Here's a story to help lift your spirits: 11 bit studios, the developer behind the acclaimed This War of Mine and Frostpunk, has succeeded in raising over half a million dollars to benefit children around the world.

11-bit studios accomplished this through their War Child DLC pack for This War of Mine. This DLC, which originally released back in March of 2015, adds collectible graffiti from world-famous street artists to the game, with 100% of the proceeds from this DLC going to War Child, a UK-based charity organization that helps children around the world who are affected by war.

Thanks to 11 bit studios, these artists, and the gamers who supported them, the studio was able to raise over $500,000 for War Child. This money translated to:

3 temporary learning spaces that were able to continue the education of over 260 children

26 unaccompanied children put into foster families in Central African Republic

Summer schooling for 457 students in Iraq

840 children (aged four to six) given access to Early Childhood and Care Development in Afghanistan

An expanded child helpline in Democratic Republic of Congo, which received 14,557 calls in 2017 and allowed 2,215 children to receive shelter with specialized child protection organizations

Funding for a new gamer-focused fundraising arm at War Child, which has raised over $2.5 million to date

11 bit studios released a video thanking players for their support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ojWP--0fs&feature=youtu.be

The impact of war on civilian lives is a topic that's obviously very important the Warsaw-based studio. 11 bit studios' critically-acclaimed This War of Mine is based on the Siege of Sarajevo and shows players a picture of war from the perspective of civilians, as well as the psychological and emotional impact such conflict has on them. TechRaptor's Shaun Joy said of the game in his review: "Let’s not mince words: This War of Mine is a brutal game."

You can learn more about War Child, their mission, and how they go about doing it on the charity's website.