PlayStation donates $5million to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts

16 January, 2025

Gamers play the PlayStation 5

PlayStation has announced it will be donating $5million (£4.1million) to wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles.

Last week, several fires erupted across the state of California with high winds and dry conditions helping the wildfires spread. In the days since, firefights have struggled to contain the blazes and more than 100,000 people have evacuated the area.

It has also been reported that 25 people have died due to the fires and 13 are still missing with LA’s fire chief warning residents that the “danger has not yet passed”. With thousands of properties destroyed, experts have reported that the wildfires could cause up to $250billion in damage.

Last night, Sony released a statement pledging $5million to support “first responders, community and relief and rebuilding efforts, and other assistance programs.”

“Los Angeles has been the home of our entertainment businesses for more than 35 years. We will continue to work with our local business leadership to determine how best Sony Group can support relief and recovery efforts in the days ahead,” added Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and president Hiroki Totoki.

A number of PlayStation owned studios also pledged their support to relief efforts.

“While we have been working hard to support those of our team that have been affected, we also want to support the community we are part of. We are joining Sony in making a donation to support wildfire relief efforts,” said Naughty Dog in a post on social media. The Last Of Us developers are giving money to the LA Fire Department Foundation, World Central Kitchen, CCF Wildfire Fund and Pasadena Humane Society.

Marvel’s Spider-Man studio Insomniac has also promised to support the same organisations. “We have called the Los Angeles area home for decades.  We feel a responsibility to support the communities that have molded us into who and what we are today. We would also like to deeply thank first responders and volunteers for their heroic acts with the ongoing containment and relief efforts. Please stay safe.”

“To aid in the relief effort, Santa Monica Studios will be joining Sony and our Los Angeles PlayStation sister studios in making donations to organisations providing critical support to those that have found themselves without shelter and other basic necessities,” wrote the God Of War developer.

“In these dire circumstances, we are reminded that the heart of this incredible city beats with singular resilient compassion as so many have selflessly rallied together to provide aid for their neighbors and strangers alike. While we know the road to rebuilding will be long, there’s no place we’re more proud to call our home.”

Elsewhere, members of the LA music community recently spoke to NME about being hit hard by the fatal wildfires that continue to burn throughout the city.

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