DeeCon 2018 profits to help gaming charity
Published On Thu 5 Apr 2018 by Jonathan Watson
Student superheroes from the University of Dundee are swinging into action to aid the work of a national charity.
Organisers of DeeCon 2018 are to contribute a percentage of profits generated from this year’s event to SpecialEffect, which utilises pioneering technology to allow people with physical disabilities to play video games.
With thousands of fancy-dressed visitors expected to descend on campus for the event on April 7, organisers are hopeful of generating a bumper sum of cash for the charity.
Hosted by animation students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), this year’s event will see a greater emphasis placed on computer gaming while continuing to celebrate the world of comic book culture and science fiction.
DeeCon committee member and DJCAD student artist Sharkie said that given the growing popularity of gaming, it was fitting to select SpecialEffect as DeeCon 2018’s charity of choice.
“We plan to give 5% of the total profit of the event to SpecialEffect as we feel they are an extraordinary charity,” she said.
“They have a prominent focus on the communal aspect of gaming and are always looking to utilise the potential of new technologies around and beyond gaming.
“We find this extremely admirable as it furthers the studies of technology that can help those who struggle to move or communicate.
“Because of this we feel SpecialEffect is a worthwhile charity that everyone should support."
Established in 2007, SpecialEffect create and provide loans of customised adapted interfaces to people unable to play video games with standard controllers.
Eye-tracking technology and modified joypads are just some of the personalised pieces of technology provided by the charity to allow people of all ages to get gaming, despite their physical disability.
Mark Saville from the charity hailed the generosity of big-hearted Dundee students, saying: "We’re humbled and delighted to be supported by DeeCon.
“The funds that are raised will help our specialist teams to travel the length and breadth of the UK, creating custom gaming control setups for people with physical disabilities who can often only watch everyone else experience the fun, competition and inclusion of video games.
"Video games are an amazing medium through which people make friends, socialise and come together.
“To have DeeCon’s support in extending that medium to everyone is truly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, organisers are putting the final touches in place ahead of next month’s event, with a bumper crowd anticipated after adverse weather in February prompted the cancellation of high-profile conventions at Dunfermline and Glasgow.
Confirmed guests include YouTubers MarleyThirteen and Batchy, concept sculptor and artist Sam Rowan, and top games animator and DJCAD graduate Nikki Christie, who has found fame working on titles such as Call of Duty and Horizon Zero Dawn.
Meanwhile, the much-loved cosplay masquerades, exhibitions and stalls are also expected to draw in the crowds.
Further information about DeeCon 2018 can be found at www.facebook.com/deecon.event.
For media enquiries contact:
Jonathan Watson
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 381489
Email: j.s.watson@dundee.ac.uk