CALGARY, AB, Sept. 25, 2024 /CNW/ – Bow Valley College unveiled its much anticipated 70-seat esports arena Wednesday as a new hub for competition, innovation, and game development.

The arena is the first in Calgary and features 40 competition ready gaming stations, two full motion-rigged racing simulators, a state-of-the-art broadcast suite, and a dedicated varsity esports training room.

“We’re proud of the facility we’ve created here, but even more proud of the contribution it will make to the future of Calgary’s esports and digital entertainment industry,” says Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College. “We exist to give students the skills they need to take their talents and dreams and apply them to careers that grow our province.”

The new 3500sq. ft (325sq. m) arena in Bow Valley College’s South Campus holds over $1 million in state-of-the-art technology, and can be used to host tournaments, test game play and as a workspace for the college’s accelerator programs.

“The facilities that come together here will allow students in our Esports Business Management Program to get hands on experience in all aspects of the business, including broadcasting,” says Eddie Sargent, Associate Dean of the Chiu School of Business.

Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus received $5.5 million in funding from Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund in 2023, money that was separate from the esports arena, but allows the training of 675 people and growth of 125 companies by 2028, supporting Canada’s $5.5 billion gaming industry.

“Calgary’s game development community has been building mass for years,” says Mike Lohaus, Manager of Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus. “It’s inevitable that before long, some team of creators will hit it big. This space means students don’t have to leave the province to succeed in esports.”

The esports arena project was funded by the college and forms a key pillar of the Alberta Esports Strategy.

“The opening of this arena is a game-changing moment, igniting a wave of growth and investment in Calgary’s digital media and entertainment arts sector,” says Luke Azevedo, Vice-President – Creative Industries, Operations and Film Commissioner with Calgary Economic Development. 

OCIF’s investment will enable access to cutting-edge programs in 3D animation, game development, esports, virtual reality, podcasting and more. This strategic funding is set to drive innovation, expand career opportunities, and foster entrepreneurial ventures in the creative sector, while also serving as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification across the region.

“We’re driving disruptive growth by thinking beyond traditional industries. The opening of BVC’s esports arena is a prime example of how we’re fostering innovation and capturing investment in sectors that are reshaping the future of our economy,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development and CEO, OCIF.

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is the largest college in the Calgary area, with over 15,000 students. We focus on preparing our graduates for in-demand jobs across Canada. Our graduates contribute to the economy and community through careers in business, entertainment arts, technology, health care, social services, and more. We are proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top 80 employers and one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges. Our innovative applied research, focused on health and health technology, educational technology, and social innovation, is helping shape the future of college education. Learn more about the opportunities we create for students, employees, and our province at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Esports Arena Fact Sheet

The arena cost approximately $5 million to build and equip, including $1 million in computer, simulator and broadcast technology. Direct funding came from Bow Valley College’s capital improvement and reserve fund budgets.The esports arena is approximately 3500sq. ft (325sq. m)There are 40 individual gaming stations connected with 10,500 ft of cable – roughly 3.2kms.Holds up to 70 people for events with additional large screen spectator space in the adjacent Market areaIncludes a variety of accessibility devices to enable maximum inclusionState-of-the-art broadcast booth allows game play, commentary/analysis and live shots from the arena to be streamed or broadcast anywhere in the world in real timeSeparate, fully integrated Shoutcast boothCutting edge, highly intense immersive driving simulator offers a hyper-realistic experience that mimics real-world driving conditions with stunning precision.Dedicated training room for team play, coaching and coordinationThe arena will be used by Bow Valley College’s Accelerator program, supporting a minimum of 18 companies each year in building their products and services, and taking ideas to market. Currently there are 20 businesses enrolled in the Fall 2024 accelerator term.Accelerators can include game developers, content creators, coaching and league businesses

SOURCE Bow Valley College

PureTalk teams up with growing media company DailyWire+, the streaming home of Daily Wire’s top podcasts, movies and entertainment, to provide new customers with a free year of membership.

COVINGTON, Ga., Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PureTalk, a nationwide cell phone service provider offering premium wireless at a fair price on the nation’s most dependable 5G network, expands its partnership with The Daily Wire, a groundbreaking counter-cultural media outlet celebrated for its engaging content. Through this exclusive offer, new customers receive one free year of DailyWire+ when they switch to PureTalk.

Proudly patriotic, PureTalk is a veteran-led wireless communications company headquartered in Covington, Ga., that celebrates American ideals and supports the growth of the nation’s workforce. With customer service in the U.S., support of our military, and a 100% money-back guarantee, PureTalk is focused on delivering the best customer experience with the same 5G nationwide network at half the cost.

“I’m pleased to announce this new DailyWire+  offer through our continued partnership with The Daily Wire,” shared William Curry, chief strategy officer for PureTalk. “At PureTalk, our foremost goal is to continually elevate the customer experience. Teaming up with The Daily Wire not only allows us to deliver new customers with reliable phone service at half the cost, but gives our customers access to Daily Wire’s premium content including shows, news and entertainment.”

