Combine one of the widest played PC games to date, what I can only presume is a mind boggling amounts of cobblestone and coffee, and 6 volunteers playing for 72 hours straight, and you have MineThon.
Before you critique what may seem like a fairly silly event, keep in mind that it's all for charity. The event raises money for Child's Play Charity, which donates toys, books and games to hospitalized children worldwide. This year's MineThon more than doubled the amount from last year, bringing in over $10,000 from Dec. 21 to Dec. 24. Compared to last year's admirable $4,400, the event is no doubt getting significantly more attention.
Apart from doing a great amount of good around the holiday season, donors can also win Minecraft prizes, including shirts, Creeper Toys, Snow Golem Plushes, Creeper Beanies and Real-Life Personalized Minecraft Character Heads. Donators also get access to MineThon server benefits, in addition to that warm feeling you get for doing some good for your fellow man.
"Being stuck in a hospital is never fun-especially during the holidays-and that's why the MineThon Volunteers are committed to bring the holidays to the hospitals," said Ethan Smith, MineThon 2's Event Coordinator for MineThon 2. "Child's Play Charity ensures that hospitalized children throughout the world won't go without this holiday season."
Founded by Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, Child's Play was set up in 2003 as a "response to the media's negative portrayal of gamers." It's gone from raising $250,00 during it's inception, and the organization has raised the bar every year. They exceeded their $2 million goal last year, raising over $3.5 million, a record they've surpassed this year, managing to bring in $3.7 million.