Developing for the biggest names in the videogame business Other Ocean Interactive Other Ocean has received much attention for its work on SEGA opened its St. John’s Studio in of America’s Super Monkey Ball license and this year that relation - the fall of 2008 and since then has ship continued when the company was asked to develop a launch grown from 5 to 30 employees and is title for Apple’s iPad. When the iPad was released on April 3, 2010 – expecting further growth this year. Currently the company employs Other Ocean was one of the first developers to have a title available over 100 people in Atlantic Canada. built exclusively for the platform: Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edi - Since opening, Other Ocean has worked on some highly recognized tion. licenses developing products for some of the biggest names in the This past year 2010 Other Ocean extended its reach to videogame business - including Disney Interactive, Ubisoft, Activision the advertising world. Using its games’ and others. Developing games and applications at this level requires a and small screen experience it highly skilled workforce and Other Ocean reaches far and wide attract - developed an iPhone applica - ing people to their company and to Newfoundland. tion for publishing giant Vogue “Our employees come from all four Atlantic Provinces, the West Magazine. Vogue Stylist allows Coast, the UK, South America, Asia and continental Europe. Recruit - readers to interact with adver - ment efforts reach throughout the World,” says Deirdre Ayre the tisers in the magazine by com - Company’s Studio Head in charge of Canadian Operations. bining styles, photographing “Our model includes hiring more senior employees with deep expe - their own wardrobe and storing rience who can mentor and pass their skills on to local talent who fashions they like from through - haven’t had much exposure to our industry but who are highly talented out the magazine. and passionate about making games.” Other Ocean released its first Nintendo DSiWare title; Dark CEO and owner Andrew Ayre, grew up in Newfoundland and Void Zero, published by Capcom maintains a west coast presence in California near the hub of the in early 2010. The title received Industry while his sister, Deirdre, oversees the development and an IGN Publisher’s Choice Quality Assurance studios in Newfoundland and PEI. “We had a Award. In addition to an inter - desire to bring this business home and have been able to build on net storm of positive reviews, Andrew’s long run success in the industry” says Deirdre. Dark Void Zero received men - Other Ocean is quick to point out that partnerships with government tion from Jimmy Fallon on Late such as the province’s Department of Business and ACOA have been key Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC. to establishing this industry in Newfoundland and will be key to helping Since then Dark Void Zero has been made available to a wider it expand and continue to grow. In addition relationships with Memori - audience by making the leap to the PC and iPhone. al and other educational institutions will help ensure there is a talent In early 2011 power house Electronic Arts began releasing par - pool to feed into businesses like Other Ocean flourish in our province. odies that poke fun at some of today’s most serious shooter games. Developed by Other Ocean, Duty Calls is a fully playable free-to- The first title released by download game. Earning waves of media and fan appreciation, it the Newfoundland Studio was surpassed an impressive 1.25 million downloads only 72 hours CSI: Deadly Intend – The Hid - after release.The game is a stunningly accurate satirical portrayal den Cases, published by of what most First Person Shooters can be like for players who Ubisoft for the Nintendo DS don’t take them too seriously. and based on the hugely suc - The company is very proud to have been recognized in 2010 cessful CBS television series. with a citation from Ernst and Young for Product Innovation at its Other Ocean employees in annual Awards banquet in Toronto. “Worldwide the video game Newfoundland dealt directly industry now surpasses the traditional movie business in econom - with CBS writers as they ic impact,” says Deirdre “and Other Ocean is very pleased that our developed the title. This talented teams in Atlantic Canada are producing world class, helped pave the way for the innovative products that will help this industry thrive and grow next instalment, CSI: right here at home.” Unsolved! released last fall. As well Other Ocean’s St. John’s studio developed Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 for the LeapFrog Leapster Explorer. The title allows children ages 4 to 7 years to play as Buzz or Woody as they use their phonics skills to move around this inter - active board game and compete in 15 fun and challenging mis - sions..