children of a generation
In the world of revolutions, an individual is probably never quite sure when they are involved in one until it ends. In the ever-growing, ever-changing world of video game entertainment media, just about every step is deemed “revolutionary.”
The label is almost always debatable.
But hardly anyone can disagree that the [Child's Play Charity], run by super-popular webcomic (and something of a webcommunity) [Penny Arcade], is a major step in polishing away some of the spit, flack, and rancor that video games receive from narrow-minded politicians, analysts, psychologists, or other such figures of so-called authority. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Child’s Play, the Seattle-based charity uses the money from donations and merchandising to buy games, books, and toys, and money for sick children in around 60 hospitals primarily in North America, though recently they have begun global expansion to around eleven hospitals. Over 3.5 million dollars have been donated towards these hospitals since 2003, with over one million of those dollars donated in 2008 alone.
Child’s Play dares you to say that gamers don’t give back. The charity is growing in name, recognition, efforts, and more and more hospitals are partnering each year. This year’s annual auction dinner, which took place just earlier this month, boasted over 400 attendants, collected $200,000, and also saw the release of the very first Child’s Play Charity CD – with all proceeds going to the charity, of course.
The CD is by far one of the cheapest pieces of merchandise out there when you weigh price against content. Most of the tracks were exclusively written and/or recorded just for this CD by some of the biggest names in video game music such as [Jake 'virt' Kaufman] – composer of the Contra 4 soundtrack, [MC Frontalot], [Freezepop], [Jonathan Coulton], and [some][dear][friends]. Oh, and my band tossed in a track too. We couldn’t think of a better way to help promote such a fantastic cause than through the one thing we love doing best.
But none of this would have been possible without the hard work of my good friend [Mustin], who engineered and produced this project with some tremendous skill. I certainly think that given the quality and caliber of these recordings, his efforts and dedication certainly paid off. However, I am also severely biased so [here] are some samples for you to decide for yourself. And then maybe buy one for yourself and everyone you know.
Bring on the revolution.
The Child’s Play Charity CD can be purchased [here]. For more information on Child’s Play and participating or fundraising, check out their website at [http://www.childsplaycharity.org] or [this] cute little information page.
December 26 2008 01:04 pm | games and music