New Media Manitoba

🎮WPG GameDev Meetup #136 — Icebreakers 2: The Breakening👋

Winnipeg’s game development community is gathering again for Meetup #136, and this month brings the return of Icebreakers — a fast-paced, optional networking session designed to help creators connect, collaborate, and spark new ideas.

📍Tuesday, November 25
📍6:00 PM (Icebreakers begin at 6:30 PM)
📍Location: Remote (Voice Channels)
⭐RSVP: link in stories

Icebreakers pairs participants in short, rotating voice chats to meet new people, share ideas, and connect with other creators. Prefer to hang out? The main voice channel stays open.

👉About the GameDev Meetups:

Join us for our inclusive game development meetups held on the last Tuesday of every month! No prior experience is necessary; whether you're an artist, programmer, musician, newcomer, indie developer, industry veteran, or someone just curious about game development, everyone is welcome.

See you there!

Wednesday night in was the perfect time to gather with the GameBiz Lab and celebrate the end of an exciting year!

The rooftop at was full of energy, ideas, and connection.

Corinne Gusnoski gave us a glimpse into what’s ahead for the next year of GameBiz Lab!

We shared thoughtful conversations about the future of video games, the evolving skills our industries need, and what it takes to build talent that can thrive in the future.

This community is growing in all the right ways. The excitement for new game launches and upcoming projects was contagious.

It was inspiring to see so many people show up, share their insight, and support one another in building something bigger than ourselves.

Grateful for the conversations, the sunshine, and the shared vision of what’s next.

Thank you to , .fmc, and the Government of Manitoba for your continued support!

If you're in and want to learn about video game marketing, community building, research, pitching, budgeting, and more, sign up for our mailing list. You'll be the first to hear when new GameBiz Lab cohorts open, and you'll get updates on upcoming workshops and events 👉 https://lnkd.in/gPJygmMR

Looking for your next big move in the fast-growing Interactive Digital Media industry?

Whether you're a brilliant production artist, a behind-the-scenes technician, or a visionary game developer, there are exciting opportunities waiting for you!

👉 Explore roles that blend creativity and tech! This is your chance to be part of something innovative, impactful, and future-forward.

👉 And here’s the best part: it’s not just IDM companies hiring anymore. More and more employers across industries are on the lookout for folks with strong digital skills, so make sure to check back often for new openings.

Check out the jobs on New Media Manitoba's Career Page 👉 https://lnkd.in/g-aa7vs

Can’t find what you're looking for today? 🔍Head over to the Work in Manitoba Job Portal! 👉 https://workinmanitoba.ca/

This fantastic resource (powered by the Government of Manitoba and administered by our friends at Economic Development Winnipeg) connects talented individuals like you with opportunities across the province.

Your next chapter might be just a click away. Let’s build the future of digital together! 💡🌟

We totally understand the challenges with navigating all of the new types of technologies, career options, job titles, educational pathways, internships and skills training that’s needed to enter the workforce. Where do you begin?!

Start your search with navigateitmb.ca! If you have an interest in digital technologies or know someone who does, we aim to guide you towards future careers in this field. These roles all require critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and technical skills.

Visit the website today to start exploring your's, your student's, or your child's career options!

Are you in high school and curious about stepping foot into the game development industry? Wonder no more! ✨

Pixel Pals is excited to have Annie Wiebe join us for a virtual speaker session about early career insights in game dev. We'll discuss the transition from high school to college, potential pathways into a game dev career, and the process of finding a job in game dev!

Annie will also go over the importance of understanding the skills (practical and interpersonal) involved in game development and getting a clearer picture of post-secondary life in game dev.

This event is perfect for high schoolers or recent grade 12 grads considering game dev as a career or hobby, or people who are curious about how game dev works!

From Dust to Digital Dreams, it's !

