Fundraising flourishes in the video game industry as individuals and organizations turn to live broadcasting gameplay.
SDA Charity Marathons are produced by Speed Demos Archive, a site dedicated to the art of speed running. Speed running - which involves racing through a game as fast as possible – has developed an avid following with Speed Demos Archive’s Awesome Games Done Quick 2013 marathon recently raising $448,423 for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
“Broadcasting on Twitch has given us average 27,000 concurrent viewers during Awesome Games Done Quick and Summer Games Done Quick, our two marathons this year,” said Mike Uyama, Marathon Coordinator for Speed Demos Archive. “The two events combined have raised over $700,000 for charity.”
KBMOD’s approach to raising money for Extra Life involved gathering a small group of well-known Twitch broadcasters and making prize giveaways a part of their marathon session. Since 2011, the KBMOD community has raised $105,421 with a goal of doubling it this year. Their efforts exemplify how even a small group with a strategic approach can be successful in the charity broadcasting space.
Representing the world's largest community for gamers with disabilities is AbleGamers, a public nonprofit charity that enables gamers with disabilities to play video games with special assistive technology. Their fundraising efforts purchases equipment for children, adults and veterans who need special adaptations to play mainstream video games. More than $40,000 has been raised this year for the AbleGamers Charity on Twitch which they credit to the generous and loving gamer community
“When you look at the causes the Twitch community rallies behind, it covers the entire spectrum,” said Justin Wong, Director of Partnerships, Twitch. “Whether it’s for natural disaster relief, autism, cancer, a friend—or even a stranger—in need, there is a game-playing humanitarian making a difference.”
