The August Speaker Social is happening at the DMG! Come listen to Ubisoft’s Coley Caverley talk about Intentionality through Level Design. The event starts at 6:30. Interested in becoming a speaker? Sign up here.

August 29

Interactive Ontario presents the closing keynote to their Arts Futures series, Art and Video Games! With experience teaching artists how to program in his book Game Programming for Artists, with teaching non-artists how to make art in his game Art Club Challenge(iOS), and with his background in education, speaker Jarryd Huntley will share tips and suggestions when exploring a new field. TMAC, 6 to 8:30.

August 30

HYPERGAME STORYTIME: TEACHES OF PEACHES is a a live choose-your-own adventure experience that crudely smashes together elements of tabletop RPGs and improv comedy, accompanied by elaborate projected visuals and a musical score assembled on the fly, happening at Electric Perfume. Doors open at 7pm.

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

August 2

Check out the Breakfast GA Club, every first Thursday of the month at Black Cat Espresso Bar!

August 9

GMing Club is happening at Dames Making Games in TMAC. A follow up session will be happening August 23, so keep an eye out! Stats at 6:30pm

August 16

Toronto Game UX meet up will be meeting at TMAC for “Stop The Game I Have To Check My Facebook Notifications” with me, your newsletter writer! Doors open at 7pm!

August 23

The follow up to GMing Clud, Tabletop Game Night: Dungeon World is an one shot session of Dungeon World! Bring your own snacks, the game starts at 6:30pm

August 29

It’s time for Torontaru! Come grab a beer at Get Well and talk about games!

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

Raise the woof: The much-anticipated Moscow transit canine simulator Russian Subway Dogs by Spooky Squid Games has launched! Buy it on Steam, Itch, and eventually a bunch ‘o other platforms. 10% Launch discount, plus $1 of every game during launch week goes to doggo charity!

Bit Bazaar and Yami-Ichi showed up a ton of great Toronto work from awesome video games, to beautiful patches, and some great installations. Already looking forward to the next one!

Maker Festival kicked off the beginning of the month and we had a ton of fun! It’s always great to meet new friends and old to see all of the awesome projects they’ve been working on.

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

August 1

The Hand Eye Society returns to the Mississauga Comic Expo 2018! Submissions are open until September 21st. You can submit your games here. Want to volunteer with us? Email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@handeyesociety.com.

August 4

Friendship Garden is working on a booth for marginalized game devs to showcase their work on the main floor of Play NYC on Aug 11 and 12. Exhibitor fee of $0-350 (contingent on sponsorships). Submissions open until midnight.

August 7

Hand Eye Society Ball submissions are still open for a few days! This year, we take the fun to 918 Bathurst, a former Buddhist temple turned arts and culture sanctuary in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood. Apply here for with your games. Consider signing up for being a volunteer, you’ll get a ticket for the event! Please email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@handeyesociety.com. You can also consider sponsoring, shoot us an e-mail at ball@handeyesociety.com to start a conversation. More announcements very soon!

August 10

Jigsaw Casting is looking for Gamers for an upcoming campaign with SickKids; filming will take place one night on the weekend of August 17 to 19. Details!

August 16

Interested in giving a talk at GDC in 2019? Submit your ideas here.

August 31

Out of Index is an experimental games festival in South Korea and they’re taking submissions!

Night in the Woods

 

Don’t forget: You can also submit news to calendar@handeeysociety.com at any time before the month in which the event takes place (preferably with a week to spare), post to our Facebook Group (as long as it’s relevant to games/playful media and doesn’t violate our Code of Conduct), or @ us on Twitter for an RT. Have a great summer!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

July 3

Interaccess is running a workshop on Large Scale Projection Mapping with TouchDesigner! This three week course is an intermediate class, meaning you’ll have to have a pretty good grasp on TouchDesigner already.

July 7/8

It’s that time of year and Maker Festival rolls around! Head over to the Reference Library and check out all the amazing projects, admission is free so come out!

July 12

Square Boys are releasing their first EP! The video game party brass band will be playing at the Linsmore Tavern with Octorock at 8PM

July 12-16

It’s time for Vector Festival! The event showcases emergent, critical, and experimental new media art across a series of events that include exhibitions, performances, workshops, discussion panels, and screenings. Vector Festival is presented annually by InterAccess, and Hand Eye Society is proud to be a Communtiy Partner. This year’s festival, entitled Born Digital, features over 30 pioneering new media artists from Canada and abroad and includes a multitude of performances, screenings, and panel discussions at sites across Toronto. Venues include Jackman Hall at The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Bachir/Yerex Presentation Space at 401 Richmond St. West, 918 Bathurst, Celebration Square, The Brandscape, and InterAccess. This year’s festival is curated by Katie Micak and Martin Zeilinger.

