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Splinter Cell: Blacklist Launch Party with Ubisoft Toronto

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Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the sixth installment of the popular game series, but this is the first that is wholly produced by the young Ubisoft Toronto studio. With three years of hard work behind them and already very solid reviews of the game, the Toronto team had a lot to celebrate. And celebrate they did, and we were fortunate enough to be part of it.

We were greeted at the door by the hostess and immediately handed very cool USB key dog tags to commemorate the launch. What’s the USB key for you ask? Well it’s to store your pictures with the one and only Sam Fisher, the main character in the game! There was an area set up where you can pose with a real, live actor playing Sam Fisher, using props such as night vision goggles, an assault rifle, and a knife. You were encouraged to be as creative or action-oriented as you can be. A photographer then took your photo, which were then transferred to your USB key dog tags. What an awesomely unique and personalized souvenir!

The venue itself, Metropolis Factory, was a dimly-lit, multi-level warehouse that only served to immerse you in an almost game-like environment. From the second floor the game’s producer, Jade Raymond, made a rousing speech to the cheers and applause from the team below. It was clear that the Toronto team was proud of its accomplishments, which was made even more evident after talking to some of the editors, animators, engineers, and others who contributed to the game. Food was aplenty and drinks were flowing all night long.

Several Xbox 360 stations and gamer couches were available for everyone to try out the game ahead of its launch. With control innovations using Xbox 360’s Kinect motion sensor and Wii U’s controller touchscreen, the reintroduction of the popular “Spies vs Mercs” multiplayer mode, and most importantly the return to the series’ stealth roots, gamers have a lot to look forward to. Splinter Cell: Blacklist will be released on August 20th on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and PC.

Watch for more exciting projects to come out from Ubisoft Toronto!

Words by John Tan. Photos by Nick Lee
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Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

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Here’s a great video by Ubisoft Toronto of the launch party

Ubisoft’s trailer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist

About Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
In Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, players take on the role of lethal operative Sam Fisher who must stop an international terrorist group behind The Blacklist, a series of escalating attacks on US assets. Operating under the newly formed Fourth Echelon unit, Sam Fisher and his team will use any means necessary to prevent the next deadly assault.

Delivering a gripping modern-day storyline, the game brings back core elements of the franchise and incorporates a new level of technical innovation and design to create the biggest Splinter Cell to date. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist will push the series to even greater heights by offering a complete package where single-player, co-op and multiplayer are tied to a universal economy system supporting a wide variety of play styles. Ghost players want to remain undetected; they analyze and plan the best way to go unseen. Panther players look for lethality in the most efficient and silent way. Assault players rely on instincts and are about open fire.

For more information on the game, please visit: splintercell.com and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/splintercell

Photos from the Pantages Hotel Wedding Showcase

  • August 17, 2013
  • industry, venue
  • Comments Off on Photos from the Pantages Hotel Wedding Showcase

Pantages Hotel is centrally located in the heart of downtown at 200 Victoria Street, just steps away from iconic Toronto destinations such as the Eaton Centre, Massey Hall, and Dundas Square. Out-of-town wedding guests are sure to be entertained very well during their stay.

Features include a well-equipped Shizen spa, fitness gym, valet parking and a martini bar. The intimate main ballroom can hold up to 220 guests for a reception and a total of 89 contemporary suites.

For more information visit http://www.pantageshotel.com and the wedding brochure is here.

Martini Bar in the lobby

Martini Bar in the lobby

Cultural wedding setup

Cultural wedding setup

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Inside the bridal suite

Inside the bridal suite

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

More photos here

Also check out the The King Edward Hotel Wedding Showcase

Photos from Toronto Festival of Beer 2013

Kevin Brauch, Thirsty Traveler

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Running on it’s 19th year, it was another well-attended 3 days of the annual Toronto Festival of Beer, one of the largest celebrations of beer in Canada with over 200 beer brands to sample at Exhibition Place. Even with the popularity of the festival, the beer prices are a pretty good value (when you don’t count the admission fee). You can fill your glass beer mug for $2 at almost all the beer booths. I was satisfied for a whole day of light sampling with just a pack of 20 tokens for $20. Compare that to other alcohol-centric festivals that charge admission and $8-10 per drink. It was a great deal when I was there in 2011 and a nice patron sold me his bag of tokens for a discount because he was leaving.

Highlights included cooking demos with Rock Lobster and Fidel Gastros among others. There was also live music on the main stage with De La Soul on Friday, The Spin Doctors on Saturday and Big Sugar on Sunday. Big Sugar is amazing live by the way, in case you didn’t already know. Great band for hot summer weather like at a beer festival. I got to see them in concert at Sound Academy last year.

The Mill Street tent always has great busker entertainment, too. What I also like about beer fest is being able to try my usual favourites (Erdinger, Pilsner Urquell and Mill Street’s Tankhouse) while also tasting roads less traveled.

Also it was nice running into Kevin Brauch aka the one and only The Thirsty Traveller from The Food Network who was generous enough to offer me his last 2 beer tokens in his pocket. Drinks on me next time!

Kevin Brauch, The Thirsty Traveller

Kevin Brauch, The Thirsty Traveller

Big Sugar

Big Sugar

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Full gallery below and also check out photos from last year’s Toronto Festival of Beer 2012

And check out this great video by our friends at Trend Hunter

About Toronto’s Festival of Beer:
Toronto’s Festival of Beer is a celebration of Canada’s rich brewing history, showcasing experts of the brewing craft from around the world. Featuring more than 200 brands, Toronto’s Festival of Beer is Canada’s premier celebration of the golden beverage.

For more info check out www.beerfestival.ca

Photos from Toronto Festival of Beer 2012
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Toronto FC and AS Roma at the new Cibo Wine Bar ahead of tonight’s friendly match

AS Roma players handing out Ferrero Roche chocolate and nutella to guests
  • August 7, 2013
  • sports
  • Comments Off on Toronto FC and AS Roma at the new Cibo Wine Bar ahead of tonight’s friendly match
AS Roma players handing out Ferrero Roche chocolate and nutella to guests

AS Roma players handing out Ferrero Roche chocolate and nutella to guests

If you’ve ever been to a Toronto FC match you know how much spirit Toronto has at Toronto FC games. Fans really get into it and the energy is pretty intense. And it’s a special game tonight at BMO Field! Toronto FC hosts the world famous Italian football club AS Roma in a friendly match on Wednesday August 7th at 8pm.

Ahead of tonight’s game, I got a chance to be at the reception to rub elbows with both teams at the new Cibo wine bar on King West (at the corner of King St W and Brant St. next to Brant House). It was a jam packed frenzy as guests got photo ops and jerseys signed. Even outside as AS Roma was getting off their coach bus, fans outside were anxious to get a photo of AS Roma as they headed into Cibo Wine Bar. The evening had AS Roma (and Toronto FC) branded cigars, fine wine and Disaronno cocktails enjoyed over gourmet Italian fare.

“It’s always exciting to play a match against a club as storied as AS Roma,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “With great players like Totti and De Rossi, this will be a real test for our players and a treat for our supporters and the Italian community in Toronto.”

Visit http://www.torontofc.ca/tickets or ticketmaster.ca for ticket info.
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Toronto FC

Toronto FC

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Cibo Wine Bar's clams with al dente pasta

Cibo Wine Bar’s clams with al dente pasta

Hanging around with wild animals can set you free

  • August 6, 2013
  • Travel
  • Comments Off on Hanging around with wild animals can set you free

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