September’s Stupendous Soiree Newsletter
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!
You can also submit news about Toronto/GTA games and events to calendar@handeyesociety.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 local games/playful media and doesn’t violate our Code of Conduct), or @ us on Twitter for an RT.
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.
Coming soon??
We just heard the news that Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery is going to be released on Switch! Congratulations folks.
#ICYMI
Arts Futures is a summer seminar series co-hosted by Interactive Ontario and the Cultural Human Resources Council in Toronto and Ottawa. They wrapped up their keynote with Jarryd Huntley August 29 (Toronto) and 30 (Ottawa).
Guacamelee! 2 was released on August 21 on Steam and PS4. If you’ve got a good eye, or check Twitter, you can see a whole bunch of references to other Toronto game devs! Super cool, and a great shout out to all the fantastic folks making great games.
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!
BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES
September 21
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.
September 22
We are still looking for volunteers for the Hand Eye Society Ball 2018. Check out the current schedule to see where we need help and sign up using this Google Form here. All on-site volunteers get a FREE ticket to the party. You also get a free Volunteer Membership with HES after 10 hours of volunteer work in the Toronto videogame community arts. Learn more about how you can join the society here.
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.