- Itch.io charity bundle offers 127 games for a $10 minimum donation to support laid-off developers.
- The charity bundle topped its $100,000 goal within just three days.
- All proceeds from the bundle will go toward a hardship fund managed by UVW-CWA.
- The bundle is valued at over $1,000 and includes titles like A Short Hike and Arranger.
- The hardship fund provides assistance to game workers in the US and Canada who have lost work in the past two years.
- The fund is financed by UVW-CWA membership dues and donations from the charity bundle.
- 33% of the game industry lost their jobs in the last two years, highlighting the need for such support.
An indie charity bundle on Itch.io has quickly gained traction, raising over $100,000 in just three days. The bundle, organized by Necrosoft Games in collaboration with the United Videogame Workers (UVW-CWA), features 127 games available for a minimum donation of $10.
All proceeds will support a hardship fund aimed at assisting game workers in the US and Canada who have faced layoffs in the past two years. The fund is designed to help with essential expenses such as rent, groceries, and medical bills.3
According to the UVW-CWA, the fund includes two tiers: Small Funds Tier for requests under $1,000 and Major Expenses Tier for requests between $1,000 and $5,000. 100% of the money raised from the bundle will go towards this fund, which is also supported by UVW-CWA membership dues.6
Necrosoft Games highlighted the dire situation in the industry, stating, “The game industry has a problem. Too many people are out of work.” Reports indicate that 33% of the industry lost their jobs in the last two years, exacerbated by companies replacing workers with AI.
The bundle is live for another 10 days, with a new fundraising goal of $200,000 after surpassing its initial target. The games included are valued at over $1,000 but can be purchased for just $10 during this limited-time offer.
“Proceeds go to a UVW-CWA-managed hardship fund offering up to $5,000 payouts to US and Canada game workers who lost work in the past two years. Necrosoft cites reports that 33% of the industry lost jobs in that span, as the bundle has set a new $200,000 goal with 10 days left.”
