Jezebel said it better the other day, but please keep in mind when you support charities like this that awareness is only one part of the problem. There are much more effective ways to help those who have cancer, and if we helped the people around us instead of buying a pack of oreos with a pink ribbon, we would all make a much bigger impact on this problem.
My family deals with the reality of cancer every day, along with the reality of our terrible health care system in America (another sordid story), but my point is basically: consider helping out at hospitals, local clinics, or just talking to friends or family that get ill. Or you could donate to research groups that are working towards an actual cure.
These charities have the right idea, but it's up to us as to realize that breast cancer is not just some trivial thing that we can solve by buying things and then feeling better. It killed my mom, and it could kill yours. So let's push for funding for a CURE, not just awareness, and then work on prevention, and then ideally do the same with all cancers, AIDS, and the multitude of other threats to our health that sadly still exist in our modern world.
Ugh. Sorry, don't mean to preach on Kotaku of all places, but I hope you guys understand what I'm saying here. We won't solve problems by buying DLC and continuing our lives like it's all good. #easportscomplex
Great cause EA, NFL and Home. I'll be fully supporting this. I hope some day they do the same for childhood cancer awareness. I know it's much rarer but, for me at least, it hits close to home. #easportscomplex
Who else feels bad for all the other types of cancers? Breast cancer has effectively cornered like 90% of the funding, fundraising, research, public awareness etc.
I feel bad for my prostate, skin, lungs, bone morrow and brain. #easportscomplex
@Kobun: I was about to correct you and say "national treasure", but then I realized that we exploit, import, and export them, so you had it right. #easportscomplex
@excel_excel: To be honest, I have no idea who Drew Brees is. A similar idea would be neat, just use a different charity (i.e. one that's more well-known among Europeans). #easportscomplex
@excel_excel: That would be very nice. Of course, nothing's stopping Europeans from donating to charities, but having it in Home is just one more way to raise awareness.
After all, I'm sure a lot of Home users - maybe younger ones who haven't yet had to face cancer, whether first-hand or among their family members - wouldn't necessarily think about it.
This EA event engages them in a forum they know and feel comfortable in - it sure beats an ad in magazines they don't read.
It's basically a guarantee that either yourself or someone very close to you will face cancer at some point in your life, so initiatives like this are ultimately for everybody's benefit.
I hope this is a sign of things to come for Home, and that Sony will take some inspiration from this.
@Showmeyomoves!: To be fair, it's a US charity being tied in to an American Football game... It is also part of a huge cross promotion. Players are currently wearing all sorts of pink equipment this month during games, so football fans are already pretty aware of the concept and effort.
Drew Brees is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
If this catches on, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that they do the same thing with FIFA. #easportscomplex
@Yossarian: UK already has a rather big drive on Breast Cancer awareness, many supermarkets n stores sell Pink Ribbons with proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
Also many other Pink Ribbon events n such as well, so quiet high awareness in UK. #easportscomplex
I know this is a charity event and I think that's awesome but I always find myself wishing that they'd make the charity item something more appealing, thus generating more interest and more revenue for the cause.
@eclipsegryph: In fact it might do just the opposite... women might flock to you since you are clearly secure enough, and caring enough, to wear one of these around Home.
I'm pretty sure David Ortiz is still getting some action. #easportscomplex
@eclipsegryph: I think he was more referring to the fact that this is for Home, the most worthless piece of software to grace the PS3 with its presence. If this was, I dunno, a background for your XMB, I'd be all over it. #easportscomplex
@I Sl0th I: Eh, I apologize for jumping the gun there. I see a lot of "pink is a girl's color" bullshit and I thought that's where you were going with it. Obviously I was wrong and just on a hair trigger, and I apologize for that. #easportscomplex
@Showmeyomoves!: No one forces you to use it, so don't if you don't like it. It's not in a central spot in the XMB either, so you hardly notice it, it's not like it's in your face or anything. #easportscomplex
@brass2themax: Eh, this was the point I was trying to make. I DON'T use Home, so I wouldn't be able to contribute to this cause (for the sake of argument, let's forget I'm actually in Europe and won't be able to contribute anyway). #easportscomplex
I don't want to see someone else playing a game until his eyes bleed and his hands fell out in order to donate money to charity. I will just give the damn money and be happy about it. And if the game is fun for the person playing it, it makes even less sense.
I mean, it's almost like 'hey, watch me fill my stomach on a all I can eat marathon at the sushi restaurant and while I do that people can watch me and give money to charity" HUH?
