A huge thanks to everyone who tuned in for our 25-hour video gaming marathon to raise funds for Child’s Play!
Who: The KuroKiiro Cafe!
What: A gaming marathon to raise awareness and funds for the fantastic Child’s Play charity!
Where: The internet (livestream location yet to be decided)!
When: 12pm Eastern Time (also known as noon) on November 5th, for 24 hours until noon on November 6th!
Why: Because video games have been an important part of our lives, and we want to give back as best we can!
AT NOON EASTERN TIME 11/6 WE COMPLETED OUR MARATHON!
THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO TUNED IN AND DONATED!!!
*** http://www.twitch.tv/tekkoshocon ***
*The ChipIn website, which we had planned to use to get donations for Child’s Play, is currently down! This is terribly upsetting, because without it we seem to be at a loss for donations. If your heart moves you to donate, please go to the Child’s Play website and do so! So sorry for the inconvenience. :(
This weekend, several members of the cafe will be playing video games on internet video for 24 hours to raise awareness and funds for Child’s Play. Anyone can watch the video online and chat with cafe members as they team up against their digital opponents!
We asked a few of the cafe members to share their thoughts on video games:
Why do you like to play video games?
“I love video games because they’re like interactive storytelling. It lets me feel like I’m a part of an even bigger adventure!” – Maid Mimiko
“Because I know exactly how to win! Hello Kitty helps me with that one! ….what? That’s not cheating…..it’s just….my advantage!” – Maid Rei
What is your favorite game?
“I love so many games! I have to say my favorites are Space Channel 5 and the Pokemon games.” – Maid Kiko
“I really like Viva Pinata because it’s got all sorts of colorful animals! I don’t know where the pinatas go but when they come back I get to fill them with candy again!!! And dance games, those are really good too! Me and Usagi are great at them.” – Maid Rei
How do you think we benefit from playing video games?
“Well, some video games are good exercise. Others are kind of like books, and tell stories that expand our imagination. And others bring us together with family and friends for a good time, which is always a good thing.” – Maid Rin
“Video games encourage critical thinking and the application and improvement of skills and talents. In addition it’s a chance to use your imagination and spark creativity.” – Maid Amaranth
If the KuroKiiro Cafe had its own video game, what kind would you want it to be?
“It should be modeled after a love-simulation game. The player character is the cafe member, and they would serve and entertain the guests, giving them the best cafe experience possible!” – Maid Sawako
“I want to be in a super-singing magical girl video game! We could sing to fight bad guys and have awesome outfits! Our cover-up would be working at the cafe, but we would really be super-powered magical girls! (and guys!)” – Maid Kiko
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If you’d like to spread the word about our marathon, feel free to use our press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cafe Maids and Hosts to Play Video Games for Charity
PITTSBURGH, PA – October 25, 2011
Members of the Pittsburgh-based KuroKiiro Cafe will be participating in a 24-hour video game marathon taking place the weekend of November 5th, 2011. Video of the marathon will be streamed online, with the intent of raising money for the renowned Child’s Play charity, which benefits children’s hospitals across the globe.The cafe has its roots in the KuroKiiro Festival, a local celebration of Japanese culture and entertainment, and many of its members consider video games to be positive influences in their lives. “Some video games are good exercise,” says cafe member Maid Rin. “Others are kind of like books, and tell stories that expand our imagination. And others bring us together with family and friends for a good time.”
KuroKiiro Cafe members will start livestreaming video of their marathon starting at noon on November 5th, and run the video stream nonstop until noon on November 6th. Viewers of the video will be able to watch the cafe members play several different video games over the course of those 24 hours, interact with cafe members and other viewers in an attached chat room, and donate directly to Child’s Play via a handy hyperlink. A page is set up for the event on the cafe’s website (http://www.kurokiiro.com/cafe/childsplay).
ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY:
Child’s Play is a gamer-run organization that holds an annual toy drive for childrens’ hospitals. Many of the gifts donated by gamers are, as you might imagine, age appropriate videogames and gaming systems – but they are by no means the only things donated. The charity has received eager donations of coloring books, art supplies, crafts, movies, cartoons, virtually anything a young person could ask for. Child’s Play has raised over five million dollars in toys and cash for 60 children’s hospitals around the US and the world. Learn more about Child’s Play at www.childsplaycharity.org.ABOUT KUROKIIRO CAFE:
Operated by Pittsburgh-area nonprofit Tekkoshocon, Inc., KuroKiiro Cafe is a traveling cafe modeled after the maid & butler cafes that have become popular in Japan. The cafe performs, entertains, and above all else, strives to give guests the best service possible. Learn more about the KuroKiiro Cafe at www.kurokiiro.com/cafe.ABOUT TEKKOSHOCON, INC.:
Founded in 2002, Tekkoshocon, Inc. is devoted to the enrichment and enlightenment of the Japanese animation and culture fancommunities of Western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Tekkoshocon Inc. hosts the KuroKiiro Festival, which is a Japanese and pop culture educational event. The event is being held November 25-27 at Boyd Community Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The KuroKiiro Festival is prepared to bring top-class industry guests, events, panels, workshops, video game tournaments, costume competitions, and other exciting attractions for the enjoyment and benefit of Pittsburgh’s anime scene.http://www.tekkoshocon.com
http://www.kurokiiro.com
