Numerous companies and developers have gone out of their way to help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Rockstar Games announced that they would be donating 5% of in-game purchases in Red Dead and GTA Online. There are new REQ packs in Halo 5: Guardians whose purchases will go to those dealing with the pandemic. the developers behind Plague Inc. donated to Coronavirus research. Minecraft released free educational content and more. Today, Sony has announced the creation and establishment of the “Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19” consisting of $100 million in order to support those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
President and CEO of Sony Corporation, Kenichiro Yoshida said: “Sony extends its condolences to the families of those who have passed away as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and extends sympathies to all those who have been impacted. In order to overcome the unprecedented challenges that as a society we now face around the world, we will do all we can as a global company to support the individuals on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, the children who are our future, and those who have been impacted in the creative community.”
Sony said that they will provide support in three specific areas: assistance for those individuals engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts to fight the virus, support for children and educators who now must work remotely and support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry which has been greatly impacted by the spread of the virus.
Sony has donated $10 million of the COVID-19 Relief Fund to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Médecins Sans Frontièrs, United Nations Children’s Fund and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to assist medical workers and others on the frontline of response efforts to the virus. Sony will also work with its external partners to explore ways to support activities that prevent spread and contribute to the treatment of the COVID-19 virus. To help with education, Sony will explore ways to leverage its technologies in support of educational activities and cooperate with educators to implement these measures. To help support up-and-coming creators in the entertainment industry, Sony will work with its group companies to help those who have been impacted by the cancellation or postponement of concerts and live events as well as those who have been impacted by the shutting down of film and television productions. Sony also announced a matching gift program where employees can provide support as well.