You can view the 2018 program and buy festival passes here. The Opening Party on July 12 is free at InterAccess!
Festival Pass | $30
Performance Ticket | $15
Workshop | $80 regular | $60 passholders

July 13/14

Come check out Bit Bazaar at TMAC, courtesy of Gamma Space and DMG’s Jennie Robinson Faber! Play minty-fresh games, buy one-of-a-kind, limited-edition and handmade/DIY items—pins, zines, boxed games, card decks, art prints, posters, comics, t-shirts, game soundtracks on vinyl, mixtapes, papercraft and toys—direct from 50+ independent game developers! PS: Their volunteer application is still open if you wanna get involved!

This year will also have the first Yami-Ichi in Toronto: Calling all vendors of internet-ish things— be prepared to gather and exchange goods from the backstreets of the Internet on July 13, 2018 afternoon into evening. This is all followed by The Temper Tantrum 1-Year Anniversary Party!

July 14

Learn about how to capture AR/VR objects in Interaccess’ Intro to Reality Capture for Virtual Places. This day long workshop will teach you everything you need to know about the concepts, techniques and production pipelines involved in the creation of alternative virtual places.

July 17

Intro to Tabletop Roleplaying games is happening at the DMG, come and learn about all of the amazing ways in which you can play with your friends! The event starts 6PM

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

July 3

The Bi Weekly (ish) Board Gaymes Night is taking place at Glad Day, come hang out and pay some games, doors open at 6PM.

July 9

Want to stretch your narrative legs and try out some roleplaying? The Toronto Gaymers: D&D Adventures might be for you! Join the group at the Fox and the Fiddle fortnightly!

July 11

Time for the DMG VR Meetup! Check it out at TMAC, doors open at 7PM

July 12

Game Dev Book Club #5 is of Unity in Action by Joseph Hocking, happening at TMAC with the DMG. Discussion begins at 6PM

July 17

Eat Play Mingle’s monthly Bonus Stage is back at Power Up Bar! They’re looking for speakers, so sign up at the link.

July 26

The Indie Mixer is a new game dev meetup in the style of speed dating! The main event of the night will be  a mix of 1 on and 4 on 4 sessions with peers, presenting a great space to talk with others in the community and create the possibility of collaborating with others in the future. There will be a time to mix and mingle before and after, so bring your business cards and your game ideas and head on over! Door open at 7PM at Dames Making Games/TMAC. More details at the Facebook event.

July 28

It’s time for the Dames Making Games Speaker Social! Listen to Gabriela Aveiro-Ojeda talk about mending technology with brujeria and ancestral teachings, Keana Almario with “People Die When They Are Killed – The Art and Culture of Fansubbing”, and Sally Luc about Project Milkway. The talks kick off at 7PM!

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

June 15 – July 28

Check out Meagan Byrne’s work Wanisinowin | Lost at Trinity Square Video until the end of the month! The original game has been replicated here as a non-interactive video installation piece. Wanisinowin|Lost is a letter of hope to the artist’s 10-year old self who struggled against lateral violence and the restrictive question of “Are you Native enough?” Here it has been transported back in time into the TV of that 10-year-old. And as she plays the game her future-self has made for her you are invited to watch as she struggles, along with the character Wani, to overcome the obstacles in front of her and complete the game.

AnyWare by Jane Tingley, Cindy Poremba & Marius Kintel is a distributed sculpture that includes three identical objects that can be located in three different locations, anywhere in the world. The objects encourage playful interactions that are designed to inspire experimentation, exploration, and potential “conversations” with other interactors. AnyWare Toronto is up at Electric Perfume until July 4, and will be connected to two other sculptures located in Ottawa and Montreal, allowing you to play remotely with people across different cities!

The Hand Eye Society is prepping for a bunch of big events in the fall/winter and 2019, but by no means are we resting on our laurels! We’re running several weeks of kid’s game design summer camps at Ryerson (Camp Make-a-Game), as well as a youth training program with Art Starts at Chester Le Community Centre in Aug/Sept. If you live in Scarborough, watch for our announcements about when our Game Curious public programming will start!

PAPER TRAILS – GAMES IN THE MEDIA

Lightning Rod Games reveals the first preview trailer for A Fold Apart! You can support their crowd funding campaign on Fig here until July 19. From their press release:

Canadian game studio Lightning Rod Games reveals the first preview trailer for A Fold Apart: an award-winning 3D puzzle game about the emotional struggle of a long distance relationship, set in a world of folding paper. This reveal comes alongside their launch on the Fig.co platform, and the first public opportunity for either investment or backing of A Fold Apart.

Inspired by origami and papercraft, the award-winning game mechanic in A Fold Apart is completely new, allowing players to fold and manipulate a paper world so as to navigate a long distance relationship. Based on a true story, players can choose any gender combination for their character couple while exploring over 50 unique puzzles and a heartfelt, emotional narrative.

Reptoid released Fossil Hunters on the Switch! Congratulations!

Congratulations to former HES Board Member Cindy Poremba, on her research VVV: Volumetric Video in Videogames!

#ICYMI

Our pals Little Dada had Phonopticon – An Era of Mass Surveillance: A Make Friends Monthly Workshop in which Mudit Ganguly talked about all of the fascinating (and terrifying) ways in which we’re all being tracked.

