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An upcoming Fortnite creative mode will let you save lives for once
A new creative game mode is coming to Fortnite in which you'll be rescuing others rather than trying to be the last player(s) standing. Details on how Liferun actually works are a little thin for now but, according to a press release, players will take on the role of "International Red Cross heroes racing across the globe in four real-life missions to save lives instead of take them."
Twitch exceeds charity milestones, raises $90K for Typhoon Haiyan relief
Gaming-focused streaming service Twitch announced that its recently concluded Typhoon Haiyan charity drive raised a total of $90,000 for Red Cross relief efforts. Twitch solicited donations via a Teespring store advertised in channel pop-ups, with proceeds from all sales donated to the Red Cross. The site raised $82,751 from the sale of over 6,300 shirts, then kicked in an additional donation to raise the total pledge to $90,000. Twitch additionally announced that the Extra Life charity raised a record sum for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals this year, with many participants using Twitch channels to solicit donations. Over 7,500 Extra Life participants reported Twitch affiliation at signup, with collective donations reaching $1.22 million. [Pictured above: Danny Moresco (Red Cross volunteer), Victor Cordon (Corp. Developer Specialist, Red Cross), Emmett Shear (CEO/Founder, Twitch). Photo by Jarques Pretorius.]
EVE Evolved: Donate your old spaceships to charity
The Philippines recently suffered its worst natural disaster in living memory when typhoon Haiyan made landfall on November 8th, leaving over half a million people displaced and millions without food and basic supplies. Countries and organisations around the world have been sending relief aid into the region, and gamers have once again proven to be a generous bunch. Several livestreamers have been running donation drives; the developers behind Luvinia Online even promised to donate 100% of the income from three new in-game items to the Philippine Red Cross. EVE Online has now also joined in the fundraising by reactivating its popular PLEX for Good scheme. CCP started the PLEX for Good scheme back in January of 2010 as a way for players to donate in-game assets and ISK to help people in the real world. EVE Online players have collectively donated over $150,000 US in aid following 2010's Haitian earthquake, tsunami devastation in Japan, flooding in Pakistan, and tornadoes in the US two years ago. Players hope to smash all fundraising records this time around with dedicated fundraising auctions, events, and liquidation firesales happening across the game. There are even ways for ex-players without active subscriptions to donate their idle in-game assets to charity. In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the PLEX for Good scheme, the fundraising efforts players are using to help out a country in need, and how you can donate your ISK to charity even if you've long since quit EVE.
Typhoon Haiyan victims to be aided by CCP 'PLEX for GOOD' campaign
CCP, developer of EVE Online, DUST 514 and the upcoming World of Darkness MMO, is currently holding a donation drive to help aid those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines earlier this month. Each donation of an EVE player's Pilot License Extension (PLEX) during this "PLEX for GOOD" campaign funnels $15 toward the Icelandic Red Cross, and CCP is prepared to give up to a maximum of $75,000. The drive will last until December 7. For those who haven't yet launched into the vast and open world of EVE Online, PLEX is not only an in-game item, but also how players subscribe to the game. By either purchasing PLEX outright with real-world currency or earning it in-game, players are allowed to fly their ships for 30 more days. In other words, players aren't just donating in-game items, they're donating the item that allows them to play. To thank them for their contribution, CCP is rewarding donors with a special in-game shirt. Those who want to donate can read more about the process over on the EVE community blog.
CCP turns PLEX for Good program toward typhoon relief
CCP announced today that EVE Online players who wish to help relief efforts in the wake of the typhoon that devastated parts of the Philippines can do so through the company's PLEX for Good program. For every PLEX donated between today and December 17th, CCP will contribute $15 to the Icelandic Red Cross. CCP will also award donating players with one in-game Sisters of EVE shirt as a thank-you gesture. In the world of EVE, PLEX is a tradeable item worth 30 days of game time. PLEX can be purchased with real money directly from CCP or with ISK inside EVE's incredibly complex marketplace. CCP has fired up PLEX for Good in the past; EVE players using the program have raised over $150,000 for disaster relief since it was debuted in the wake of the 2004 tsunami that struck Indonesia. To donate PLEX, contract the item/s directly to the CCP PLEX For GOOD character on a 14-day item exchange contract.
EA teaming up with Red Cross for charitable SimCity DLC
EA is partnering with the Red Cross for special SimCity DLC, the publisher announced. The partnership brings a Red Cross-themed set to the game for $9.99, available to purchase on Origin today for one year. SimCity owners that pick the set up will be able to build Red Cross centers and tents in the game, which offer aid to natural disaster victims in players' cities. EA said it will give at least 80 percent of proceeds from the Red Cross DLC with a minimum of $100,000 "to support humanitarian services of the participating Red Cross National Societies," of which there are ten across the globe.
