The holiday season is arriving shortly, and as any normal holiday-loving person would do, I’ve started plotting ways to rack up my karma in time for Christmas. That’s right, Calvin has nothing on me.
I know what you’re thinking: preparing for the holiday season this early triggers vivid flashbacks to Christmas decorations filling the department stores a full two months before the actual event. What is wrong with you?
The cause for this early karma collecting spree, however, is neither tacky nor irritating, but an inspiring endeavor to help children in hospitals find solace through the ever-loved medium of video games. Indie Games for Good is hosting an indie gaming marathon and they’re accepting donations towards Penny Arcade’s very own Child’s Play. So be like the greedy karma-grabbing brat I am and donate to a good cause (and enjoy some indie gaming comedy gold, of course).
Interested?
On Friday, November 4th, a group of gamers in San Diego, California will launch the Indie Games for Good charity video gaming marathon in support of Child’s Play Charity. The charity provides toys, games, books, and money for sick children in over 70 children’s hospitals worldwide.
The Indie Games for Good marathon will be broadcast live on the internet, where viewers can tune in and donate money to Child’s Play. Over the course of the event, the marathon will play through a number of independently developed games (games made without the support of a game publisher), many of which will be chosen by the viewers who make donations. The event will run until the donations stop, spanning multiple days in the process.
Throughout the show, the players will interact with the viewers through the video stream and a chat provided on the website, as well as through social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook. Viewers will also have the opportunity to win prizes, ask questions of game developers who have agreed to do live interviews, and more.
“Marathons are a fantastic way to raise awareness for charities,” says Matt Rasmussen, Event Coordinator. “We’ve already received an amazing amount of support from multiple game developers and fans. I’m incredibly passionate about indie games; they’re varied in style and genre so that there’s something that everyone loves — so we’re really hoping that our marathon will reach a lot of the community and raise money for this great cause.”
All donations solicited will go directly to Child’s Play Charity.
Child’s Play (http://www.childsplaycharity.com/) is a non-profit gamer-run charity which improves the lives of children in hospitals worldwide, including Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Since it began in 2003, Child’s Play has raised over 7 million dollars.
“Child’s Play is fortunate to benefit from the indie games community,” says Jamie Dillion, with Child’s Play. “Since our founding we have had incredible support from gamers all over the world. Game marathons like the Indie Games for Good Marathon provide great entertainment for viewers, while raising awareness and funds for the cause. When gamers give back, it makes a difference!”
For more information or to watch the broadcast, visit http://www.iggmarathon.com/. The event will begin on November 4th at 11AM PST.