Games Done Quick Hosts Special Event to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Games Done Quick will host a two-day event called Disaster Relief Done Quick to raise money for Direct Relief starting on October 11. All donations collected during this special Games Done Quick event will go directly to Direct Relief, and game submissions for the event are still open at the time of writing.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on the evening of September 26 in the Big Bend region of Florida, with maximum sustained winds reaching 140 mph. The hurricane dissipated three days later, on September 29. As a Category 4 major hurricane and the second major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Helene's destructive path spanned across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and parts of Tennessee and Virginia. Even after landfall, Helene caused widespread destruction, including power and internet outages across the southeastern U.S. As of now, over 200 deaths have been reported as a result of the hurricane.

Games like Final Fantasy 14 have provided some comfort to those affected by Helene, and now Games Done Quick is stepping in to offer financial support. The organization announced on social media that it will host the Disaster Relief Done Quick event, with all proceeds going to Direct Relief. This charity specializes in humanitarian aid and disaster relief, operating across the U.S. and in over 80 countries. Direct Relief’s response to Hurricane Helene focuses on delivering emergency medical supplies, personal hygiene kits, and transportation aid to affected regions. The event will begin on Friday, October 11, at 6:00 PM Eastern, and end on Sunday, October 13, at 11:59 PM Eastern. Run submissions are open until October 6, 11:59 PM Eastern.

Games Done Quick has also shared that the event will be broadcast live on Twitch, and the recordings will be uploaded to YouTube afterward. However, only console game runs will be accepted for the event, and randomizers requiring on-screen tracking will not be allowed. The organizers have also reassured participants that submissions to Disaster Relief Done Quick will not affect their chances of being accepted into Awesome Games Done Quick 2025, set to begin in January.

Between the memorable speedruns of past GDQ events and ongoing efforts to support those affected by Hurricane Helene, Games Done Quick continues to make a meaningful impact. What games will be showcased during the event remains to be seen.