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War Child is one of the foremost charities wielding the power of gaming to help the world's most vulnerable.

Depictions of war in video games can be a controversial topic. But there is one fantastic charity that has made it their mission to ensure that real-life war is neither ignored nor trivialized in games, all while supporting some of the most deserving causes in the world.

War Child International is a network of NGOs and charities that have made it their mission to support children affected by the horrors war. First established in 1993 in response to the violence in war-torn former Yugoslavia, War Child has its roots in music events to help raise funds and awareness. Since then it has evolved to become one of the foremost gaming charities to wield the power of play.

This War of Mine is one critically acclaimed result of War Child's entry into the gaming sphere, which War Child made in collaboration with Polish games studio 11 bit studios. The title's focus on the civilian perspective on war through survival and strategy game mechanics struck a chord with players and critics alike, earning it glowing reviews across the board.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 11 bit studios announced that all profits from This War of Mine would be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross to support victims directly. Over $850,000 was raised as a result.

War Child's gaming focus extends beyond This War of Mine, however. War Child UK, in particular, has been collaborating with the wider gaming industry since 2006, raising over £5 million through gaming initiatives.

These include collaborations with over 100 studios on downloadable content and direct partnerships with games including Football Manager, HELP: The Game, and Mickey Storm. Steam sales also help to raise money for the charity throughout the year.

War Child has launched a number of admirable campaigns including annual charity fundraisers Game Action and Armistice, their live music event Day of the Girl, their retro game-a-thon Replay, and their sports game event Sporting Champions.

We certainly don't need to remind everybody of the importance of War Child's work ensuring that the world's most vulnerable receive support dealing with the tragedies and horrors of war. So we decided to dedicate this week's Feelgood Friday to shining a light on War Child and their continued good work. You can donate to War Child directly or get involved with their myriad gaming initiatives.