GAMETIME: Saskatoon developer elevates Canada’s wartime efforts from 'footnote in the pages of history'
A locally produced video game is on the ballot for Best Learning Game in the Games for Change awards.
Radio General, a Second World War strategy game, is produced by Michael Long, who runs his own solo independent company in Saskatoon called Foolish Mortals.
“Unlike other strategy games where you can see where your units are, you can’t see where they are at all. You have to actually to ask them over the radio by speaking into your microphone and giving them commands,” Long says.
Long says it’s meant to simulate what communication might have been like during the war, when phones and radios were the only way get information.
He adds the game has a strong educational focus to help people learn about the role of Canadians, as the game includes real historical photos, videos and documents.
“We do give out free CD keys for educational purposes and the game is currently being used in a few local public high schools for their World War Two history module.”
The player also controls Canadian troops, something Long says is rare in the genre.
“I’m a fan of World War Two games and such, and basically none of them cover Canada. We’re always lumped in with the British. We did serve with their armies and stuff, but we’re always lumped in with them, and other games like Call of Duty also always focus on you know, the Americans, the Russians, the British. The Canadians barely get like a footnote in the pages of history.
“So I thought it would be really cool to make a game about Canada since I’m from Canada.”
Long says Radio General has been a commercial success as well, getting about 16,000 downloads on Steam.
Release date for new Atari console
The Atari VCS console is being released June 15 in the United States.
A news release says the system will be available via Best Buy, GameStop, Micro Center and the official Atari VCS website.
“This retail launch follows the different phases of pre-order deliveries initiated in late December 2020. The Atari VCS Onyx Base systems start at $299.99 USD, while Atari VCS Black Walnut and Onyx All-In system bundles include the Atari VCS Classic Joystick (available separately for $59.99) and Atari VCS Modern Controller (also $59.99) for $399.99 USD,” says the news release.
The Atari VCS will have support for 4K resolution, 60FPS, onboard and expandable storage, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB 3.0 support.
However, few details have been mentioned about whether Canada is included in the U.S. release.
NASCAR announces partnership to offer esports and gaming scholarships
If you’re interested in pursuing esports and gaming scholastically, NASCAR has formed a partnership with Stay Plugged IN to bring a three-part scholarship series to students in the U.S.
Stay Plugged IN is a leading organizer of collegiate recruiting events in the United States.
“Over the summer months, Stay Plugged IN will organize and produce two amateur tournaments where participants have the opportunity to compete in front of collegiate recruiters from around the country,” says a news release from NASCAR.
The partnership will also facilitate a game creation competition to teach students coding to design games, as well as resume building and other learning opportunities.
Part of the partnership will be a game creation competition where students learn to use coding to design games through the use of a coding platform. The partnership also creates resume building and experiential learning opportunities for students wishing to apply their skills at the collegiate level.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.