Activision's Call of Duty continues its hot streak with the new campaign by 72andSunny for the game's Elite downloadable content subscription service.

Are you science? Are you art? Do you daydream of computations or calculate in creativity? Are you a student? If so, you will find yourself right at home at SIGGRAPH 2012. Science and art will come together in one outstanding international conference to explore computer graphics and interactive techniques from both points of view, and YOU can be a part of it!

The word “convergence” won’t mean quite the same thing to the next generation as it does to us. That’s because kids today will come of age in a time when phones were used to play video games, computers could double as a private movie house, and televisions were flipped on to browse the Web. Unlike us, they’ll be living in a world where “ubiquity” is the word -- surrounded by devices.

The new subtitle "Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia" sums up the essence of the 17th edition of Europe’s largest conference on the creation, production and distribution of Digital Entertainment. In 2012, FMX focuses on new Animated Features, Visual Effects and Games as well as specific topics such as Virtual Production, Previs, Digital Worldbuilding, Lighting und Rendering, Cloud Computing, Industrial CG and Transmedia.

10th Annual VES Awards
February 7, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills

 

The Visual Effects Society (VES) is the entertainment industry's only organization representing the full breadth of visual effects practitioners including artists, technologists, model makers, educators, studio leaders, supervisors, PR/marketing specialists and producers in all areas of entertainment from film, television and commercials to music videos and games. Comprised of a diverse group of more than 2,300 members in 26 countries, the VES strives to enrich and educate its own members and members of the entertainment community at large through a multitude of domestic and international events, screenings and programs.

The Visual Effects Society announced the nominees for its 10th Annual VES Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games. Nominees were chosen Saturday, January 7 by distinguished panels of VES members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank and New York, FotoKem’s Spy in San Francisco, and other facilities in London, Sydney, Vancouver and Wellington, NZ.

“The standard of the creative work that is being considered this year is unbelievably high across all categories,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society. “The judges faced a huge challenge because all of the work was so far above the norm. We’re honored to have the opportunity to focus the spotlight on the outstanding work that has contributed to some of the highest grossing films and broadcast projects of all time.”

As previously announced, Stan Lee will be honored with the VES 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award and Douglas Trumbull with the Georges Méliès Award.

GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE

March 5th-9th San Francisco, Ca

The GDC attracts over 19,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The GDC is produced by the UBM TechWeb Game Network.

This market defining conference features over 400 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts. In addition, the GDC expo showcases all of the most relevant game development tools, platforms and services helping to drive the industry forward. The conference also features the fourteenth annual Independent Games Festival, where new, unpublished games compete for the attention of the publishing community, and the twelfth annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the premier accolades for peer-recognition in the digital games industry.

This year's conference will take place at the Moscone Center, the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco. It comprises three main halls: Two underground halls underneath Yerba Buena Gardens, known as Moscone North and Moscone South, and a three-level Moscone West exhibition hall across 4th Street.

THQ announced its updated business strategy as the company exits traditional kids’ licensed video games and focuses on its core video game franchises and digital initiatives for the future.

   Patton Oswalt, who was recently nominated by the Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles Film Critics’ Associations for his performance in the film Young Adult starring opposite Charlize Theron, will host this year’s 39th Annual Annie Awards on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at UCLA’s Royce Hall. "The Annies are where the real weirdos hang, and it's a visual feast just to have a drink with them,” says Oswalt, irreverent as always. “I can't wait.” Celebrating the best in animation, this annual black-tie evening will begin with a pre-reception at 5 p.m. followed by the Annie Awards ceremony at 7 p.m. and an after-party celebration immediately following the ceremony. All events will be held at Royce Hall.

Patton will be joined on stage by a lively mix of animation luminaries, celebrity presenters and comedic talent including animation legend June Foray and Judy Greer, JK Simmons, James Hong, Jib Jab founders Greg and Evan Spiridellis, Nika Futterman, Ty Burrell, Kelly Stables, Tara Strong, Daran Norris, Dee Bradley Baker and Logan Grove.

TAAFI “CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS”

Toronto, January 17, 2012 –The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) has opened up its submission process for animated films for their inaugural event to take place June 22 – 24th, 2012 at the Tiff Bell Lightbox.

TAAFI is excited to receive submissions to the festival and there are several categories that you can enter.  Submission is FREE before February 29th 2012 and submissions close April 15th 2012.  Chosen by a committee of experts, selected films will be eligible for: Audience Choice, Grand Prix, and Best of Fest Grand Prix.  Besides films, Animated Commercials, Game Cinematics, and Motion Graphics are all welcome and encouraged.

TAAFI is accepting both International and local Shorts (22 minutes or less) and Features (60 Minutes or Longer) of all genres and techniques! If it is animated we would like to see it!

"We're excited to finally bring a world-class animation festival to Toronto!” says Barney Wornoff, TAAFI Chair and Founding Member.  “People are really going to go nuts for the great animation we'll be showing from around the world and from their very own backyard. It's about time Toronto had a festival of this caliber, celebrating our exciting animation industry, artists and everything that is animated!"

To access the application and find full details visit http://www.taafi.com/submit/ 

Wwe talk to Michael Mateas, associate professor of computer science at University of California, Santa Cruz, about the intersection of artificial intelligence, art and design -- and its impact on the future of technology.

The gaming industry is creating its own stars as they come even closer to motion pictures. Most notably known for his portrayal of Drake in the Uncharted franchise, North is the closest the gaming industry can come to a leading man. His resume is extensive having appeared in Batman: Arkham City as The Penguin, Assassin’s Creed as Desmond Miles, Prince Of Persia (as The Prince), & And Then There Were None as Patrick Narracott.

 SIGGRAPH 2012 will bring thousands of computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles, California for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, music, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from Sunday, 5 August through Thursday, 9 August 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2012 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 7-9 August 2012. More details are available on the SIGGRAPH 2012 Facebook and Twitter.

About ACM SIGGRAPH
The ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques is an interdisciplinary community interested in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Members include researchers, developers and users from the technical, academic, business, and art communities. ACM SIGGRAPH enriches the computer graphics and interactive techniques community year-round through its conferences, global network of professional and student chapters, publications, and educational activities.

About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field’s challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession’s collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, career development, and professional networking.

The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) has opened up its submission process for animated films for their inaugural event to take place June 22 – 24th, 2012.

Syfy has inked actor Grant Bowler to star in Defiance, a groundbreaking science fiction series that will unite television and massive multiplayer online (MMO) gaming for the very first time.

Here’s an extended CG trailer for the next game in the Super Monkey Ball franchise.

Universal Pictures just rolled out two new Contraband games, Hustle and Training Ground, and they are now LIVE online.

Red 5 Studios announces it has cast Lee “Hawk” Reherman to take on the role of Firefall’s hardened war hero, Typhon, at future events.

Valve announced the 2011 growth data for Steam, a leading platform for PC & Mac games and digital entertainment.

ourWorld.com, an online virtual world designed for kids and teens that blends casual games, social networking and self expression, will give fans of Cartoon Network’s smash-hit comedy series,

I believe piracy, DRM, secondary sales and account/identity theft are all creating a cause-and-effect that’s leading us towards an overall reduction in the rates of piracy.