This article has been published in partnership with #DifferenceMakers.
When you think about world-saving initiatives, video games probably aren’t top of your list.
Stereotypically, gamers are thought of as being recluses with bad necks - however, these dedicated gamers are wielding their controllers to help make the world a better place.
Teaming with the Difference Makers, Guild Esports - a company co-owned by football star David Beckham - set up a Fortnite tournament for avid gamers where their in-game actions would have an incredible impact in the real world.
The campaign has been dubbed ‘Gaming for Good’, and was established to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) within the gaming sphere.
Competitors were given the task of cutting down as many trees in the world of Fortnite - and for every tree that was cut down in the game, Difference Makers planted one tree in the UK.
Check out more on this innovative tournament in the video below:
With over 350 million players worldwide, Fortnite is a true juggernaut in the gaming industry, and one objective its players must undertake is to cut down trees and collect wood. This allows their characters to build shelters and other necessary structures.
However, in this unique tournament, foraging wood in the game had amazing implications with very real benefits.
The competition took place on August 27 and saw players taking part in a normal PVP match, with the number of felled trees being monitored by a ‘Tree-o-Meter’. Some of Guild’s best Fortnite players and biggest content creators were on hand, including world-championship winning stars Hen and Anas.
Content creators Gee Nelly and TN25 also wielded their virtual axes to take on some of Guild’s young Academy students.
On the day, players were not only enjoying the fun competition, but also discovering how a passion for gaming can be a gateway into the world of STEM. For those taking part and watching on Twitch, the tournament also shined a light on how sustainable events like this become a part of our future.
Speaking prior to the once-in-a-lifetime contest, Professor Danielle George MBE of IET said: “The future scientists, technicians, and engineers, who might one day save the world are likely to be found today – in front of their consoles.
“With STEM and sustainability so integral to modern life, we’re proud to be creating the world’s first Fortnite tournament where players are fighting for more than just the win; they’re also fighting to make a positive impact on the world around them.
“Partnering with Guild was the ideal choice for this initiative, with their Esports expertise and sustainable initiatives within the organisation.”
And the final results of the tournament would make any one of us jump out of our gaming chairs and perform the hottest Fortnite dance. When all was said and done and the controllers were set down, 557 trees were successfully felled.
This means that 557 trees will now be planted by Difference Makers across the UK in November!
Of course, with all those new trees in the world, it also means that tournaments like this can inspire others to hold events where carbon footprints can be offset with a net-zero environmental impact (or better).
Speaking prior to the tournament, Guild’s Director of Partnerships Michelle Tierney said: “By working together with Difference Makers, we’re ensuring that sustainability is at the heart of this tournament.
“Difference Makers doesn’t just demonstrate that gaming can be green but shows us how the visionaries of the world can be found in unexpected places.
“As an Esports organisation co-owned by David Beckham, we understand the importance of an academy structure and the educational benefits for young people as they’re developing. We’re proud to be educating the next generation with the skills to understand the critical importance of sustainability for our future”.
To find out more about the Gaming for Good tournament and discover more of Difference Makers’ amazing campaigns, check out their Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter.
And for more information on Guild Esports, check out their website here.