Massively

EVE Online players raise over $44,000 for Japan relief fund

Brendan Drain — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Economy, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items

Never let it be said that gamers don't have big hearts. When Japan was hit by an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami, people around the world stepped up to donate to disaster relief programs. Several MMO developers have made substantial donations using profits from their games. NCSoft made a huge donation of 500 million yen (6.3 million USD), and Sony Online Entertainment donated 300 million yen (3.6 million U.S. dollars). SOE, gPotato, Perfect World Entertainment and Hi-Rez studios have all been running schemes to help players donate, ranging from special once-only microtransaction items to just donating a percentage of all cash shop proceeds to charity.

EVE Online's developer CCP Games has encouraged donations through their unique PLEX system. Players who couldn't afford to donate cash were encouraged to buy PLEX in-game using ISK and donate them to the relief fund. CCP would then scrap the PLEX items and donate their full purchase value to charity. The scheme has been very successful at raising money in previous disasters, raising over 40,000 USD for the Haitian earthquake fund and roughly a further 20,000 USD for the flooding in Pakistan.

In a new devblog, CCP Fallout has released the final results of EVE's charity drive. A total of 2549 PLEX, each worth 17.5 USD, was donated to the scheme by players. CCP will be donating the full value of 44,607.50 USD to the Red Cross in the name the EVE Online community, and will be paying for all of the tax and management costs themselves. EVE players have now donated a total of 108,000 USD through the PLEX for Good scheme. Head over to the devblog for the details of the charity drive and some interesting information on three players who helped make it a success.

EVE Online players raise over $44,000 for Japan relief fund originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Perfect World Entertainment offers Japanese disaster relief across multiple games

Jef Reahard — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Ether Saga Online, Jade Dynasty, Battle of the Immortals

MMO industry efforts to rebuild Japan continue, as free-to-play titan Perfect World Entertainment is lending its considerable weight to the cause. The firm is donating 50% of the proceeds from special cash shop items to the ongoing Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief drive.

Players of PWE's games can pick up a little something extra for their characters while simultaneously making a donation to the Red Cross. The promotion runs through April 13th and features a variety of items in games including Battle of the Immortals (bag expansions), Ether Saga Online (ancestral crystals), Forsaken World (star of hope), Jade Dynasty (meditation orbs), and Perfect World International (super inventory stone).

Perfect World Entertainment offers Japanese disaster relief across multiple games originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NCsoft makes multi-million dollar Japanese relief donation

Jef Reahard — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous

Earlier we told you about Hi-Rez Studios and its efforts to help victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. NCsoft is also throwing a considerable contribution into the relief drive in the form of 500 million Yen (or 4.5 million Euros/6.3 million USD, for those of you counting along at home).

NCsoft's Sung Joon Park explained that the sum equals a month's worth of sales, adding that the South Korean gaming giant would not be shutting off game services. "We'll maintain the service with minimal electricity and personnel. Maintaining daily life is also important, therefore we plan to uphold the service."

Kotaku puts NCsoft's gift into perspective, noting that the South Korean MMO maker is a big deal in Asia, where its contributions to the Japanese recovery outstrip notables including Nintendo, Sony, and Hyundai.

[Thanks to cic for the tip!]

NCsoft makes multi-million dollar Japanese relief donation originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hi-Rez puts Global Agenda on sale, 100% of proceeds going to disaster victims

Jef Reahard — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Global Agenda

Lots of game companies are stepping up to offer financial support to the victims of the recent disasters that have devastated Japan. Atlanta-based Hi-Rez Studios is going one better, as the indie MMO developer has placed its flagship title on sale for the weekend and is donating 100% of the resulting proceeds to Red Cross relief efforts.

That's right, we said 100%, and from March 18th through March 20th, purchasing Global Agenda from the Hi-Rez online store will not only net you the premier MMO shooter at a $20.00 discount but send much-needed funds to our friends in the Pacific.

Global Agenda is completely free-to-play after the initial client purchase, and Hi-Rez offers booster packs to speed your in-game advancement and credit/token acquisition.

Hi-Rez puts Global Agenda on sale, 100% of proceeds going to disaster victims originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Donate EVE ISK to help disaster relief efforts in Japan

Brendan Drain — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Economy, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items

When it comes to collecting aid for disaster relief, EVE Online developer CCP Games has a unique way of helping players donate. While many MMOs ask for donations or release limited-edition cash shop items, CCP has managed to devise a way for players to donate in-game currency to help people in the real world. During the relief effort for last year's earthquake in Haiti, CCP began accepting donations of 30-day Pilot's License EXtensions (PLEX) for their full monetary value in game time. With the recent devestation in Japan, CCP has once again asked for the EVE community's help to raise money for relief aid.

Each PLEX bought on the in-game market and donated to charity represents 30 days of game time that someone in the world originally paid for with cash but that won't be redeemed into game time. Because of this, CCP can donate the full cash value of that game time to a registered relief charity without taking a big loss. CCP absorbs all management and tax fees to ensure that 100% of the donated game time's value is passed on to registered charities (in this case, the Red Cross).

