Kotaku 
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Denver, 10:28 AM
Fri Dec 11
53 posts in the last 24 hours
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09/03/09
I know this is a PR stunt, but why they didn't align themselves with this fantastic effort boggles the mind.
Super short summary: Child's Play gathers donations (either money or actual hardware/software), redistributes it to children's wards across the country, and will allow you to specify what hospital you'd like donations to go to out of a choice of 60 or so that participate so far.
They've been going for 5 years, and they've put $3.5 million worth of equipment and games into the hands of sick kids.
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09/03/09
Definitely worth keeping your radar as Christmas approaches (which is their normal season of operation). If you are into cool collectibles there are usually tons of really neat items that get auctioned off to raise money (signed guitars for Rock Band, limited edition artwork, signed consoles, etc etc)
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09/03/09
Cast your vote for the commenter of your choice, each time you vote you will be entered to win a heart click – the more you vote, the better your chances of winning!
09/03/09
09/03/09
Congratulations - you have successfully been entered as a nominee into this prize draw. However, due to terms and conditions*, you are unable to vote for yourself and as such you and 4 other (yet to be decided) commenters currently have 0 votes.
*Terms and conditions: One can not vote for oneself. 0 votes = 0 heart clicks.
(However, I *cough* am willing to accept a *cough* *whisper* bribe *cough* )
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09/03/09
While I appreciate that sentiment, there's a very strong argument to be made for building game rooms like this in pediatric hospitals. Many of these poor kids are hospitalized for weeks, even months at a time. It can be horribly demoralizing and depressing and it only gets worse the longer they are admitted.
A gameroom like this provides a distraction and a certain amount of joy for these kids. Part of the healing and treatment process comes at a mental level for them. If $10,000 can provide them with a way to get through the day and better tolerate their stay at the hospital, it's $10,000 well spent.
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09/03/09
Its taught in the bible that you should always keep your donations between you and God; that you should donate anonymously. Otherwise its nothing more than self-promotion.
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09/03/09
It's wise to know what you believe in, and also what you don't believe in otherwise you won't know why you believe or disbelieve. And if you don't know why you do things, then you forfeit your reasoning and individuality - the things that make you human rather than a monkey wearing pants.
09/03/09
"Presented by XBox 360". Not Microsoft. A product name. Generally, people do not buy Microsoft. People buy products. A product name is used in lieu of the company name.
I don't think an XBox 360 achieved sentience, somehow got hold of 30000$ and is holding votes to see which hospital gets some if its brothers and sisters. But that's just me.
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09/03/09
you Yanks need to jump on the commie bandwagon lol
09/03/09
"Oh, look at my ferrari and my lack of tuberculosis/leprosy/black plague!"
09/03/09
MS rep: "Hey guys, we're going to donate a bunch of 360s to some kids in hospitals. We want you to pick who it is, though."
Kotaku: "Fuck you Microsoft! Think of the children who don't get the totally superfluous video game consoles! How can you sleep at night when you don't donate ALL of your stock to all needy, homeless, ill children everywhere? You're soulless, that's how."
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09/03/09
I could kind of see how some people think this is "wrong," but I didn't feel bad when all my votes went to the Children's Hospital around the corner from me. Maybe I'm soulless after all...that would explain some things, lol.
@Michael: Eh. It seems since it's MS and given their reputation, the cynical side of people is more prone to surface.
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09/03/09
What a horrid contest. Whoever in PR thought this was a nice or charitable move needs to be terminated.
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09/03/09
3 hospitals are gonna get game rooms, which is gonna make a lot of kids happy. look at this any way you want, that's a good thing.
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09/03/09
The end result is great for the winners, no doubt about that. But the method is definitely questionable.
If they really just wanted to help a few hospitals, they should have chosen three randomly, period. The cynic in me can't help but think: yeah, but then a mere announcement ("we're giving game rooms to these places") wouldn't have generated as much publicity as a contest.
Not to mention that the winning hospitals will probably be located in the more populated areas, where more people will vote for their local medical center.
It won't be the smaller hospitals which typically need the most help.
Again, it's great that 3 hospitals get game rooms, it will be wonderful for the children. But there must have been a better way to handle this.
Of course, one should also take into account that drumming up interest for this cause may lead people not only to vote, but also do some research, feel involved, and eventually donate money, games or time to these places, so who's to say this isn't the best way after all?
09/03/09
(Several kotakuers seem to be less than happy with "only choosing three" (myself included))
"the polls aren't even private" + several angry(ish) Kotakuers (each with 10 votes a day) = an organised 5 way tie?
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