ClickBlog

Spreading The Word

Ken — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:15:26 +0000

November has been a very busy month so far. Attending the 2008 Dust or Magic Institute in New Jersey was a wonderful treat. It was 36 jam packed hours of analysis of the current state of children’s new media product design. I was afforded the opportunity to demonstrate “Clicktoy - The Meadow” and illicit feedback from the audience. The response was very positive. Once people see “The Meadow” they fall in love with it.

Next stop was Toronto for the Babytime Expo. It was our first real exhibit booth. We showed off the game on a big plasma TV with three kid-level demo stations. Families and their children loved it as well. It was a success and as always, wonderful to see people really enjoying themselves playing “Clicktoy - The Meadow”.

The road trip was long (10 days) and I’m not used to being away from my kids for such an extended period (nor are they from me). The hope and belief is however, that we’ve successfully introduced “Clicktoy” to a few more families that understand the underlying goal of bringing them closer together through open narration-free interaction.

Today’s Parent Babytime Show

Ken — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:28:49 +0000

Here is a $2 off admission coupon to help you come and discover Clicktoy at The Today’s Parent Baby and Toddler Show. This three-day event (November 7-9) includes over 200 exhibitors with products and information about pregnancy, birth, baby and toddler. You can “try before you buy,” enjoy show specials and even listen to a lecture from Kurt Browning! Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for grandparents and free for children under 14.

Dust or Magic

Ken — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:05:15 +0000

I will be attending Dust or Magic, the Eighth Annual Children’s New Media Design Institute conference November 2-4 in New Jersey.

What is Dust or Magic? A critique of best (magic) and the worst (dust) children’s interactive design in the past year, along with presentations on current research and the most current thinking on the children’s interactive media space.

I look forward to spending time with others involved in children’s products.

ABC Kids Expo

Ken — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:50:40 +0000

Clicktoy is attending ABC Kids Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center September 7-11. We will be walking the show and meeting with potential cross-promotional partners for Clicktoy - The Meadow. If you are interested in seeing a demo of Clicktoy or interested in exploring promo opportunities, please connect with us contact@clicktoy.com or via phone 604-484-0349. We look forward to seeing you.

MomReviews and Contest

Ken — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:20:38 +0000

Elizabeth at MomReviews is holding a contest to win a copy of Clicktoy - The Meadow. This is what she had to say about Clicktoy in her recent review:

“What I like best about this game is the pace. For someone used to quick flash games, it actually took me some time to get used to just relaxing and helping Kaitlyn move the animals. But I soon realized that it’s rather soothing to just have gentle actions and music rather than bright blinky things happening on the screen all the time. It’s a great game to play after dinner while I am winding her down for bedtime.”

Click on over to read the rest of the review and enter the contest.

Update: Thank you to Elizabeth for running such a great contest and congratulations to Kathy for winning a free copy of “Clicktoy - The Meadow”. Your child will love it!

Clicktoy - The Meadow awarded Creative Child’s 2008 Preferred Choice Award

Ken — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:05:40 +0000

Each year in May, Creative Child Magazine invites a panel of over 50 moms and educators to gather at the Henderson Convention Center in Henderson, Nevada to review and comment on all submitted products. These kind reviewers have honoured us with their prestigious 2008 Preferred Choice Award. On behalf of the Clicktoy staff, we thank you.

“The Meadow” continues to brighten faces each day as new families discover the beauty and fun that is Clicktoy. I love receiving emails from friends telling me how much their child enjoys visiting the birds, goldfish, bunnies and all the other animals living in the meadow. It continues to be an honour to bring a smile to all these children.

Clicktoy wins Best Digital Score at PopVox

Ken — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:48:47 +0000

Thank you! Your votes were counted and they granted us a stylish award stating that “Clicktoy - The Meadow” was the winner in the “Best Digital Score” category. It is an honour to have you stand up for us. I can really only say thank you.

Clicktoy Visits Vidfest

Ken — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:56:28 +0000

If you are in Vancouver this week and are part of the Games Summit or Interactive Digital Festival, then you should be able to find me at one of the planned evening events throughout the week. I’ll be there telling people exactly what Clicktoy is and WHY it is something people should embrace. If you’re interested in meeting, call the office and we’ll work something out.

Storytime with Clicktoy

Ken — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:54:04 +0000

The way storytime brings a parent and child together is sublime. Holding your little one in your arms and directly participating in creating their world view is something truly wonderful. Describing the pictures, defining the words, explaining the actions of characters is directly encoding your voice and your perceptions into your child’s mind. Research suggests a link between the amount of words spoken to children and their IQs later in life. We are what we eat, so it is no surprise a rich diet of intellectual stimulation begets a more stimulating intellect.

Most interactive entertainmment puts the user behind the controls of the game but not the story. The story is pre-written, the characters already defined and the narrative pre-determined. One aspect of Clicktoy is the ability of the parent to write their own story, to name the characters themselves and make up their own personalities. By providing an environment, a cast and a large variety of actions, Clicktoy enables everyone to use their imaginations. If there ever was a seed worth planting into the mind of a child, imagination would certainly be high up on my list.

Vote for Clicktoy

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:07:55 +0000

Clicktoy - The Meadow needs your help to win the Popvox Awards - the people’s choice awards for the Vancouver International Digital Festival.

We are a nominee in these three categories:

BEST GAME - CONSOLE/PC
BEST DIGITAL SCORE
BEST BC BASED VENTURE - THE HOMEGROWN AWARD

Help us out please! Register and vote for Clicktoy between May 1st and May 12th. Let’s cause an upset and bring a beautiful and wholesome new entertainment into people’s awareness.

If we win because of your help, I’ll buy you a lollypop the next time we meet!

-ken