The following post originally appeared on attractmo.de, on April 23, 2014.
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It’s that time of the year; spring is in the air. And in addition to blooming flowers, there’s also the smell of freshly printed comics? The prestigious Toronto Comics Arts Festival will soon be opening its doors, which also means yet another installment of Comics vs Games.
Attract Mode is proud to be working once again with the fine folks at Bento Miso and Hand Eye Society. Though for this year’s installment, Comics vs Games 3, an official TCAF 2014 event, Adam and myself wanted to do something a tad bit different.
And we do believe we’ve done just that…
For starters, there’s the Comics vs Games 3D Gallery. As in years past, we asked our best buds from the world of comics and animation to present their unique take on the subject of video games. Yet this time around, everything will be presented in 3D! Via anaglyph glasses (you know, the ones with red/blue lenses).
The Gallery will again be at Bento Miso, along with the VRcade; as with the very first Comics vs Games, one cartoonist and one game designer have teamed up to collaborate. But this time, everyone’s favorite virtual reality head set, the Oculus Rift, was added to the mix!
Next there’s Bit Bazaar: Spring Fair 2014. Last year’s one of a kind celebration of indie games presented in the tradition of zine fairs was a smash success, so naturally it’s back. As before, aside from the chance to become familiar with the next big thing, from Canada’s red hot game making scene, is the opportunity to nab limited-edition goodies as well.
Bit Bazaar: Spring Fair 2014 will again be an off site accompaniment to TCAF 2014, taking place at Bento Miso, which is also where you’ll find the Comics vs Games 3 Talks. This year’s programming is considerably beefier when compared to 2013’s, and even includes a panel on video game zines featuring yours truly!
Finally, at the Toronto Reference Library, where TCAF proper takes place, is the Comics vs Games 3 Showcase. And time for a fun fact: one of the primary inspirations for the original Comics vs Games was Attract Mode’s ground breaking collaboration with Giant Robot years back.
So for the first time ever on Canadian soil will be several games from the ARTXGAME initiative, along with selected works from Comics vs Games 1.
… Wow, that’s a LOT to take in! So here are some of the finer details to keep in mind:
- The Comics vs Games 3D + VRcade opening party should be your first stop this upcoming TCAF 2014 weekend. It takes place Thursday May 8th at Bento Miso and kicks off at 7:00pm. Please swing by the Facebook event page to RSVP and for additional info.
- Bit Bazaar: Spring Fair 2014 goes down the following Saturday May 10th at Bento Miso once more, and runs between 11:00am to 8:00pm. To see what games and exhibitors will be on-hand, simply check out the official event page.
- The Comics vs Games 3 Talks takes place on the same day and in the same building; all day during Saturday May 10th, at Bento Miso. For the schedule and line-up of speakers, please visit TCAF’s Comics vs Games 3 page.
- The Comics vs Games 3 Gallery will be open during both days of TCAF, throughout Saturday May 10th and Sunday May 11th, at the Toronto Reference Library. Again, TCAF’s Comics vs Games 3 page has all the 411.
That’s all for now, but more intel is on the way, along with some surprises, so stay alert…
Comics vs Games 3 is a Toronto Comics Arts Festival event sponsored by Bento Miso and co-organized with The Hand Eye Society and Attract Mode.
