BattleKasters Turns the Gaslamp Quarter into a Game Board During Comic-Con International: San Diego

SAN DIEGO, July 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --  BattleKasters, a downloadable mobile game that turns live events into game boards, is coming to Comic-Con International: San Diego 2015. From July 9-12, players in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter will have the chance to win $5000. In keeping with the BattleKasters creators' goal to drive the literacy movement forward, half of the grand prize will go to a library of the winner's choosing while the other half goes right to the winner.

Based on the award-winning, young adult book series, Legends of Orkney, by transmedia author Alane Adams, BattleKasters is a whole new experience for gamers and readers. This app-based game allows players to collect digital trading cards, cast spells, and close the stonefire portal to protect Earth from dark magic – all while giving gamers the chance to explore the historic district near the San Diego Convention Center, where Comic-Con is being held.

"With BattleKasters, we're taking an entirely new approach to getting kids interested in reading – using the devices to which their generation has grown so attached," said Alane Adams, author and founder of the Rise Up Foundation. "My goal is to get kids so excited about the game that they'll want to read the books cover to cover."

All Are Invited to Play

BattleKasters was played by hundreds of gamers during Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo and Denver Comic Con and the game has been hailed as an exciting new way to experience cons. For attendees and those looking to enjoy a family-friendly, offsite adventure, BattleKasters entertains and excites players of all ages.

BattleKasters is the perfect activity for gamers, readers, parents and kids spending time in the area surrounding Comic-Con. Interested players are invited to join the BattleKasters team July 9^th – 12^th from 11am to 8pm at the Gaslamp Quarter Museum, which is serving as game headquarters. The museum will be selling copies of The Red Sun, the first book in the Legends of Orkney series, proceeds from which go to the Gaslamp Foundation and literacy causes.

Players who complete the game by closing the stonefire, have two chances of winning. All eligible participants will be entered to win the $5,000 grand prize, which will be split evenly between the winner and the winner's library of choice. All players who complete the game will also get a chance to spin the BattleKasters Wheel to instantly win prizes such as: a copy of The Red Sun, BattleKasters original art by famous Star Wars artist Dave Dorman, Legends of Orkney original art by Jonathan Stroh, BattleKasters sunglasses, gift cards, and more.

Meet Brunin and the Team

San Diegans and Comic-Con attendees will have the chance to take their photo with a life-size Brunin, the towering warrior bear from the books who will be roaming the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter.

The team behind the book-to-game transmedia platform will be available for fans to meet. Alane Adams, author of the Legends of Orkney series will be on hand to sign books during the event. Lead BattleKasters designer, Brent Friedman, who designed BattleKasters and co-founded Artifact Technologies, the company that developed the game, will be available to talk about the strategy and technology behind the mobile game. Famous Star Wars artist Dave Dorman, who produced original art for Legends of Orkney; and Jonathan Stroh, digital artist for the game's animation, will both be selling and signing prints.

Anyone interested in playing BattleKasters or purchasing The Red Sun before its official August book release, can get more information on BattleKasters.com or at the Gaslamp Museum. For official sweepstakes rules and details, participants can learn more here.

About Alane Adams

(Wendy) Alane Adams is a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, professor and award-winning author. After retiring from a successful business career, Adams founded the Rise Up Foundation, which focuses on improving literacy in children. A believer in the power of transmedia storytelling, she created BattleKasters to create more interactive, immersive experiences for readers of her Legends of Orkney book series.

About Artifact Technologies

Artifact Technologies is a Seattle-based software development company specializing in location-based technologies.  A pioneer in content-rich beacon programming and integration, Artifact Technologies partners with major event organizers, attractions and entertainment and education industry leaders to build world-class experiences. The company's proprietary Mixby™ platform connects the physical and mobile environments, driving deeper engagement and bringing more value to the audience experience.

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SOURCE BattleKasters