Or maybe I am missing something, are the ones playing the games the ones that are in need? (Then I can relate. Help them, and they can have some fun in a while, since the world needs that)
Or maybe it's because of the attention that media gives to this kind of news instead of "I will instead of playing games, take that time to visit 10 serious injured people at the hospital, help paint and fix 10 houses on a marathon, and people can donate money to charity in order to help people, cmon let's do it!". (I think that's the main reason.. sad reality.)
Either way, I cannot find a relation to 'watch me complete a game and give money to charity 'I know that every cent makes a difference and helps, but this just doesn't makes any sense. Just help and that's it damn... take a slice of the gaming console and games sales profits to charity. It will make a meaningful difference, and much more than 10.000-20.000
@Man in the mirror: I'm a part of this event still going live right now. Your comment is the only one I got to read during my restroom break after visiting kotaku - a great site - I am sad to see that you fail to see the reason of raising awareness by doing crazy stunts. the media doesn't always know about charities such as the Child's Play Charity. I got lucky enough to be a friend of Brian Brinegar who wanted to see if he could help out by doing this sort of thing. we were interviewed by the local news tv and newspaper thousands of eyeballs now know because of this "strange news" item about us video gaming weirdos but more importantly about Child's Play charity - one of the many worthwhile charities in this world. Penny Arcade started a neat thing and we are just apart of that community which tries to better the lives of the sick children with one of our favorite hobbies - games. Brian keeps mentioning the Obama add that shows a couch... a nintendo wii mote... and stating change can't happen from that placing doing that activity. we just 1up'd obama's ad. and your reason get failing by getting random strangers on the internets to donate almost 25,000 us freaking dollars for the children. I dont' make a lot of money in my day job but I happen to have one weekend in my life to try a crazy stunt. Happens that lightning struck and it worked. I wouldn't mind if we fail (and we do fail a lot if you watch at all) and only raised the over thousands of dollars of our own money that we personally donated not counting time organizing and equipment.... anyway. there is a star to get right now and I need to finish freshening up. I love kotaku for posting this - no matter the haters because there are people out there entertained by our "stupidness" or game playing or whatever the reason.. game on yo and help that old lady accross the street while you are at it. ~john "couch" guy
@johnjanitor: I've been watching you guys on and off since about noon PST on Friday. It's a great thing you're doing, even if some people don't see the point. Keep it up.
"they're still driving for 100 percent in Super Mario Bros. 64, but they've already surpassed their fundraising goal for the next objective, 100 percent in Super Mario Galaxy."
So it's come to this, then? Super Mario Sunshine doesn't even count as a Mario game anymore? Or are they playing them out of order?
I love this entire idea. I love that it's taking in this much money for a great charity. I hope it gets the media attention it deserves. But I wish Super Mario Sunshine would stop being the shunned stepson of the series, hidden away whenever polite society comes over to visit.
Has anyone else had an entire comment delete/disappear, due to clicking outside of the comment box? That just happened to me and the above comment suffers because of it, as it is a rewritten rehash of the original, which somehow vanished.
EDIT: They're at 17,903, now. I'm gonna put $97 toward this and bring them to $18,000.
@Sloopydrew: Yeah, it's pretty annoying; I totally know what you mean about the "rehash" thing. Things always end up crappier the second time you write them...
As for your quote, maybe they're just not doing Sunshine because it's probably the hardest game to get 100%? Seriously, I've gotten 100% in Galaxy and pretty close in 64, but those Blue Coins are a bitch.
If they just skipped it 'cause they don't count it then that's just lame, though. Sunshine is pretty sweet.
When I went to the actual page to donate, I saw Sushine there after 64. So either Owen got it wrong, or they ended up playing out of order or skipping the game because, as you said, Sunshine is the hardest to complete to 100%. It's nice that someone, other than me, thinks it's a "pretty sweet" game. I feel like a pariah for thinking it's the best of the 3D Mario games.
@Sloopydrew: Loved Sunshine as well. I wouldn't say it's the best of the 3D Mario games (that'd be 64), but I'd actually say I enjoyed it way more than Galaxy.
*dodges tomatoes*
Okay, Okay, I'll explain myself. Sunshine gets credit in my eyes, mostly due to it's complex level designs. It also had a good amount of variety. The hub was nicely done, as well.
Only thing I didn't like was the difficulty, which.. a bit much XD I have my wimpy tendencies, shush. Shush I say.