Congratulations to local devs Marishka Zachariah and Adam Ryu-Robinson who are at Stugan now! We hope you’re having a great time in the woods!

June 26 was the date of Game Workers Unite: Toronto Chapter’s second meeting. Follow their Twitter for more updates!

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

The Brandscape is currently accepting applications for studio and co-working space! They’re looking specifically for digital artists, designers, photographers, programmers and organizations to occupy the space and create community.

Have you heard? Our annual fancy videogame party the Hand Eye Society Ball is back! We’re currently looking for sponsors, games, and volunteers. Submissions will be open until mid August. Contact ball@handeyesociety.com to find out how you can support or get involved (if you’ve already done so, you’ll hear from us very soon!)

Damage Camp submissions are open for the September conference. They’re expanding in 2018 to include a full day of hands-on workshops prior to the conference, so you can learn new skills or brush up on tools and techniques! Submit your Talk, Workshop or Game before July 30 (not sure if this is a hard deadline, but best to get it in as early as possible)!

July 1

Little Dada is looking for submissions for the Long Exposure Festival. Have an outdoor game you’d love to showcase? Make weird alternative controller? You can get tickets for the event itself here.

July 6

Different Games submissions close, get those games and talks in!

July 8

July 20

Interaccess is looking for an artist in residence!

Night in the Woods

TimePlay is looking for a Game Artist

Blue Isle Studio is looking for a Unreal Engine 4 Gameplay Programmer

Little Guy Games is looking for Graphic Arts Technician and a 3D Artist

Ubisoft is looking for a Team Lead Artist

Rockstar is looking for a Associate Producer

Prodigy is looking for a QA Analyst

The Vancouver Animation School is looking for an online Video Game Design Instructor

Lifeform Studio is looking for a 3D Modeller

The Toronto Film School is looking for a Program Director for Video Game Design and Animation

Sheridan is looking for some to teach Fundamentals of Game Mechanics and Game Playtesting Methods

If Google Calendar is voted in as Premier, they promised to give me a million jellybeans and a copy of thatgamecompany’s Journey! Whaddya know, that title was relevant after all…

MENU

• Where to Jaunt – Events
• Where to Haunt – Socials
• Coming and Going Attractions
• Paper Trails – Games in the Media
• #ICYMI
• Breadwinner – Jobs/Gigs/Opportunities/Deadlines
• *** ELECTION SPECIAL ***

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

June 1

Come hang out with the folks at Dames Making Games for the second Game Dev Book Club! This month’s book is Unity in Action by Joseph Hocking.

June 3/10/17/24

Jugger is a fast-paced international team sport that plays like a blend of capture the flag, fencing, and rugby. Come and hang out in Christie Pits with Valkyrie and Evan Savage every Sunday at 2PM and learn how to play! Will be continued in July.

June 6

Do you know someone who’s interested in going to school for game making? triOS College is running an event where you can be a game student for the day and learn all about the industry. There’s also bursaries available! Check it out

June 12

Ever wanted to battle it out with your friends in AR? You can with Battle Mages, a new location-based game, and the TorontoVR crew! Doors open at 7PM.

June 14

Toronto Game UX has an event about Lessons Learned from Testing with Toddlers with Spencer Winson! They sound like some interesting playtesters to be sure. Doors open at 7PM at the Toronto Media Arts Centre, 32 Lisgar st!

June 15

Check out ANYTHING commercial by Dogson featuring guest collaborator Emmanuel Laflamme at Electric Perfume from 6pm-2am. ANYTHING is part of a collaborative virtual reality improvisation series by Dogson, and has performed at various festivals such as AMAZE Berlin, the Creative Coast Festival, and Nordic Game Conference.

June 15

As a part of the VRTO 2018 Conference and Expo, you can come to workshops about Narrative Approaches in Spatialized Media! Get tickets soon, this conference looks awesome!

June 16-18

VRTO 2018 kicks off at 10AM! Come check out some of the fantastic events, showcases and speakers, including: Steve Gaynor from Fullbright Company (Gone Home, Tacoma), and Paloma Dawkins who you might remember did our Gardening In The 4th Dimension workshop last month! Other Toronto folks include Blair Renaud of IRIS VR, Elli Raynai of Cinehackers, and Lee Vermeulen of Alientrap Games, all of which who are giving talks. Exhibitors include Chris Cooper of Singular Dream, Dustin Freeman, and Stephen Shew. Hand Eye members also get a 15% discount off tickets; the code has been sent to you

June 19

Loot Boxes: Video Game Gambling, Paying to Win, and the Question of Game Design is a free research talk by Dr. Mark R. Johnson (University of Alberta) and Dr. Tom Brock (Manchester Metropolitan University). This research talk reveals the developer’s point of view on the design and integration of loot boxes, investigates the voices of local, national, and international debates about the regulation and funding of games with loot boxes, and the effects and impacts on both policy, regulation, and video game players themselves. This talk is arranged by former HES Board Member, Dr. Sara Grimes at the University of Toronto.

