Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition

For Immediate Release:

Toronto, ON, August 24, 2010 – The McLuhan Festival of the Future’s Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition, an illustrious event designed to showcase Ontario’s undiscovered videogame talent, has announced today that it will be accepting entries for its 2010 edition.

With the mission to create opportunities for emerging videogame companies and individuals to showcase their work locally, nationally, and internationally, Vortex achieves its goal through education, discourse, pitching, networking and, of course, competition.

This year, the Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition will be one of the first events held at the newly constructed, state-of-the-art, TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) Bell Lightbox in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Vortex has also recently partnered up with DIG London, a forum for Canada's leading gaming developers, publishers, technology companies, and service providers to connect, learn, and share ideas. Managing Director of Vortex Sari Ruda says, “We are delighted to partner with DIG as it provides us with the opportunity to increase the exposure of emerging entrepreneurs to the videogame industry throughout Ontario.”

Elements of the conference and competition will span five months from October 2010 to February 2011. During this time, attendees are taught how to succeed in the videogame industry. Participants will gain insight into the industry through a series of keynote speakers from significant industry personalities at Vortex’s Boot Camp. Boot Camp is a series of sessions specifically designed for emerging entrepreneurs in the game industry. It provides information and guidance on how to make the delegates’ new product ready for—and a success in—the marketplace.

Networking takes centre stage at Vortex. Entrants have the opportunity to rub shoulders with future colleagues, partners, potential funders and even bosses. Previous years’ speakers and judges included Blake Lewin (Founder of GameTap), Yannis Mallat (CEO of Ubisoft Montreal), Kevin O’ Leary (entrepreneur and star of CBC’s Dragons’ Den), Nathan Vella (president and co-founder of Capybara Games), Jason McIsaac (executive editor, Elecplay.com) and many more.

For more information on Vortex, visit the official website, http://vortexcompetition.com. For updates on Twitter, follow them at http://twitter.com/vortexcomp.

About Vortex:

Now in its sixth year, the Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition has evolved into a full-blown, multi-day, competition and conference. Here, fledgeling game developers can gain skills, knowledge, and networking experience by learning about the industry and submitting their ideas to the top movers and shakers in the Canadian videogame world. Hosted by the McLuhan Festival of the Future, a federally incorporated charity, Vortex strives to uphold the Festival’s three major themes—media, design, and technology and their impact on culture and society —and seeks to provide business development opportunities for entrepreneurs in the cultural media industry.

Media Contact:

Dillon Andrews

Public Relations

Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition

Vortex Office: 416 923-9813

pr@vortexcompetition.com

www.vortexcompetition.com