The Hand Eye Society, a new coalition dedicated to meshing Toronto’s videogame communities, will be having its first Social for videogame makers and enthusiasts this Thursday, February 12, 7-10pm. It’s at the bar Unit (1198 Queen Street W.) in Parkdale and it’s free.

We’re excited that Paolo Pedercini from Molleindustria, the celebrated Italian developer of nextgen media activist videogames, will be attending. At 7:30 he will be briefly discussing his next project and taking some questions from the audience. His controversial, hilarious and politically subversive games McDonalds, Faith Fighter and Oiligarchy will be available for play through the night.

This Social is hosted by Jim Munroe. The upcoming bimonthly Socials will be hosted by different Hand Eye Society members as G.J.s, including such notables as Jim McGinley (April), Miguel Sternberg (June), Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard (August), and Jon Mak (October). The future Socials will invite members of the community to demo their in-progress and finished games in a casual and supportive atmosphere. Register to get an email update on these and other upcoming videogame events.

While in town, Paolo Pedercini will also be doing a talk at OCAD and an art show at Digital Event 09.