Most video games don’t give you seven extra lives, but here at FableVision, we’re gearing up for our seventh year participating in Extra Life, a 24-hour game-a-thon! Never heard of a 24-hour game-a-thon before? Extra Life unites thousands of gamers, Team FableVision included, to play games for a full day, raising money throughout the process. Through generous sponsors and some excellent gaming skills, Extra Life has raised over $50 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across America. The proceeds from FableVision’s sponsors will benefit children in our local branch, Boston Children’s Hospital.
Team FableVision will be “gaming for good” between November 2-3 at the studio. As a studio, we’re committed to creating content that inspires, teaches, and moves people to action, and Extra Life is a fantastic way to take action ourselves. The event helps us directly channel our interests into helping others in a different way than usual, and we’ve loved participating these last five years!
Can FableVision beat last year’s record of $6,609? Only if we get help from our amazing supporters. Each participating member of the FableVision family is looking for donations, and no amount is too small. Sign up here to join our team or to donate to a team member and support a great cause. Thank you so much!
While we anxiously await the 2nd, read on to learn more about some of our players this year. Get ready to game on!
This is your first ExtraLife. What about the game-a-thon excites you the most?
Julie Oliveira, Production Artist: In the time I've been at FableVision, I've heard the term "Extra Life" come up quite often. Whenever I hear a coworker talking about it, it’s always in the context of something fun or a fond memory. I fully support the cause Extra Life supports, and I also really enjoy playing games of all kinds, so I think this is the perfect event to have fun with everyone at the studio while also supporting a great cause. I can't wait for my first Extra Life with FableVision and to make a lot of great memories this year!
This is your second year participating in Extra Life. What tips do you have for playing games late into the night?
Allie Caton, Production Assistant: I only made it to 10:30 p.m. last year, but this year I'm aiming to stay up later! In addition to caffeine, I've been saving a few games I'm really excited to play at Extra Life. I won't leave until I've played them all!
Why is the Extra Life cause important to you?
David Welsh, Game & Narrative Designer: Extra life is important to me because kids deserve the best medical care, especially when they’re sick and vulnerable. Gaming is a unique way to build excitement for the fundraising that provides hospitals with the resources they need to help children.
What about Extra Life makes it a successful event?
Peter Stidwill, Executive Producer: Extra Life is a highlight of the year for me. When else do you get such a great excuse to play games for a whole day? For me, the thing that makes Extra Life a great success is the range of different types of games—digital, board, card, and physical—that we can switch between during the day. Each year I get introduced to whole new games and experiences that I would never have tried otherwise.
You’re an Extra Life veteran. What about the event keeps you coming back?
Gary Goldberger, President: I'm super excited for this to be my 7th Extra Life event. Supporting our Boston Children's Hospital has been very near and dear to my heart; it is an institution that has not only had a positive impact on my family's members lives, but also on so many in the area and around the world. The Extra Life Game-a-thon is a wonderful way to raise money. Not only do we get to do something that we love (playing games for good) but we also get to do it with people that we enjoy being around (co-workers, friends, and family). I love that every year there are new people joining and new games to play while we continue to support BCH.
What advice do you have for other people who can’t be at the event but want to be involved?
Sarah Ditkoff, Communications Director:
Here are my three tips:
1. Participate in Extra Life by joining the Extra Life community!
2. Support FableVision's Extra Life team by donating here.
3. Follow Extra Life team's gaming the day of on social media by using #ForTheKids or join us on Twitch to play along.
