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Bethesda Is Donating $1 Million To Coronavirus Relief Efforts
In an unprecedented act of generosity and goodwill amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic, Bethesda Softworks is donating $1 million to COVID-19 relief efforts around the world. The publisher, responsible for properties like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and DOOM, often catches flak for its frequent missteps, but it's inarguable that this charitable move is worthy of at least some goodwill.
Although on a more obscure, corporate level, Bethesda and the rest of the gaming industry are suffering along with the global populace thanks to the deep economic effects of global quarantine efforts in response COVID-19. Every major industry in-person trade show has been delayed or cancelled, including E3 2020, where Bethesda annually hosts a conference. Now, the large publisher is joining its peers at the charitable Games Done Quick in chipping in to help organizations that provide assistance to the virus's hardest-hit victims and work tocurb its further spread through vaccine research and development.
On April 27, Bethesda tweeted the below pledge to donate $1 million to "charities around the globe to help COVID-19 relief efforts." A news post on the publisher's website goes into further detail, stating the company wants to do more than "keep you entertained and connected through our games" in this time of crisis, and it's outlined how its generous gesture will be divvied between worthy causes. Direct Relief, "a charity which is directly involved in COVID-19 relief efforts" and provides critical PPE supplies to hospitals, will receive $500,000, while UNICEF and "local COVID-19 relief efforts within the communities where [Bethesda staff] work and live" will receive $250,000 apiece. In a very wise move, Bethesda is leaving it up to its "individual studios and international offices" to determine which local groups will be aided.
The publisher's many (often well-justified) detractors know that it generally only seems to make moves well-received by players on accident, but even they have to give it Bethesda that its pledged donations are commendable and worthy of widespread emulation where it can be spared throughout the industry. There may be strictly PR-minded goals behind this act of charity, but it does little to erase what a public good the company is doing. Considering this and the recent free Wastelanders expansion for the ailing Fallout 76, if Bethesda does win back a positive place in the minds of some, it will have been well-earned.
So far, this is one of the biggest pledges of capital put toward fighting COVID-19's tight worldwide grip in the gaming industry so far, putting Bethesda a cut above the rest in demonstrating its commitment to the public health. By the time the next announcement about the publisher's mysterious Star Field title is made, hopefully many more companies will have joined in on the efforts.
