Let’s be honest, if you’d told me ten years ago that in-game skins and Twitch streams would end up saving lives, I’d have raised an eyebrow. Possibly two.
But here we are in 2025... and the gaming industry has become one of the biggest unsung heroes in the charity space. Not just raising funds, but actually reshaping how we give. And I don’t mean sticking a donation button on a loading screen and calling it a day.
We’re talking about bundles that support mental health, races that raise millions, and downloadable dog missions that make a difference.
Remember when game bundles were just a chance to grab 12 random platformers for the price of a Greggs? These days, they’ve got a purpose.
Take Fanatical’s 2025 charity bundle in support of Safe In Our World - 27 games, every penny going to mental health in gaming. Smart, generous, and the kind of initiative that actually makes a dent in something that affects so many players and developers alike.
Same goes for GameBlast25 and Wish 200 Week. They’re not just clever names, they’re fully baked fundraising events. Bundles, discounted sales, exclusive items… all with proceeds funnelled into real causes like SpecialEffect and Make-A-Wish UK. And not just once a year either. These events are becoming part of the rhythm of gaming now.
Streaming used to be all about “look at me play.” Now? It’s “look at us change lives.”
Games Done Quick is still breaking records, but it’s the everyday creators that are turning stream time into lifelines... raising money for cancer research, disaster relief, mental health, and more. Jingle Jam alone pulled in £2.7 million in 2024, and this year’s line-up includes everyone from War Child to The Trevor Project.
The message? Charity streams aren’t an extra anymore. They’re part of the culture.
One of the best shifts we’ve seen is how in-game charity features are no longer clunky add-ons—they’re fully integrated experiences.
Indie devs are creating seasonal storylines tied to real-world causes. Others are dropping limited-edition charity items that unlock missions and support non-profits. Buy a special rescue-dog skin? It funds an actual rehoming charity. Complete a challenge in-game? You trigger a micro-donation.
We’ve been exploring this a lot with Nom Nom Express and other game concepts, where players can unlock story-driven content by making small donations to our collaborators Hope Rescue. The idea is to make the donation part of the experience, not a guilt trip, but a reward. It’s empathy on a leader board.
It’s not all about money. Some of the most impactful work is happening through partnerships with accessibility charities like AbleGamers and SpecialEffect. They’re helping devs make their games playable for everyone, and that’s just as valuable as raising a million pounds. And let's not forget PlanetPlay; bringing sustainable and green causes to gamers attention through their humble bundlesque platform for game expansion packs and in-game items. We love it all!
Charities are also using gaming to fight loneliness, build community, and give a voice to players who are usually left out of the conversation. Whether that’s through modified controllers or custom-built social games, the mission is simple: make gaming fairer, friendlier, and more inclusive.
This isn’t just a trend. It’s a shift in mindset.
Players want to feel like their play has purpose alongside the fun factor. Charities need new ways to reach younger audiences. And game studios are seeing that doing good doesn’t mean sacrificing profit, it often drives loyalty and positive press.
It’s the kind of win-win we talk about a lot at Hangry Animals.
If you’re a gamer here, you’re already part of a community that’s reshaping the way we support causes. If you’re a dev, there’s never been more creative ways to make charity a core part of your design. And if you’re a charity... you might just be a few joystick clicks away from your next breakthrough.
Don’t forget to catch Ceri’s Cwtch newsletter next week, she’s diving into some of our research findings around kids, gaming, and what actually motivates them to do good. It’s the science bit, but with snacks.
🐾 Let's make this happen!
Gaming’s evolving. Giving’s evolving. The two are finally playing on the same team.
Let’s keep pushing for play that makes a difference.
Much love Hangries
Hangry Andy & The Hangry Animals Team
www.hangryanimals.com
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