We all feel some kind of way about in-app purchases and microtransactions - but when they’re supporting fantastic causes, it’s tough to object.
Now, as much as we all love video games, there’s no denying that the industry has its share of major issues. With season passes being shoved down our throats before titles even release, games being hurried out in an awful state, needing enormous patches to fix them up, and more, iwe all know the gamer life is not an easy one. In-app purchases and microtransactions are another huge bugbear: one of the biggest.
Take Mario Kart Tour, for instance. Nintendo fans all around the world were thrilled by the prospect of playing Mario Kart on their smartphones, but being a mobile title, many were super wary. Rightfully so, as the game’s money-grubbing ways would soon prove. Did you know that players who want to race as Diddy Kong can buy a character bundle that costs almost as much as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch? That’s definitely a thing, and it says all you really need to know about the state of a lot of mobile games.
It’s not always this way. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery may ask for actual money to prevent your character being strangled by Devil’s Snare, but sometimes, just sometimes, when the stars align, even great gaming evils like in-app purchases can be used for good.
Skillz Charity Tournaments enable players to enjoy their favorite Skillz mobile titles (Bubble Shooter League, Solitaire Cube, Diamond Strike and Strike! eSports Bowling among them) while donating to a fantastic cause: the American Cancer Society. As the Skillz official site reports, they teamed with the society back in June, committing to a year spent raising as much money as possible to help fight the real enemy: cancer.
So far, over 36,300 entries have been made in these competitions, and over $27,500 has been raised. The next tournament takes place from October 19-20. To enter, you need only enter the promo code ACSDKF3C in the eligible Skillz game of your choice (as detailed back at the official site) and compete away! Your first deposit in-game will be matched by Skillz, you’ll receive a gift for your trouble, and all net proceeds from the tournament will be donated.
If you can spare some time for gaming next weekend, why not take part in one of these tournaments? It’s always fantastic to see video games being used as a force for good.