October 15 2011 – Staff at Razer Singapore gathered from 8pm onwards to play Team Fortress 2 for 24 hours straight. Their efforts would raise funds for the Extra Life Charity, which is a yearly gaming marathon that collects donations and pools them across a network of children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada.
But while charity is always commendable, one should always keep in mind that what works for one country may not work for another.
Like how Slutwalk Singapore was localised and turned into something more of a quiet static demonstration for women, replete with pre-event talks and the like, Razer Singapore should have done the same.
Cyber wellness – or healthy gaming – is heavily promoted in Singapore. The country’s rate of cyber addiction was at five to ten percent when last accounted for in 2010, and cyber wellness is one way of managing the situation. News reports on children leaving home or even stealing to support their gaming habits emerge ever so often, with local organisation Singapore’s Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) trying to curb this trend.
SCOGA has been working with the Ministry of Education to set up the Young Cyberwellness Achiever Award, which they hope will help instil more positive cyber habits amongst children. They have also been giving talks and holding workshops at schools for the past two and a half years, all in an attempt to help young gamers develop a sense of responsibility towards their passion.
What sort of message is Razer Singapore’s 24-hour gaming marathon then sending to the impressionable future of the nation? An ex-professional gamer, who did not want to be named, said that there definitely could be healthier ways to raise the money. He went on to suggest that instead of 24 hours per each participant, Razer Singapore could have had their staff play in eight hour shifts and still complete the 24 hours.
It would not have hurt the status quo, since Extra Life 2011 in the USA was held on a ship, whereas Singapore’s version was done in the Razer office over in Chai Chee, and would have promoted healthier gaming besides.
However 32 year old William Lim begged to differ. Friends who accompanied Razer Singapore’s staff in their Team Fortress 2 marathon told him that the gamers do frequent breaks, so it wasn’t 24 solid hours of gaming.
He also said that since it was for charity, “once in a while should be fine.”
Little other news could be found on Razer Singapore’s efforts, probably because they considered themselves part of the overall Team Razer.
