The global community is willing to do more than just sit in front of a monitor and play for hours. They have often addressed social issues through their gaming skills. Several game developers initiated in-game campaigns to address social issues.
The ever-growing gaming community worldwide forms a strong voice to send a message across society that can address social issues. With approximately 2.6 billion gamers worldwide, they indeed have the power to address social issues. Consequently, gaming has become more than just playing on mobiles or large screens; it has become a force of change in our society.
Today, game developers have adopted a unique approach to address issues like the Coronavirus pandemic or contributing to pet welfare charities. It is becoming a common trend in the gaming communities to play games to address social issues.
In this discussion, we will see how the gaming community is playing a crucial role in becoming a force of change in society.
What Are Social Impact Campaigns in Gaming?
When gaming communities across the world come together to address social issues using their gaming skills or the gaming platform, it becomes a social impact campaign. Through such campaigns, awareness in society can be increased, along with raising funds to resolve the issue.
This can be an awareness of zero emissions, climate change, mental health, and others. But why use gaming platforms or gamers in social impact campaigns? Well, a simple answer would be – such gaming platforms have closely engaged gamers, influencers, and streamers. Besides, they can influence a large audience or a large part of the community. So, next time when you play online rummy, keep an eye on such in-game campaigns to contribute to a greater social cause.
If you can create awareness about a serious thing (like coronavirus) using gaming platforms and reach a larger population, then why not use it actively?
Why Gaming Communities Are Driving Social Impact
Data suggests India houses approximately 20% of the total number of global gamers. If you could send messages about social issues to this portion of the community members, a possible domino effect would kick off in society.
Suppose the government is trying to send a message to the citizens of non-metro cities to raise awareness against female foeticide. Could the government use gaming platforms or the influence of gamers? Yes, they can. Especially when you know that in India, approximately 66% of gamers are from non-metro cities.
If the government decides to collaborate with gaming platforms to raise awareness against female foeticide, there is a high chance that the initiative would specifically reach the targeted audience.
To be precise, the gaming community can strongly influence followers of the game and thus be a powerful force, managing to create a social impact.
Notable Campaigns That Made a Difference
There are several collaborations between gaming platforms and other parties to address social issues. Let’s take a look at these issues.
Halo 5 and GlobalGiving’s CoronaVirus Relief Fund
Microsoft declared Halo 5: Guardians – Relief and Recovery REQ Pack for the users of the game and declared that all the proceeds from the sale of the REQ pack will go to GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Bethesda and the Adopt-a-Pet Initiative
The American video game publisher Bethesda ran a campaign in its game, Elsweyr, to save animals in shelters. The #SlayDragonsSaveCats campaign was meant to donate $1 to animal welfare organizations for each dragon slain in-game.
Riot Games and Active Minds
In 2019, the American video game developer, Riot Games, joined hands with Active Minds, a nonprofit organization, to create awareness about mental health. The partnership helped to increase its organizational capacity and positively impact approximately 120,000 teenagers.
Something similar can also be adopted by the iGaming platforms. In the face of rising financial scams, rummy app can launch financial awareness campaigns, urging users and non-users alike to remain vigilant.
The Role of Streamers and Influencers
As the gaming community evolves to become one of the leading media to bring social changes, game streamers, and influencers are becoming an important part as well. Streamers and influencers can send messages to their followers.
Streamers and influencers have a strong and engaged audience who believe in the words of their beloved influencers. As a result, streamers become a reliable force of social impact.
In-Game Activations & Features
Game developers around the world have already been using this feature to bring a change in society. For example, in-game skins and items can be purchased by gamers, and the proceeds may go to a nonprofit organization.
The organization may use the financial support and work towards bringing changes in society. In-game visual elements are being used to create social awareness against social issues.
Impact on Players and the Real World
As most of the gamers belong to the young population in society, Gen Z and the young population play a good role in bringing change to society. Young players are becoming influenced by the trend of gaming platforms to bring change in society through in-game activities.
As a result, game streamers and influencers are making credible efforts on their own level to make changes in society. They are also motivated to create social awareness through their platforms.
Be a Force of Change, Use Your Gaming Community
If you are an active player and consider yourself a gamer, take a small step towards making a change in society. You can donate a portion of your winnings to bring about changes in society. Besides, you can purchase in-game packs on the gaming platform you love the most to support a social cause.