SimCity's Red Cross charity pack aids real-world disaster victims
SimCity fans know nothing feels better than saving their other family from pollution and sickness -- except, you know, helping out some fellow human beings. A new collaboration with the Red Cross combines players' digital altruism with humanitarian aid for real-world disaster victims. Starting today, you'll be able to purchase a $9.99 "charity pack" created specifically for the game, with a relief center, tents and two emergency response vehicles. In the event of a meteor strike, earthquake or tornado, the Red Cross tents will automatically appear to provide aid for injured Sims, and a fleet of ambulances and fire trucks will be on call as well. SimCity creator EA Games has pledged to contribute at least 80 percent of profits (a minimum of $100,000) from the charity pack to the Red Cross National Societies. The set will be available for a year, and you'll be able to keep it through the life of your current game. Currently, the pack is only available for players in 10 countries, including Denmark, France, the US and the UK.
Sandy got you down? Comcast offering free WiFi to affected regions, iTunes allowing Red Cross donations
Hurricane Sandy's taken out more than the electricity of hundreds of thousands of Northeastern USers -- it's also pillaged the internet connections of many, leaving our Netflix and Hulu Plus subscriptions unused, and subsequently our Eddie Murphy '80s movie marathons unmarathoned. Comcast understands this to be the dire situation it is, and is offering its Xfinity WiFi service free of charge for folks living in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., and West Virginia (sans New York City, as there aren't any hotspots in the Big Apple, sadly). Just select "Complimentary Trial" from the landing page and you're in like Flynn until November 7 (when the deal ends). Or perhaps you're one of our lucky readers unaffected by the crazy hurricane? Apple's got an opportunity through iTunes for direct donation to the American Red Cross, should you wish to help out our friends suffering through worse than just lacking internet. Donation increments range from $5 to $200 -- just sign into iTunes and click the Red Cross advert below New Music.
You can now use iTunes to support Hurricane Sandy relief
Apple and the American Red Cross are making it easy for you to donate towards relief efforts in the wake of the this week's devastating Hurricane Sandy. Simply by clicking on the American Red Cross tile that now appears on the main iTunes Store screen in iTunes, you can pledge from US$5 to $200 using your Apple ID on the dedicated donation screen that's been set up. This isn't the first time Apple has teamed up with the American Red Cross to enable charitable donations via iTunes. The two have partnered up for other major disasters including the tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 and the massive Haitian earthquake of 2010. Amazon has also added a Red Cross donation link to its homepage. Of course, you can donate directly via the Red Cross website. [via 9to5Mac]
App alerts Singapore Red Cross trainees of local need
The Singapore Red Cross Society recently updated its Rapid Rescue iPhone app that'll help visitors and residents in distress. The app lists all 12,000 first-aiders in Singapore and lets you put out a call for help. When an SOS is requested, an alert goes out to all first-aiders within a 2 KM radius. One of these workers can accept the request and get a map to the person in distress. If there are no first-aiders nearby, users can call for an ambulance or follow the provided route to the nearest hospital, instead. New first-aiders can also use the app to add themselves to the database. The app is available for free from the iOS App Store and is only compatible with Singapore Red Cross providers.
World of Warcraft pet sales contribute over $1.9 million to Red Cross
In May, Blizzard announced that sales of the Moonkin Hatchling in-game pet had raised $800,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Around the same time, Japan suffered a devastating earthquake and Blizzard was quick to introduce a second in-game pet in the form of the Cenarion Hatchling, the sales of which would all be contributed to the Red Cross's Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami relief fund. Well, it looks like the World of Warcraft community -- with a little help from the adorable feathered Cenarion Hatchling -- has done it again. Blizzard announced today that as of today, sales of the Hatchling have totaled over $1.9 million, with every last penny going to the Land of the Rising Sun in its time of need. Blizzard -- and we here at Massively, for that matter -- send out heartfelt thanks to the players who helped contribute to this staggering amount to the Red Cross.
Cenarion Hatchling raises over $1.9 million for Japan Earthquake Relief
Here's some wonderful news for the WoW community -- Blizzard's recent charity drive to help those in need after the recent devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan has raised over $1.9 million for the American Red Cross efforts. At $10 per pet and 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross, that's over 190,000 pet purchases since the pet went on sale in May. Good job, WoW community! The Cenarion Hatchling is still up on the Blizzard store, so if you missed your chance to purchase the little guy for charity, you'll still be able to pick him up, as he is a permanent part of the store from here on out. Feel good about this one -- that's a lot of money going to people in need. Editor's Note: Comments have been disabled in this post due to excessive trolling.
gPotato players pitch in to help Japan relief effort
While March's earthquake and tsunami in Japan is no longer in the headlines, relief and recovery efforts go on -- and will continue for some time to come. Gamers have been generous in answering the call to help by their favorite MMOs, and today we've received word that gPotato players have donated €22,151 to help with the Red Cross' relief efforts. This hefty sum was raised through the sale of special in-game items created in response to the disaster. These items appeared in Rappelz, Flyff, Castle of Heroes and Terra Militaris. Players who purchased one of these items between March 25th and April 30th saw their money go entirely to the Red Cross. This was a part of a global effort by Gala Networks that ultimately raised over €50,000. Gala Networks Europe CEO Hyun Hur has a few words for those who participated: "We're hugely proud of the amount our players have raised for the Irish Red Cross and that our community is so kind-hearted."
