More Game Companies Contribute To Japan Quake Relief

A number of game companies, including NCsoft, Square Enix, PopCap, and Hi Rez Studios, have announced that they will contribute support to ongoing Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. South Korean Aion publisher NCsoft is donating 500 million yen ($6.2 million) to relief efforts through the company's Japanese joint venture, NCJapan. The Japanese arm of the company called the funds "relief and condolence money" for people stricken by the natural disasters. The amount of the donation is expected to be the equivalent of revenues for one month starting from March 11. Tokyo-based Final Fantasy house Square Enix pledged 100 million yen ($1.2 million) to relief efforts in Japan, plus donations from company employees and from donation initiatives through its gaming services and facilities. These donations will be sent to The Japanese Red Cross Society. Seattle's PopCap Games also said that starting at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, and over the following 48 hours, it would discount all its games for iPhone and iPad and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to relief efforts. "We recently opened an office in Tokyo, and while our Japan-based employees are safe and uninjured, we understand countless others in Japan need food, shelter, and medical attention,” said Ellen Marett, senior director of workforce culture at the studio. She added, "Given that Plants vs. Zombies reached #1 on the iPhone and iPad sales charts in Japan, it seemed like the most appropriate game to feature in this fundraising campaign." The donations from PopCap's sale will be made through the Red Cross. Atlanta-based developer Hi Rez Studios also said it would discount its game Global Agenda from $30 to $10 over this weekend, and donate all proceeds to the Red Cross for Japanese quake relief. Other companies including Tecmo Koei, Sega Sammy, Nintendo, Namco Bandai, Sony and Konami have already announced combined millions of dollars in donations for the recent disaster.