A presentation on the recent Pokemon GO phenomenon, which has captured the imagination of youth and adults alike, will highlight the last day of Comic-Con International Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center.
John Hanke, the founder of Niantic, which helped develop Pokemon GO, will examine the past, present and future of extending games beyond the screen and re-imagining reality, according to Comic-Con. His presentation, which will also include the game Ingress, will begin at 1:45 p.m. in Hall H.
Apple announced the game was downloaded more times in its first week than any item in the history of its app store. Played on mobile devices, the game allows players to capture and battle different Pokemon in public areas like parks by viewing them through camera viewfinders.
The game has also led to some dangerous and embarrassing incidents in which two men fell off a 90-foot bluff while playing the game in Encinitas on July 13 and were hospitalized, a woman in Wyoming found a dead body floating in a river and a briefing at the U.S. State Department was interrupted when spokesman John Kirby called out a reporter who was paying more attention to Pokemon on a phone than an update on the Islamic State.
The closing day sessions will also include an interview with author Marissa Meyer, an appearance by Food Network chef Duff Goldman and a panel on Fox action shows “Prison Break” and “24.”
Officials urge the use of public transit because of the huge crowds of attendees. The Metropolitan Transit System is running Blue and Green line trolleys every 7 1/2 minutes during peak periods. The Convention Center and Gaslamp stops provide access to the venue.
For those who don’t attend, this is the first year for Comic-Con HQ, a video on-demand service in partnership with Lionsgate that will remain free through Monday. During the four days of the event, the service will include airings of select panels, access to the convention floor, the masquerade ball and the Eisner Awards, according to Comic-Con officials.
The ad-free streaming service is available at www.comic- conhq.com/landing for computers and iOS/Android devices.
— City News Service