CCP converting EVE PLEX to currency for storm relief
CCP has a long history of lending a helping hand during times of crisis. Whether it's the Haiti earthquake, the Japan tsunami, flooding in Pakistan, or most recently, the severe storms in the southeastern United States, the developer of EVE Online and World of Darkness is usually at the forefront of gamemaker disaster relief efforts. Today, CCP Fallout outlines the latest such drive on the EVE Insider dev blog. Plex for Good: Storm Relief is designed to provide aid to those devastated by the tornados that ripped through portions of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee last week. The drive starts today and runs through May 16th, and each player-made PLEX donation "will be converted into cash currency and donated to the Red Cross." Players should contract their PLEX to the "CCP PLEX for Good" character, and because it's EVE, the dev blog mentions that any scams relating to the relief effort will be met with swift and harsh punishments. Head to official EVE website to learn more.
PSN, League of Legends charity initiatives bring in big sums
PSN users and League of Legends players have demonstrated the power of really easy participation in charity initiatives. From March 19 through March 31, the PSN charity drive, which allowed users to donate to the Red Cross directly from their PSN wallets (and get a special theme as thanks) raised ¥109.6 million ($1.3 million) worldwide for Japanese earthquake relief. Riot Games diverted 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of the discounted "Champion Akali" character and a special Nurse skin to charity from March 21 through March 27. As a result of this initiative, Riot raised over $160,000 for the Red Cross. Display those Nurse skins and PSN themes proudly! ("Display your nurse skin proudly" sounds really creepy out of context.)
Gamers Heart Japan: Donate to the Red Cross earthquake and tsunami relief efforts
If you've been looking for an excuse to finally donate to the Red Cross' earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan, consider this your lucky day. The hard-working team at Greedy Productions (see: Electric Playground) organized the following production, coordinating game journos, game developers, and other gaming industry so-and-sos to solicit contributions to help the Red Cross' work in Japan. The angle: The importance of the Japanese gaming industry in all of our lives. Set aside an hour of your time to watch the below video, learn something about your favorite game industry personalities and find yourself compelled to donate. Which, incidentally, you can do directly from the Source link below.
Gamers Heart Japan aid special airs April 3 online and on G4
Gamers Heart Japan, a 60-minute special airing on April 3 online (read: Joystiq, etc) and on G4, will see several notable industry presences talking about Japan and its impact on our industry, soliciting donations to the American Red Cross for the relief effort. In fact, our own Richard Mitchell will be making an appearance, so you'll definitely want to tune in for that! For a video promo and the full press release describing how Gamers Heart Japan will fill 60 minutes, including the list of speakers, hit the jump!
Perfect World Entertainment offers Japanese disaster relief across multiple games
MMO industry efforts to rebuild Japan continue, as free-to-play titan Perfect World Entertainment is lending its considerable weight to the cause. The firm is donating 50% of the proceeds from special cash shop items to the ongoing Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief drive. Players of PWE's games can pick up a little something extra for their characters while simultaneously making a donation to the Red Cross. The promotion runs through April 13th and features a variety of items in games including Battle of the Immortals (bag expansions), Ether Saga Online (ancestral crystals), Forsaken World (star of hope), Jade Dynasty (meditation orbs), and Perfect World International (super inventory stone).
SOE rewards players for aiding Japan's relief effort
In case you haven't been paying attention to the world, Japan was hit with a devastating tsunami a couple of weeks ago. Since then, multiple MMO companies have donated to the restoration. According to a post on the EverQuest II site, the Sony Corporation has donated 300 million yen (3.6 million U.S. dollars) to the Central Community Chest of Japan and hopes to donate more as needed. Sony Online Entertainment is encouraging its players to donate to the cause as well. The game development team has designed special in-game gifts for those who would like to donate through Station Cash. EverQuest, Free Realms, and Clone Wars Adventures players can purchase a cherry blossom tree (the national tree of Japan) for 500 Station Cash. EQII players can purchase a Memory of Spring statue, also for 500 Station Cash. Lastly, Star Wars Galaxies players can buy a $5 stuffed Tauntaun toy TCG loot card. With each of these purchases, SOE will donate $10 to the American Red Cross relief efforts. Monday will mark the last day you'll be able to make these purchases, so if you play any of these games or would just like to make a donation, the sooner the better!
Microtransaction items for Japanese aid in gPotato's stores
The earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th may no longer be at the forefront of gamers' minds, but the country is still reeling from the impact. NCsoft and CCP Games have both announced efforts to help aid the Japanese people with charitable donations, and it looks like gPotato has decided to encourage players to donate as well. The company has added new merchandise into the microtransaction stores for several games that, items that will grant players a unique look as well as donating all profits to the Red Cross. Rappelz, Flyff, and Luna Plus are all offering capes for players, while Tales Runner offers a shirt and Iris Online offers a kitten hat. (Sadly, the cat in question is not Maru.) One hundred percent of profits will be donated to the Red Cross to aid in relief efforts, and the items cannot be purchased with "free" currency. The items will be available until March 31st, so if you play the games and haven't yet donated, now would be the time.
