Without fail, at every LANathon, it’s around hour 20 that the giddiness greatly expands the normal list of “Things That Make Me Laugh.”
To your right, is the same friend plugging away at the latest Civilization game… VI you think? You have a feeling its same round he started at hour 1, but it’s hard to tell.
The lights have been dimmed since about 9pm yesterday and it’s already 8am the next day after the LANAthon first started. You’re feeling pretty good, actually. Staying hydrated, easing off the caffeine around hour 18, and getting up to stretch and get the blood flowing regularly has gone quite a long way it seems.
You push away from the keyboard and decide this might be a great time to take another break. It’s pretty normal for the need to take one to rise as the event ensues. A body in motion, stays in motion, as Sir Isaac Newton once put it. (We know, we know, “unless acted upon by another force” is the rest of the law. Just couldn’t resist, could you?)
As the clock winds down, the reality of what’s happening starts to set in. Looking around, all you see are old friends mixed with new friends – fellow gamers having just shared the same grueling, yet enthralling experience. Maybe this wasn’t your first time being awake for 24 hours? Maybe it’s not your last. But one thing you do know: this time had a purpose. This time your love of gaming has directly lead to improving the lives of others. This time, you helped make a real difference.
Gamer Society isn’t just a charity, we are also a collective of individuals with similar values. When the organization was founded three years ago, it was under the vision of gathering a community of creators, educators, and gamers that believes that video games can change the world.
Video games can entertain, tell a story, inspire empathy, and even educate.
In addition to all of that, video games inherently surpass cultural, political, and sometimes even language barriers (as demonstrated by the wordless game Journey).
The Deets
This 3rd-annual event is happening at Menlo Innovations, July 29 beginning at noon. Proceeds will go towards funding the Young Creator’s Club program, which works to promote STEAM education in underserved communities through digital arts and game design.
Attendees participate by registering their own campaigns and raising at least $20 to opt-into the challenge. Fundraisers (affectionately referred to as “LANAthon Runners”) can compete individually or in teams, earning special perks such as additional entries into the LANathon prize raffle and even free food for the day. Click on the button below for more info on the LANathon drive and how you can get involved!
