Falmouth University’s gaming community to join live ‘Game On!’ fundraiser for BBC Children in Need

A group of gaming and esports enthusiasts from Falmouth University are joining forces to take part in a live gaming fundraiser for BBC Children in Need. Hosted at the University's new esports facility, students and staff will participate in a number of streamed games and join a live broadcast as part of BBC South West’s coverage. 

The UK-wide ‘Game on!’ fundraiser will be hosted up by BBC Radio 1’s Vick Hope as well as BBC gaming expert Steffan Powell and the live fundraiser will be featured on both BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

For the first time, Falmouth’s gamers and esports enthusiasts will participate in a wider programme of activity which will see celebrities including Nikita Kanda take on Just Dance Now, Luke Vernon fronting vox pops and speaking to fans at London’s Comic Con and social media sensations The Famileigh providing an exclusive performance. Globally renowned streamers Bateson87, Freyzplayz, Geeky Cassie, Koji, Leahviathan and Tubbo will also stream all the action live from the studio. 

The innovative two-hour show will raise funds for BBC Children in Need and come live from Nottingham’s state-of-the-art Esports arena, Confetti-X where gamers, content creators, influencers and celebrities will take on some of the nation’s favourite games, including EA SPORTS™’‘ F1® 23, Just Dance Now, HADO and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – all to inspire gamers across the UK to unite to help make a difference.

It’s wonderful to join our contemporaries and fellow enthusiasts across the UK to raise essential funds for Children in Need and celebrate the increasing prominence of esports and gaming in the UK’s cultural economy.

Leading the activity at Falmouth University’s esports facility on Penryn Campus is Esports & Livestreaming BA(Hons) lecturer Mark L’Estrange, who said: “It’s wonderful to join our contemporaries and fellow enthusiasts across the UK to raise essential funds for Children in Need and celebrate the increasing prominence of esports and gaming in the UK’s cultural economy. It’s an innovative way for the BBC to to engage young people in the fundraising activity and we’re looking forward to flying the flag for the Games Academy on the night – we'd encourage anyone to get involved, from gamers who haven’t gamed since the 90s to semi-professionals and upwards...all are welcome.”

Also taking part in the live fundraising event is Esports & Livestreaming BA(Hons) student Raven Weston, who has aspirations of a future career as an event management or creative director. Interviewed live on BBC Radio about the 'Game On!' event and her future career path, she said: 

“Being in the first year has been an experience. I initially studied performing arts and became interested in how things were staged. We’re now looking into the production assets and AV production...being able to broadcast live and getting everything set up event-wise. That’s why I joined the course, I was really interested in event management and setting up the room and cameras. Esports is very much an in-person, venue event as well as being an online activity. In person, you’re able to sit and enjoy the energy of everyone around you....the best way to explain it, staging wise, is that there are two teams on stage, one on the left and one on the right...You can see the players behind the monitors being very intense but you can also see the gameplay on the screens....To raise money for Children in Need we have a QR code on the stream or a Tiltify page. Just zap to donate!”  

Our show is so exciting because you really don’t see this often. Loads of your favourite people - celebs, influencers and you at home - all together playing games, competing live on telly and raising money for an incredible cause.

Speaking on behalf of BBC Studios, behind the ‘Game On!' initiative, broadcaster and gaming fan Steffan Powell said: “Our show is so exciting because you really don’t see this often. Loads of your favourite people - celebs, influencers and you at home - all together playing games, competing live on telly and raising money for an incredible cause. The show is a real love letter to people’s favourite games and you won’t want to miss out on 10 November!”

'Game On!' for BBC Children in Need will air live on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Friday 10 November. Find out more about the event.

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