First they played the games in proper order, but not to completion. They only did as much as necessary to BEAT the games, meaning they used warps in the 2d games and got the base minimum stars/shines to progress in the 3d games.
THEN they started again and played each game to 100%, beating all levels and collecting all stars. But they put Sunshine after Galaxy for because Sunshine is harder to 100%.
there are not 7 super mario BROS games. there are:
super mario bros
super mario bros 2 (aka lost levels since the doki doki panic is in no way a mario bros game)
super mario bros 3
super mario world: super mario bros 4 (this is the name in japan)
new super mario bros
new super mario bros wii (which isnt out)
thats 5 super mario BROS games with one future one on the way. super mario 64, sunshine and galaxy are rebranded 3d games where luigis role is either nonexistant or a mere after thought.
@Radz: im not joking. they are all mario games. call it that. but a GAMING news site should be able to tell the difference between a super mario bros game and 3d mario spinoff (i know theyre good but thats what they are like it or not). its like calling Mario Kart Double Dash a super mario bros game. sure its got luigi but its not fucking super mario bros. they still make super mario bros games for christs sake!!!
i dont care if the fundraiser gets it wrong. i do care if a GAME NEWS site cant even get simple facts right. its insulting to me as a gamer and it should be to you to.
@abort_user: You're a moron. Owen is certainly aware of the games in the Mario series. And you are aware that 'GAME NEWS' isn't some canon bullshit, right? It's entertainment... that's what they do here at Kotaku Tower. Your inane blabber is insulting to all of us who happened to browse the comments and had the misfortune to see your post.
ON TOPIC: it's good to see the Mario guys making good again this year. I haven't had the chance to watch anything like as much of this year's installment as I'd like to, but I'm putting money in again in support of Child's Play. Good on you guys!
Edited by wild homes loves you but chooses darkness! at 07/12/09 8:08 PM
wild homes loves you but chooses darkness! was starred
wild homes loves you but chooses darkness! was unstarred
But I do this all the time and no one donates to charity because of it... I just get called mean names.
Good to see that Gamers are willing to be charitable (because really, who else is going to donate to this?). Think how many selfish game purchases could have been made with that 16,000 dollars. I do hope they reach their goal, but it may prove difficult with the economy in the sad state it is.
1 question though- Are they using warp zones, star island, or the bunny door glitch?
10/15/09
My family deals with the reality of cancer every day, along with the reality of our terrible health care system in America (another sordid story), but my point is basically: consider helping out at hospitals, local clinics, or just talking to friends or family that get ill. Or you could donate to research groups that are working towards an actual cure.
These charities have the right idea, but it's up to us as to realize that breast cancer is not just some trivial thing that we can solve by buying things and then feeling better. It killed my mom, and it could kill yours. So let's push for funding for a CURE, not just awareness, and then work on prevention, and then ideally do the same with all cancers, AIDS, and the multitude of other threats to our health that sadly still exist in our modern world.
Ugh. Sorry, don't mean to preach on Kotaku of all places, but I hope you guys understand what I'm saying here. We won't solve problems by buying DLC and continuing our lives like it's all good. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
Whether you love HOME or hate it,
it's nice to see them using that as an outlet for charity. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
The Extra Life Gaming Marathon to fight childhood cancer is this upcoming weekend.
[waystogive.texaschildrens.org] #easportscomplex
10/15/09
Plus it gives me a reason to finally start up Home and check it out. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
I feel bad for my prostate, skin, lungs, bone morrow and brain. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
It would certainly grab more attention. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
But knowing Sony Europe they won't #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
After all, I'm sure a lot of Home users - maybe younger ones who haven't yet had to face cancer, whether first-hand or among their family members - wouldn't necessarily think about it.
This EA event engages them in a forum they know and feel comfortable in - it sure beats an ad in magazines they don't read.
It's basically a guarantee that either yourself or someone very close to you will face cancer at some point in your life, so initiatives like this are ultimately for everybody's benefit.
I hope this is a sign of things to come for Home, and that Sony will take some inspiration from this.
10/15/09
10/15/09
Drew Brees is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
If this catches on, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that they do the same thing with FIFA. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
Also many other Pink Ribbon events n such as well, so quiet high awareness in UK. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
Didn't think so.
=) #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
But hey, every bit helps. Right on EA, Sony. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
@eclipsegryph: In fact it might do just the opposite... women might flock to you since you are clearly secure enough, and caring enough, to wear one of these around Home.
I'm pretty sure David Ortiz is still getting some action. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
I'm talking about creating something that generates more interest in the cause.
