Halo Community Coronavirus Relief Campaign Raises Over $430K

There are a lot of efforts right now in the gaming community to give back. With so many struggling to make ends meet due to COVID-19 concerns, it’s uplifting to see efforts to help out. We know from things like Games Done Quick that the gaming scene is heavily involved in charitable efforts. That reality is no different now. A Halo community coronavirus relief campaign is yet another sign that people always want to help. Here’s how a massive community of gamers ended up raising over $430,000.

Insane Fundraising Total for Halo Community Coronavirus Relief

Image Credit: 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios

Even though the last Halo game released years ago, the community is still very active. I’ll admit that I usually get a few matches of Slayer in daily just out of habit. When I first felt very connected to gaming and the gamer community, it was in Halo’s online scene. That connection to one another has not changed even to this day. The history of the Halo series resonated with a lot of players over the years. When calls within the community wondered how Halo fans could help, a campaign was born.

Firstly, efforts for a t-shirt to raise funds for Global Giving kicked off. The shirt, which read #WeGotThisSpartans, was an instant hit. The shirt was not the only way players could give back either. A Relief & Recovery REQ Pack for in-game boosts like ultra-rare and legendary RP and XP boosts released in late March. Through purchases of both items, Halo community coronavirus relief fundraising topped over $435,000. That feat alone is huge, but it appears as if fans are already looking for more ways to help.

Why Online Gaming Communities Matter

Image Credit: 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios

Early on when all of this stay-at-home stuff started, I was quick to point out gaming’s role in the matter. No, playing video games can’t create a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. It might not always even be the most productive thing to do with your time. That said, there’s no denying the social benefits to gaming during social distancing. It’s not just for your benefit either. As we see with this Halo community coronavirus relief effort, online relationships, and communities matter. The people I play Halo with, even if they are strangers, are a part of my day. I enjoy that time because it involves doing something I love with others.

Whether it’s dropping with some friends in Call of Duty: Warzone or a Travis Scott Fortnite concert, people are using games to stay connected. When you build that relationship with others or even just the idea of being a part of something bigger than yourself, wonderful things happen. This effort from the Halo community is just one example of how gamers are giving back.

If you’re having a hard time right now, then you’re not alone. This pandemic is affecting all of us in different ways, from economic stresses to social and mental stress. We’re with you here at Comic Years, and we look forward to bringing you content to distract, entertain, and most of all, remind you that you are not alone. Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture.

Taylor is the Gaming Editor of Comic Years and a lifelong fan of video games. He holds two degrees in Political Communication and wrote a Master's Thesis on resistance movements, race, and the exploitation of college athletes. His wife and two Toy Australian Sheppards keep him sane.