Interview with Bill Wagner, Sportswriter at The Game Haus
Interview with Bill Wagner, Sportswriter at The Game Haus
We at Dreamscape can never predict the amount of support we will receive. A recent successful fundraiser, hosted by Sierra, MissSunshyne, was a mix of effort and passion! After raising a whopping $2,000 for Anita Rutland, we saw an influx of what we like to call “Sharing The Dream”. This is how we connected with Bill Wagner, one of our donors during the event, and an online journalist who writes for The Game Haus. We reached out to Bill to learn more about his interesting background.
What is The Game Haus?
Sports and Video Games draw similarities because they both come down to the same question: ‘Do you enjoy the competition?’ That’s where The Game Haus comes, to bridge the gap. TGH was established to provide viewers & readers with an unbiased outlook on everything sports while providing facts that you normally wouldn’t find anywhere else. With the help of skilled and passionate journalists like Bill, TGH is able to provide the most live story developments in both sports and eSports. (Video Game Competitions) To give you a better idea to what types of news they report on, just check out some recent headlines: Overwatch League All-Stars, Pokemon: Metagame Analysis, Timberwolves Begin Coach Search and 2019 NBA Draft Lottery Results. That’s just the start! No matter your preference, there is content there for everybody. From podcasts and interviews to articles and video clips, they have reported on everything!What does a Sportswriter know about Video Games?
We can all agree Bill has a long history in the world of sports but what makes him a credible video game reporter? This story hits closer to home for the journalist. Wagner has always played games, here and there when he could, but when he and his son went to Twitchcon together, it changed his entire perspective. It started as an excuse to spend more time with his son, and they both enjoy their shared interest. Bill reminisced when they used to play old Gameboy games together, collecting all of the Pokemon. While at Twitchcon together, they came across the game Destiny 2 and downloaded the loot-shooter game once back at home. It wasn’t until Bill’s son decided to buy him new downloadable content to play together, that Bill realized he had a new way to bond with his son. His interest started booming as a writer when he decided to go to the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) 2017. (A video game tournament held in Las Vegas, NV every year) While there, Wagner piqued an interest in content creating but did not really know where to start. One thing he did realize, was that eSports needed more content. While he still struggles with speaking, he shares that “there is more than one way to tell a story.” Bill uses his strengths in writing, along with experience in video editing to avert his weakness. He focuses only on his strengths so that quality content will consistently surface. When visiting Las Vegas, he decided to interview as many people as he could, some streaming on his Twitter. Using the interviews as resources, he gathered a few articles sharing what he deems Good Stories! That type of confidence and resourcefulness is one reason why The Game Haus has Bill on board! What started off as a small idea, has now attracted global attention. Today, Bill can say “I do mean world… I’ve talked to people in Zambia, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil” Wagner continues, “We just talk about who they are and what they do, gaming and all that.”Your Background is Everything
We noticed when speaking with Bill, that he is a person who follows his dreams, no matter where they may take them. Graduating college in 1995, Bill went on to work retail for a handful of years, shortly thereafter becoming a Blackjack Dealer. During this time, the now video game journalist also began working part-time as an umpire in Softball, Basketball, and Soccer. At the moment, Bill’s main focus is his work as a writer and interviewer for The Game Haus. One of Bill’s favorite moments came April 26, in 2008. The game Wagner was umpiring was a Fastpitch Softball game near his house, Central Washington University against Western Oregon. The sequence of events started when Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon hit her very first career home run. The story goes: In the excitement, Tucholsky missed first base. The first base coach yells at her to turn around and touch the base. In that moment, Sara’s knee twisted so uncomfortably that she tore her ACL. Any sports fan can tell you that this injury could be a career end-er. Not being able to get up to finish her run around the bases, Sara must have thought she couldn’t finish the home run. This is when two players from Central Washington picked up the seriously-injured girl to help carry her around the bases. They made sure to touch her healthy leg on each base, so that Tucholsky can finish her first career home run.Tiltify Offers a Charitable Spin on Streaming
Tiltify Offers a Charitable Spin on Streaming
Live streaming is here to stay. According to Cision PR Newswire, streaming is projected to become a 70.5 billion dollar industry by 2021.