An event item that appeals to more people will generate more revenue, which of course means more money for a good cause. #easportscomplex
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/16/09
07/12/09
I mean, it's almost like 'hey, watch me fill my stomach on a all I can eat marathon at the sushi restaurant and while I do that people can watch me and give money to charity" HUH?
Or maybe I am missing something, are the ones playing the games the ones that are in need? (Then I can relate. Help them, and they can have some fun in a while, since the world needs that)
Or maybe it's because of the attention that media gives to this kind of news instead of "I will instead of playing games, take that time to visit 10 serious injured people at the hospital, help paint and fix 10 houses on a marathon, and people can donate money to charity in order to help people, cmon let's do it!". (I think that's the main reason.. sad reality.)
Either way, I cannot find a relation to 'watch me complete a game and give money to charity 'I know that every cent makes a difference and helps, but this just doesn't makes any sense. Just help and that's it damn... take a slice of the gaming console and games sales profits to charity. It will make a meaningful difference, and much more than 10.000-20.000
07/13/09
07/13/09
07/13/09
07/12/09
So it's come to this, then? Super Mario Sunshine doesn't even count as a Mario game anymore? Or are they playing them out of order?
I love this entire idea. I love that it's taking in this much money for a great charity. I hope it gets the media attention it deserves. But I wish Super Mario Sunshine would stop being the shunned stepson of the series, hidden away whenever polite society comes over to visit.
Has anyone else had an entire comment delete/disappear, due to clicking outside of the comment box? That just happened to me and the above comment suffers because of it, as it is a rewritten rehash of the original, which somehow vanished.
EDIT: They're at 17,903, now. I'm gonna put $97 toward this and bring them to $18,000.
07/12/09
As for your quote, maybe they're just not doing Sunshine because it's probably the hardest game to get 100%? Seriously, I've gotten 100% in Galaxy and pretty close in 64, but those Blue Coins are a bitch.
If they just skipped it 'cause they don't count it then that's just lame, though. Sunshine is pretty sweet.
07/12/09
When I went to the actual page to donate, I saw Sushine there after 64. So either Owen got it wrong, or they ended up playing out of order or skipping the game because, as you said, Sunshine is the hardest to complete to 100%. It's nice that someone, other than me, thinks it's a "pretty sweet" game. I feel like a pariah for thinking it's the best of the 3D Mario games.
07/12/09
*dodges tomatoes*
Okay, Okay, I'll explain myself. Sunshine gets credit in my eyes, mostly due to it's complex level designs. It also had a good amount of variety. The hub was nicely done, as well.
Only thing I didn't like was the difficulty, which.. a bit much XD I have my wimpy tendencies, shush. Shush I say.
07/13/09
First they played the games in proper order, but not to completion. They only did as much as necessary to BEAT the games, meaning they used warps in the 2d games and got the base minimum stars/shines to progress in the 3d games.
THEN they started again and played each game to 100%, beating all levels and collecting all stars. But they put Sunshine after Galaxy for because Sunshine is harder to 100%.
07/12/09
there are not 7 super mario BROS games. there are:
super mario bros
super mario bros 2 (aka lost levels since the doki doki panic is in no way a mario bros game)
super mario bros 3
super mario world: super mario bros 4 (this is the name in japan)
new super mario bros
new super mario bros wii (which isnt out)
thats 5 super mario BROS games with one future one on the way. super mario 64, sunshine and galaxy are rebranded 3d games where luigis role is either nonexistant or a mere after thought.
for the love of god get it right!
07/12/09
07/12/09
i dont care if the fundraiser gets it wrong. i do care if a GAME NEWS site cant even get simple facts right. its insulting to me as a gamer and it should be to you to.
07/12/09
ON TOPIC: it's good to see the Mario guys making good again this year. I haven't had the chance to watch anything like as much of this year's installment as I'd like to, but I'm putting money in again in support of Child's Play. Good on you guys!
PS I so do not approve this guy's comment.
07/12/09
Quit nitpicking.
07/13/09
07/13/09
07/12/09
07/12/09
07/12/09
07/12/09
07/12/09
And take a look at them games! All classics
except Mario Sunshine :P actually I love Sunshine too
07/12/09
Good to see that Gamers are willing to be charitable (because really, who else is going to donate to this?). Think how many selfish game purchases could have been made with that 16,000 dollars. I do hope they reach their goal, but it may prove difficult with the economy in the sad state it is.
1 question though- Are they using warp zones, star island, or the bunny door glitch?
07/12/09
07/12/09