Multiplay, the Company behind the UK’s Biggest Gaming Festival: Insomnia, have announced SpecialEffect as their official Charity for 2013. SpecialEffect is an Oxfordshire-based charity which uses computer games and technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities. The partnership with Multiplay will allow SpecialEffect to have a presence at all of Multiplay’s calendar of gaming events as well as the benefit of many different fundraising efforts provided by Multiplay throughout the year.

Craig Fletcher CEO of Multiplay said “We are delighted to be able to work with SpecialEffect in 2013, as Gamers ourselves we understand how important a role gaming can play in the lives of many advantaged, and disadvantaged people around the world. We could not have chosen a better cause for our first ever official charity, and we look forward to working with SpecialEffect throughout 2013.”

Dr Mick Donegan CEO of SpecialEffect commented “It’s going to be a great partnership. We’re looking forward to the opportunity of spreading the word about the benefits of what we do through Multiplay’s events, and we’re very grateful to the Multiplay staff for their support. It will enable more disabled people to have the expert knowledge and opportunity to try different adapted equipment, games and activities tailored to their own, very individual abilities and interests.“

To celebrate this partnership, and to announce their fundraising events for the year, Multiplay would like to invite the gaming community and Press to their first social meetup of the year, “The Multiplay Effect”. The Event will be held on February 22nd from 6pm to 9pm at the Temple Walkabout in London. SpecialEffect will be demonstrating eye-control of computer games and there will be the opportunity for attendees to try the equipment for themselves. All proceeds go to SpecialEffect. Please RVSP at events@multiplay.co.uk

One of the beneficiaries of the charity is Cai, who’s seven years old and has a condition which makes his muscles very weak. He doesn't have much strength or dexterity in his hands so finds it difficult to press some of the buttons on an Xbox 360 controller. The SpecialEffect team visited him at home to try out some equipment set-ups which would allow him to access the buttons he couldn't previously use. By combining pieces of mainstream and specially adapted hardware, the team created a set-up with lighter touch buttons which could also be moved to a more easily accessible position. Cai could then reach and press them himself, giving him the freedom and independence he was longing for.

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Multiplay are a leading service provider to the games industry, a consultant and promoter to major publishers and gaming companies. They organize the UK's leading gaming event, the Insomnia Gaming Festival as well as delivering custom gaming events, including Minecon 2012 for Mojang as well as press events, game launches and live video / stage production. They also work with Developers and Publishers to provide worldwide high availability game hosting solutions, including websites, multiplayer instances and complete game platform hosting.

SpecialEffect are an award-winning Oxfordshire charity that helps people with disabilities to use leading-edge technology for therapy, rehabilitation and fun. In particular, they’re dedicated to helping everyone with disabilities to enjoy computer games. For many, the majority of computer games are simply too quick or too difficult to play, and SpecialEffect can help them to find out which games they can play, and how to adapt those games that they can't.

SpecialEffect contact: Mark Saville, Communications

Mobile: 07740 779278

Office: 01608 810055

info@specialeffect.org.uk

www.specialeffect.org.uk

Twitter: @specialeffect

Facebook: specialeffectcharity

Charity no 1121004

Multiplay contact: Stevie Ward, Marketing and Community

Telephone:  +44 (0)845 868 1337 (9:00am – 6:00)

Enquiries: enquiries@multiplay.co.uk

Sales: sales@multiplay.co.uk

Twitter: @Multiplay

Facebook: Multiplay