February’s Is it Spring Yet Newsletter
Okay, I know I complained about the cold in the previous month’s newsletter, but Y’ALL I CAN’T. I feel like I got abs from shovelling snow. Call a fire Pokémon! Call anywhere that sells spicy food! WE. NEED. HEAT!
I want to wear shorts and a t-shirt OUTSIDE. But we’re getting there, I can feel it! Hang in there friends, the best is yet to come!
There are tons of events this month so slap on those thermal undies, get out there and get inspired! You can do this! I believe in you! Let’s go February!
Here is a still from Yakuza 0 to both confuse you and inspire you to make new friends! 🥰
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 a RT.
WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS
February 1 & 2
Heck yeah to Digital Futures Open Show at OCADU! Go see what’s new!
February 2
There’s a Game of Thrones metagame coming to Toronto! Get your tickets! WHY AM I YELLING? SPRING IS COMING.
February 3
Game Design Meetup! Play tabletops or learn how to make your own? Sounds like a good deal!
February 4
The GTA’s coolest mom+friends are hosting a charity Twitch stream! For a whole week, you can tune in, donate and chat with friends! And that’s not all!
They even have a grand prize of a trip for 2 to LA to see the Toronto Defiant (our Overwatch team) compete and a meet and greet. It comes with round trip air fare, hotel accommodations and $500 spending money! Nintendo has also given them 7 switches and games to give away (one for every day!)
HYPE!!
February 7
Interactive Writing with Texture: Valentine’s Edition! 💙
February 13
Tiny 2D Point and Click Adventures in Unity! Dang, this sound fun as heck! Maybe you’ll see ME there!
February 16
Every wonder what the hell to do with your money while making an indie game? Behold, Budgeting for Indie Games. DMG is on a roll!
February 23
Feb Fatale 6: Killing Cyberpunk–a DMG Game Jam *cue Blade Runner music*
February 22 & 23
Foxconn Frequency–a work of “algorithmic theatre” that incorporates real-time game mechanics, piano pedagogy, 3D-printing, and the poetry of former Foxconn worker Xu Lizhi. Whoa!
WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS
February 6
The Breakfast Game Audio Club meets again! Reminder: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 🍳🍴
February 9
Black and Indigenous Futures! Come chat about the intersection between artists, writers and more!
Sick of the weather? Jam with some cool art and cool music at Long Winter!
February 14
Don’t spend Valentine’s alone! Find Your Player 2 (Gosh, that’s cute as heck) at Power Up!
February 27
Let’s Talk About Vogue Dancing! I know some of y’all are interested in dance, so maybe you can check this out, too? Maybe some tips if you want to add dancing to your games? Also a great way to see movement for animating too? It’s freeeeeee!
The Hive E-sports is still buzzin’ (I’m not gonna stop with the bee puns) Anyways, The Indie Mixer is back! Go meet people from the community! Make friends! Make games! Yay! Starts at 7pm and goes to 10pm.
Trends in The Gaming Industry is being hosted at triOS College HQ! Check out their info session
Casual Gaymer Wednesday is over at Power Up Bar! They have Mario Party, and that’s always a good time!
COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS
🚨SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
The amazing folks over at ID@Xbox have been so kind to host a Q&A with local devs on how to get your games up and running on their platform! Spots are limited, so sign up ASAP!
P.S. They got light nom’s also! Mmmm food!
Our submissions for ComicsXGames is still open! Please submit your games! Deadlines are February 7th!
Time is running out! I mean not really, BUT SORTA! We’re still taking submissions for this year’s Comics X Games!
Show us what you got!
🌍: https://t.co/OL9teGyRyo pic.twitter.com/nKWPDLdtCC
— Hand Eye Society (@HandEyeSociety) January 24, 2019
GAIA is here! That’s The Game Arts International Assembly, mind you. And you, yes you, can submit talks, panels and more! Deadline is at the end of the month. See for yourself!
#ICYMI
Gig Economy is as decribed as follows: “Defend your minimum-wage job against impending automation” OOF
Toronto born and made, baby!
In a world where Amazon, Uber, and Facebook have become one mega-corporation, you need to work, like, and subscribe to stay alive. #EscapeTheGigEconomy with #Gigco, a casual mobile game releasing 21 Jan 2019! https://t.co/UfZVGIHHVC
— SpekWork (@SpekWork) January 13, 2019
Benjamin Rivers announced a new game!
😱 Announcing our new #horror game, #WorseThanDeath — a scary, emotional thriller about a high school reunion that goes horribly wrong!
Coming SOON to #PS4, #NintendoSwitch, @steam_games and the @AppStore!https://t.co/OciQo9HK2n#indiegame #gamedev #GameMakerStudio2
— Benjamin Rivers (@BenjaminRivers) February 20, 2019
BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES
Our friends over at Prodigy has jobs. Like, a lot of jobs. JOBS!
Reptoid Games is looking for a Producer and an Animation Director!
Studio MDHR is in a documentary by Red Bull Gaming! Ahh! That’s so rad! Check it out! They have more content from other cool things happening in games, so be sure to check their channel out!
Hello! I'm looking for a colorist for this style of drawing in light, fast, textured or painterly color! Will pay 50$ for a test on this doodle, send me an illustration or a portfolio if you'd like to try! I might try with 4-5 artists! 🐥 pic.twitter.com/2hOZtw5eqd
— Dom2D ♠️ (@dom2d) January 28, 2019
Scott is so cool omg. I don’t know what these tweets mean, (he’s full of secrets imo) but maybe send him stuff anyway?
this isn't an official call for applications or anything but hey if you're a good 2d character animator who is chill and cool and thinks this whole "video-game" thing might have some legs, say hello
— Summer Of The Shark Truther (@bombsfall) January 23, 2019
VividFoundry is looking for a 3D environment artist *stressing on* folks from Ontario, Canada. Quickly you have until midnight Feb 2nd to apply!
#SolaceState has an opening for 3D environment artist located in ON, Canada. Deadline is Sat, Feb 2nd at 11:59PM EST! Paid contract. Like to create modular buildings with an impressionist painterly style? Want justice in a surveillance state? We 💜 you! https://t.co/qnUS6R17FC
— Tanya Kan 🌻 (@VividFoundry) January 31, 2019
Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com before the month in which the event takes place.
