'Play For Japan' Organizes Industry Auctions For Japanese Relief Charities

A group of game industry journalists and professionals (including Gamasutra's Christian Nutt) has banded together to promote auctions of rare and one-of-a-kind game-related items to raise money for relief efforts following Japan's recent devastating earthquake and tsunami. Play for Japan's volunteer coordinators are gathering together a list of eBay auctions run through the auction site's eBay Giving Works program, with all proceeds going to relief organizations including the American Red Cross, Global Giving, International Medical Corps, Save the Children and UNICEF. "Japan's impact and contributions to videogames have been undeniable," Play for Japan's organizers said in a statement. "Now it's time for us to give back to the country that has given the world so much." The Play for Japan web site currently lists 36 active auctions, including signed statues from Call of Duty and Brutal Legend, an Xbox 360 signed by the development team, and signed copies of games from Killer 7 to Super Mario Kart. The group's first completed auction, a Nintendo DS signed by several prominent Nintendo luminaries and offered by Game Informer's Meagan Marie, raised $4,050 for the American Red Cross after 87 bids. Industry members and journalists are invited to contact the Play for Japan team about adding their auctions to the regularly updated list. Many game companies, including Zynga and Popcap, have pledged donations to Japanese relief efforts.