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Water Cooler Games served as the web's primary forum for "videogames with an agenda" — coverage of the uses of video games in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment.

The site was maintained at watercoolergames.org from 2003-2009, where it was edited by myself and Gonzalo Frasca. It is now archived here in full.
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More Game-based Charity
by Ian Bogost January 17, 2005

Two more examples of game-based charity. First, Xenopi Studios, who publishes and distributes games online, has announced the "Good Samaritan Games" Initiative. They plan to donate at least 10% of sales to charity, with a new charity or non-profit selected at some (yet undefined) interval.

Second, Shooter Group, who also publishes and distributes games online, has announced the "Jett Reilly Program." Each time the company sells a million games, Shooter Group will donate $500,000 to construct "Shooter Playgrounds" at selected Children’s Hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses, and public parks in New York City, Toronto, and Shanghai.

I've never heard of these two companies or any of their games, and there's a great risk that these measures are empty PR. That said, it's more than the big publishers seem to be doing, at least programmatically.

But, Shooter Playgrounds?

Comments (5)

Dear Ian & Water Cooler Games:

First let me commend you for providing a "forum" that covers the industry.

After reading your article, "More Game-based Charity"...I'm moved to write you facts that may be helpful in "future" stories concerning the Shooter Group...

*) You asked, "Shooter Playgrounds?"

My answer is, "If we can IMPACT 1 child's life we will...regardless of sales, money, time, marketing campaigns, or where.

We're a "unique" company, unlike many, who BELIEVE in helping and giving back to our customers as well as society as a whole...this is more a "company policy & culture" as opposed to using "Game-based charity"...this ATTITUDE will not change for the life of our company...and we will be around for a long time.

At the end of the day, "Demostration is better than conversation"...if you or anyone else reads about who we are, you will realize this is who we really are...a company that cares about society as a whole without the tax write-offs...we care wholeheartedly about the welfare of others...proper due-deligence will confirm the fact: We do what we say; we say what we do"

As founder of our company, I speak from experience that help is not something you experience; it is something you never forget. If you don't believe that; you've never been broke. Broke is not always about money...it can be broke of spirit, faith, hope, or anything a person is going through.

Bottomline? We're going to do what we say and say what we do. At the end of the day, if we can put a smile on someone's face or food in their belly or clothes on their back; we've done our job.

We just think that all companies regardless of "for-profit or non-profit", can do SOMETHING to help SOCIETY...it's not just about making money.

It's about REALIZING that the TRUE meaning of success is helping others...our company history reflects what we speak about. It is my hope you & your readers will tell the world about who we are, our quality of world-class games, & most importantly what we're all about.

In closing, I would like to thank everyone in advance for visiting our online downloadable game retail store both currently and in the future.

Thank you,

C.C. Alexander II

Shooter Group LLC( www.shootergroup.com )

Founder & Managing Partner

Shooter Group LLC on January 19, 2005 8:22 PM

Thanks for visiting Mr. Alexander. Really all I was suggesting was that "Shooter Playgrounds" is a really terrible name. I wouldn't want my kids going anywhere near a place with shooter and playground in the name. Maybe you should reconsider the name, not the mission?

I have to echo Ian's comments.

From my involvement with non-profit donor recognition, a name like "Shooter Playground" would not be acceptable at ANY of the children's organizations listed. It is extremely hard for me to believe that any of those development offices, if contacted, would give a positive response.

They would, certainly, happily accept the company's donation and would work hard with them to find alternative and mission-consistent name.

The desire of the LLC to be a giving member of society is extremely admirable, one that often gets lost in the crush of maximizing profit. It is only the announcement that the play areas would carry that name that is somewhat less than credible, no offense intended.

Shooter, as in 'shoot for the moon" or as in "shoot a basket", has no negatie connotation. Hoever, maybe the playgrounds should be named the "Jett Playgrounds" after the kid who evidently inspired Mr. Alexander. Anyway, sounds like a noble cause. So, GO! you game players. Try the Shooter Grou- games !

I in turn echo DJohnson's comment. That's a mighty huge leap and somewhat bizarre assumption about the title "shooter playgrounds" ostensibly being associated with violence. I guess the next step would be to change 'shoot the basketball' to 'throw the basketball' or would that be associated with throwing rocks, throwing bottles? Way too PC and it's the same kind of thinking that bands PE in school because a kid might get hurt. It all depends on the brand.