Tag Archives: Charity

Train2Game News SpecialEffect help Ben back in the game

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SpecialEffectSpecialEffect, the gamers charity, have recently helped a young man named Ben to be able to play video games for the first time.

Ben, who has spinal muscular atrophy, never thought he’d be able to play video games. He’d found out about SpecialEffect online and told his parents, but they hadn’t said much. It turned out they’d subsequently arranged a visit to the charity in Oxfordshire without telling him, so one morning in April they took him for ‘a bit of a drive’ and an hour or so later, to his absolute surprise, he found himself in their games room.

“I’ve never played a proper computer game,” he said. “I’ve always watched my friends play. Games are important to me because I can’t go out and play football like other kids so I do it on a computer screen.”

Ben uses a joystick to drive his wheelchair and control his PC at home, so the dev team from SpecialEffect bluetoothed it to a laptop so it could act as the left gaming stick for games like FIFA and Grand Turismo. They also rigged up a selection of light-touch switches and connected them into the PlayStation via a couple of interfaces.

The end result is that Ben’s able to play on the PS3 for the first time ever, and he’s barrelling into a range of games including Gran Turismo, FIFA and Minecraft. The equipment he needs has been lent to him, and now he’s one very happy gamer.

“It’s good because I get the same amount of fun as they do. I can do everything on it and it’s amazing”

This is just one of many stories from an amazing charity that deserves continued support from as many people as possible.

You can view Ben’s story below

Train2Game News Operation Supply Drop rewards soldiers

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Operation Supply DropMilitary-themed video game charity Operation Supply Drop proudly announces the first of several new initiatives for 2014, made possible by the overwhelming success of its recent 8-Bit Salute fundraiser: “Thank You Deployment.”

This initiative provides self-sacrificing members of the armed forces an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to select gaming events or tours of game development studios for a rare insider’s look at the video game industry.

U.S. Army Specialist Sean Patton, the inaugural recipient of the Thank You Deployment, will be flown to this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

Specialist Patton was severely injured while his infantry unit provided suppressive fire for a team of Special Operations when a suicide bomber detonated near his vehicle. Severely wounded, Patton continued to lay down covering fire with his vehicle’s .50 caliber machine gun until the insurgent forces were eliminated. Following several reconstructive surgeries, Specialist Patton is 100% mobile, but is in the process of being medically discharged from the U.S. Army. He received a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his heroic actions that day.

“Sean is a lifelong gamer, and we look forward to being able to provide him with this once-in-a-lifetime experience to enjoy E3,” said Glenn “Commander” Banton, chief marketing officer for Operation Supply Drop. “There is no way that we can take away the traumatic experience suffered by Specialist Patton on behalf of his country, but we hope that sharing with him the joy and passion so many of us feel in making video games will help ease the trauma and showcase the generosity of those within our industry.”

This is a fantastic initiative to help our deserving men and women of the armed forces. Operation Supply drop asks that you share this post to spread the word to help more military personnel.

Train2Game News Redkite Games supporting games charities

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Firefly runnerFrom now until Thursday you can help SpecialEffect and GamesAid simply by purchasing a game by Redkite games.

Red Kite Games are proudly supporting GamesAid and SpecialEffect with Firefly Runner and will be donating 15% of the revenue share equally into each charity.

Firefly Runner is an action packed, free-running adventure set on the stunningly beautiful yet treacherous Firefly Island. Join Switch as he takes flight in search of treasured light orbs and magical keys. After lift-off avoid obstacles, collect cherries and perform acrobatic loop-de-loops to gain extra points.

The studio has the following to say about the project; “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played Firefly Runner and we hope that you are enjoying the game as much as we have enjoyed making it. GamesAid and SpecialEffect do amazing work helping disadvantaged and disabled children and young people, but without your support and the support of the wider games industry this would not be possible.”

Firefly Runner is available now on iOS and Android devices. Download the game now to help SpecialEffect and GamesAid!

Train2Game News SpecialEffect TwinTown Challenge

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On May 23rd 2014 over 50 cars costing less than £500 will leave games charity SpecialEffect’s Oxfordshire HQ to tackle historic racing circuits including Brands Hatch and Le Mans in the SpecialEffect Twin Town challenge. 

Leamington Spa based developer Playground Games is supporting the charity by becoming track sponsor, bringing the charity closer to their target of raising £100K from the event.

In addition to the support of Playground teams from Exient, SEGA, GamaJun, Atomhawk, Four Door Lemo and Audiomotion are also joining the weekend’s motoring mayhem to support Special Effect’s innovative work for disabled gamers – check out some of the inspiring videos here.