New PureTalk customers who activate a monthly plan starting at $35 through the Daily Wire promotion gain Insider Annual access to the platform’s packed library of content featuring movies, series, and documentaries, along with uncensored, ad-free daily shows and exclusive live events. DailyWire+ is the streaming home of The Daily Wire, Jordan Peterson, movies, PragerU, and Bentkey and is one of America’s fastest-growing media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment.

PureTalk has made switching to their service as easy as possible for new customers. Through the link provided by select Daily Wire hosts, customers can choose the eligible plan that best fits their needs. After checkout, customers will receive a one-time promo code, granting them access to DailyWire+. Existing customers who add a new line of service also qualify. DailyWire+ is accessible across multiple platforms including Android, Apple TV, Roku, and other streaming services.

To learn more about this offer from PureTalk, please visit here.

About PureTalk 
PureTalk, established in 2004, provides premium wireless service at a fair price with the most dependable 5G nationwide network. As a veteran-led company celebrating American ideals, PureTalk actively supports the growth of the American workforce and has 100% U.S. Customer Service. At PureTalk, patriotism drives its purpose. PureTalk is committed to supporting our veterans and their families by contributing to organizations that honor and assist those who bravely serve our country. By choosing PureTalk, customers not only receive great wireless service but they’re also making a meaningful impact on the lives of American servicemen and women. Visit PureTalk.com for additional information.

About The Daily Wire 
DailyWire+ is a subscription podcast and video-on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by The Daily Wire, LLC. The service is an umbrella platform that covers The Daily Wire + The World of Jordan Peterson + PragerU + Movies and Bentkey. The DailyWire+ Podcast Network is the 6th largest global podcast publisher per Podtrac and produces several of the top-ranked podcasts in America, including “The Ben Shapiro Show,” “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” “The Matt Walsh Show,” “The Michael Knowles Show,” and “Morning Wire.”

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SOURCE PureTalk

The recently published Endpoint Protection – Enterprise Data Quadrant Report from Info-Tech Research Group, informed by SoftwareReviews user data, showcases the leading tools that are equipping organizations with advanced security capabilities to effectively safeguard endpoints and mitigate evolving cyber threats.

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Info-Tech Research Group has published its 2024 Endpoint Protection – Enterprise Data Quadrant report, naming five Gold Medalists for the year. The report findings are based on data from SoftwareReviews, a division of the global research and advisory firm and a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape.  

Endpoint protection is crucial for organizations as it secures devices like laptops, mobile phones, and desktops from cyber threats, safeguarding sensitive data from breaches, ransomware, and malware. With remote work becoming the norm, the attack surface has expanded, making endpoint protection even more essential. By using endpoint protection software, organizations benefit from real-time threat detection, compliance with industry regulations, and reduced risk of downtime due to cyber incidents. Without endpoint protection, companies face challenges like data loss, operational disruptions, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. The lack of protection can also lead to longer recovery times and higher costs in mitigating attacks, as well as potential legal repercussions for data breaches.

Data from 1,047 end-user reviews on SoftwareReviews was used to identify the top Endpoint protection software providers in the firm’s 2024 Data Quadrant report for the category. The insights are intended to support organizations that are considering software options to mitigate cyber-attacks and threats.

The 2024 Endpoint Protection- Enterprise Gold Medalists are as follows:

ThreatDown, 9.0 CS, ranked high for ease of implementation.Sophos Intercept X Endpoint, 8.7 CS, ranked high for ease of data integration.Defender for Endpoint, 8.4 CS, ranked high for strategy and rate of improvement.Bitdefender GravityZone EDR, 8.4 CS, ranked high for business value creation.ESET Endpoint Security, 8.4 CS, ranked high for including a breadth of features.

Analyst Insight:

“Organizations that prioritize endpoint protection are better positioned to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats,” says Victor Okerie, advisory director, Info-Tech Research Group. “By securing all endpoints, organizations can ensure more robust resilience and faster incident response, which not only strengthens data protection but also fosters trust with clients and stakeholders. In the current landscape, investing in endpoint security is a proactive step toward long-term operational stability and competitiveness.”

User assessments of software categories on SoftwareReviews provide an accurate and detailed view of the constantly changing market. Info-Tech’s reports are informed by the data from users and IT professionals who have intimate experience with the software throughout the procurement, implementation, and maintenance processes. 

Read the full report: Best Endpoint Protection – Enterprise Providers 2024

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. 

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.  

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.  

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. 

About SoftwareReviews
SoftwareReviews is a division of Info-Tech Research Group, a world-class technology research and advisory firm. SoftwareReviews empowers organizations with the best data, insights, and advice to improve the software buying and selling experience. 

For buyers, SoftwareReviews’ proven software selection methodologies, customer insights, and technology advisors help maximize success with technology decisions. For providers, the firm helps build more effective marketing, product, and sales processes with expert analysts, how-to research, customer-centric marketing content, and comprehensive analysis of the buyer landscape. 

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group