Community Corner, with Dr. Kelli Dunlap
This February we’ve been feeling the love from the Take This community! As part of our 2023 round up, AFK Program Manager Liz and I got together and figured out that last year over 100 people volunteered with Take This and gave 802 hours of their time. That’s the equivalent of 33 days of volunteer service! When we say we couldn’t do it without you, we mean it!
Speaking of the AFK Room, PAX East will soon be upon us! You’ll be able to find us at the Hope Booth, in the AFK Room, and at a variety of panels (details coming soon!). We’ve got brand new merch that we’re excited to share as well as some surprises for our wonderful volunteers.
A Note from the Executive Director
Hey folks. Take This needs your help. I’ve hinted at this recently: like the rest of the game industry, we’re facing a really difficult year. In fact, we need to fill a $200,000 funding gap by June in order to continue operations. Otherwise, we’ll have to lay off essentially all of the team before September. This is tough to hear, I know, but we’re not without hope. We’ve already received commitments from some great partners in the industry, and we have some grant funding pending that we’re pretty hopeful about. Besides, there are many ways you can help:
- Participate in the Solo but Not Alone 4 game bundle fundraiser (see below)!
- Donate on our website
- If you work for a company that matches corporate donations, make your donation in a way that can get matched.
- If you work for a game studio, consider reaching out for consulting or training from Take This.
- Keep an eye out for upcoming streaming fundraising events that benefit Take This! We have some awesome partners who will be holding some in the next few months, including The_French_Tuck on March 2 and Vancouver by Night March 15-17.
Most of all, though, thank you for being a partner to Take This. We hope you’ve found our work to be helpful and supportive.
– Eve
Announcements
The Solo but Not Alone 4 bundle is available through March 9! Pick up 124 games for $10, with all sales benefitting Take This.
Did you know Take This has an Amazon Wishlist? You can support Take This’ mission and AFK program by purchasing items from our wishlist.
New Research and Publications
- Grooming for Violence: Similarities Between Radicalisation and Grooming Processes in Gaming Spaces Rachel Kowert & Elizabeth D. Kilmer 8 February 2024 Global Network on Extremism & Technology
Upcoming Events:
SXSW March 8-16 2024
GDC March 18-22 2024
Pax East March 21-24 2024
Updates:
Take This Research Director Dr. Rachel Kowert will be speaking at United By Games: San Francisco on Wednesday March 20, 2024
Don’t miss these recent appearances and press mentions:
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From Avoidance to Action: A Call for Open Dialogue on Hate, Harassment, and Extremism from Ethical Games Conference 02 February, 2024
Whitehorn Winter 2024 Showcase from Whitehorn Youtube 08 February 2024
The struggle of playing D&D with ADHD from Ginny Di YouTube 21 February 2024