The two annual Games Done Quick charity marathons have become staples of the video game industry, looked forward to all year round. With June nearing its end, that means that it's once again time for Summer Games Done Quick. The week-long event will feature dozens of speedrunners rushing to complete dozens of games. SGDQ will run from Sunday, June 26, through Sunday, July 3. As those dates would imply, SGDQ 2022 has officially begun.For those unfamiliar with Games Done Quick, it's an organization that puts together marathon speedrunning events where dozens of gamers get together to show off their skills and raise money for charity. This is the twelfth annual Summer Games Done Quick and the first since AGDQ 2020 to be done in-person, as the event has been moved online for the past two years. Tens of thousands of viewers tune in for each GDQ, raising millions of dollars in charity.This year's SGDQ retains the traditional charity effort for the event. That charity is Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian effort to provide medical relief to areas of conflict and regions impacted by endemic diseases across the world. Last year's SGDQ raised an incredible $2.9 million for Doctors Without borders, but this year's speedrunning charity event is hoping to set a new record. This past AGDQ raised an impressive $3.4 million, so SGDQ will have to raise the bar.
Day one of SGDQ 2022 is packed full of awesome speedruns to watch. This afternoon there will be a Mass Effect speedrun where the player doesn't use the Mako. That's followed by the recently released Nintendo Switch exclusive Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Then later tonight will be Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, and Perspective.
There's obviously a lot more to come over the upcoming week, too. The marathon will run 24 hours a day for the full week, so there's time for a lot of games. Titles including the Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Halo Infinite, Half-Life: Alyx, Tunic, Monster Hunter Rise, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl will fill out the week. Next Sunday will wrap things up with big Super Mario, Zelda, and Metroid blocks, as well as the big finale game -- Elden Ring.
Those interested in contributing to SGDQ and Doctors Without Borders can do so in several simple ways. Simply watching the event on Twitch is plenty, but viewers can also use their Twitch Prime account to subscribe and contribute for free. Outside a Twitch subscription, viewers can purchase one of several SGDQ t-shirts offered through The Yetee. And, of course, anyone can donate directly to SGDQ directly using links on the GamesDoneQuick website or the Twitch channel. SGDQ 2022 ends July 3 after midnight.