The gaming community is well known for giving generously to charities, and now Sony is working to further encourage that trend.
The company’s Sony Computer Entertainment America gaming division announced today that it’s starting the PlayStation Heroes program. This initiative will bring together gaming and celebrities to aid groups like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the USO, and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The new PlayStation Heroes app for the PS4 debuts Feb. 24, and it features digital content that gamers can buy for a chance to win a play session with certain celebrities. These opportunities include both online and in-person meetings.
Sony says that at least 90 percent of the purchase price for any PlayStation Heroes content will go to the aforementioned participating charities. To get things off to a decent start, SCEA has already donated $100,000 to each organization.
In a statement, SCEA vice president of marketing John Koller said that his team “anticipates a tremendous response from the community who will have a meaningful way to use gaming for a good cause.”
The first things you can buy in the Heroes app is a series of themes for your PS4 that sell for $1, $5, $10, and $15. Every dollar you spend gets you an entry into the celebrity sweepstakes. But you can buy a bundle that includes all four for $20 that gets you 31 entries.
As for the celebrities, SCEA is working with Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, Golden State Warriors All-Star point guard Stephen Curry, and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig. Oh, and of course, hip-hop artist Snopp Dogg. A private event in New York City tonight kick offs the Heroes program and features White, Curry, Puig, and Snoop all making an appearance.
Sony is just the latest company to combine gaming and charity. Activision has long had its Call of Duty Endowment program that works to find employment for young veterans of the U.S. armed services. Additionally, several independent groups have sprung up around gaming, including Penny Arcade’s Child’s Play, Desert Bus for Hope, and Awesome Games Done Quick. Those last two are fan-run organizations that have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last several years for groups like the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.
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