[Gen Con] Dawning Star VIP Game To Benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children

[Justin D. Jacobson]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAWNING STAR VIP GAME TO BENEFIT SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN

Blue Devil Games Hosts Special Gen Con Event with Guest of Honor JD Wiker

May 16, 2007 - PLANTATION, FL: Blue Devil Games is proud to announce a truly unique event at this year’s Gen Con: a once-in-a-lifetime role-playing game and a way to help some truly needy children, all in one fun-filled evening. The “Dawning Star VIP Game” will be held on Friday, August 17th from 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM at the Alcatraz Brewing Company located at the Circle Centre Mall, just steps from the Indianapolis Convention Center.

The “Dawning Star VIP Game” finds seven lucky participants guiding their characters through a gauntlet of near-certain death in “Dawn of War” a prelude to next year’s thrilling Dawning Star release: Shadow War. Lead Dawning Star designer Lee Hammock (HALO graphic novel, Fallen Earth MMORPG) will write and GM the adventure—the only game he will GM at Gen Con this year. One of the characters will be helmed by our special VIP guest of honor, the lead designer of d20 Future, none other than JD Wiker (d20 Menace Manual, Star Wars Role-Playing Game).

In addition to a great evening of gaming, the event promises a host of other goodies. Attendees will dine on fine food and drink absolutely free, including the restaurant’s mouth-watering burgers, pizzas, steaks, and seafood entrees. Blue Devil Games will give away unbelievable prizes, including a unique game publication only available to attendees—never to be published again. Players will create their own characters in the time leading up to Gen Con. Players will receive a custom portrait of their characters to take home, and each character will appear in an upcoming Dawning Star publication with an appropriate development credit and a free contributor copy.

Best of all, 100% of all proceeds from the event go to help the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico providing specialized care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. For more than 85 years, Shriners Hospitals have provided invaluable medical services at no charge to the family. Eligibility for care is not based on financial need or relationship to a Shriner. You can learn more about Shriners Hospitals by visiting their website: www.shrinershq.org.

Participation in the game itself is by special invitation only, but you can attend, eat some great food, and watch all the festivities by purchasing one of only ten spectator's invitations. An announcement about these limited invitations will be made soon. For more information about the event, visit our website: www.dawningstar.com/VIPgame.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

visit our website: www.dawningstar.com/VIPGame.htm.

Fixed the link for you.

This is a very neat event and opportunity, both a special and unique game, and to help out a worthy organization. I hope it goes very well for everyone, Justin.

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

(Thanks for noting the busted link, Daniel; I swear I checked it like 10 times.)

Obviously, a press release is all business. Let me add my personal thoughts:

I'm super excited about this event. Duh. Here's why. My first daughter, Jadyn, was born with a minor difference to her left hand; basically, she's missing her fingers. My wife and I did a lot of research about treatment options, physical therapy, etc. In the course of our research, we discovered that one of the leading doctors in the country for this type of issue practices out of the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia. We also learned a lot more about the Shriners Hospitals--like that part about treating every kid that walks through the door for free. I confess, the only thing I previously "knew" about the Shriners was their funny hats and little cars. (See the cover of the Dead Kennedys Frankenchrist album. Did you know they are not a religious organization? They were founded by an actor, who co-opted the Middle Eastern motif to drum of excitement for his efforts.

As luck would have it, my wife hails from York, PA--just a few hours west of Philly. As part of our annual pilgrimage up north for the holidays, we made an appointment for Jadyn. Within minutes of walking through the doors, I found myself misty-eyed. Sitting in the lobby are some kids with physical issues the worst of your imagination cannot conjure. Amazingly, they are all happy, laughing, playing with the innumerable toys placed around for all the kids. Not surprisingly, this made me appreciate how lucky Jadyn is, even with her own issue.

Now, I make a comfortable living as an attorney. I've got health insurance. Candidly, we took Jadyn to the Shriners Hospital only for their expertise. I could not help but be moved by my experience--to think of all the great work these people are doing for underprivileged children. Since that time, I've done what I can to assist them in their effort. I've donated my own money, and I'm hopeful that this effort will raise additional money as well. Even if you can't participate in our VIP Game (and unfortunately space is limited due to the restrictions of the site), I encourage you to donate on your own. But I'm also hopeful that, at a minimum, this event will bring some attention to their worthwhile cause.

And, oh yeah, they have a really cool "lounge" type area for the kids. I can't wait until Jadyn is a little older and I can run some games for the kids while they wait. That will be a great day.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

Excellent, Justin. I'm all for helping worthwhile organizations, and this is about as worthy as they come.

An idea: maybe there's something extra you could offer for those interested in helping out but unable to attend the event, be it due to scheduling (as is my case) or the limits of the locale? Perhaps a product only available in support of this event and only until Gen Con?

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Excellent, Justin. I'm all for helping worthwhile organizations, and this is about as worthy as they come.

An idea: maybe there's something extra you could offer for those interested in helping out but unable to attend the event, be it due to scheduling (as is my case) or the limits of the locale? Perhaps a product only available in support of this event and only until Gen Con?

I am definitely soliciting suggestions on how to maximize the ultimate gift to the hospital. The latter is something we are definitely talking about.

 

[Wycen]

This deserves a bump for the post holiday thread reading.

 

[Ceresco]

I am definitely soliciting suggestions on how to maximize the ultimate gift to the hospital. The latter is something we are definitely talking about.

A couple of questions then.

Why is it by invitation only? If you want to maximize the amount of money brought in to donate to Shriners then you should be auctioning off a few of those seats at the table as well as ALL of the spectators seats. I'd reserve one seat at the table and half the seats for spectators to auction off at the GenCon auction at noon on Friday.

I've done fund raising for charity at conventions a few times. My experience is that gamers are the single most generous folks to grace our planet. Give them a chance to out bid each other for some unique gaming experience and limited edition swag and you'll best optimize your donation to Shriners.

Good luck in your venture.

Respectfully,

Edward Kopp

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Why is it by invitation only? If you want to maximize the amount of money brought in to donate to Shriners then you should be auctioning off a few of those seats at the table as well as ALL of the spectators seats.

Generally speaking, that is what we are doing. Unfortunately, I am limited in the number of people who can attend by virtue of the venue, but I think that is compensated for by the increase in anticipated value by having it there with the free food and drink. As a practical matter, we will be selling all of the spectator seats. I did have to reserve some spectator slots for members of the DS design team, JD Wiker's SO, etc. I'm hoping/assuming the people that attend for free will make up for it with real-time contributions in the manner we're going to set up.

I'd reserve one seat at the table and half the seats for spectators to auction off at the GenCon auction at noon on Friday.

That's a brilliant idea. I'm embarassed I didn't think of it. Yoink!

I've done fund raising for charity at conventions a few times. My experience is that gamers are the single most generous folks to grace our planet. Give them a chance to out bid each other for some unique gaming experience and limited edition swag and you'll best optimize your donation to Shriners.

I couldn't agree with you more. Indeed, I am counting on it.

Good luck in your venture.

Respectfully,

Edward Kopp

Thanks.