June 20

Interested in learning VR? Come to the VR Dames June meet up and learn about VR, find mentors, or get help with a project you’re working on!

June 24

GameX 2.0 is an interactive video game event featuring vendors and tournaments at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. It is a family friendly event with children under the age of 12 entering with free admission. Grab your tickets today.

June 27

Want to learn about wearable technology? Hang out and talk shop with experts at the DMG Wearable Tech Studio.

June 28

Make Friends Monthly presents Phonopticon-An Era of Mass Surveillance at TinEye, 7 PM! This workshop will cover surveillance and how mobile applications and websites are spying on us. Take control of your data!

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

June 8-9

Power Up Bar Poutine Fest 2018 is happening! Come hang out, have a beer and poutine, and play some games!

June 16

It’s time for the June Speaker’s Social at Dames Making Games! Interested in speaking yourself? Contact the DMG and pitch to be a part of next month’s event!

June 19

Come and hang out at the Toronto Unreal Engine and Friends! Doors open at 6:30PM

June 20

Are you interested in alternative games and controllers? Want to interface technology into your physical game? Come hang out at the Alternative Games Meet Up at the Toronto Media Arts Centre, 32 Lisgar st! Doors open at 7PM.

June 22

Happy Pride Weekend everyone! Start your weekend off by going to Power Up Bar’s Party With Toronto Gaymers event! Have fun, party safe, and have a fantastic Pride <3

June 27

It’s that time of the month, head down to Get Well and meet other game developers at Torontaru!

June ???

As always, be on the lookout for Friends Play Games and Friends Make Games at Gamma Space, now open for business at TMAC! Typically once a month on a TBA Monday evening.

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

We still have spots open for Camp Make-A-Game 2018 at Ryerson University! If you or you know someone who is still scrambling to find a summer camp for that kid in your life, Camp MAG is a week-long camp where kids get to design their own games and play indoor & outdoors all day long! Registrations are still open for 3 more weeks in July, so secure your spot today.

We would also like to welcome VRGEN to our invaluable group of Studio Sponsors who are helping to send a kid to camp at the Maria A. Shchuka Library in August. Thank you so much for your support, your contributions make a big difference to our communities!

Aether Interactive’s newest game, Subserial Network, is a Humble Original for Humble Monthly subscribers starting June 1! Cyber-congrats to Sophia Park and Penelope Evans, with further art and production by BARCHboi, Sarah “Esselfortium” Mancuso, Henry Faber and Jonathan Levstein.

Pirate Pop Plus by 13AM Games is available on Nintendo Switch, and if you live in Europe, is 20% off until June 13!

Photo credit: Suanna Flock

June 19-20

Vector Festival will actually be happening July 12-16, but are releasing their full programming on June 19 and passes will be available on June 20. Some program highlights include their flagship exhibition Born Digital, an exploration on how human connections are framed by and dictated through digital and technological apparatuses. There will also be a free screening of Words Before All Else: Oral Histories in the Digital Age by Jenny Western and Clint Enns, in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario celebrating Indigenous storytelling in the digital age.

PAPER TRAILS – GAMING IN THE MEDIA

Photo by Mark Backler

Congratulations to Adam Robinson-Yu and Marishka Zachariah on getting into Stugan! Stugan is a non-profit accelerator program for game developers who will spend two summer months in the woods in Stockholm, Sweden. Marishka’s game, Soothsayer, was prototyped during the Hand Eye Society’s Artist in Residency program at Oakwood Library. Adam showcased VHS vs BETAMAX during the HES Ball in 2016. More recently, both have showcased games at Comics x Games 2018 (Dispirited VR and Untitled Paper RPG). We’re really excited to see what you both make!

#ICYMI

TOJam 13: Flirteen with Danger happened during the first weekend of May at George Brown College, and with +625 people making a total of 139 games, it sounded like a success! You can play all the games according to their playable platforms on the Flirteen with Danger itch.io page and experience the fruits of the TOJam labour. Congrats everyone!

Speaking of jams: The Antifa Game Jam is finished, but the fight against fascism continues ever onward! In the meantime, check out their Itch page to see all the games that were made. Thank you to our friends at Game Curious Montreal for helping to organize this.

Comics x Games 2018 kicked off at TCAF during the May 12-13 weekend. We brought out 25 digital and analogue games by folks from all over the city and world. There were also two panels by The Tea Dragons Society on Comic Publishers Getting into Games and by 3 indie comic artists on taking their creative vision into the world of video game development. On Sunday, we ended the night with a quiet gathering at May Cafe. Thank you to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival for partnering up with us every year and thank you to the Ontario Media Development Corporation for funding this event.

The Game Curious Mississauga pilot program had a successful end last week at Erin Meadows Public Library. Every Thursday, we concurrently taught one aspect of game design to a group of dedicated and eager youth who built their very own platformer using Unity and Blender. We would like to thank Mississauga Program Coordinator Kadeem Dunn for putting together this program, Mississauga Library for hosting us, and our weekly guests for assisting with instruction during our classes. Want to learn more about how we can bring Game Curious to your Mississauga Library branch? Email us at info@handeyesociety.com.

