Destiny developer Bungie’s community raises $400,000 for Nepal earthquake relief

By Kris Wouk May 8, 2015

Destiny Nepal Aid shirt — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Last month a a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal — the largest the country had seen since 1934. The earthquake has killed over 7,000 people, injured thousands more, and literally raised and then lowered the world’s highest mountain by a a few feet.

People the world over are scrambling to help those affected by the disaster, and gamers are pitching in as well. Last week Bungie, developer of Destiny and creator of the Halo franchise, began to sell a special-edition shirt in its store, with all profits going to charities aiding those in Nepal.

Yesterday Bungie community manager David “Deej” Dague confirmed on the Bungie website that the shirt project has already raised $400,000 in just one week. The funds raised are going to Direct Relief, who is delivering medical treatment and “healthy commodities” to those in Nepal.

Bungie wants to see that number go even higher, so until May 13, the Bungie Foundation will donate an additional $15 for every shirt sold, up to $50,000. The goal is to bring in $100,000 in new funds and bring the tally up up to $500,000.

The Nepal Aid shirt sells for $25 and includes an in-game shader and emblem code for Destiny with every purchase. The shirts are available in men’s, women’s, and youth varieties. Shipping was originally prohibitively high for those outside the U.S., but Bungie has recently updated its international shipping options to make the purchase feasible for everyone.

Pre-orders for the shirts will be available until May 24, and they will begin shipping in early June. The codes for in-game items will be delivered “in an upcoming feature update later this year.”

Bungie isn’t the only company jumping in to raise money for Nepalese earthquake relief. Far Cry 4 developer Ubisoft Montreal and Eve Online developer CCP are both doing their part to aid those in need as well.

To get a shirt for yourself and help those in need, head over to the Bungie store.

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Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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