The official Halo Twitter account recently announced that over $400,000 USD has been raised for the GlobalGiving Coronavirus Relief Fund. The money was raised from purchases of limited edition #WeGotThisSpartans shirt from MetaThreads, along with a Relief and Recovery REQ DLC Pack for Halo 5: Guardians. The REQ Pack, which was available up until April 30th, featured five permanent, ultra-rare or better rarity cosmetics along with 10 boost cards. The proceeds of the REQ pack went to helping first responders get the equipment they need, the making of masks and ventilators, the deliverance of essential items to those in need, and supporting hygiene awareness. The shirt (which is now sold out) retailed for $24.95 USD and went towards the International Rescue Committee’s Coronavirus Crisis Response (which is a branch of the same charity).
Methods to raise money for coronavirus relief have also spread to other smaller names associated with Microsoft. Through the month of April the voice of Master Cheif, Steve Downes, donated the money he raised making cameos in different creators videos towards Project C.U.R.E. All together his total donation collection was around $38,000 USD.
At the same time, Xbox is currently apart of a 2020 Summer Games Fest to celebrate video games along with new reveals and demos for players to take part in. This celebration is in order to help many creators that were not able to showcase their new developments due to the cancellation of E3 by COVID-19. Many other games are pledging themselves to raise money to help coronavirus first responders and those that were financially set back by the intensity of the pandemic. Currently, Rockstar is donating 5% of their in-game earnings towards coronavirus research and relief, along with Roblox, who hosted an online coronavirus relief concert.