With growing discussions on the unionization of the games industry (check out Game Workers Unite and GWU Toronto), ACTRA Toronto hosted an information session for video game developers on how to engage with professionals in the industry. ACTRA is a 70 years old union of over 22,000 professionals in film, video, and new media performers, with Toronto being their largest branch.

A reminder that Gamma Space is once again taking memberships at their newly-opened location in the Toronto Media Arts Centre, 32 Lisgar Street! Also home to Dames Making Games on the second floor.

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

June 15

Call for Participation for Different Games 2018 close. They are accepting Paper Presentations & Talks, Pre-Constituted Panels, and Workshop sessions on the topic of inclusivity and diversity in games. All voices from the games community are welcomed including designers, activist, researchers, educators, journalists and more.

June 22

Vector Festival 2018 are looking for volunteers, the deadline ends at 12 noon.

June 25

IndieCade submissions have been extended! There are two festivals to submit to, one in L.A. California Oct. 11-13, and one in Paris France Oct. 19-20. If you submit a game, you are also eligible to submit a talk and/or a special game showcasing (eg GameTasting) events. Developers are able to apply for submission fee discounts AND they are also working on securing travel assistance for people who make it into the festival. What are you waiting for? Get those games in!!

June 29

Call for Speakers for Full Indie Summit close. Write some cool proposals and head off to the west coast. NOTE: Out-of-towners qualify for a small stipend to help with travel costs!!

Call for Games for Different Games 2018 close. DG is a conference that promotes inclusivity and diversity in games and encourages developers and games of different backgrounds to submit.

July 3

Do you have ideas for how to grow the Interactive Media scene in Ontario? There’s a grant for that: The Industry Development Program has three deadlines and you can apply for all of ’em!

Night in the Woods

Down Smash Studio is looking for a Intermediate 3D Animator

Ubisoft is looking for a Game Intelligence Analyst, a Computer Programmer, a VXF Artist Intern, a Texture Artist, a Lighting Artist, a Tool Support Specialist, and a Character Artist

Rockstar is looking for a Junior Gameplay Programmer, a Junior Animator, a Gameplay Programmer, and someone for Development Support

Gameloft is  looking for a Junior Game Programmer, a Narrative Designer, a 2D Artist, and a Programmer

triOS College is looking for someone to be a Video Game Design & Development Instructor

The Toronto Film School is looking for a Junior .Net Developer, and a Junior Graphic Designer Intern

Enable Education is looking for a Lead Unity Developer

Blue Isle Studios is looking for a Unreal Engine 4 Gameplay Programmer

Boffin Language Group Inc. is looking for translators for Chinese into English Game Translation

Bevertec is looking for a Intermediate 3D Character Artist

Clipwire Games is looking for a C# Developer

Merriam Music is looking for Contract Unity Programmers to help them finish a project

Prodigy is looking for Junior Game Designers and Game Designers

RUBICON PUBLISHING INC. is looking for 2D Game Developers

Spiral Toys is looking for a Unity Programmer

Uken has a bunch of things available!

LitteGuyGames is looking for a Graphic Artist Technician and a 3D Artist

Glu is for people in Toronto

GetSetGames is looking for a UI/UX Unreal Engine

GameHive is looking for all sorts of folks

ELECTION MONTH SPECIAL

Choose Your Candidate!

This June 7, the Ontario Provincial Election is upon us! Our candidate selection isn’t quite as large as the latest Smash Bros. roster — okay, maybe it is if you’re counting the full list of registered political parties — but what’s at stake is probably more important than who gets to main Pikachu with a red party hat (the answer is always me).

Without directly endorsing one particular candidate over another or disclosing the opinions of individual staff, we feel it’s important to remind you that the arts and culture sector — as well as the non-profit and media industry sectors — are affected by funding decisions made at the provincial level. These decisions determine the budget for funding bodies like the Ontario Arts Council and the OMDC, who in turn provide invaluable financial support to arts/culture/industry programming and activities throughout the province, as well as the work of individual creators and studios. That of course includes video games!

So as you prepare for the polls on June 7, consider getting informed about what each Party has to say about the importance of arts and culture in Ontario, and let your riding’s eventual MPP know that it’s important to you. Official platforms of the four main provincial Parties can be found here:

• Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
• Ontario New Democratic Party
• Ontario Liberal Party
• Green Party of Ontario

And remember, if you’re not sure how or where to vote, always read the manual!

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com

Also on the docket: Gamma Space and Friends Play/Make Games are back; TOJam and TCAF fill the rafters with the sounds and laughter of indie art-making; Game Workers United Toronto has their first chapter meeting; and there’s even a couple of videogame documentaries making the rounds! This year’s TOJam theme may be “Winning Is For Losers”, but  Google Calendar wants you to know that anyone who subscribes to them is a true winner in their heart. Not a fake winner who is actually a loser. A real live, bonafide, winners-don’t-do-drugs type winner!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

May 1

Learn about the history of indie VR at How to Make Money in VR and Other Myths.