Throwback to when our headquarters at 62 Albert Street looked more like a level under construction than a hub for creativity! 🚧✨

It’s wild to think that what once was a maze of ladders, drywall, and hopeful thinking is now a space where ideas come to life, careers take shape, and our Interactive Digital Media community thrives. 🎮🤖

Building something great—whether it’s a studio, a career, or an entire industry—takes vision, persistence, and sometimes, a little bit of drywall dust in your coffee. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Looking back at these photos, we’re reminded: Every pixel-perfect project starts as a rough sketch. Every game-changing idea begins as a spark. And every strong community is built from the ground up (sometimes literally).

If you’re in the middle of your own “renovation phase,” keep going! The best builds take time, but the results? Totally worth it. 🌟

What’s something you’ve built—physically or figuratively—that once felt impossible? 👇 Drop a comment and let’s celebrate the process!

Join New Media Manitoba for this intensive one-day workshop which introduces Gaussian Splatting – a cutting-edge technique for photorealistic 3D scene capture and rendering – with a focus on film and VFX applications. Guided by industry expert Lee J. Buckley, participants will explore the theory behind Gaussian Splatting and get hands-on experience with the latest tools!

Lee recently completed work using these techniques for NVIDIAs keynote CES Address where they reviled a Radiance Field of the entrance to Endeavor, one of NVIDIA’s two main campuses.

Register now on Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/3kp6hz9w

Celebrating Women in Interactive Digital Media! ❤️🔥 🎮 💻

This past Saturday, March 8th, was International Women's Day and we'd like to take a moment on Instagram to honor the women who are shaping the future of interactive digital media; pushing creative boundaries, innovating with technology, and building more inclusive spaces for all! From immersive storytellers and game developers to XR pioneers and digital artists, women continue to lead, create, and inspire.

We’re especially proud of the incredible women on our team who work tirelessly to empower, mentor, and uplift women in the industry: Taralee Turner, B. Ed., CPA, CMA, Corinne Gusnoski, Teena L., Olivia Wilde, Ogochukwu Eze, Angélica Gomes.

Their dedication fuels our mission to amplify women’s voices, foster mentorship, and create opportunities for the next generation of diverse talent. Because when women thrive in digital media, the entire industry benefits.

On International Women's Day (and every day!), we celebrate:
🎮 Women crafting immersive gaming experiences
📽️ Visionaries transforming storytelling through XR & AI
🎨 Artists redefining digital expression
🚀 Leaders advocating for equity in the industry

To our team and to all the women shaping the future of digital media—thank you for your passion, creativity, and leadership. 💡 Let’s continue to uplift, empower, and champion women in this space, not just today, but every day.

Tag a woman who inspires you in this industry and share their impact! 👇🏽✨

Last night, as part of Manitoba’s Official Tech Week, New Media Manitoba hosted a blockbuster event at , bringing together some of the brightest minds in animation, VFX, gaming, and cloud technology to explore how tech is reshaping storytelling.

Key Takeaways from Our Speakers:

Jamie Hurcomb – 🎮
Epic Games is unlocking new storytelling dimensions with Unreal Engine and Transmedia content. Jamie highlighted how creators can leverage real-time 3D technology to build immersive experiences that transcend traditional media.

Stephanie Holden – AWS Thinkbox ☁️
Stephanie broke down how AWS is revolutionizing VFX and animation through cloud-based rendering and scalable workflows. By removing technical barriers, AWS empowers creators to focus on creativity and global collaboration.

Sean Cody – 🎬
Blur Studio continues to push creative boundaries with breathtaking cinematics and cutting-edge animation. Sean shared insights into Blur’s art-driven storytelling and gave an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at The Unreal Tournament episode of Secret Level. But the real showstopper? A never-before-seen, five-minute short straight from Blur Studio—a special treat for everyone in attendance!

The Big Picture?💡
From game development to film production, technology is breaking barriers and transforming how stories are told. The discussions sparked new ideas, collaborations, and excitement for what’s next!

A huge thank you to our incredible speakers, attendees, and the StudioLab xR team for making this event a success! 👏

Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of together. ✨