Hawty McBloggy Invites You to Play

The following is a write-up of my experience at the Child’s Play Charity Dinner Auction 2008. Those craving a more visual experience should view Child’s Play Charity Dinner Auction 2008: A Photo Diary.

One of the gaming events I look forward to attending each and every year is the Child’s Play Charity Dinner Auction, an annual affair hosted by the fun and generous people behind Penny Arcade. Held on the 4th Floor of the Washington Convention Center, this swanky fundraising dinner event not only benefits Child’s Play (a community based charity grown and nurtured from the game culture and industry) but is also just a delightful evening in general. Good company, delicious food, and the chance to get your hands on some of the most amazing video game-related items out there, all in the name of a good cause? I say hell yeah! In the name of the kids of course.

The silent auction was first up on the agenda, and there were a plethora of tempting items calling out to the throng of potential bidders purposely wandering the floor. From a mint-condition, limited edition Black Dreamcast autographed by former Sega President Peter Moore to a Halo 3 Master Chief helmet signed by Bungie, Roosterteeth, and Penny Arcade staff, there was something there for everyone. A bundle including a Gears of War-themed Xbox 360, an art book, and a copy of the game (all slathered in autographs) was quite popular as was the Bungie Classic Sack (which held Pathways into Darkness, Abuse, Marathon, Marathon 2: Durandal, Marathon Infinity, a Marathon Strategy Guide, Myth: The Fallen Lords box set [classy wooden box includes Myth soundtrack, Bungie holiday cards, t-shirt and Myth: The Fallen Lords for Windows 95, signed by Jason Jones], Myth 2: Soublighter, a Myth 2: Soulblighter poster, Oni, an Oni Door Poster, and a Bungie t-shirt). While last year’s auction featured amazing concept art, this year the highlight was on original art. There was a stunning original Braid painting, an adorable Pikachu piece, and several various autographed prints as well. Halo fanatics could be found drooling over a beautiful print of Melissa from I Love Bees, an alternate reality game and a viral marketing campaign for the release of Halo 2.

Once the silent auction wrapped up, it was time to move on to dinner and the live auction. While the majority of my dinner companions dined on Grilled Natural Angus New York Steak, I enjoyed a plate of Pumpkin Ravioli that was topped with a delicious apple cider butter sauce. Attendees savored their meals and sipped on their wine, and Gabe and Tycho emceed the live auction proceedings. One of the more expensive items of the evening was the appearance in a Penny Arcade strip (which sold for an astounding $10,000) while a more unique item was The Harmonix Mystery Microwave. The amount of things those people managed to cram in a single, broken down appliance was beyond impressive. The hosts were unable to part with everything though which was apparent when it came time to auction off a bronze-cast World of Warcraft statue of an orc and wolf mount. Gabe could not resist bidding and eventually ended up the winner, contributing more than a pretty penny to his very own charity.

Every year I have bid on both silent and live auction items but have yet to actually go home with anything. Until this year. I stalked the 360 Sports Pack of video games and found myself armed with 17 new titles when the night was over. No, I don’t play the majority of those games but let’s just say I have one very happy husband. With an event that raised just over $200k in a single evening that personally netted me an entire library of games covering almost every sport man has ever played, I think it’s safe to declare the evening a success. Until next year, when we do it all again.