May 2, 3, 4

Playing Hard is a documentary about the trials and tribulations of Jason Vandenberghe and his dream game For Honour, as they experience the complex process of AAA game development at Ubisoft Montreal. Catch it at Hot Docs Film Festival this week.

May 3-6

Ubisoft is having a free weekend where you can play For Honour! Yes, the very game which the aforementioned documentary is about. The timing could not be more perfect.

May 4-6

It’s that time of year again! Come make games at TOJam 13: Flirteen With Danger at George Brown College aaaaall weekend long.

May 9

An alumni from our OMDC IDM Fund Futures professional development program, Nick Fox-Gieg, will be giving a free demo of a new project he’s working on at InterAccess’ new digs. Join him for Naplps: An Adventure in New Media Art History.

May 10

The Toronto Game UX Meetup is happening at the new Toronto Media Arts Centre!

May 12

Hypergame Storytime is back at Electric Perfume! Hyprgm Vol 12: Teaches of Peaches will be a live choose-your-own adventure experience that crudely smashes together elements of tabletop RPGs and improv comedy, accompanied by elaborate projected visuals and a musical score assembled on the fly.

May 13

Want to find out what Gamer Workers Unite is all about? Want to help shape its direction? Want to know what unionizing can do for you? Then come to the first meeting of the Toronto chapter on Sunday May 13th at 6pm! RSVP here to get location details.

May 12-13

Comics x Games is back for our 7th year at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival. Check out our amazing exhibitors for 2018! Panelists to be announced verrrry shortly…

May 14

Make a Dreamy POP Portrait with Paloma Dawkins at the Toronto Animated Image Society, a 2D animation workshop with brand new Wacom 22HD Cintiqs! A very cool workshop co-presented with HES. HES members get a TAIS discount, and vice-versa for the workshop below!

May 15

Paloma returns for our Experimental Games Workshop series, Gardening for the 4th Dimension, co-presented with the Toronto Animated Image Society. Learn to make a splendid landscape of looping 2D animations in a 3D world. HES and TAIS members, look for your discount code!

May 19

Make your own DIY sound synthesizer, learn about the 555 chip, practice your soldering and circuit building skills, and make some old school sounds with the Atari Punk Console! This is an InterAccess workshop, woot.

May 20

Come learn about Phaser.JS ProcGen Party with Alex Leitch! This one’s for all you Javascripters, and for those who want to explore making narrative games with a procedurally generated twist. As part of our Experimental Games Workshop series, HES members get $15 off the regular price.

May ??

We have one more Experimental Games Workshop coming out this month TBA near you…

May 26-27

For the first time ever, the Performance Capture Studio at Ubisoft Toronto is opening its doors to the public during Doors Open 2018. Visit the link to learn more and register via Eventbrite! Photo above by Jordan Probst.

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

May 3

It’s time for Breakfast GA Club! 9Am as always at the Black Cat Espresso Bar

May 4

May the fourth be with you when you meet up for the fourth GameDev Meetup! [EDIT] This GameDev Meetup was accidentally linked to a 2016 event, sorry about that!

May 9

Dames Making Games’ monthly VR meetup will help you get your prototype off the ground just in time for summer!

May 22

Come and hang out at the Toronto Unity Developers Meetup!

Or, if Unity isn’t your thing, there’s also the Toronto Unreal Engine Meetup

May 30

It’s time for Torontaru! Get yourself to Get Well and hang out and talk about games!

May ???

Gamma Space is back in action with Friends Play Games and Friends Make Games, your monthly pair of chill, inclusive indie game hangouts where you can get feedback on your projects and see what else the Toronto gaming community is up to. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to get updates, but they’re usually on a Monday evening.

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

Boat Rocker Games releases Fusioneer on mobile. It’s about cats! And science!

Sky Rogue is now out on Switch.

Soul Reaper: Unreap Commander is now out on Steam Early Access.

Toronto local Daniel Steger is having a sale on Steam until May 7 for Mount Your Friends 3D: A Hard Man is Good to Climb for 20% off and 25% off  bundled with the original or if you already own the original!

The XboxOne announcement trailer for Russian Subway Dogs is up. Look for the game sometime this year!

PAPER TRAILS – GAMING IN THE MEDIA

Felicia Valenti was interviewed by TorontoGameDevs about her voice work in games and other media. This is apparently a weekly thing, so keep checking back for more!

TMAC is once again in the news, this time with more details about the settlement reached with the City and Urbancorp regarding the space’s eventual fate. Cross all fingers, toes and eyes for a positive resolution! Toronto needs a space for gaming arts to thrive!

Congratulations to local game dev Meagan Byrne on her new position as Digital + Interactive Coordinator at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival!

#ICYMI

We had a great time at Establishing Scene and Crafting the Beginning of a Game with Taylor Bai-Woo! Later in April, utilizing the oldest game-making engine known as Reality, we made games with Damian Sommer in the Forget Virtual Reality, Try Actual Reality. We still have at least 3 if not more workshops to go, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter and/or grab a HES membership for those sweet discounts!

