Urban Vancouver

Speak Up 2008: Gaming: Distraction or a New Way of Learning? (Oakridge Branch)

By Richard Eriksson on February 13, 2008 - 12:47pm

Speakers:

• Suzanne de Castell, Associate Dean of Education, Simon Fraser University
• Katherine Monk, National Film Critic, CanWest News Service
• Dave Warfield, Head of Game Design, Vancouver Film School

Moderated by Larry Kuehn, Trustee Vancouver Public Library Board.

From the Speak Up 2008 pamphlet [PDF]:

The popularity of online games has never been greater than today. For some, games mean community and a new way of learning and being in the world while others fear some people may be leaving the real world behind and losing themselves in the virtual worlds of online role-playing. Our speakers will address the psychological and sociological effects of online gaming and the pros and cons of interacting in a virtual world. Come and discuss whether virtual personalities are
healthy or unhealthy, if gaming encourages isolation and addiction or greater sociability and creativity, and the phenomena of online communities like FaceBook and MySpace.

From the Speak Up 2008: My Virtual World listing:

Speak Up 2008: Gaming: Distraction or a New Way of Learning? (Central Library)

By Richard Eriksson on February 13, 2008 - 12:45pm

Speakers:

• Suzanne de Castell, Associate Dean of Education, Simon Fraser University
• Katherine Monk, National Film Critic, CanWest News Service
• Dave Warfield, Head of Game Design, Vancouver Film School

Moderated by Larry Kuehn, Trustee Vancouver Public Library Board

From the Speak Up 2008 pamphlet [PDF]:

The popularity of online games has never been greater than today. For some, games mean community and a new way of learning and being in the world while others fear some people may be leaving the real world behind and losing themselves in the virtual worlds of online role-playing. Our speakers will address the psychological and sociological effects of online gaming and the pros and cons of interacting in a virtual world. Come and discuss whether virtual personalities are
healthy or unhealthy, if gaming encourages isolation and addiction or greater sociability and creativity, and the phenomena of online communities like FaceBook and MySpace.
.

From the Speak Up 2008: My Virtual World listing:

Vancouver Science Fiction, Fantasy and Gaming Convention

By Richard Eriksson on June 8, 2007 - 6:48pm

Guests of Honour

Peter S. Beagle, Hugo and Nebula-winning author of The Last Unicorn and Two Hears
Artist guest: Martin Springett
Gaming Guest: Lisa Smedman

• Art show
• Aurora awards banquet
• Author readings
• Panel discussions
• Friday night concert
• Masquerade
• Elron awards
• Gaming
• Fan films
• Pencils at High Noon
• Turkey readings
• Art and costume workshops
• Filking
• Special appearance by Eric Johnson, TV's Flash Gordon

Weekend memberships: $40 to July 2; $50 July 3-Oct 1; $60 at the door
For details see www.vcon.ca or call 778-230-1605

Vancouver International Game Summit

By Richard Eriksson on April 17, 2007 - 6:34pm

From the Vancouver International Game Summit website:

Keynote Speakers

• Rory Armes
  • Senior Vice President and Group General Manager EA Canada
• Alexander Seropian
  • Founder of Wideload Games
  • Founder of Bungie Studios (Creators of Halo)

Conference Focus:

• Global perspectives on developing games for the next generation of consoles
• Presentations by legendary designers and leaders in the industry
• Educational, networking and business opportunities for game development professionals
• Management, technical and design tracks

International Target Audience:

• programmers
• artists
• game designers
• producers
• studio leads

Visit the conference website for contact and accomodation information.