Despite Germany's perception of gamers we do indeed like to help people. Why just yesterday, after I was done being violent because I play videogames, I helped get a kitten down from a tree. I figure it balanced out.

I wasn’t the only gamer in the world helping people out yesterday either. The Speed Gamers kicked off their Final Fantasy marathon on that day too, and are requesting donations to help support Autism Care and Treatment Today (ACT Today). They will be playing through every Final Fantasy game (from I to XII) over the next week, which they estimate will take about 168 hours.

They aren’t playing the games in order, which is probably smart, because I’d need a break from 2D sprite, turn-based combat every so often, too. Sometimes you need some FMV to break up the monotony, right?

You can watch them charge through the marathon at their site. As for Final Fantasy XI and its online antics, the game will be played by honorary participant “Nobody X,” who has a form of Autism. She will begin streaming the morning of Friday, July 24 on an extra feed. If you’ve got a little change hanging around, head over there. You’ll be helping out a great cause, and the Speed Gamers deserve something for having to sit through that many random enemy encounters.

[Thanks, Kyle M.]