Vortex 2008

In 2008, Vortex offered a free seminar: Playing Games in a Corporation (and living to tell about it):. Getting any project funded is a challenge, but getting a cable TV company to build a broadband network around video games is another. Learn how Blake Lewin, inventor of GameTap, went from playing in garage bands to getting a major corporation to play video games.

Following Blake’s presentation, Marc Saltzman moderated Panel Perspectives: Industry Insights from the Experts where industry experts Vikas Gupta, Jason MacIssac, Jonathan Freedman, and Trevor Fencott further discussed the art and business of games.

The event was topped off by reception where all attendees had an opportunity to network with the panelist, industry representatives, and each other.

Vortex 2007

For 2007 Vortex secured the participation of 36 industry experts from companies such as
Yahoo, Telus, CityTV, Ventures West, Groove Games and Electric Playground to serve as speakers
and/or jury members. These industry experts judged entries from post-secondary students studying
game design, graduates trying to break into the gaming industry, budding entrepreneurs and those
working at independent video game companies with an exceptional enthusiasm for their own personal
project. A $2,500 grand prize was awarded to Joe Pirotta and his team at WASD Gameworks Inc. for their game ‘Attrition’.

Vortex 2006

At Vortex 2006, innovative, interdisciplinary, new media projects, prototypes,
concepts and joint ventures were sought that promote and feature cross-sectoral
and cross-industry partnerships. Cultural, media and business stakeholders were brought
together to jointly explore new and exciting media concepts
in the fields of publishing, music, film and TV, education,
science and other new media environments. Real prototypes
met real distributors!

Proposals were submitted to a panel of cross-sectoral
industry experts selected a shortlist of the most innovative.  Once
selected, applicants were invited to attend “The Vortex Process” and
had the opportunity to "pitch" their proposal for evaluation
in a 20-minute session.  The panel consisted of five to ten industry
experts who provided participants with advice regarding commercialization
of their proposal.  Presentations were judged on the participants’ ability
to move the proposal forward in the commercialization process. 

Participants and panellists networked each day, both before and after
the presentation, and at a networking cocktail party at the Drake Hotel
Underground open to everyone.

Industry professionals came from a variety of backgrounds, including
finance, law, strategy consulting, film, publishing, television and government
agencies. The finalists presented screen-based and/or interactive digital
media concepts and prototypes or devices.

The 2006 Vortex Prize winner was Vancouver’s New City Entertainment
for MovieSet™ its ‘behind-the scenes’ Internet portal.  “To
win this prize means a tremendous amount in terms of proof of concept
for MovieSet™”, says New City President, Colleen Nystedt,
who characterizes MovieSet™ as, “a transformational solution
for the motion picture industry, very much in the spirit of Marshall
McLuhan. “ Adds Nystedt, “As we move forward into the beta-testing
and development phases, the insight, information and contacts gained
through the Vortex experience will be invaluable”.

Vortex 2005

At the 2005 event, held over 10 days from September 23 to October 2, 2005,
Toronto became the medium for the message: a pivotal place to explore,
celebrate and probe the present and future and how it relates to media,
technology and culture, locally and globally. This was accomplished through
a multi-layered program that included lectures, performances, roundtable
discussion forums and design charrettes developed and presented by a
number of partner organizations.

Topics covered everything from Canada as a Chinese tourism destination,
to new and old energy systems, gridlock and fuel free cars, media and
the future of the 30-second spot, business design, education and schools
as a laboratory, home and building design, and internet culture.

Sponsors for the 2005 event were City of Toronto, NOW Magazine,
Viacom Outdoor, CityTV, the Drake Hotel, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
(O.C.A.F.), the Fairmount Royal York, Embassy Magazine, the International
Academy of Design and Technology and the Toronto Film School.

Vortex 2004

At the 2004 event, held over 10 days Toronto became the medium for the message: a pivotal place to explore, celebrate and probe the present and future and how it relates to media, technology and culture, locally and globally. This was accomplished through a multi-layered program that included lectures, performances, roundtable discussion forums and design charrettes developed and presented by a number of partner organizations.

Topics covered everything from Canada as a Chinese tourism destination, to new and old energy systems, gridlock and fuel free cars, media and the future of the 30-second spot, business design, education and schools as a laboratory, home and building design, and internet culture.

Sponsors for the 2004 event were City of Toronto, NOW Magazine, Viacom Outdoor, CityTV, the Drake Hotel, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (O.C.A.F.), the Fairmount Royal York, Embassy Magazine.