Gamers Who Give: Meet Mike
In our series "Gamers Who Give," we highlight members of our community who embody the spirit of philanthropy through gaming. Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Mike, a long-time friend of Gamers Engaged and a passionate advocate for charity in the gaming world.
Mike has been an integral part of our events, lending his voice as a live-stream commentator for both The Gauntlet and The Chalice (our Magic: The Gathering-centric charity tournament). His day job in philanthropy gives him unique insights into the potential of gaming for good, making him an invaluable ally in our mission.
We recently sat down with Mike to learn more about his experiences with Gamers Engaged, his love for gaming, and his views on philanthropy in the gaming world.
Why do you keep coming back to the Gauntlet year after year?
The Gauntlet galvanizes gamers. We rally around a cause we believe in: the power of play. We join together and give of our time and our dollars to make an impact in the community; we have fun along the way, too!
What's your favorite Gauntlet memory?
In the 2021 Gauntlet: Cosmos, we didn't let a pandemic get in the way of philanthropy. We broadcasted remotely! Teams competed from their own homes through an online platform. It was a massive logistical undertaking - and a truly remarkable feat by the Gamers Engaged staff - to pull it off.
What do you love about the role you play as a live-stream commentator?
I love being the emcee of both joy and strategy. Gauntlet competitors' friends and families are tuned in and invested in the outcome of their games - what are they playing, how are they doing? I love to invite those people into the space through my commentary, building a wider community than who's directly in the room.
What game are you currently playing that you can't stop? Why?
Magic: the Gathering. It's been nearly 30 years for me! Some folks might remember me from Card Kingdom's weekly legacy stream. I think I've logged over 2,500 hours casting Magic games and I'm still going strong!
If you were an in-game character - what game and what role would you play?
I'd be modeled after Aragorn, Ranger of the North! Ranger, tracker, party leader, and humble friend to many.
Why are you a fan of Gamer's Engaged?
No one's trying what Gamers Engaged is doing. To support a multitude of game and play-focused nonprofits in the community is truly unique. To center around an exciting annual game tournament is thrilling.
What's your alignment?
I think this answer would change every year, month, week. That must make me Chaotic Neutral.
As we continue to grow and expand our impact, it's individuals like Mike who inspire us and remind us of the incredible potential within the gaming community. Whether it's through participating in events, commentating, or supporting our auctions, every contribution helps us further our mission of harnessing the power of play for positive change.
We're grateful to Mike and all our supporters who believe in the vision of Gamers Engaged. Together, we're proving that when gamers unite for a cause, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
