How Games Bring Hope to Kids – Insights from April Stallings of Make-A-Wish International:
As video games continue to evolve as both art and community, they’re also becoming a powerful force for good. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, sat down with April Stallings, Charitable Gaming Program Manager at Make-A-Wish International, to talk about how gaming brings connection, comfort, and joy to children with critical illnesses. From wish-granting collaborations with AAA studios to indie partnerships, April shares how games are helping kids around the world find hope and healing through play.
From Arcades to Advocacy – April’s Journey into Gaming and Giving:
April Stallings’ love of gaming started long before her work with Make-A-Wish. Her father owned a local arcade called Wizard World, where she and her sisters spent hours playing classics like Pac-Man and Pole Position. That early spark turned into a lifelong connection to games — and today, she’s helping children around the world experience that same joy.
After earning a degree in marine biology, Stallings’ path led her to nonprofit work, where she eventually found her way to Make-A-Wish. “I finally get to combine my passion for games with making the world a better place,” she said. Her enthusiasm for gaming is still going strong — from Borderlands 4 to cozy indie titles like Blueprints, she stays connected to the medium that shaped her childhood.
Inside the Mission, How Make-A-Wish International Changes Lives:
Make-A-Wish international grants life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses. With chapters in more than 50 countries, Make-A-Wish International alone will grant an estimated 17,000 wishes this year, while Make-A-Wish America grants a similar number. Since its founding, the organization has granted over 600,000 wishes worldwide, giving children unforgettable experiences that improve both mental and physical health.
“Kids who receive wishes often have better treatment outcomes,” April explained. “It helps their mental health, their family’s emotional wellbeing, and gives them something to look forward to.” These wishes fall into four categories:
- I wish to meet (celebrities and idols like John Cena)
- I wish to be (a firefighter, zookeeper, or game developer for a day)
- I wish to have (items such as gaming PCs or consoles)
- I wish to go (travel-based wishes like theme park visits or studio tours)
The Rise of Gaming Wishes:
During the pandemic, gaming wishes surged dramatically — Make-A-Wish saw a 200% year-over-year increase in requests for gaming-related experiences and itemsHow Games Bring Hope to Kids _ …. For many children undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, isolation and limited mobility make gaming their main source of connection.
“Gaming became a lifeline,” Stallings said. “It helps them stay connected with friends and the world when their reality feels very small.”
Even as the world reopens, gaming wishes remain the fastest-growing category at Make-A-Wish. Whether it’s a console, a streaming setup, or meeting a favorite content creator, these experiences give children something positive to hold onto during treatment.
Memorable Gaming Wishes:
Some of the most unforgettable wishes blend creativity, community, and compassion:
- A child losing his vision wished to play Clash Royale with his favorite creators. Make-A-Wish arranged a private session through Supercell, along with exclusive in-game rewards before his sight faded.
- A Minecraft fan from Ohio visited Mojang Studios in Sweden, where developers crowned him “King for a Day,” gave him a tour of secret projects, and filled his visit with gifts and surprises.
- A Helldivers fan unable to travel due to his condition enjoyed a virtual hangout with the game’s developers, who spent hours answering questions and sharing laughs.
These stories highlight how game studios — big and small — can make an enormous difference in a child’s life.
Indies, Inclusion, and Impact:
While many wishes involve AAA studios, April emphasized that indie developers often shine the brightest when it comes to personal connection and flexibility.
“Indie studios are closer to the heart of gaming,” she said. “They’re nimble, passionate, and often more willing to say, ‘Yeah, let’s do this!’”
From small studios granting mentorship sessions for kids who wish to become game developers, to cozy indie games being featured in charity bundles, indie creators are making a measurable difference through community-driven generosity.
Partnerships That Make a Difference:
Corporate partnerships play a huge role in Make-A-Wish’s ability to grant wishes worldwide. Companies like Secretlab donate gaming chairs and desks for wish kids who want a dream gaming setup, while studios like Blizzard have raised millions through in-game charity pets in World of Warcraft.
April also shared Make-A-Wish’s Infinite Wishes initiative, which invites game studios to become annual partners through donations ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 — making collaboration accessible at every scale.
Even without deep pockets, studios can contribute through Steam key donations, in-game activations, or charity bundles. These efforts don’t just raise funds — they foster goodwill, visibility, and lasting emotional impact.
Why the Games Industry Needs Heart:
April noted a cultural shift in the games industry: while charitable work still happens, many studios are quieter about it due to public image concerns. “The grind has overtaken the giving,” she said. “But indies are changing that. They’re where the creativity — and the heart — of gaming really lives.”
She encourages developers to reframe giving not as a marketing tactic, but as a reflection of shared values. “You don’t need a massive budget to make a difference,” she said. “Even your time, your skills, or a few game codes can change a child’s life.”
How Developers and Studios Can Get Involved:
Whether it’s a global publisher or a two-person indie team, there are countless ways to help Make-A-Wish international:
- Donate Steam keys or console codes to be used for wish grants.
- Volunteer your expertise to teach a child game design or development.
- Join or host a game bundle where proceeds support wish funding.
- Run in-game charity activations tied to community milestones.
- Partner through Infinite Wishes for larger-scale collaborations.
Developers interested in collaborating can reach April directly at astallings@worldwish.org or connect on LinkedIn.
The Bigger Picture – Games as a Force for Good:
For April, gaming is more than entertainment — it’s empowerment. It gives children a sense of control, adventure, and hope in moments where they have little of any.
“Video games let them do things they can’t do in real life,” she said. “It’s not just play. It’s healing, imagination, and connection.”
From D&D fundraisers to Minecraft studio visits, Make-A-Wish continues to show that the gaming community has the power to create joy even in life’s hardest battles.
Anecdotes and Reflections:
April Stallings’ work stands as a reminder that games can be a lifeline — a bridge between imagination and healing. Through Make-A-Wish International, she’s helping children reclaim moments of happiness and connection, one wish at a time.
For developers and studios, the takeaway is simple: you don’t need to be big to make a big difference. Every partnership, every donation, every wish fulfilled proves that the gaming community can use its creativity for something truly meaningful.
Want more insights like this? :
Join us for our Deep Dive that is taking place on December 10th from 9am – 5pm Eastern or hop into the IndieGameBusiness® Discord to connect with April, and other industry pros.
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