Across the Twin Town Challenge weekend teams will take part in fun challenges including car boxing; laps of Brands Hatch and Le Mans; a James Bond themed evening and an auction for incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prizes covering golf, motorsport, music, beer and cricket as well as unique celebrity-signed signed bottles of Hobgoblin ale brewed exclusively for the event.

Trevor Williams,  COO for Playground Games said, “Associating Playground Games and Forza Horizon with this challenge was a no brainer – although I suspect the cars in Forza are somewhat more presitigious than half the bangers being driven between the Twin Towns! Special Effect is a fantastic charity run by fantastic people that changes people’s lives for the better. Playground is honoured to support such a great organisation.”

Dr Mick Donegan, Founder and CEO added, “The sponsorship and support from Playground Games is a huge boost to the event as we edge ever closer to setting off for the these historic tracks. I would like to thank Trevor and the team for their amazing support”

To bid on some ‘Once in a Lifetime’ experiences including British Grand Prix VIP with Eddie Jordan, Paul McGinley Algarve Golf & Luxury Villa, Oxford United FC Chairman for the Day and much more,  in the Twin Town Auction contact Nick@specialeffect.org.uk  by May 22nd

Train2Game News Another great success for SpecialEffect

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MaxA few days ago games charity, SpecialEffect, had the real privilege of helping five year-old Max to master his games.

“Max has cerebral palsy and loves playing Xbox,” said Theresa, his mother. “He can use his left hand but doesn’t have any fine motor skills in his left side. Up until he started school this hasn’t been a problem, but now he plays with his friends he’s more aware that his limited function affects his ability to play the games his friends play.”

The charity visited Max to see if they could help. His Dad Alan explained that Max loves racing games, but because of his limited function, he’d often have to just steer while his Dad pressed the buttons or vice versa. He also likes Toy Story, but couldn’t make his character move and jump at the same time.

There was various challenges to overcome, but the switch-based setup SpecialEffect have ended up with gives the flexibility to position the switches wherever they need to be. They can also be mapped to any controller button. It was agreed the best thing would be for Max to use different switch arrangements for different games.

Max has a great relationship with his dad and will still enjoy playing games with him, but Max can now play independently if he wants to. At one point he even shouted, “Look Daddy, I’m playing by myself!”

Now he can play the games his friends play, ensuring he’s included. And if you’re a five year-old, THAT’S what matters!

Train2Game News Operation Supply Drop fundraising

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Operation Supply DropToday, military-focused video game charity Operation Supply Drop announced their next major fundraising event, the third annual “8-Bit Salute”, a 24-hour gaming marathon, to be held May 17 – 18, 2014.

Donations raised during this charity event will fund video game care packages, offering much needed diversion and stress-relief to combat-zone deployed troops and those recovering in military hospitals.

Machinima sensation and community favorite Rooster Teeth (creators of the award-winning Red vs Blue series) will actively promote the 8-Bit Salute fundraiser and field a community team to raise awareness and funds.

“Rooster Teeth is excited to continue our involvement with Operation Supply Drop and to grow the partnership to continue to provide assistance to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country,” said Rooter Teeth co-Founder Gus Sorolla. “We look forward to further collaboration and success for years to come.”

Other key partners include gaming juggernaut Wargaming America (World of Tanks, World of Warplanes), developer Naughty Dog (2013 Developer of the Year, The Last of Us) and gaming-headset powerhouse ASTRO Gaming. They have pledged significant donations and will assemble fundraising teams via the Operation Supply Drop website at www.operationsupplydrop.org. There, fans will have a chance to win a variety of great prizes while raising awareness and funds for our troops.

“The feedback, stories and pictures of delighted recipients, deployed in hot spots around the world, and those recovering from combat-related injuries serving us and our country, are testament to how much of a morale boost our supply drops are, as we try to give back to those that risk their lives to defend us and our way of life,” stated Operation Supply Drop Founder Captain Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga, a former U.S. Army Ranger and combat veteran. “We are thrilled to have so many partners involved and are confident that this will be the biggest and most successful 8-Bit Salute to date.”

Train2Game News SpecialEffect helps gamer complete GTA V

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SpecialEffectWhen Lee lost the ability to play video games because of spinal muscular atrophy, he lost a major part of his life. But with the help of gamer’s charity SpecialEffect, he’s conquered Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V.

“I’ve played games all my life,” he said, “and I got quite depressed when I couldn’t play them. It was taking a big part of who I was away.”

