Oak Grove Games has organized a bundle on itch.io titled Games For Gaza. The aim of the bundle is to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). MAP is a UK-based non-profit assisting Palestinians living as refugees and those living under occupation.
“MAP’s vision is a future where all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realization of their rights to health and dignity,” the non-profit wrote on its website.
A total of 256 items were packed in the Games for Gaza bundle including 48 games, 197 physical games, 5 game assets, 4 soundtracks, and 2 books. Content from a total of 140 creators were included in the bundle, notably a plethora of content from Necrosoft Games and Fiction Factory Games.
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Content from Angel Eyes Games, Gravel Snail Games, Blinking Birch Games, and Therapeutic Blasphemy Games were also visibly present in the Games for Gaza bundle. The first target of the bundle was $10,000 but it has since surpassed that figure in 24 hours. It has since set several other goals.
At the time of writing this post (four days after the Games for Gaza bundle was launched), the next goal was $200,000 and over $198,000 had already been realized from over 13,000 contributors. The top recorded contribution was $500.
The 256 items in the bundle cost only $10. However, the real value of the entire items is estimated at around $1,525. The Games for Gaza bundle will run until November 9, 2023.
How will the funds raised from the Games for Gaza bundle sale benefit Palestinians
According to the itch.io Games for Gaza description, all the funds realized from the bundle sale will go to MAP. The non-profit runs several programs in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and Lebanon. MAP claims to have programs “designed and delivered by Palestinians”.
Their activity is focused primarily on healthcare including providing “access to essential health services and building local knowledge and skills to address Palestinian health problems”. According to Aljazeera report, the fatalities in Gaza has surpassed 8,000.
Over the weekend, tanks and infantry crossed into Gaza from Israel which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as “a second stage” in the war. The weekend bombardment was described as the most intense since the escalation of the conflict on October 7 following Hamas attack on Israel.
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Apart from the fatalities, thousands more civilians have been injured and are currently in need of healthcare. However, sustained Israeli bombardment has made it difficult for any form of aid to cross into Gaza. Israel has also cut off water and electricity supply to Gaza, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
MAP said they are “ready to respond rapidly with aid and assistance” during times of humanitarian emergencies. The non-profit also said they will continue to “press for the political and social barriers to Palestinian health and dignity to be addressed”.
The bulk of the funds raised from the Games for Gaza bundle sales will likely go towards the procurement of medical supplies which has been reported to be running low in Gaza.
About itch.io
Itch.io is an open marketplace designed for independent digital creators—with a particular focus on indie games. What makes itch.io different is that unlike the regular games stores where most platforms take 30% of the revenue, itch.io allows the seller to determine the revenue sharing formula.
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When it was first launched, itch.io took 0% of all transactions. However, since March 2015, that has been adjusted. Sellers can now set the revenue splitting to 10%, 30%, or 0%. The platform said allowing sellers to set 0% revenue share “is a risk we’re willing to take in the spirit of encouraging the generous and supportive community that’s already developed around itch.io”.
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