Independent game developer and livestreamer Nathan Dickson recently completed a 24-hour charity stream, during which he developed a video game from scratch — all to raise awareness and donations for the Gamers Outreach Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of hospitalized children through gaming.
Gamers Outreach provides young patients with access to entertainment and play through its signature GO Karts — portable gaming stations designed for hospital use. These units allow children undergoing treatment to play games, connect with friends, and experience a sense of normalcy, even while confined to their hospital rooms.
Nathan’s decision to host the charity stream came from a moment of inspiration.
“I was already preparing for a 24-hour game dev session,” he explained. “Then I thought, why not use that time to do something that actually helps people?”
The livestream, broadcast across multiple platforms, took viewers on an immersive journey through the entire development process — from concept art and coding to gameplay testing and debugging. Between segments, Nathan shared stories about the mission of Gamers Outreach and encouraged fans to donate through a Tiltify campaign, ensuring that all funds went directly to the charity.
Throughout the event, Nathan engaged with his audience, offering insights into the indie game development process, discussing creativity, and emphasizing the emotional power of gaming as a form of connection and healing. The stream balanced technical depth with heartfelt storytelling, reminding viewers that games can be tools of both creativity and compassion.
While fundraising was the primary objective, Nathan also wanted to highlight how small creators can make a big difference when driven by purpose.
“You don’t need a massive following to create impact,” he said. “Even one person raising awareness helps spread the message. It’s about passion, not numbers.”
The Gamers Outreach Foundation currently supports over 400 hospitals, enabling millions of play sessions every year for children in need. Their work continues to grow, powered by collaborations with developers, content creators, and gamers who believe in the positive potential of play.
Looking ahead, Nathan plans to host more events that combine game development, storytelling, and community-driven impact.
“This experience reminded me how meaningful it is to blend creativity with compassion,” Nathan said. “It’s not just about making games — it’s about using what we love to bring a little light into someone else’s world.”
