Video streaming has long been part of the video game community as a way for gamers to connect online. And with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet has quickly become one of the main modes of communication, information and entertainment for many. Now, a local startup is using the video streaming app Twitch to bring its gaming community together for a cause.
When the pandemic hit North Texas, the team at Plano-based computer video game hardware maker Glorious PC Gaming Race wanted to get involved in helping out those affected by the crisis. So, they turned to the technology and community they knew best to launch a fundraiser. The Give Glorious campaign is raising funds for two organizations using gamers to gather support.
“Obviously, right now we can’t do anything in person and the gaming community over the last however many years has been really united around the whole live streaming community,” David Polinow, who runs marketing for Glorious PC, told NTX Inno. “It’s just a really cool way to do this and a really cool way to engage with gamers directly, and make sure we’re making it fun for everybody and not just out there begging for donations.”
"People need help across the world, no matter where you are right now."
With a kickoff launch on April 3 involving multiple known gaming streamers and giveaways, the Give Gloriously campaign is looking to raise $25,000 to support both the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Community Response Fund. Polinow said they chose those organizations because they wanted to help out in the local community where their company is based and also help in the global fight against the pandemic, as both their customers and the gaming community at-large is connected around the world.
Using Twitch to help raise awareness about Give Glorious has helped bring in donations, said Shazim Mohammad, Glorious PC founder. He added that many of those featured on the stream bring their own followers to the campaign, which helps bring new exposure to gamers with fewer followers.
The Give Gloriously campaign is set to end on April 30. So far, it has raised $12,900 of its goal. Mohammad said Glorious PC plans to host other giveaways and more entertainment to drive donations as the campaign continues. And, since the future is uncertain, the company is considering options to start new campaigns to help out during the pandemic.
“We put it together in about 10 days, just knowing that we were under a time crunch to get everything going. So it was a little bit whirlwind, but necessary because all these organizations need cash now,” Polinow said. “We know not everyone right now is in a position where they can donate because everybody has been affected and a lot of people are pretty tight on cash, so we're really appreciative of people giving what they can.”
Beyond helping out those affected both locally and globally, Mohammad said gaming and streaming have been a source of human connection and information during the pandemic. He said with the extra time people have during lockdown, video games can provide a needed escape. In addition, while playing, gamers tend to discuss more than just the game at hand, allowing them to meet new people and learn about how other parts of the world are being affected. Mohammad added that the pandemic has given him the time to get back into one of the games from his childhood - World of Warcraft – which, in addition to some nostalgia, has given him time to reconnect with friends.
Overall, Glorious PC Gaming Race has not been affected like other startups during the pandemic. Polinow said they have been fortunate to avoid many of the negative economic impacts of the crisis, since the quarantines have given people time to game more and work on upgrading their gear.
“I would encourage everyone, gamer or not, to get involved right now, especially in their local communities,” Polinow said. “People need help across the world, no matter where you are right now, and I think this is an important time. Not everyone is able to give something, so the people who are able to, it’s really important that they do so because there are a lot of people struggling.”
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story attributed several quotes to the wrong person. It has been updated.