Yet it isn’t just great for profit. With the rapid swell of audiences for live streaming channels comes an opportunity to bring people together in a common cause. In fact, that’s exactly what Tiltify does for it’s users.
What is Tiltify?
Tiltify is a crowdfunding platform whose design caters specifically to streaming platforms. It enables users to execute a fundraising campaign where their audience can donate or take action straight from the streaming platform. There’s no need to navigate away from the livestream, so participation is easy and no one has to miss a beat.How to Use Tiltify to Raise Funds for Charity
But how do you setup a campaign? It’s easier than you think. Tiltify has a database of nonprofits you can search and select from as you build your campaign. Here’s how it works:Step One: Click Explore
Start by clicking on the “Explore” button at the left side of the menu bar at the top of the page. You’ll find it just beside the Tiltify logo. This button will take you to a search page where you can select the charity you want to raise money for through your campaign.
Step Two: Search for Your Charity of Choice
If you aren’t sure which charity to raise money for, you can scroll down this page to browse the list of charities available to raise money for through Tiltify’s platform. However, if you already know who you’re doing a campaign for, you can jump to their account using the search bar.
Simply type their name into the bar and click “search”! If they have an account, it will populate. If they don’t, the charity will need to create an account through Tiltify in order to receive donations through your platform.
Step Three: Select “Start Fundraising”
Once you click the “Start Fundraising” button next to the charity’s account listing, you’ll be prompted to create your own account or sign in using your email or social media/streaming platform login.
From this point, Tiltify will walk you through the next steps for creating your account or starting a campaign!
Want to Do a Charity Stream for Dreamscape Foundation?
Are you a streamer? Do you want to use Tiltify for a charity stream in support of Dreamscape Foundation? If so, we would love to hear from you! We partner with numerous streamers, from veterans in digisphere to “up and coming” channels who are looking to put their talents toward a good cause! You don’t have to be a household name to make a difference. Simply bring to us a willingness to commit to a charity stream with us and we’ll happily help you promote it! Fill out our contact form to start a conversation. From there, one of our Dreamscape Foundation employees will be happy to reach out and brainstorm some ideas. Next »« PreviousKool Kits Hosts Gaming Marathon To Support Accessibility This Christmas
Kool Kits Hosts Gaming Marathon To Support Accessibility This Christmas
Dreamscape Foundation and The Kool Kits squad are teaming up to bring you our last Christmas fundraiser of 2018. At Dreamscape Foundation, we focus our energy each holiday season on our accessibility programs and families in need of Christmas miracles. For the Kool Kits squad charity marathon we will be raising awareness and funds for our accessibility programs. All campaign donations will get proceeded through our Tiltify page.
Making Our Communities Accessible
When we look closer into our communities, it is evident that the obstacles between disabilities and everyday life are genuine. Every challenge is different; every need is different. They share our schools, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. People with impairments interact with the same physical and online environments as everyone else in our communities and face unseen challenges. At Dreamscape Foundation, we strive to do all we can to ensure that these at-risk groups have the support they need to be independent, and through the Kool Kits stream this Christmas it will be made possible!Meet The Kool Kits
From December 20th at 8:30 AM EST to December 22ND at 6 PM EST the Kool Kits stream team will be fundraising for accessibility for two straight days! On Twitter, Twitch Partner, LeClumsyFox (Kool Kits Squad member) said that ” This is [charity stream] the first Kool Kits Stream Event with Dreamscape Foundation! I am so excited.” It is exhilarating that this stream team has chosen Dreamscape Foundation for their first charity stream and we hope their audiences enjoy the event and giveaways! The Kool Kits squad is composed of 11 Twitch Channels consisting of the following people:- LeClumsyFox
- NotJedo
- WhalesMustache
- SkullSir
- LxrdPunch
- CaptainPandu
- ZanB
- Renessiee
- Cruefire
- Lank
- OfficialPlazma
Donation Incentives
As always, each Dreamscape Foundation charity stream is complete with donation incentives. Due to shipping costs, Dreamscape Foundation will only be shipping prizes to the USA prize winners. Our organization is aware of the European Audience that will be attending the event and in hopes of accommodating them have included digital prizes such as gift cards and Steam keys. The donation threshold for each giveaway is as follows:- $5: Enter to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420 (Ships USA)
- $10: Receive a Dreamscape Foundation T-Shirt (Ships USA), a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card, and two entries to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420.
