Video game exec startup set to shake up book publishing with ebook app

[prMac.com] Seattle, Washington – Vidya Books, a division of Vidya Gaming LLC, announced today that it has successfully raised the necessary funds to secure the launch of its innovative e-book platform and first book. Created by video game makers who love reading, Vidya Books is set to shake up the book publishing industry as the first and only e-book platform that is completely focused on using technology to inspire a passion for reading, rather than as a distraction. The app will be launched for iPad and iPhone within 60 days.

Vidya Books is a tablet app that uses the full capabilities of today’s interactive tablet devices to create a new, exciting, interactive reading experience. Upon opening the app and selecting a book, the story unfolds on screen, one word at a time. The Reader directs the main character by interacting with the words as they appear, to chart their own path through the story by swiping the screen, touching words, and manipulating the device as the story moves forward.

The app was developed by Joe Booth who has dyslexia and has struggled with reading and writing since childhood. Despite his dyslexia, Booth became a successful executive at many video game companies. He believes that every reader should be able to read the content they love, no matter their reading level. Booth says “If we solved this for video games 30 years ago by adding difficulty levels, we can solve it for books today.”

Booth adds, “The book publishing world needs outside thinkers to shake it up. The shift from paper to interactive device is immense. Content is always shaped by the constraints of its medium. Think about the shift from plays to movies. It took years for filmmakers to learn and master the new medium of film and go from the simple recording of a play to the epic films we see today. For books and reading, the shift from paper to interactive device dwarfs that of film. I think we are merely scratching at the surface of its implication.”

The first novel to be released by Vidya Books is called A for Adventure, which was inspired by Indiana Jones, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider. It’s an epic adventure that puts the reader at the heart of the story as they travel the globe, uncovering a mystery that spans centuries. The novel gives book lovers a new way to experience a genre they love.

Vidya Books turned to crowdsourcing platform, kickstarter.com for funding. In just four days, they raised the $10,000 needed to complete the first book. Developing a close relationship with their passionate supporters, they learned there is an audience of people who care deeply about reading and love the use of technology to attract people back to reading instead of distracting them away.

Vidya Books will use the remaining week of their Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to make additional versions of the book at different reading levels. “I grew up struggling with reading. Once I slipped behind, I was given books aimed at much younger kids – no wonder I disengaged”, says Booth. “By using our stretch goals to fund additional reading levels, we can give struggling readers the content they love at their reading level, just like in a video game.”Vidya Gamer
Kickstarter Project
Vimeo Video (Developer Diary)
Media Assets

Vidya Gamer was founded by Joe Booth, an Executive Producer and Creative Director at the intersection of traditional video games and the Games and Learning space. He brings 25+ years experience on major industry franchises (FIFA, Need For Speed, Ghost Recon, Rollercoaster Tycoon), with over 24 million games sold generating $1b of retail revenue and 10 AIAS & BAFTA nominations. Copyright (C) 2013 Vidya Gaming LLC. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.

###Joe Booth
Founder
425 922 4866
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