Video games have become a significant tool for charity fundraising, education, and advocacy. Charitable organisations have recognised the engaging nature of gaming and attracted funders to participate through events, challenges and more. Gaming has a massive fanbase worldwide spanning all age groups, genders and cultures, and the global video game market was worth $152.1bn in 2019, according to market research firm Newzoo. Charities like Extra Life, Humble Bundle and Water.org have raised millions of dollars for causes through gaming. Gaming for social good has many benefits, including engagement, increased awareness, donations, and community building. As the gaming industry expands, the future appears bright with even more creative use of gaming for social good anticipated.
Gaming for a Cause: How Charitable Organizations are Using Video Games to Raise Funds
Gone are the days when video games were only associated with mindless entertainment. Today, video games have evolved to become a powerful tool for fundraising, education, and advocacy. Charitable organizations have harnessed the immense potential of gaming to engage supporters, spread awareness, and raise funds for causes ranging from environmental conservation to global health.
Why Use Video Games for Fundraising?
The answer is simple: video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide, and they have a massive fan base across all ages, genders, and cultures. According to a report by Newzoo, a leading market research firm for the gaming industry, the global video game market was worth $152.1 billion in 2019, and it is forecasted to reach $196 billion by 2022.
The popularity of video games, coupled with their interactive and engaging nature, has made them an effective tool for fundraising. Through gaming events, competitions, and challenges, charitable organizations can attract a large number of supporters and raise funds in a fun and creative way.
Examples of Gaming for a Cause
Many charitable organizations have leveraged gaming to support their causes. Here are some notable examples:
Extra Life:
Extra Life is a gaming event that raises funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Participants pledge to play video games for 24 hours straight and ask their friends and family to donate to their campaign. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised over $70 million for children’s hospitals across North America.
Humble Bundle:
Humble Bundle is a platform that offers video game bundles for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. Users can choose the amount they want to pay and the percentage that will go to the featured charity. So far, Humble Bundle has raised over $195 million for various charities and causes worldwide.
Water.org:
Water.org, an organization that seeks to provide access to clean water and sanitation to people in developing countries, has partnered with the mobile game developer, Zynga. The partnership resulted in the creation of the “Words with Friends” game, which features a Water.org challenge. For every completed game in the challenge, Zynga donates money to Water.org to fund clean water projects around the world.
The Benefits of Gaming for a Cause
Gaming for a cause has several benefits for both charitable organizations and supporters:
Engagement:
Gaming events and challenges provide an interactive and engaging way for supporters to get involved with a cause. This can lead to increased participation and support.
Awareness:
Charitable organizations can use gaming to raise awareness about their cause and educate people about the issues they are trying to solve. Through game narratives, characters, and missions, organizations can convey their message in a memorable and impactful way.
Donations:
Gaming can be a highly effective fundraising tool, with millions of dollars raised each year through gaming events, competitions, and game sales. Charitable organizations can leverage the popularity of gaming to attract donors and raise funds for their cause.
Community Building:
Gaming events and challenges can bring together people from all over the world who share a common interest in gaming and a passion for social good. This can create a sense of community and foster a spirit of collaboration in support of a cause.
The Future of Gaming for a Cause
Gaming for a cause is a rapidly growing trend that shows no signs of slowing down. As the gaming industry continues to expand, more charitable organizations are likely to adopt gaming as a fundraising and engagement tool.
New technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality also offer exciting possibilities for gaming for a cause. These technologies can create immersive and interactive experiences that can deepen engagement and awareness of social issues.
Overall, the future of gaming for a cause looks bright, and we can expect to see more innovative and creative uses of gaming to support social good.
Conclusion
Gaming for a cause has emerged as a powerful tool for fundraising, education, and advocacy. Charitable organizations have recognized the potential of gaming to engage supporters, raise awareness, and drive positive change. With the continued growth of the gaming industry and the advent of new technologies, we can expect to see more exciting and impactful uses of gaming for social good.