How and Why the U-Pick Game Marathon Raises Money With Non-Stop Gaming (Video)

On June 12 through 14th of this year, the fourth (not "fourth annual," but close) iteration of the U-Pick Video Game Marathon for Charity --“UPickVG IV” for short --will be streaming on an Internet connection near you. The U-Pick crew's volunteers will be playing and broadcasting video games, non-stop, as a fundraiser for Charity Water, a cause they've supported since the beginning. I talked with organizers Stephanie and Grant Kibler from their video-game lounge of a living room about what it takes to broadcast an online gathering like this, and why they've adopted this as an annual event. Hint: some esoteric video-capture hardware helps, and so does a beefy network connection, for high-quality streaming of games that pre-date today's multiplayer, network-oriented options. That's significant, because U-Pick's stable of titles isn't limited to modern ones, and observers are encouraged to suggest appropriate games (hence "U-Pick").The remote viewers' choices and donations influence the event by deciding which games are represented on the Wheel of Destiny that the team spins to decide which games get played.The play itself, though,*is* limited to the players who'll be on hand at a Northern Virginia co-working space that will serve as this year's venue. It turns out to be easier to stream the output of old consoles than it is to control them from remote (never mind the latency that would mean), but maybe one day participants will be able to play as well as shoulder-surf and laugh at the players' running commentary. You can check out the Upick page on Facebook, too, and watch one of their practice runs each Sunday. (Note: Video #1 talks mostly about the game play and how you can join. Video #2 - below - talks more about hardware and behind-the-scenes work.)

Comments

And no one cares

[Anonymous Coward]

Not that I can blame anyone.

First off, not watching video, Slashdot. Not now, not ever. Stop doing video content. You're a news aggregator. You aren't a content creator. Accept it. Live with it.

Secondly, who wants to watch people play video games over the Internet, even if it is "for charity"? I can think of better things to do than watch a bunch of neckbeards slowly sit themselves to death in front of a flickering screen. Like watch golf, or paint dry. I will never understand why "streaming people playing video games" is a thing. Why does anyone watch?! Do you want to watch me playing Solitaire by myself? What the hell is WRONG with people?!