Fri. July 7 - Victoria's gaming industry booms

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Today we have some new updates from the RCMP about the search for Melissa McDevitt. We’re also taking a look at the booming video game scene in Victoria, with local developers making waves in the industry. I’ll admit I’ve never been much of a gamer myself—unless you count Mario Kart 64 back in the day—so I haven’t been in the loop with the advancements happening with graphics, storytelling, and VR/AR. It seems Victoria is pushing the industry to new heights.

— Robyn

⛅ Today's weather: Mix of sun and cloud. High 23C / low 12C.   

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (3/10), light smoke expected.

NEWS

New info on Melissa McDevitt disappearance revives RCMP’s search

After new clues were discovered in the search for Melissa McDevitt, a woman who went missing in December while on a hike, Sooke RCMP confirmed yesterday that it has renewed its search for her.

Recently, McDevitt’s family found that they had access to her GPS watch data that had tracked her movements before the battery died, adding an aspect to the RCMP search that was not previously known.

While the investigation remained open, search and rescue efforts ended on Dec. 19—nine days after they began—when no evidence of McDevitt’s whereabouts were found. McDevitt had gone for a hike in the Sea to Sea park, the second largest regional park in the CRD, with limited cell reception in the area.

The new information has revived search and rescue efforts, which are planned to start again on July 8. RCMP is asking people to avoid the area around Charter’s River near the Sooke Potholes, where her car was found the day she was reported missing.

Read more from Tori Marlan on how McDevitt’s family has fought to keep the search for Melissa going.

Capital Bulletin

🏢 RidgeView Place residents eligible for remaining grant funds, with the deadline to apply being Sept. 30, 5pm. The funds will be distributed evenly to all 88 households.

📋 Quadra McKenzie Study public engagement opportunities: An online survey and pop-ups across Saanich are available to gather input to contribute to the study’s land use plan.

NEWS

Victoria gaming doesn’t play around

It’s no secret that Victoria has become an epicentre of Canadian tech innovation, but a growing number of game creators have begun to put the city on the map for advancements in the video game industry.

When EA acquired Metalhead software, a Victoria gaming company known for its Super Mega Baseball series, it revived EA’s long-defunct baseball gaming legacy, releasing Super Mega Baseball 4 in June. This acquisition has been turning heads in the gaming community, proving Victoria’s industry is one to watch in this sector.

As game production became more accessible outside of major cities, gaming startups through Facebook and Steam brought many local creators their start. Creators from Kano, Hololabs, and Codename Entertainment point to the collaborative nature of the gaming industry here as a reason for the unprecedented growth.

From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, the landscape of gaming is changing rapidly—and tech professionals have their eyes on what’s taking place in Victoria.

“I think it's really a part of the broader British Columbian and Canadian story about that,” said Eric Jordan, CEO of Codename Entertainment. “There's a really long history of people making games in Canada overall. And then within BC.''

Read more on why Victoria has grown from a small hub of gaming startups to an eventual hotbed for innovation.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA TRACK CLASSIC

Victoria Track Classic: Canadian athletics unleashed!

The stage is set - Paris 2024 is around the corner, and Canada's athletes are eager for success.

Since 1988, the Victoria Track Classic has nurtured Olympic, Paralympic, and future stars. Local athletes like Debbie Scott, Dave Campbell, and Angela Chalmers achieved international success after dazzling at the Track Classic.

Presented by the RunSport Victoria Society, this year's Classic is the final stop in the National Track & Field Tour. Athletes compete for Nationals and a chance to represent Canada at Paris 2024.

Experience the future of Canadian athletics in your own backyard on July 16 at Centennial Stadium.

General admission tickets are priced at $15, and kids aged 12 and under get in for free. Secure your tickets now. Don't miss out!

NEWS

One man confirmed dead after yacht sank near Discovery Island

Three others were rescued Friday after a 12-metre yacht called A Little Serenity took on water and sank in the Salish Sea, about 3km south of Victoria. A woman and two teenage girls were air rescued by the US Coast Guard and were taken to Victoria General as they were showing signs of hypothermia. In a video of the rescue, a dog is also shown being hoisted from the boat.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) told CTV that the deceased man was found near the vessel’s wreckage by the Canadian Coast Guard an hour later. BC Coroners Services confirmed with Capital Daily that they are currently investigating the death.

The yacht is registered in Washington, and all those aboard were US citizens.

It is still unknown what caused the vessel to take on water and what caused the man’s death.

Capital Picks

🎧 Tilt! at Phillips Backyard: The weekend-long festival begins today with performances from Lord Huron, JJ Wilde, and Neal Francis.

🎤 SKAMpede: Theatre SKAM’s outdoor performing arts festival kicks off today with venues around the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway.

🎭 Blue Bridge Theatre presents The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnar (adapted by Bonnie Monte) A classic farce about the perils, and joys, of infidelity! Jul. 4-16, 2023 | The Roxy Theatre | 250-382-3370*

🌺 Blue Moon Marquee at Butchart Gardens: The duo will perform on the open-air stage, 8pm.

👠 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 viewing party: This Wizard of Oz-themed viewing party at the First Met United Church Hall will feature performances by Tynomi Banks, Stephanie Prince, and Eddi Licious. 5:30pm.

🍔 Dinner & Drag at Friends of Dorothy: Enjoy a delicious dinner while watching drag performances hosted by Queen Mina Mercury, 5:30-8:30pm. [Details]

🍷 Tourist: Victoria’s first natural wine bar is now open at 1002 Blanshard St., combining casual service with a design-forward room and custom sound system. Find their always changing wine program that’s complimented by a contemporary bistro-style menu.

🤝 Now hiring: Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🚒 Esquimalt’s first female firefighter among new hires
Alexandria Marshall is one of four new hires approved by the town’s 2023 budget. The new positions aim to extend Esquimalt’s ability to suppress and prevent fires and add a new medic unit. [Victoria News]

🏫 Saanich elementary school experiences fifth suspicious fire
Frank Hobbs Elementary experienced two new fires Monday afternoon, after three others occurred at the school since May. Saanich Police are investigating the fires, one of which was in a garbage can and the other under a portable classroom’s stairs. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY SIPP

Money as medicine

Tarrin Sam interviews Sage Lacerte and Magnolia Perron about The Sage Initiative, an Indigenous Womxn’s Impact Investing Collective. Sage Lacerte, the founder, discusses her business, the Fall cohort, and future goals. Magnolia shares her experience as a participant in the first Sage Initiative cohort. Listen here.

In Case You Missed It

📰 Thursday’s headlines: This weekend’s pride events, the most dangerous intersections in Victoria, third suspicious fire under investigation, and more. [July 6]

🛍️ The Bay Centre is now open until 8pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with over 80 shops to visit. Plus, this summer, get 3-hours of free parking on weekends, and park for free weekdays after 5pm. Plan your visit today!*

📃 BC SPEAK survey extended: The health survey on programs, services, and experiences will remain open until July 31.

🍓 BC berry season is here! The Root Cellar is kicking off the sweetest season with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries...Oh my! Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca.*

🌱 Climate action tax credit: The first quarterly payment of BC’s enhanced tax credit will be paid out this week to low- and middle-income individuals and families to offset the cost of the carbon tax.

*Sponsored Listing