To donate to the relief effort in Japan, EVE players are encouraged to buy PLEX on the open market and contract them to the character "CCP PLEX For Good" before March 31st. As usual, EVE Online's normally permissive rules on scamming have been suspended in relation to the charity drive. Anyone attempting to scam players out of ISK or PLEX using this charity drive will be dealt with harshly. With notable rich players and corporations able to potentially donate thousands of dollars' worth of PLEX, this charity drive is sure to raise a substantial amount of money for disaster-stricken Japan.

Donate EVE ISK to help disaster relief efforts in Japan originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Runes of Magic prepping Queensland flood relief effort

Jef Reahard — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Events, in-game, News items, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic

Today's feel-good story (if anything associated with the dreadful Queensland flooding can be termed feel-good) comes courtesy of N3V Games and F2P giant Runes of Magic. N3V, the game's Queensland-based publisher, has announced plans to assist flooding victims by donating half of the revenues from certain cash shop items to the relief efforts.

The special event begins this Saturday, January 15th, and ends on Sunday, January 23rd. Runes of Magic players can contribute to the clean-up efforts by purchasing star mounts or flame mounts (at a cost of 225 diamonds, or approximately US $12). N3V Games CEO Graham Edelsten explained his company's decision to lend a helping hand. "As a Queensland company we have many guys living in Brisbane who have been affected by the floods," he said. "This charity event is our way of showing our support for all of those affected by these unfortunate events."

Runes of Magic prepping Queensland flood relief effort originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Over $40,000 donated to EVE Online "PLEX for Haiti" initiative so far

Brendan Drain — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: EVE Online, Events, real-world, MMO industry

When the Republic of Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on January 12th, groups around the world struggled to give as much aid as possible. Proving that gamers are givers, several MMO companies rushed to provide a way for their players to donate to registered relief aid charities like the Red Cross. Sony Online Entertainment raised over $25,000 in just three days by selling in-game items in Free Realms, EverQuest and EverQuest II. They donated 100% of the proceeds to charity and even added $10 of their own money for each purchase made.

CCP ran their own EVE Online "PLEX Aid for Haiti" initiative where players were encouraged to buy PLEX and then contract them to the "CCP PLEX for Haiti" character in-game. Even PLEX purchased in-game with ISK helped the appeal as every two PLEX contracted to CCP equaled $35 US Dollars of cash that was bought but not converted into game time. CCP could then donate the full $35 without making a loss. It was a clever scheme that allowed players who were short on cash but rich in-game to donate real money to charity.

CCP have just announced that so far the total tally of PLEX donated to the appeal has reached 2,290, which has a real cash value of just over $40,000 US dollars. One player donated a staggering 341 PLEX, which has an in-game value of over 88 billion ISK and makes a real world donation of almost $6,000. Of note is the revelation that only 1.4% of the donated PLEX were bought directly for cash, while players buying the PLEX using their spare ISK contributed the remaining 98.6%. That's a testament both to the generosity of gamers and the innovative system CCP used to collect aid. Hopefully we'll see this strategy used in future when someone is in desperate need of aid as it has proven very successful. For those that still want to donate, CCP are currently still accepting donations of PLEX to help the people of Haiti.

Over $40,000 donated to EVE Online "PLEX for Haiti" initiative so far originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CCP Games 'PLEX Aid for Haiti' initiative to help Red Cross relief efforts

James Egan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: EVE Online, Events, real-world, MMO industry

The devastating January 12 earthquake which struck the Republic of Haiti claimed many lives, and has left even more people homeless. It's a terrible situation, but at the very least there are numerous aid efforts underway, and some companies in the MMO industry are finding ways to help as well. CCP Games now ranks among them, with their PLEX Aid for Haiti initiative. The company is offering a way for the EVE Online playerbase to get involved and help with donations.

Here is the message from Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games, in its entirety:

Continue reading CCP Games 'PLEX Aid for Haiti' initiative to help Red Cross relief efforts

CCP Games 'PLEX Aid for Haiti' initiative to help Red Cross relief efforts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hello Kitty Online's Food for Friends 2 event provides Haiti disaster relief

James Egan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, MMO industry, New titles, Hello Kitty Online, Kids

One of the things that's different about Hello Kitty Online, beyond the pink hearts and stars motif, is that the game ties in with some great charitable causes. Now Sanrio Digital has announced the "Food for Friends 2" guild competition, an event that lets guilds compete for Loyalty Point prizes for use in the Hello Kitty Online item mall while helping people in the real world. Players from select regions (North America, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia) who participate in Food for Friends 2 will generate real money donations (from event sponsors) through their gameplay that will help disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

Food for Friends 2 runs from January 21-30 and getting involved is very simple. Players can log in and head on over to Hello Kitty Online's version of London to speak with an NPC named Cinnamaroll. He's collecting crafted consumable items for the needy. The more people from your guild who donate these items, the higher your guild's point standings increase.

Continue reading Hello Kitty Online's Food for Friends 2 event provides Haiti disaster relief

Hello Kitty Online's Food for Friends 2 event provides Haiti disaster relief originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments