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The role of violence in video games is one subject of an important national conversation on gun control and bloodshed in our culture. Surprisingly, I don't think I have anything to add to that conversation (yet), so I'll let the Kotakus, the Polygons, and even the Joe Bidens take care of it. What I will say is that those who obsess over the violence in video games seem to believe that it automatically makes gamers bad people. People who tend towards harm and ill-will. They suggest gamers are transfigured by what they play, becoming disaffected, uncompassionate, or hateful. The suggestion worsens the existing gamer stereotypes: lack of motivation, perpetual childishness, and the inability to socially interact. It sucks, and it's an idea that I want to change. I like to think I'm helping to do so. Yet there's one element of the gaming community which reveals the goodness of nerds better than I could ever do on my own.
The existence of gaming-related charities.
Like professional athletes, celebrities, and philanthropists, gamers also find ways to give back to society. It's easy to argue that gaming is a hobby of privilege: consoles, computers, games, and peripherals are devices with the sole function of entertainment, and they aren't cheap. So it stands to reason that many gamers possess substantial discretionary income, which typically goes towards funding their nerdy hobbies. Realizing this, some creative and generous innovators set out to inspire gamers to give a little of their gaming funds to those who have needs greater than a nerd's desire to play. It's been a resounding success. Not only is the amount that gamers have donated to these charities incredible, but so is the way many of the charities utilize the gaming medium to perform their fundraising.
Many charities and philanthropic organizations grew out of increasingly popular gaming industry and seek to concentrate the passion of gamers on a greater good. The most popular gaming-related charitable organization is Child's Play. Founded in 2003 by Penny Arcade creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, Child's Play brings the joy of gaming to sick children. The institution provides hospitals worldwide with toys and games, giving kids with major illnesses opportunities to distract themselves from the unpleasantness of treatment facilities with video games and other entertainment. In 2012 alone, Child's Play raised over five million dollars for their wonderful cause. Another philanthropic establishment is Frag for Charity (formerly Frag for Cancer). This charity organizes live-streaming eSports tournaments to attract game-loving donors. The events are frequently prized, so that tournament players can earn money while spectators donate by viewing advertisments and providing their own contributions. On occasion, famous eSports commentators (like TotalBiscuit) will cast these tournaments, creating awareness and the desire to help within their own fanbases. Other gaming charities include Extra Life, Gamers Outreach, and The Ablegamers Foundation, a few of many groups that believe that gaming can improve people's lives in a variety of ways.
One of the coolest parts about giving through gaming is how it is usually achieved: video game marathons. A typically criticism of gaming, as I mentioned above, is its assumed tendency to cause apathy and social paralysis. However, the internet's strength in gathering the like-minded, as well as recent technological advances, led to streaming services such as Twitch.tv, further discrediting the "normal gamer's" stereotype. Through these services, groups of gamers band together online, in community forums and player streams, and watch popular players do awesome things with their games. There are few traits common to all gaming communities, but one can count on them being massive, vareigated, and perpetually willing to play, particularly if doing so will help someone. This is where the video game marathon enters the pictures. Much like events such as the Relay for Life and Race for the Cure, gamers also dedicate hours of their time participating in a "marathon" activity for charity. However, instead of getting sponsors for their gaming, they use their prowess as players to attract viewers to their stream, simultaneously fostering awareness of a cause, attracting potential donors, and raising money. Also, these marathons aren't just 26 miles; they can last for days. This further depicts the dedication of the gaming community, a community willing to stay up to ungodly hours to give to those less fortunate.
With the incredible content that comes from marathon streams, it's shockingly simple to get completely absorbed it. I recently watched the SpeedDemosArchive Awesome Games Done Quick 2013, a seven day, 24-hour speedrunning marathon in which some of the world's best speedrunners spent hours showing viewers a wide variety of games completed at lightning speed. It was awesome, and I found myself not merely donating, but watching the stream for far too long as players beat games like Wind Waker, Final Fantasy IX, and Die Hard. This year's AGDQ raised over $430,000, eclipsing the totals of all their previous years combined. Another famous charity stream is Desert Bus for Hope, in which dedicated and entertaining gamers play Desert Bus, in which you... drive a bus... and that's it. For days. Viewers tune in for the sheer ridiculousness of the pointless game, as well as the comedy provided by the player currently in the driver's seat. Desert Bus for Hope 6 (2012) is currently the most profitable charity stream ever, boasting a sum of $436,015.71 in donations to Child's Play. Beyond these yearly marathons, many gamers, such as eSports professionals, commit to doing their own 24-hour stream to raise money for a cause that is personally dear. Though these players don't always make it through the entire day, they typically manage to raise several thousand dollars while conscious and provide unique and entertaining games for the viewers. These marathons are incredible undertakings, made more awe-inspiring by the fact that they are performed for the sake of philanthropy.
Gaming charities are not just proof that the video game community is brimming with kind and generous human beings, but evidence that the gaming events dedicated to giving are worth seeing, especially since they provide days of entertainment. Even if you've never watched a game before, you'd be surprised how engrossing it is to see gamers play skillfully for hours at a time. And if you've never donated to anything before, you'd be surprised how comforting it is to do something proactive and selfless with the money you've earned. Once again, I feel lucky to be part of a community that does not just use money and technology to entertain themselves, but uses technology to entertain and raise money for others. My greatest hope is that when politicians and lobbyists and voters examine the gamer population, they see the giving and the helping, not just the headshots and car-theft.
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