Games Done Quick, a fundraising organization that collects money for charity via speedrunning, raised $2.7 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation during its Awesome Games Done Quick 2021 event. During GDQ's fundraisers, volunteers speedrun classic and modern video games as quickly as they can. Viewers can stream these expedient walkthroughs in real time, making donations to the associated charity all the while.
While Games Done Quick has operated for over a decade, the organization's 2021 fundraising represents a significant total. other gaming charities make big strides, Games Done Quick has set the gold standard for using gaming infrastructure to serve a charitable cause. The Prevent Cancer Foundation ultimately intends to reduce cancer deaths by 40% by 2035, and, with the of organizations like Games Done Quick, this goal is brought closer to fruition.
Organizations like Games Done Quick unify gaming's potential for public performance with its fan base's ability to charity projects. Video games are often thought of as an experience for individuals, but streaming and speedrunning challenges testify to the medium's group appeal. Additionally, watching games on streaming services like Twitch is not only popular but has a notable history of producing significant charitable donations. The kind of challenge speedrunning presents perfectly suits both the public performance and fundraising potential aspects of gaming. As long as organizations like Games Done Quick exist, watching other players stream doesn't just have to be an enjoyable experience; it can be a charitable one, as well.
Source: Games Done Quick/Twitter