Charity event Play for Good has launched, with the proceeds of this initiative going to SpecialEffect, a charity dedicated to helping young people with disabilities enjoy computer games in the UK. For many disabled children, the majority of computer games are simply too difficult to play, but with the help of this charity families can learn which games are accessible, and how to adapt those games that aren't more accessible.
Play for Good is a collaboration between Giverboard creators Playmob, UK mobile games developer Fat Bob Games and UK accessible games charity SpecialEffect. The campaign is scheduled to run for one month. To kick things off, SpecialEffect will launch the game Drop Catcher on iOS today. Drop Catcher, which is given away free on the AppStore, will offer paid extra content, with 50 percent of the proceeds going directly to SpecialEffect.
"We had no hesitation in supporting this initiative and working in collaboration is an amazing opportunity to do some good," Euan Mackenzie of Fat Bob Games said.
"When we built Giverboard, this was exactly the sort of initiative we wanted to help build," Jude Ower, CEO of Playmob added. "It has come together really quickly and shows when good is being done, people join together as one."
“Some potential donors who’ve never played a videogame find it hard to understand the value and importance of our work and this can limit our fundraising appeal. However, time and time again, gamers have shown that they DO understand the importance of the charity’s work and are eager to help," said Dr Mick Donegan from SpecialEffect. "What better way for them to help our work than through this amazing new idea - gamers raising funds to help transform severely disabled people’s lives simply by playing a wonderful new game? Massive thanks to Playmob, Fat Bob and GamesAid for giving us this wonderful opportunity. For SpecialEffect this idea is a REAL Gamechanger and a marriage made in Heaven!"
"This is exactly the sort of joined up creative thinking that the UK is so good at," said Andy Payne, Chair of UKIE. "Connecting up three vibrant technology companies digitally shows what is possible when people come together to share ideas and challenges. Gamers can now play and do some good by helping others. It really is a win-win."
For more information on this and other event to benefit SpecialEffect, check out www.specialeffect.org.uk.
