There are many parts of the world that are struggling with the effects of COVID-19. Losing the livelihoods and worst of all, losing hope to survive through this pandemic. However ugly it may look, there will always be a way to shed some hope.
The ability to bring people together during this tough time is a needed cause. If a musical artist can convey the message of hope through their songs, then gamers alike can do the same. While playing video games may seem trivial in the eyes of the public, YANA (You Are Not Alone) is making the efforts to show that it can be even more.
Global Movement through Virtual interaction
YANA, the global game day is aiming to bring people together through video games in the upcoming month. It has been revealed that beginning on May 2nd, 2020, there will be a first wave of events and talents for the official broadcast of Facebook Gaming and Twitch.
The purpose is to help to connect people by harnessing the strength of the global games community. YANA is encouraging players all around the globe to unite through their favourite games to show that social distancing does not mean there will be no human interaction.
The event has gained the attention and cooperation by many prominent brands such as Barclays, Facebook Gaming and Ubisoft. Each of them has offered their full support for the initiative.
Extending support to Malaysians & SEA
YANA will also be collaborating with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to extend selected broadcast streams for Malaysia and the other neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the event will offer a truly global event with broadcast spanning North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
The 12-hour official broadcast will see a series of world-renowned esports teams and athletes participating a wide range of major video game titles and will offer something for everyone from casual gamers to sports and core competitive titles.
Hasnul Hadi Samsudin, MDEC’s vice president, Digital Creative Content, said, “due to the Movement Control Order, Malaysia’s response to reducing COVID-19, Malaysians have been in isolation for weeks now.
“In wanting to show its support of the YANA Movement, MDEC wants to go above and beyond. It’s not about what we can do locally. Instead, we want to include Malaysia’s neighbours from all over Southeast Asia as well. In doing so, we can help our fellow countrymen and folks from around the region feel less isolated by sending out the awesome message that YANA represents – indeed, ‘You Are Not Alone’. Join us as we showcase and play games of all kinds, made by fellow Malaysians and other creatives across the region. Let’s play a part, together!”
Attraction of Global Supports
The initiative has also gotten supports from many others such as;
“Being able to continue to do what we love while so many are struggling is truly a blessing. Tekkz and Fnatic as a whole are excited to be involved with YANA during the FIFA competition and show that we can continue to be active and engaged with other people during these trying times. Big thanks for having us involved and we cannot wait for May 2nd!”
Fnatic Team Director, Colin Johnson
“This is such a great initiative – one we wanted to be part of from the get-go. We’ll be sending in our young gun Ollelito to represent NiP and we’re sure he’ll do us proud while also contributing to an important cause. #GONINJAS.”
Jonas Gunderson, the COO of NiP
“NoFuchsGiven esports and our player, Dariosh Krowner, are excited to be involved with YANA during the FIFA competition. With many people around the world alone and struggling, it is great that so many passionate people are coming together to use esports as a way to connect people and make isolation a small bit more enjoyable. Big thanks to the team at YANA for having us involved and we cannot wait for the event on May 2nd”
Leicester City Premier League winner and owner of NoFUchsGiveen esports, Christian Fuchs
Notable brands & publishers involved
Minecraft Minigames in support of the Children’s Society: Gamers and parents are
encouraged to play Minecraft together as a family on any device. YANA has built a custom server of games for the event for Minecraft: Java Edition that people can register for on yana.gg. These game modes include the famous “Splegg” minigame- fire eggs at each other to knock players off the floating platform, and WaterWars – a unique minigame where you have to dodge the water and be the last gamer standing.
FIFA 20 YANA Cup Supported by Barclays: Football clubs and esports teams including AS Roma, Brøndby IF, Fnatic, LAFC, LDN UTD, Malmo FF, Ninjas in Pyjamas, NoFuchsGiven, North and Real Betis will go head to head in FIFA 20 on PS4.
The YANA Showdown featuring Fortnite: Hosted by tournament platform GamerzArena.com, amateur players will be given the spotlight with a chance to compete on the live YANA broadcast.
Rainbow Six Siege Pro Player Community Stream: Two top pro players Leon Giddens from Team Secret and Luke Kendrew from Natus Vincere will each select four of their community to team up with for a best-of-one match. The winning team will choose a forfeit for their opponent.
Zwift Race: The online training and racing platform for cycling and running will see some of the best men’s and women’s professional and community teams compete in a virtual race around London. Watch in-real-life outdoor riding pro teams Canyon SRAM, Arkea-Samsic and Vitus Pro Cycling take on the best Zwift specialist riders from Indoor Specialist, Canyon ZCC and EVOQ.BIKE.
Football Manager 20 YANA Challenge: Presenter James Allcott will be leading the charge on this FM 20 segment of YANA with 60 minutes of live content on the day and a fantastic competition that will see one lucky winner make their way into a future version of Football Manager as a footballer. In the build-up to this, in-game advertising platform Bidstack will drive further awareness of the YANA initiative and their event on 2nd May by placing pitchside advertisements in Football Manager 2020 leveraging their native in-game advertising technology.
#WarshipsAreNotAlone: Wargaming will host a one-hour live stream for World of Warships incorporating a series of influencers and sharing naval workouts and recipes people can try at home. In addition, Wargaming will be giving away bonus codes for World of Warships premium items throughout the day. Post a picture of yourself playing World of Warships with #WarshipsAreNotAlone and tag a friend to do the same and tag you back both participants will get a code. The challenge will be promoted across Wargaming social channels as well as the stream.
YANA Live Lounge: Ending the night, the YANA Live Lounge will offer live cover performances from famous artists who will perform their favourite iconic songs linked to video games over the years such as Tony Hawk’s 2, Gears of War, FIFA, Red Dead Redemption and more!
Alongside the official broadcast publishers and brand partners will offer a series of supporting events and competitions:
Just Dance Social Competition: Share a photograph on Twitter and/or Instagram of you dancing with the hashtag ‘JustDanceWithYANA’ for a chance to win a copy of Just Dance 2020.
Green Man Gaming & Chillblast Fastest PC: Worth a whopping USD$10,000 Green Man Gaming, the leading digital games retailer, and Chillblast, the UK’s most awarded custom PC builder, have teamed up to create arguably the world’s fastest gaming PC and are giving this epic prize away to one lucky viewer.
How to sign-up
To take part in this global game event is simple. Gamers are encouraged to create their own content and share their activity on socials using official tags #YANA and #PlayApartTogether to send the message You Are Not Alone to gamers everywhere.
For further information, follow on Twitter @10milliongamers or visit YANA.gg.