Do you love video games? Ever wonder how they started out and who were the mad geniuses behind their origins? An exclusive screening of The Artists, a new documentary about the first 3 decades of video game design, took place April 28 at the Royal Cinema. If you missed it, we’ll try and figure out when it’ll be screening next as this looks like it shouldn’t be missed! Apparently resident Kokoromi member and game art prof Cindy Poremba makes an appearance.

HES director Sagan Yee went to A MAZE Berlin and made a Weird Unity for Beginners tutorial doc! Follow the steps to make colourful architecture (courtesy KO-OP Mode), make a flower bloom, and put a video on a sphere. Learn better in an in-person environment? I’m sure that can be arranged…

Dames Making Games is partnering with Black Film Canada for a VR 360 film workshop! Speaking of which, TMAC has just posted an update on their website about the first month in their new space. If April was this jam-packed, we can’t wait to see what May will bring!

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

May 4

Queer Games Conference call for games closes!

May 6

Different Games Conference is back and they have extended their call-out for track chairs until May 6! “Tracks can include a series of paper presentations, talks, panels, workshops, or games (for the Different Games Arcade) that explore a particular topic or theme in areas of interest to the DG community.”

May 14

Game Devs of Color Expo in NYC is looking for games to showcase! Submission form closes May 14.

May 15

Call for Games for Print Screen Festival in Israel!

Moar Jorbs

Rockstar is looking for an Animator.

Gameloft is looking for a Data Tracking Analyst and a Programmer.

Registrations for our Camp Make-a-Game programming are still open. There are limited spots left for certain weeks. so sign up your kid/a kid you know ASAP!

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com

— Oh, it’s not April 1st any more? Does that mean I can drop this charade now, before writing an entire fake newsletter about an obscure English festival complete with cheese-themed updates instead of gaming arts news? Great, although I may have accidentally left a photo in there… Google Calendar may be disappointed (they love a ripe Camembert), but you can still count on them to keep track of all the dairy-free events this April!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

April 3

The eighth Gamecon is happening! More information here.

April 4

It’s that time of year again, and the Level Up Showcase is here to show us all the fantastic student games that have been worked on! Come out and support student work!

April 10

There’s a brand new Video Game Review Club in town! New members are always welcome, and can help pick the next game even if they didn’t have a chance to get to this month’s game. This month’s game is Transistor. Doors open at 7:00.

April 10/17

Want to dip your feet into adding some flash to your game or alternative controller? Trinity Square Video is hosting a workshop about electronics. You’ll learn to use sensors, motors, and LEDs!

April 12

Armand Mech is giving a talk called The Great Impact of Small Details at TMAC for Toronto Game UX meetup. Armand will be discussing lessons learned from 3D art design, common pitfalls designers find themselves in, and how players are keen to pick up on smaller details. Doors open at 7:00.

April 24/May 1

Are you interested in learning how to make alternative controllers? Arduino is a great place to start and Trinity Square Video is running some workshops on everything you’ll need to get started!

April 26

Little Dada is putting on AfroScanned: A Make Friends Monthly Workshop hosted by PAERE. Learn about the history of photogrammetry and colour vision as related to race, computer vision and colour in film. Following this, the participants will be able to 3D scan themselves and we will critique what it feels like to have a virtual self!

April 21

Come learn about Establishing Scene: Crafting the Beginning of a Game with Taylor Bai-Woo at Electric Perfume, from 1 to 4! Learn how to guide player expectations of your world by meaningfully combining design, narrative and mechanics. HES members get a heads-up as to the exact date tickets go on sale, and we’ll have a very special blog post with all the details!

April 29

Not enough learnin’ for ya? Come out to our next game design workshop, Forget Virtual Reality, Try Actual Reality (click the link for tickets)! Hosted at Electric Perfume and taught by 1/4 of the Gloam Collective Damian Sommer, you’ll learn the fundamentals of social and physical game dynamics in a screenless environment. Workshop runs from 1 to 4 pm!

Don’t forget, HES members get a $15 discount on all of our Experimental Games Workshops.

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

April 5

It’s time for 9AM Breakfast Game Audio Club! As always it’ll be happening at Black Cat Espresso Bar.

April 6

There’s a Unity Meet and Greet happening at The Office, doors open at 7:00.

April 17

The Toronto Unreal Meetup is back! Head out and meet other people working with Unreal, there’s going to be talks and networking galore! Doors open at 6:30.

April 25

It’s time for Torontaru! Head out to Get Well and do some socializing!

April ???

Eat Play Mingle will be happening sometime this month, so keep your eyes on their page!

#ICYMI

Hand Eye Society Mississauga ran a computer hardware workshop for young ‘uns at the Sheridan Library!

And that wraps another EGLX. Thank you to everyone who came out to the Industry Mixer we co-presented, and congratulations to all the artists and devs who showcased their games and spoke over the weekend!

