In less than two days, the Humble Freedom Bundle has made close to $4 million and shows no sign of slowing. The $30 (£24) gaming bundle packs close to 50 games, including standouts like The Witness, Invisible Inc., Nuclear Throne and Octodad and benefits pro-immigrant charities. However it's so popular, that some game keys are starting to run out.
Humble Bundles have been around for a few years now, offering discounted games to many and helping to support various charities around the world. However with many other sources of affordable games these days, it's been a while since a bundle really captured people's attention and imagination. The Humble Freedom Bundle however, has arrived as a digital counterpoint to the recent U.S. immigration ban and has been incredibly successful.
In less than 36 hours, more than $3.8 million has been raised by the sale of more than 118,000 bundles. The average purchase price currently sits at $32.14, with several buyers paying over $1,000 and one as much as $3,000 to show their support.
However, if you haven't purchased it yet and want to do so, you should get to it sooner rather than later. Certain titles, like Subnautica and Monster Loves You! have sold out entirely, while Super Meat Boy has used up its pile of Steam keys – though DRM-free versions are still available.
Just a handful of the games and books you get as part of the bundle
To make up for some games starting to run out, Humble Bundle has added two new titles to the lot: Ninja Pizza Girl and Robot Roller-Derby Disco Dodgeball.
As great as the games are though, what's important about this bundle, is that the games and books on offer don't generate any money for their creators. 100 per cent of payments go directly to the International Rescue Committee, Doctors Without Borders and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Humble Bundle company itself also pledged to match donations up to $300,000, so this bundle has generated a lot of financial support in no time at all. It seems likely to break all previous records.
“We humbly remember that the United States is a nation of immigrants, and we proudly stand with developers, authors, and charities that champion liberty and justice for all,” the bundle's description reads, following a quote from an engraving on the Statue of Liberty about supporting the needy and destitute.
The bundle will run for another five and a half days and we may see more content added to it before concluding.
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KitGuru Says: There is a staggering amount of games and media included in this bundle. More than $600 worth according to the founders. How much would you pay for it all?
Updated 15/02/2017 with new game list, monetary total.
I get what people are saying but the USA was or is banning just those 7 countries on a temp basis mainly because they have found those countries have been known to have terrorist groups there. It is not blocking all countries or immigrants as the media would like people to think they are spreading a lot of fud. It sucks for the people involved but the US government thinks it is the right action to take at this time. Do I agree with it yes and no I think if it stops chance for a bombing then it was worth it. At the same time I do not like a country being selected like this and it’s people all branded as terrorists because we know that is not true. If you all want to complain about it don’t complain to Trump start yelling at the terrorist groups that made the USA feel they have to take these actions to keep it’s people safe. It was not long ago we had a lot of people die because of this in Paris because no one took action to try to stop things like this happening.
It is also to bad we also have to worry about home grown terrorists now days as well. Meaning some people reading fud on the internet and decide they want to join in and kill their own people because some deranged person wrote some extremist garbage and spread it on the internet. My point is put the blame where it is supposed to go not the people trying to do something about it.
The US Constitution says the government cannot discriminate against people based on religion (yes, even non-citizens if they are on US soil or are being processed by US immigration or US refugee services — that has been settled law for over 100 years) and the problem is that Trump and several of his staffers have called it a Muslim ban on several occasions, as well as advocating favoring Christian minorities in those countries (including the lie that they had been discriminated against.)
Sure the executive order was more carefully worded, but intent is just as important.
The other problem is the terribly hamfisted way the order was executed, with green card holders being caught up in the mess (I am a green card holder, so sympathize) and with visa holders being prevented from entering the US even though they had landed in the States already. It is also leaves Arabic translators and interpreters and who have risked their lives helping the US forces in these countries at serious risk of retaliation from Islamic radicals, as well as their families. Any delay in the process is to risk their lives.
Finally, there has not been one terrorist attack by an immigrant or refugee from any of those countries on US soil. The existing system was working – anyone applying for refugee status in the US is already vetted for 18 months to 2 years before they are allowed to set foot in the US. Trump’s characterization of the existing situation was full of lies and deceptions.
Whether it is bad law will be decided by the courts, but there is no doubt that it is bad policy (which may end up encouraging more terrorism in the US) and was extremely badly executed.
I was happy to pay $60 for the Freedom Bundle, and delighted at its success in raising funds for these worthy institutions.