PRESS RELEASE: Last Day to Pledge for Critical Core

Last Day to Pledge for Critical Core

Wow. It’s been over a month since Critical Core launched, and now there are only 24 hours left before the Kickstarter ends. It’s no understatement to say that this couldn’t have been done without your incredible support, sharing of enthusiasm, and pledges.

Together we’ve unlocked some incredible stretch goals, but the most important thing is the vision that we all share: the power of intentional gaming to help children on the spectrum build better realities through the power of fantasy.

Thanks to the amazing support of our backers we have been able to secure donations for over 600 kits to be sent to hospitals, schools, and libraries around the world. So many kids will be able to benefit from Critical Core because of our backers, and there’s still time left!

If you’ve pledged already, please give one last shout-out on social media. And if you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to check out the Kickstarter page.

Visit Critical Core on Kickstarter
Thank you for making Critical Core a reality,
Virginia, Adam, and Adam, The Critical Core Team

PRESS RELEASE – World Autism Awareness Day with Critical Core

It’s happening, thanks to you.

When we started on this journey, we wanted be part of changing the narrative around social skills development and autism. Critical Core is designed to be inclusive, respectful, and a celebration of diversity in whichever form it may take. When we celebrate the differences in everyone, no-one is excluded.

We are completely overwhelmed and humbled by your support in sharing this vision and making this project a reality.

April 2nd – World Autism Awareness Day

Because today is world autism awareness day, it is the perfect opportunity to share some of our key thoughts in the hopes that they will resonate with you, and that you might help to spread the positive message of inclusivity and neuro-diversity.

At Critical Core, we prefer to show rather than tell, but today is a day to state our beliefs in no uncertain terms.

Presume Competence

Individuals on the spectrum have incredible capacities, and just because some individuals deal with social situations differently than many neuro-typical people does not make them in any way deficient. We strive to celebrate and understand differences, and presume competence.

Go Beyond Stereotypes

The autism constellation varies so much from person to person that researchers talk about ‘the autisms’ rather than one autism. Just because an individual has a diagnosis of autism does not mean we should make assumptions based on other autistic individuals we may have already known or on representations of autism in media. Everyone is unique and should be treated as individuals.

No One Should be Forced to be “Normal”

Forcing what the neuro-majority considers ‘normal’ on persons with brains that work differently can often be disrespectful and even harmful. We believe that therapeutic support should, at its heart, build sense-of-self, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, allowing the participant to find their own authentic way of engaging and participating in community because they want to and how they want to. This way we can help individuals realize how they want to connect with others—or not—and let them do so on their own terms.

Focus on Relationships

Studies(1) show that love-based, play-based, relationship-based interactions are an effective conduit for growing strengths, skills, and happiness. In our focus on helping autistic individuals build social skills and social capacity, we focus on the complete person, not just on discrete, isolated behaviors.

Let’s Change Perceptions

Recent research(2) demonstrates that the inflexibility of social norms contributes to the ‘disabling’ aspects of the autistic experience. By increasing our acceptance of individual differences, we can improve the long-term outcomes of many autistic individuals. We share this information with those around us so that together we can create a more welcoming and accepting world in which everyone is included.

Critical Core – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gametogrow/critical-core
Wishing you the very best,
Virginia, Adam, and Adam, The Critical Core Team
(1) http://www.icdl.com/research
(2) Sasson, N. J., & Morrison, K. E. (2017). First impressions of adults with autism improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism knowledge of peers. Autism, 1362361317729526.

NOTE: The crass advertising/ads are mine. The substance of message is Game to Grow’s. I added the links to their game as a thank for all they’re doing to raise awareness about autism, a reality that is never fair from my mind and heart.

PRESS RELEASE – Urgent – Critical Core needs you!

Ready for the Adventure?

Our Kickstarter is close to launch! Our campaign page is coming together and manufacturing is ready to go.

But before we go live we need more subscribers, so our campaign will be featured by the Kickstarter team.

We need your help – together we can make this adventure come to life!


 

Activate Your Network!

By encouraging your friends to sign up, we can launch our Kickstarter faster! Please spread the word about Critical Core and get your friends to support the project:  https://www.criticalcore.org


 

Like and Share our Facebook Page!

If you haven’t already, please like and share the Critical Core Facebook page to get regular updates on the project.


 

Advocacy

From the start, Critical Core has been developed with input from adult advocates, kids on the spectrum, their parents and occupational therapists.

If you or someone you know is an adult on the spectrum and would like to join our advocacy group, please email advocates@gametogrow.org and tell us about your interest and experience with RPGs and Critical Core.


 

Kickstarter Update

Here’s a sneak peek of our in-progress box artwork.

Sneak peek of in-progress box artwork. Subject to change!

 

Once again, you have made all the difference in bringing Critical Core to life, thank you!

The Critical Core Team


Copyright ©2019 Game to Grow

PRESS RELEASE – 2019 Charity Partners Announcement, Upper Deck Holiday Catalog, and Gen Con 2018 Videos on The Fantasy Network

Gen Con Returns to Indianapolis
August 1-4, 2019!

Announcing Charity Partners for Gen Con 2019
We are excited to announce our two awesome charity partners for Gen Con 2019, Special Olympics Indiana and Game to Grow! We love the dedication and passion each of these organizations put into their work in local and larger communities. As in years past, we will have several opportunities to raise funds at the show—morning dice rolls, the auction, Cardhalla destruction, and more! Read about each of the charities below, and check out gencon.com for further information. 

Special Olympics Indiana is a non-profit organization that is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, Special Olympics Indiana has grown to more than 14,000 athletes and unified partners in virtually every county throughout the state. With the support of nearly 10,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the participants. Learn more by visiting www.soindiana.org.


Game to Grow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 on the belief that games of all kinds have the power to improve people’s lives. Game to Grow’s weekly therapeutic social skills groups help young people become more confident, creative, and socially capable using tabletop games, most notably Dungeons and Dragons. The founders and lead facilitators Adam Davis and Adam Johns use their years of experience in couple and family therapy, drama therapy, and education to promote social growth among youth in a fun, safe environment. For more information, head over to gametogrow.org.
Upper Deck Holiday Catalog


Check out the 2018 Holiday Catalog from Upper Deck!
 
The holidays are approaching and we have a few gift ideas for you. This 2018 Holiday Catalog will help you find the perfect gift for your friends, family and even yourself. Upper Deck is known for thematic licensed games as well as original titles. Marvel fans will also love Upper Deck’s Gallery Prints and Trading Cards.
 
Get free shipping on orders over $35 during the holidays!

Sponsored post by The Upper Deck Company
Videos from Gen Con 2018 Available on TFN

Fantasy Network
Wish you could experience Gen Con for more than four days a year?
 
Catch everything that you missed on Gen Con’s new premium video channel on The Fantasy Network, featuring dozens of videos from Gen Con 2018—including live gaming with Matt Mercer, interviews with Jordan Weisman, speeches from Peter Adkison and Shanna Germain, and loads of new product demos!
 
Come for the year-round Gen Con experience, streaming free on iOS, Android, Roku, and Amazon apps or directly in your browser, then stick around for loads of original fantasy series and movies from the Dead Gentlemen, Arrowstorm Entertainment, Zombie Orpheus, The Forge, and many more of your favorite filmmakers.
 

Watch now!