Bay Area Game Industry Coming Together for Charity Game Jam May 5th
The Bay Area Extra Life Guild, a chapter of the Extra Life charity program supporting the Children’s Miracle Network, today announced a partnership with Playcrafting, a provider of educational and networking events for aspiring game developers, to host a free Game Jam and Gaming Festival next month in downtown San Francisco.
From May 5th to 7th, 2017, developers large and small are invited to gather together and create new games focused on educational and uplifting experiences to be shared with patients undergoing recovery at local children’s hospitals. Game Fest, a 24-hour game festival, will be held one week later for the general public on May 13th. All proceeds from both events will be directly supporting the UCSF Children’s Hospitals of Oakland and San Francisco.
Partners and sponsors of these two events currently include BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Serious Games SIG, Trion Worlds, Bay Area Fight Night, and Crown of Gaming. Both events will include fundraising livestreams, with the Game Fest including such activities as gaming tournaments, giveaways, and more. Sponsorship opportunities for Bay Area game developers and publishers are available for both events.
“We’re ecstatic to partner with Playcrafting to bring games to sick children. A lot of games have a collaborative dimension, and we can’t think of a more perfect partner to work and fundraise with,” said Derrick Soriano, President of the Bay Area Extra Life Guild. “A lot of people have negative connotations of gamers, but the truth is that you’ll never find a more dedicated group when it comes to positive causes like this one.”
“We’re super excited to be partnering with Extra Life for such a wonderful cause,” said Chase Kiefiuk, San Francisco City Manager for Playcrafting. “With Playcrafting’s experience in empowering the local gaming community and Extra Life’s experience in fundraising, we felt there couldn’t have possibly been a better fit. The dedication that these volunteers put in for these kids is exciting and inspiring, and we’re honored to be a part of it.”
The Game Jam, beginning on May 5th, is unique in that all games created will be used to aid physical and emotional recovery for hospitalized children, all while demonstrating the healing power of gaming. Anyone interested in joining in the game-making celebration, regardless of experience, can register here: http://bit.ly/rsvpgamejam
On May 13th, Game Fest attendees can expect a 24-hour schedule filled with gaming tournaments for prestige and prizes, as well as events organized by Bay Area Fight Night and Crown of Gaming. Participating sponsors will also make Extra Life donations on behalf of participating streamers in attendance, to help reach a fundraising goal of $30,000. Registration for the festival is available here: http://bit.ly/rsvpgamefest
Both events will be live-streamed by Ryann Weller, AKA TheOnlyRyann, on Twitch. Game development enthusiasts and philanthropic fans can watch the festivities here: https://www.twitch.tv/theonlyryann
Donations for either event can be made here: https://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=250293
“Bandai Namco is dedicated to delivering ‘more fun to everyone,’ and we do mean everyone,” said Denny Chiu, Director of Communications & CSR at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “A little fun can go a long way for a child who’s going through a rough time in a hospital. We’re proud to support causes that can improve the quality of life for these kids, and we’re glad for the chance to help out the gamers who are making that happen.”
“The Serious Games SIG is focused on harnessing the power of games for change, and Extra Life is a perfect example of this principle in action,” said Matthew Lee, co-chair of the IGDA Serious Games SIG. “As a game developer, a registered nurse, and a veteran Extra Lifer, I’ve seen firsthand how games can bring people together, and how play can bring healing and hope to those who need it most. I’ve seen developers craft rich, powerful experiences that touch lives and inspire us to be better people. I’ve seen players and communities passionate about sharing what they have with those who need it most, giving back to the world in a thousand different ways. It is a privilege to help organize this Game Jam and bring the games to be created to the public eye.”
