The harmonious scratch of skates against the ice, elaborate and colourful dresses, and all kinds of music from pop to jazz were defining features of Winterfest this past weekend.

Around Yonge-Dundas Square alone, four retailers were holding midnight launches Thursday for the Playstation 4. All but the EB Games inside the Eaton Centre had lines that stretched far onto the streets. Many of the fans had been waiting out in the cold for hours on end.

Lee ‘Jaedong’ Jae Dong found himself only a step away from the first place prize. Again, he was given the opportunity to end his legacy as a “silver mine,” or to continue to achieve second place. Jaedong was confident. He had already defeated two champions of previous finals.

Indie game developers from Toronto and around the world gathered at Hotel Ocho last Friday to share and discuss the joy of game design. A myriad of small independent games filled the hotel rooms, there to be discovered by gamers and developers alike. The chatter of excited discussion and music filled the lobby, while the rooms were dominated by the light and sound of the games on display.

It’s called Gamercamp.