HES had a little booth going at this year’s first What the Film Festival bazaar, featuring thematically appropriate vaporwave-meets-Smash Bros. jam game VHS vs Betamax by Adam R. and Max H. For more cinematic celebrations of contemporary cult, genre and indie fare, keep an eye on the Laser Blast Film Society. They do good work.

Antifa Game Jam took place in Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Brazil, online and elsewhere — and the deadline just got pushed back a couple weeks, so still plenty of time to finish your project. Much thanks to OPIRG for hosting our instance of the event!

Did you see this logo on a sticker at GDC and wonder what it meant? Game Workers Unite is a currently-forming anonymous and horizontal organization of people dedicated to advocating for workers’ rights and the crafting of a unionized games industry. Check out their comprehensive Resources page, which includes a PDF zine riffing on Nintendo Power and featuring Sonic the Hedgehog (who is apparently pro-union and anti-Nazi, as all recent appearances suggest).

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

Kitten Cup Studio is a new Toronto indie collective made up of Saffron Bolduc-Chiong, Dani Jones, and Alanna Predko (our very own communications and tech assistant)! They’re currently working on a game about brewing tea and mental health. Find them steeping on FB and Twitter!

Ontario’s first Manga Cafe needs your help! Akiba Kissa is the GTA’s first massive manga/anime cafe, equipped with a gaming room and screening room, where you can hang out and enjoy a mix of popular Japanese snacks and specialty drinks. After having opened just over a year and half, they have started a GoFundMe Campaign to help sustain the business as they are looking to relocate possibly in Toronto?? (Currently they are located in Markham). Check out their Facebook page for updates and also a schedule of their specialty nights like their Arcade Versus Weekly and Karaoke nights.

The organizations of the Toronto Media Arts Centre (TMAC) have moved into their brand-new space on Lisgar Street, and they’re looking for partners ASAP! Got big ideas and/or want to support Gamma Space and Dames Making Games in the very near future? Fill out this form to apply for a partnership.

PAPER TRAILS – GAMING IN THE MEDIA

Evil chose the wrong way to double dip: Drinkbox Studio announces Guacamelee 2! We’re so excited, it looks beautiful!

A big shout out to Laundry Bear for A Mortician’s Tale‘s honourable mention in Excellence in Narrative and nomination for the Nuovo Award at the IGF!

GeekDad has helpfully compiled a list of 11 mostly Canadian indie games featured at last month’s EGLX, including Toronto’s very own Cococucumber, Reptoid Games, Oddbird, Fractal Phase and much more!

In more Canadian indie game news: Mate Makes Games’ Celeste won the IGF award for Excellence in Audio, and our friends in Vancouver have just launched Holoscope, a cybertwee visual novel about a magical girl/hacker.

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

April 9

OMDC applications are due! Get that funding to make all your wonderful games

April 15

TO Jam Registration closes! Register and come out to George Brown College to jam May 4-6

ConBravo! is looking for indie game submissions! It’s free and you’ll be provided with an 8′ x 8′ booth space.

April 30

Game Slice exhibitor registration closes. The event is in London Ontario and is for game developers to showcase to other developers. Here you’ll get feedback and exposure for your game, check it out!

April ???

Interactive Ontario Apprenticeship Program is providing week-long paid placements at leading IDM studios for emerging interactive digital media (IDM) professionals who are currently underrepresented in the industry. There are spaces for 3 Black youths, 1 each at Groupe Média TFO, Ubisoft Toronto, and Magmic, 1 women in games at Ubisort, and 1 Francophone Women in Digital Educational Media at Groupe Média TFO. Participants will spend a week at the company job shadowing, in meetings, workshops and networking, receive $1000, a pass to the iVenture conference, and a dinner with fellow participants and networking contacts upon completion of the program.

Toronto Skill Swap is looking for lectures and workshops about games for their programming!

May 4

While technically next month, QGCON has submissions open now for games about the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues and video games.

*deep breath in*

Luis Hernandez (of Necrophone Games, the studio that brought you cult comedy hit Jazzpunk), is looking for Ontario-based 3D animators for a brand new project! Send your portfolios and demo reels ASAP!

Gameloft is looking for a Technical Game Analyst, a 3D Artist, a Game Design Intern, and a Narrative Designer

Rockstar is looking for a Junior Gameplay Programmer, a Technical Artist, a Animation Dev Assistant, as well as a Gameplay Designer

Blue Isle Studio is looking for an Unreal Engine 4 Gameplay Programmer

Ubisoft is looking for a QC Programmer and a Video Game Project Manager

Interaptix Augmented Reality is looking for a Game Engine Programmer

The Toronto Film School is looking for an Admissions Advisor and Program Director for their Video Game Program

Sheridan is looking for three Professors of Game Design

Clipwire Game is looking for a Game Designer

Secret Location is looking for a Games Creative Director

Prodigy is looking for a Design Lead and a QA Lead

Big Viking Games is looking for a QA Manager and an Art Director

*Phew!!*

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com