PlayStation Users Raise $1.3M For Japan, League Of Legends Players $160K

Sony Computer Entertainment confirmed today that its PlayStation users have raised over $1.3 million for the Japan relief effort. Since March 19, PlayStation Network users have been able to donate money towards the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund and the Red Feather Community Chest Movement for Japan and Asia. As of March 31, over 109.6 million yen ($1.32 million) has been raised. Kazuo Hirai, SCEI President and Group CEO, said, "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake." "While we continue to make every effort to help the recovery of the affected communities in the region, I would like to express our gratitude to every single PlayStation user across the world who made a contribution to the effort." League of Legends developer Riot Games also announced today that users of its online strategy title have raised over $160,000 for the Red Cross efforts. Between March 21 and March 27, 100 percent of proceeds from specific character skins were donated straight to the Japan efforts. Over 50,000 LoL players contributed to the cause. "We are nothing short of astonished by the incredible generosity of the League of Legends community," said Marc Merrill, president of Riot Games. "The earthquake and tsunami in Japan was a tragedy of overwhelming proportion, and we can’t thank our players enough for stepping up and contributing to the relief efforts." League of Legends received five awards at last year's Game Developers Choice Online Awards, including Best Online Technology and New Online Game.