Canadian Video Game Awards Winners Announced

It was a full house at the Canadian Video Game Awards last Saturday where the very best examples of Canadian video game production were honoured. Deus Ex: The Human Revolution and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP biggest hardware haul of the show, with five awards each. It was a stroke of genius to promote the CVA’s along with FanExpo Vancouver, bringing an unprecedented amount of publicity. As time goes on, we’ll be able to showcase the unique talent that Canada brings to the video game industry. The Canadian Video game Awards will be televised on Citytv on April 28, 2012 at 8:00 pm and G4 Canada on April 28 & 29, 2012.

Winners of the 2012 Canadian Videogame Awards

Game of the year
FIFA Soccer 12 (EA Canada for EA Sports)

Console game
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal for Square Enix)

Game on the go
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capybara Games)

Downloadable game
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capybara Games)

Social/casual game
Margaritaville Online (Exploding Barrel Games for THQ)

Indie game
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capybara Games)

Audio
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal for Square Enix)

Original music
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capybara Games)

Game design
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal for Square Enix)

Technology
Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 (Ubisoft Montreal)

Visual arts
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft Montreal)

Writing
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal for Square Enix)

New character
Adam Jensen from Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos Montreal for Square Enix)

Innovation
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Capybara Games)

Future Shop Gamer’s Choice Award
NHL 12 (EA Canada for EA Sports)

 

Source: The Straight.com

FanExpo Vancouver 2012 Photo Gallery

Now, what would any good convention be without Cosplay? Vancouver brings out its best Comic Book costumes out against the backdrop of the beautiful Vancouver Convention Center!

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Fanexpo Con Report

After 17 years of entertaining in Toronto (a.k.a the center of the universe), the organizers of FanExpo decided it was time for Vancouver to have a comic convention of its very own. While Vancouver has has had many anime, sci-fi and comic conventions before, it hasn’t really been able to scale up its events for those world-famous convention centres it has down at the water front. Anime Evolution was probably the nearest contender, with well over 6,000 attendees at its 2010 outing.

The Vancouver Convention Centre is a gorgeous place to hold a fan event. It’s a shame there hasn’t been one there before. FanExpo took place on the lower level of the West building, which opened in 2009. The opportunities for cosplay photography are exquisite. You have the sails of Canada place, a clear view to the North Shore, the Olympic Torch sight, as well as Portal Park across the street. It’s got that right mix of nature and futuristic cityscapes that make for great shots.

The organizers of FanExpo were expecting to merely break even with 12,000 attendees. They blew that figure out of the water with over 20,000 attendees. People were lined up out the block to get in, and by noon they had completely sold out. And this is with almost zero promotion on the convention’s part! The Canadian Video Game awards had no problems giving out all their tickets within minutes. Last year, they had to get their audience to bunch up at the front so they would look like they had an actual crowd. Much kudos needs to go to the staff of the FanExpo and the convention centre, who were extremely professional at keeping the foot traffic moving.

The exhibitors hall was very impressive, even though they weren’t expecting this many people. The guests were positioned at the back of the hall, and were quite accessible for anyone who wanted to walk up and say hi.

Our cosplayers had a great turnout for the many first-time con-goers at the convention. The 501st legion and the Ghostbusters of BC held some great booths this year and took lots of pictures with the attendees. There wasn’t much room for any giant “hall-sweeper” type costumes, but rest assured, with a venue this size we will definitely see more elaborate costumes next year.

I can definitely say that Vancouver has really joined the big leagues of cons with FanExpo Vancouver. This town was hungry for a convention, and FanExpo delivered in spades. We’ll see more of what our fair city can do when Anime Revolution comes to the convention centre in August. I hope to see you there!