ESA, Sony Announce Charity PS2 Compilation

Sony Computer Entertainment America, in conjunction with its industry trade association, Entertainment Software Association (ESA), has announced the release of a previously Gamasutra-referenced limited-edition charity game pack for the PlayStation 2, with all proceeds to benefit charities for children. Available now through North American retail outlets, the ESA Charity Game Pack is a multi-disc box set that includes three of the top-selling PlayStation 2 games for a $19.95 suggested retail price: ATV Offroad Fury 2 from Sony Computer Entertainment America; Splashdown: Rides Gone Wild from THQ; and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 from Electronic Arts. Proceeds from the sale of the ESA Charity Game Pack will be donated to the ESA Foundation to support positive programs for America’s youth. A first of its kind for the U.S. videogame industry, though UK-based compilations from the Entertainment Software Charity have previously been tried, the ESA Charity Game Pack involves a number of generous partners that demonstrated their commitment to this project by donating services free of charge and/or waiving associated monetary fees and royalties. The contributors include American Honda Motor Co., Inc, Bombardier, Inc, CMB Design, Electronic Arts, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Rainbow Studios, Shorewood Packaging, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony DADC, and THQ, Inc. “We are thrilled and gratified that so many in the video game community, including Sony Computer Entertainment America, Electronic Arts, and THQ, Inc., have come together to create this terrific limited-edition game pack that we hope will raise several million dollars for the ESA Foundation to donate to organizations working to improve the health, safety, and welfare of America’s young people,” said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “The proceeds from this game pack will make a real difference in the lives of many, many children. We’d like to thank all those involved, and urge all holiday shoppers to take advantage of this truly unique opportunity to get some great video games and help worthy causes at the same time.” “Throughout the years, the ESA has demonstrated both its dedication to our burgeoning industry and to the youth of America through the various programs it develops, executes and supports,” said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. “In bringing the ESA Charity Game Pack to life, we are pleased to support a vehicle that helps us give back to our loyal PlayStation audience, and are very appreciative of all the work and effort our partners contributed to make this happen.”