SpecialEffect, who specialise in helping people with disabilities to experience the fun and inclusion of video games, worked with Lee to find a customised equipment setup that exactly suited his individual abilities.

The charity positioned microswitches to harness the small finger movements in his right hand, and mounted two joysticks that he can operate using his chin.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to play GTA because of my limitations, but there are no limitations anymore,” he said. “With games I can do the things I can’t do because of my disability,” he said. “I can play football with my brother by playing FIFA, or drive cars.”

“Disabilities are very frustrating and limiting – you’re basically imprisoned. This is the charity that could help change your life and bring something back that you thought you’d lost.”

Before his condition had advanced, Lee had found out about the charity through a clicking on the SpecialEffect pitchside advertising board in Sports Interactive’s Football Manager 13 game.

Nick Streeter, fundraiser at the charity, said “We’re absolute delighted to be able to help Lee. His physical abilities are changing over time, and we’ll keep visiting him to modify his equipment so that he can continue to play games as effectively as possible.”

“Games are an amazing medium through which people make friends, socialise and come together for a common cause. To be able to extend that medium to people that would otherwise not be involved is both an honour and a privilege.”

Lee’s story is featured in a short YouTube video, shown below, by the charity

http://youtu.be/5J2GWmoVl-k

Train2Game News: Student taking part in GameBlast

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Ritchie DemicolSpecialEffect’s GameBlast charity event launches tomorrow and Train2Game student, Ritchie Demicol is taking part.

Ritchie, who has been a Train2Game student since February last year, will be playing the infamously difficult Dark Souls for 24 hours straight. This will be no easy task with the games frustrating difficulty level.

When asked why Ritchie decided to take part in the event he said “I decided to take part because I know it’s going to a great cause who design games and hardware for young children and adults who struggle to play video games due to certain disabilities. It will be a great help to those who can’t use move their body and have to use their eyes to control the game”

Ritchie begins his 24 hour marathon tomorrow and if you would like to support him and SpecialEffect you can donate by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Ritchie-Demicol

Good luck Ritchie, you are supporting a fantastic charity!

Train2Game News: Yogscast raises huge amount for charity

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YogscastYogscast, the UK’s most watched YouTube channel, announced that its December charity drive has raised an incredible $1,156,799.80 – just over £700,000.

The record haul for the ‘Yogscast Dwarven Dairy Drive’ smashed last year’s £240,568.25 and will be shared between five charities: Oxfam, War Child, GamesAid, Special Effect and Little People UK.

Talent from across the Yogscast family of YouTube channels appeared on Twitch.tv every night during December playing games, taking on challenges and having fun.

Yognau(gh)ts – fans of the Yogscast – who donated more than $25 got an amazing bundle of games and in-game items worth $350, including Napoleon: Total War, Garry’s Mod, Sonic All-Star Racing, Awsomenauts and The Chaos Engine. Those who gave more than $5 get a ‘Heart of Gold’ accessory item from popular title Team Fortress 2.

Yogscast chief executive Mark Turpin said, “We were aiming to reach £300,000 so to get to £700,000 is an incredible achievement and shows how generous gamers in general and Yognau(gh)ts in particular are.

“We’ve had amazing support from the UK and international video games industry supplying the games and items – there is no way we could have raised the money we did without their fantastic support.

“We also have to thank the Yogscast family who gave up their nights every day, except Christmas Day, in December to broadcast live and raise money.”

Train2Game News: SpecialEffect reach fund raising goal

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SpecialEffect SpecialEffects recent crowd funding project, Playing with your eyes, has been a success. The money has been raised to purchase a new eye controlled controller.

The fund raising project on Gambitious for SpecialEffect to purchase a controller for disabled gamers to play the games we all love with their eyes is coming to a close today and the charity has hit their goal!

Thanks to all the donations SpecialEffect received, the eye-controlled gaming system will be able to help more of the increasing number of people contacting them quicker than before. The equipment will be used with a wide range of people over it’s lifetime and bring many gamers with disabilities unimaginable joy.

A statement featured on the SpecialEffect website has this message for everyone “Bless my cotton socks – you did it! THANK YOU to all you fantastic people who’ve dug deep and donated to our charity crowdfunder and raised nearly £7,000 for a very special controller to enable disabled gamers to join in the fun of playing video games, just using their eyes.

We’re honoured that so many people – including Jonathan Ross, Tim Schafer and Tom Watson – have put their weight behind the campaign. The eye-gaze system it funds is going to make a huge difference to a whole bunch of people.

You can find out more about SpecialEffect and the work they do by visiting http://www.specialeffect.org.uk/