The recent horrific events in Japan have impacted the world in countless ways. There are the obvious effects that a major disaster of this level has on all of our hearts and minds, as human beings, who can’t help but feel heartbroken to see other human beings in such misery. Also, on a strictly practical note, those of us who live State-side will certainly see the effects in our own economy. And as a writer for a video game focused web site, I feel obligated to point out that there will certainly be ramifications of the disaster in Japan on the gaming industry as a whole…but that is not the point of this particular rant.
I have been a gamer since I was about 9 years old, which means roughly 22 years. In that time, video games have become more than just a past-time…they have collectively become a close friend, almost a member of my family. And that friend’s birthplace is, by and large, Japan.
Clearly, I am not the only person who feels this way, as there are just tons of ways that the video game industry is stepping up in big ways to help support Japan in their time of need. Here are a few:
- Play for Japan. Started by several video game journalists and industry folks, this site has several auction items the proceeds of which go to Japan relief.
- Bungie bracelets. Halo development studio Bungie is selling its own turquoise-colored Japan relief bracelets ($5) on Bungie.net.
- Popcap Games. Through Sunday, the casual game publisher is cutting prices of its iPhone and iPad games such as Plants Vs. Zombies, Bejeweled and Peggle to 99 cents and $1.99 (iPad) and will donate all of sales revenues to Japan relief.
- Capcom. The publisher has dropped the price of its Street Fighter IV iPhone game to 99 cents through Tuesday; all sales revenue will be donated to charity.
- Zynga. Earlier in the week, the FarmVille publisher Zynga began donating all revenue from new virtual goods in its games — such as limited edition Kobe cow in FrontierVille –to Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children Emergency Fund. You can also donate directly here.
- -Gaia Online. The social community/virtual world side will match revenue from new virtual gifts purchased by the community 100% to help those in need.
- PlayStation Network. PS3 devotees can donate to Japan relief through PSN.
- WINtA. Non-profit publisher OneBigGame and Parappa the Rapper creator Masaya Matsuura have teamed up to send more proceeds from his iPhone game WINtA (War Is Not the Answer) to charity, in this case Save the Children in Japan. You download the free music rhythm game and purchase songs to play along to; receipts given to Matsuura’s company NanaOn-Sha will be forwarded to charity.
On top of all of these, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Sega Sammy, Square Enix and Konami have all reportedly made direct contributions to Japan relief. From what I’ve read, no one has stepped up quite so much as NCsoft, developer of such games as Lineage II and City of Heroes, and whose games are generally quite well-recieved in Asian markets. Their donation trumped all others, at $6.3 million.
If you want to help, please try any of these options, or you can always donate directly through the American Red Cross. Give til it hurts, people…it’ll feel good.
-Matty out