I am always impressed with opportunities for gamers to give back while doing what they love, which is why I am so excited about this one. Plus, I might be a little biased working in the health care field, but it’s time once again to play for a good cause.

Hospitopia is a new social game created by CausePlay, which allows players to create and run their own virtu-hospital while helping Children’s Miracle Network raise real money for children’s hospitals across the country. How does this work? Simply put, CausePlay will donate 10% of all game revenue to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The money raised is donated across the network, but players will have the option to select a specific Children’s Miracle Network hospital to benefit by way of prizes and incentives from their game play.

“With nearly 27% of the US population playing social games, the time felt right for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to expand its fundraising tactics into this growing space,” said Craig Sorensen, chief marketing officer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Hospitopia introduces the social gaming 2.0 revolution, which incorporates unique gaming features like a “video earning metrics platform,” which rewards players with game points for viewing video material. Organizations or advertisers can layer PSAs, movie trailers or promotions within game play, and then users earn game points while viewing it.

“CausePlay is proud to have created a business model that not only aligns with nonprofits like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to give back to outstanding causes through game play 365 days a year, but also delivers the most innovative and interactive tools available through social gaming to ignite user interaction and satisfaction,” says Jonas Hudson, founding partner and President of CausePlay, LLC.

“This is a unique opportunity for Intersections to give back to the community in a forward-thinking and interactive platform,” said Michael Stanfield, Chairman and CEO of Intersections. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help children in need while also educating consumers about safe practices for protecting their sensitive data.”
Play Hospitopia on Facebook now.

CMNHospitals.org.

Xbox 360

Awhile back we spoke about the Xbox 360 and Children’s Miracle Network campaign to give the top three voted hospitals a full game center makeover. The contest took place from September 3 and October 16 and during that time, 12 million votes were cast.

“It has been inspiring to see communities rally behind their local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, encouraging friends and neighbors to go online and show their support by placing a vote,” said Brian Hazelgren, chief development officer, Children’s Miracle Network. “We are hopeful that participants in the contest will continue to demonstrate their support by giving a dollar or two to Children’s Miracle Network when they can to help save and improve the lives of children in their community.”

The winning hospitals are:

Hurley Medical Center, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. They each get gameroom makeovers valued at $10,000 each and installation should start in the next few months.

“Microsoft is truly amazed at the community support for the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals around the country,” said Mitch Koch, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Retail Sales & Marketing, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft Corporation. “Twelve million online votes is incredible and Microsoft is thrilled to donate the three winning Children’s Miracle Network hospitals state-of-the-art gamerooms.”

Thank you for voting and continuing to give back to the community.

Xbox 360

Xbox 360 and Children’s Miracle Network need your help to help determine which three Children’s Miracle Network hospitals will get a gameroom makeover by voting online at xbox.childrensmiraclenetwork.org

There are 170 children’s hospitals that Children’s Miracle Network raise funds for and three of those are going to win a total gameroom makeover. Every time you vote for a hospital that hospital will go into a drawing to win one of five Xbox 360 Elite consoles. The contest runs from today through Friday, October 16, 2009. The three hospitals with the most votes will win the gameroom makeover valued at $10,000 each.

“The Gameroom Giveaway is a fun opportunity for all of America to place votes on behalf of the Children’s Miracle Network hospital of their choice, and also learn more about the Children’s Miracle Network and the Xbox 360 partnership,” said Brian Hazelgren, chief development officer, Children’s Miracle Network. “Children’s Miracle Network has found a phenomenal partner in Xbox, and appreciates their efforts in helping us raise funds and awareness for the 170 children’s hospitals in our network.”

Take the time to at least vote once as these hospitals could probably use a gameroom makeover to help make the kids stay at the hospital more fun.

“Xbox is absolutely delighted to continue our strong relationship with Children’s Miracle Network with the Gameroom Giveaway contest – Xbox continues to be inspired by the work that Children’s Miracle Network does and we see this contest as a great way to engage local communities to vote for their favorite hospital to get new equipment for kids and teens in a fun competitive way,” Bruce Hoffman, senior marketing manager.