- $20: Receive a Dreamscape Foundation T-Shirt (Ships USA), 1 Mystery Steam Key, a chance to win a $25 Steam gift card, and four entries to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420.
- $50: Receive a Dreamscape Foundation T-Shirt, a Dreamscape Hat, 3 Mystery Steam Keys, a chance to win a $55 Amazon gift card, and ten entries to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420.
- $100: Receive a Dreamscape Foundation T-Shirt, a Dreamscape Hat, 5 Mystery Steam Keys, a chance to win an Alexa Echo Dot (3rd Gen) with a smart plug, a chance to win a $100 Steam gift card, and twenty entries to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420.
- $250: Receive a Dreamscape Foundation T-Shirt, a Dreamscape Hat, 10 Mystery Steam Keys, an Alexa Echo Dot (3rd Gen) with a smart plug, a $30 Amazon gift card, a blog feature about you on our website, a chance to win a $100 Steam gift card, and fifty entries to win a Lenovo Thinkpad T-420.
TikTak Takes on Charity Stream for Dreamscape
TikTak Takes on Charity Stream for Dreamscape
Fortnite: Save The World streamer RoundedTikTak is relatively new to the Twitch realm, yet he’s quickly gained the attention of viewers and game developers alike. All it takes is one session to see why. The 30-something-year-old gamer brings to the table an entertaining personality and addictive streaming experience that will remind you of a night out with your favorite crew.
But it isn’t always just fun and games on TikTak’s stream. Sometimes he opts to raise money for a good cause. This November he’s using his platform to collaborate with Dreamscape Foundation on a life-changing charity stream to raise money for two brothers with LHON.
Streaming with a Charitable “Twitch”
This isn’t the first charity stream for TikTak. The last one he did alongside another streamer was for an organization founded by Linkin Park called Music for Relief Foundation. The program dedicates its time, funds, and efforts to helping communities and individuals affected by natural disasters, including recovery and rebuilding efforts. The 12-hour event originally set the bar at $500 in donations. Instead, it blew past its goal to hit $1,400. “For a smaller time streamer, it’s not bad at all,” TikTak said. His next charity stream takes place at 9 am EST on November 18. This one is for the Jongsma Twins, a pair of brothers who are working hard to raise enough money for eSight Eyewear in order to help them redeem some of their vision. When asked why he chose to help Dreamscape Foundation in this effort, TikTak said, “I like that their goals are individual… You know you’re helping out these two young men. That’s much more acute than some broad, obtuse goal where you don’t know where the money’s going. [Dreamscape’s staff] seem like very nice, caring people and that’s what we’re all about. If I can help out, I want to.”A Look at TikTak’s Unique Flavor
If you aren’t deep in the trenches of Fortnite streaming, you may not be familiar with TikTak. After all, his debut on Twitch was only in July of 2017. However, if you’re a fan of live gaming and a good time, it’s the perfect place to chill. His alias comes from an old Xbox gamer tag, which he added “Rounded” to when TikTak was already taken. It’s simple, it’s efficient, and (like his stream) it packs a lot of flavor. TikTak is a niche streamer who plays Fortnite every morning. In fact, he’s one of the original streamers and content creators for Fortnite Save the World. As a host, he prides himself on creating an entertaining environment where people can laugh and have a good time without having to deal with trolls, hate speech, unsolicited promos, and just plain bad behavior.Creating a Digital Hangout for All
While TikTak’s stream is about 30% women and 70% men, it’s 100% equal in acceptance. No matter who you are, it’s a safe environment to hang out, chat, and catch some high-quality Fortnite action. “I look at myself as a TV show,” TikTak explains. “I try to have everybody come in, relax, and let me do my job of giving you a few laughs in the morning. It’s like a night out at the bar with your friends.” Those who hang out can chat directly with TikTak, who makes it a point to try to interact with everyone during his stream. Attendees can participate in giveaways, TikTak Tag-a-Longs, request songs, and play in-chat games. Many wonder how he managed to create a successful streaming channel so quickly. It’s quite a feat. Yet when asked what he would say to anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps, his words are purely encouraging. “If you have something you are really passionate about, make sure you give it a shot,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about streaming. I learned all of it from scratch on my own through YouTube. So if you’re thinking about getting into it, you can absolutely do it. It just takes time, consistency, patience, and a little bit of stubbornness to make things work sometimes.”An Epic Adventure Lies Ahead
