By EJ Afzelius
Growing up, yeah I admit, Christmas was all about gaming. My most memorable one in fact, involved me waking up on Christmas day with a nice little wrapped box beside my bed. Yup, getting my Super Nes with Super Mario World bundle that year was the start of a tradition I uphold to this day, and I haven’t skipped a day of holiday gaming since. Why do you think I’m writing this late? Just Kidding boss… kind of.
But we are a little bit older, and hopefully, a little bit more responsible. It can’t always be about the stuff (shiny new Alienware *drooool), and especially on the holidays, something else should take precedence. Ok, I don’t want to get all South Park up your business and preach the snow days away, which is why I offer an alternative. Instead of sacrificing your heard earned holiday money (hey, begging for a little bit more from grandma is hardwork!), why not game to give? For the confused and Google challenged, I shall explain. Actually, I should explain anyway, that was pretty vague.
It’s been a little easier this season to spend for games and give to charity at the same time, especially with more than a few outlets having the right idea. The right idea being combining those two things into one: Sell games with a portion or all of the profits going to those that need it. It’s been really great too for their respective charities. One such altruistic website is Goodshop.com, where buyers can purchase all their gaming needs and support the cause of their choice. It’s not stated exactly how much is donated through purchases, but it’s probably more than what’s given just by searching. Oh, did I already mention you help charities just by searching? One cent is donated per search, so surf away and be generous! Awesome site I tell you.
Another charitable gaming option is one familiar to Apple fans. This holiday season, 6 of the Iphone’s games went on sale for 99 cents each with all of the proceeds, not just some, going to the Child’s Play charity. Considering the popularity of some of the games on sale, I’m sure a hefty number of kids sick in hospitable beds got the holiday cheer they deserved in the form of toys and of course, games. Game apps on sale included Canabalt and Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, both near must haves on any smartphone with an Apple logo. One of the six, Osmos, was also part of another charitable drive, but this time on Macs and PCs. Called Indie Humble Bundle, popular indie games like Braid and Machinarium were sold on sale with proceeds not only going to Child’s Play, but to the Electronics Frontier Foundation as well. This drive was already the second of its kind, generating more than a million dollars for the benefit of others.
Of course, the most popular networking website in the universe isn’t left behind in this endeavor. Several of Facebook’s game apps help not only the needy, but the environment as well. By playing Green Patch, one helps the Nature Conservancy, which has already received a couple hundred thousand from the app. Fluff Friends is another one, but it gives its support to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn’t be right though, if Facebook’s starchild Zynga, didn’t join in the spirit of giving. Millions have already been raised for numerous charitable causes, and even if Zynga doesn’t have a holiday themed charity event, the company continues to use a margin of its profits for the benefit of mankind. I’m not saying Zynga smells pretty like Mr. Clean (they’ve still got some devious practices in selling in game products), but at least the money you paid for that virtual carrot is going to a mouth that needs it. Wait, the money is used for a real carrot then… anyway, that’s a story that warms this gamer’s soul. Happy Holidays!
