Special PS3 Theme Raises $1.3 Million for Japan

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced updated results of its campaign to bring relief to disaster victims in Japan through PlayStation Network. The initiative, the Great East Japan Earthquake relief effort on PlayStation Network, began in North America and Europe on March 19 and in Japan and Asia on March 24. Driving the campaign were special custom PS3 themes sold through the PlayStation Store. today that theme is available in 40 countries around the globe.

"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake," said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "While we continue to make every effort to help the recovery of the affected communities in the region, I would like to express our gratitude to every single PlayStation user across the world who made a contribution to the effort."

So how much money has been generated so by SCEI's special theme? PlayStation users' worldwide donations as of March 31, 2011, totaled to 109.6 million yen (approximately US $1.318 million).SCEI said in a press release today that the full amount will be donated to an "organization in each region supporting the relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the earthquake." These organizations include American Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund for North America, British Red Cross for Europe, and Central Community Chest of Japan known as the Red Feather Community Chest Movement for Japan and Asia.