Montreal Tech Watch

The fourth Interfaces Montréal demo-conference of 2008, New Frontiers in Gaming, will be held next Tuesday, April 8th, at the SAT. The theme of the conference appears to be an exploration of the new platforms and gameplay that are changing the way we interact with and experience video games.

Since it is a “demo-conference” it makes sense for the speakers to use their own games for demonstrative purposes, but I hope that doesn’t limit the scope of their talks. For example, Reid Schneider, Senior Producer at EA, will be speaking about co-operative play in the company’s upcoming game Army of Two. I don’t expect, however, that he will talk about how Rock Band/Guitar Hero has changed the nature of co-operative gaming, or attempt to explain how the very interesting and recent idea of shared singleplayer gaming fits into our traditional perception of co-op.

In any case, it should be an interesting night with some insight into the ideas behind the latest games coming out of Montreal studios. If that kind of thing doesn’t interest you then you still might want to consider attending for Bart Simon’s more academically focused talk titled “The Material Imaginary of the Wii: Bodies, Spaces and the not-at-all Virtually Real.”

A full list of speakers and more information can, as usual, be found on the Interfaces Montréal website. Tickets are $15 if bought in advance or $20 at the door. $10 for students.

Tuesday, April 8th
5:30PM-9:30PM
SAT – 1195 Saint-Laurent boulevard