The Pulse
Sept. 14, 2023

A trade mission to Germany helped a big Edmonton video game developer build more hype around its first big release while giving smaller studios more traction on an international stage.

Next, Digital Alberta hopes to build on the connections made during GamesCom as it heads into the first Edmonton edition of the Alberta Games Series conference on Oct. 12 and 13.

"The biggest thing was putting Alberta on the map," Digital Alberta's Alecia Peters said of her experience at GamesCom, the world's largest gaming convention, which took place in Cologne in late August. "Creating those exposure opportunities, and then building our global connectivity to the broader gaming community."

Inflexion Games released a new trailer for Nightingale, its hotly anticipated title scheduled for limited release in February. It also had a major activation on the trade show floor in Cologne.

"We worked with our partners at Level Infinite to build a large-scale physical portal, and we commissioned two very talented cosplay artists to create and perform as two inhabitants of Nightingale's world — Puck and the Scarlet Woman," Inflexion CEO Aaryn Flynn said in an email. "They spent four days interacting with folks, taking pictures, and making for, in my opinion, one of the most eye-catching and engaging booths across the whole GamesCom show floor."

Smaller studios benefited from the experience, too, Digital Alberta said in a blog post about the event. For example, Crimson Herring Studios received valuable feedback and many a Steam follow for its forthcoming game, Sovereign Syndicate.

"Getting really targeted feedback from those industry groups, it's a really focused look at our game from people who wouldn't normally play it," Crimson Herring CEO Isaac Otway told CBC's Radio Active.

Itzy Interactive put its Mad Devils in front of players and explored co-production with another studio.

• Supporters and clients of Boyle Street Community Services are worried about the impacts of the organization's announcement that it will close its downtown location when its lease ends on Sept. 30. "I was heartbroken to find out we were going to lose yet another of the already severely limited options for people that are struggling to have housing in this city," said Jim Gurnett with the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. Boyle Street is looking for a way to continue its services without interruption until the King Thunderbird Centre opens in fall 2024, but may need to rely on partner organizations.
• City manager Andre Corbould said administration will continue to curb discretionary spending to help address a projected $73.8-million operating budget deficit, which is equivalent to about 2.6% of the overall tax-supported expense budget. "However, the deficit is large and will add to the financial pressures the city is already facing through the 2023 to 2026 budget cycle," Corbould said. City administration reports show that of the $73.8 million, $43 million is because of recent salary settlements, including with the police union, $12 million from transit revenue shortfalls, and the rest from lower ATCO gas franchise fees and construction permit revenues.
• The family of Pacey Dumas, a young man who was left with life-altering injuries after being kicked in the head by an Edmonton Police Service officer in 2020, is pursuing a private prosecution of the officer. Earlier this year, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team said there were reasonable grounds to believe Const. Ben Todd committed a criminal offence, but the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service declined to proceed with the case. The family will appear before a judge in October to argue the case should be prosecuted. They are seeking a charge of aggravated assault against the officer.
• Of the 275 surface parking lots in downtown Edmonton, only about 30 have permits, according to a report headed to city council's urban planning committee on Sept. 19 at the request of Coun. Ashley Salvador. The report says stricter enforcement against lots without permits is not the best option, suggesting it could compel a landowner to close the lot and leave vacant land.
• The Alberta government announced $16-million to fund the repair and maintenance of government-owned affordable housing facilities not currently in use and said it is working with housing providers to identify priority projects.
• The Edmonton Oilers released their 2023 rookie camp roster, which will participate in the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C. from Sept. 15-18.

Here are some opportunities to offer your input on civic issues, including a survey about Edmonton's core and engagement around the City of Leduc's environmental plan. (Please ensure you live in affected areas before completing surveys.)

• Centre City Area Survey — The City of Edmonton wants to hear the experiences of people who live in or visit the city centre, which includes downtown, Rossdale, Oliver, Westmount, Queen Mary Park, Central McDougall, McCauley, and Boyle Street. It is open until Sept. 20.
• Vibrant Streets Art Contest — The City of Edmonton is inviting residents of all abilities, backgrounds, and ages to submit designs for decorative traffic control boxes. The contest is part of the city's new Vibrant Streets program. To be considered, designs must be submitted by Sept. 29.
• Environmental Plan Update — The City of Leduc is looking update the environmental plan it adopted in 2012. The city is planning pop-up engagement opportunities where residents can vote on environmental priorities. Residents can help shape the plan by completing an online survey, which is available until Sept. 24.

More input opportunities

• By Sept. 19: Glenwood (163 Street West) Neighbourhood and Alley Renewal in Edmonton
• By Sept. 23: 2024 Budget Planning in Beaumont
• By Sept. 29: Proposed Off-Leash Dog Park Questionnaire in Leduc
• By Oct. 1: Pop-up Dog Parks Program Evaluation in Edmonton
• By Oct. 23: Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal: Phase 1 of Public Engagement in Edmonton
• By Oct. 31: Transit Master Plan in Strathcona County
• By Dec. 31: Public Washroom Survey in Edmonton
• By Dec. 31: Public Engagement Feedback Survey in Edmonton

Photo: Jasper Avenue. (Mack Male/Flickr)