Gotta go fast, and they did
A week of incredible speed-running came to an end today as the curtain fell on charity-drive Summer Games Done Quick, with a final total raised of $1,760 415 on stream closure.
The figure beat last year’s total of $1,294,139 and was raised by donators the world over, from as small as a one dollar to as large as tens of thousands. The event itself was a cavalcade of excitement, fun and community spirit, as gamers converged upon Minneapolis to play a host of titles, old and new.
Among the week’s many highlights was a race over five-straight Super Mario games, an eight-hour run of Final Fantasy VII, and a Kingdom Hearts II session peppered with Disney ballads. Some incredible prizes were up for grabs for those who donated; including a Reaper statue, an array of home-crafted arts, one-of-a-kind watches and a stunning Corsair gaming PC.
The money will be given to International organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres, a global network of medical professionals that go wherever they are needed, often into areas of dangerous conflict, in order to provide treatment and healthcare to those that need it, regardless of race, creed, or political affiliation
I was glued to SGDQ for most of the week, and got to experience some wonderful games, some for the first time, as well as share in joyful, hilarious and emotional moments. I already can’t wait for GDQ in January 2018 (maybe it’s time for me to dust off those Sunset Riders skills.)
As videogamers we, and our hobby, are frequently chastised and provoked by the media, who see our pastime as immature, pointless and even dangerous. Events like SGDQ are proof positive of the greater good that can be brought about by gaming and the love that we, as a community, hold for both video games and for one another. Long may it continue.
