Electronic Arts announced that it has raised over $1 million dollars for Japan earthquake and tsunami aid. EA credits the success of the campaign through a combination of efforts among EA's internal studios, employees and gamers who worked hard to raise relief funds for the people impacted by the disasters. EA implemented giving programs through its titles, fan communities and social gaming platforms, all proceeds of which will be distributed via the Red Cross, Mercy Corps and AmeriCares.
EA SPORTS ran a donation program in FIFA 11 Ultimate Team where all proceeds collected in a 24 hour period on March 26 were donated to the Red Cross. Pogo.com and The Sims teamed up with the American Red Cross and encouraged their online audiences to support relief efforts by making donations to a co-branded microsite.
The Play4Free EASY studio behind Battlefield Heroes created a "Japan-Outfit" fundraiser which provided gamers with a special in-game outfit. Playfish implemented an assortment of in-game fund raising activities throughout their social games on Facebook such as its MONOPOLY Millionaires Japanese Pagoda House and Restaurant City Garden of Hope promotions. Visceral Games also raised funds by auctioning off team-autographed Dead Space 2 memorabilia.
BioWare plans to put up four custom painted Dragon Age II-branded Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles autographed by Co-Founders Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk for auction on eBay. The EA Partners studio which is currently working with Tokyo based developer Grasshopper Manufacture on its Shadows of the Damned game will make a cash donation to relief funds.
EA also assisted in providing logistical food relief that was performed at EA Canada’s Burnaby campus in partnership with the Kids Against Hunger Organization. These employees worked for two days packing 100,000 protein-rich meals that were sent to the most severely affected areas of northeastern Japan.
