The world’s largest gaming movement for children living with the brutality of war – War Child’s Armistice, has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars in its second year – doubling the impressive total of $122,000 raised in the inaugural event.
Showing the gaming community’s inspiring drive to put their gaming passions towards a good cause, some of the world’s biggest games joined forces to make a huge difference to children whose lives have been torn apart by war, encouraging peaceful gameplay in support of children affected by conflict.
Now in its second year, War Child’s Armistice raised a staggering $260,904.82 (£188,094.11) as over 1.2 million members of the gaming community showed their support.
The campaign, which has become an annual fundraiser for War Child, : 11 bit studios, Gameloft, Focus Home Interactive, Social Point, Natural Motion, Creative Assembly, Big Huge Games, Flaregames, MiniClip/Tencent, Digital Legends, WeirdBeard and Seasun Games, extending the event to mobile gamers for the first time.
Players took part in a variety of ways, from purchasing in-game peaceful DLC, to participating in-game events and challenges, or simply showing their support and cheering on Dara Ó Briain’s Go 8 Bit team, including comedians Steve McNeil and Ellie Gibson, who attempted a pacifist run challenge live in Bethesda’s Dishonored; Death of the Outsider and Ultra Ultra’s ECHO via Facebook Live.
Wayne Emanuel, Gaming Development Manager at War Child UK, says: “It’s phenomenal to see the campaign grow massively in just 12 months and reach players across the globe – from working on our first ever Steam promotional sale to adding mobile to the mix with Google Play’s support.
“We’re overwhelmed with the positive feedback from players and we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the gaming community and our partners, like Social Point and Gameloft, for coming together and creating exclusive in-app content in this important movement.
“We are already anticipating building on our work so far with 2018’s Armistice, which will mark 100 years since the end of The First World War. We urge more developers to get in touch via our website or our Twitter (@WarChild_Gaming) to help us raise awareness of those still affected by conflict today.”
The money raised from Armistice will go towards funding War Child UK’s crucial work providing protection, education and longer time livelihood solutions to some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
War Child will be launching it brand new gaming campaign, RE-PLAY, and HELP later this year, bringing together some of the biggest developers in the world and offering players exclusive in-game content, challenges and timed events.
To find out more information and join War Child’s gaming campaigns follow @WarChild_Gaming on Twitter.