Just before the upcoming charity stream, TikTak’s going on a grand adventure to the headquarters of Fortnite’s creator, Epic Games. “I have this chance to go and meet a bunch of people from Epic Games’ headquarters, that literally owns the largest game in the entire world right now…and I’m one out of 5 people [to receive the invitation]. That’s amazing. That is kind of like a dream come true.” What this journey entails, he can’t say. However, he will be sharing whatever details he can during the charity stream on November 18th. To find out more, make sure you tune in! Next »« PreviousTwitch.tv and Fundraising
Twitch.tv and Fundraising
Twitch is a social media and video live streaming platform in the gaming community where players can come together. Amongst a multitude of other similar video streaming and online communication mediums, Twitch is at the forefront.
As of 2017, Twitch raised over an astounding 75 million dollars for 100 different charitable initiatives. The gaming community has over 45 million gaming members, which makes it a perfect resource for charity fundraising.
Twitch hosts many prominent events that bring the community together to support initiatives. The events range from Cancer Prevention Awareness to Doctors Without Borders, & even Dreamscape Foundation.
Having the ability to live stream from any location in order to put people in the front row of any event is huge. Donators or investors can get the experience of what the initiatives and charities offer.
Twitch connects to multiple social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter giving them the ability to reach an even larger worldwide audience to spread the word about charity events, ways to donate and making people aware of causes that don’t receive as much spotlight.
Live interviews and Q&A sessions provide the viewers with direct communication with the charities. Direct connection encourages people to engage and ask questions, breaking down communication barriers and sparking more awareness as well.
While charities usually set up web links to crowd funding pages that provide viewers with details about the initiative, Dreamscape has worked to build their own. Our fundraising tool, built right into the website, lets them view interactive videos and click to donate options similar to popular sites Indiegogo, Kickstarter and GoFundMe.
Giving people the ability to do everything at home or on the go is another great option. Physical involvement in charities can be time consuming, but with the advent of live streaming technologies it has become increasingly easier to get the message out there. Users not only can view streams, but they can also save live moments for later and share them across most social media platforms.
Twitch streamers usually offer fixed length streams at multiple time intervals. Common lengths are five daily streams, and broadcasts up to 6, 12, even 24 hours! 48 hour or more are typically associated with huge events such as marathons, spanning long duration’s or involving extravagant situations. There are also times when the streams can run indefinitely until the goal is reached called “Until Too Tired to Continue”.
The streaming service is also available on consoles and streaming devices like Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV and NVIDIA Shield to name a few. Twitch has a strong base in the gaming, entertainment community and online world. On Thursday, March 15th, 2018 popular streamer Ninja was playing the game Fortnite with superstars Drake, Travis Scott, and Pittsburgh Steeler WR Juju Smith-Schuster. The stream was viewed live by right under a million different people.
Twitch is a great fundraising tool because it provides such an all-encompassing video platform to build an audience, promote awareness within the community about a charity and through 3rd party resources bring in donations to achieve goals. Twitch holds the top spot as of now for leading video streaming/gaming domain and with more and more initiatives gaining success through the community it will be exciting to see how Twitch will continue to grow and expand into an even more useful resource for charities and other organizations.
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