Hollyland collaborates with Games Done Quick during their TwitchCon charity livestream to support their communication efforts while raising money and awareness for Doctors Without Boarders
“No issues with dropouts and crystal clear even during busy/loud moments during the show”
Games Done Quick
Live streaming continues to be the focus of attention for many online as we see a new wave of creators beginning to stream and develop their following. With streamers doing everything from playing video games to traveling to different countries, we have seen an influx of new creators taking the world by storm. This year at TwitchCon, Hollyland worked with one of the streaming companies exhibiting but in a way to bring awareness and support for a cause greater than themselves. Hollyland partnered with Games Done Quick (GDQ) at TwitchCon 2024 as a gear sponsor for the live stream to raise support for The AbleGamers Foundation. GDQ is a series of charity video game marathons that feature high-level gameplay by speedrunners raising money for charity. To date, GDQ has raised over 50 million dollars for charity through their streams.
The AbleGamers Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving accessibility in video games for people with disabilities. Their mission is to make gaming inclusive for all, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges. They provide specialized gaming equipment to individuals through grant programs, enabling easier access to gaming. The foundation also works with game developers to promote accessibility features and raise awareness about the importance of inclusive game design. In addition to their advocacy efforts, AbleGamers fosters a supportive community where disabled gamers can connect, share experiences, and find resources. By collaborating with developers and spreading awareness, the foundation helps make gaming more accessible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy gaming. Their work continues to break down barriers, creating a more inclusive and diverse gaming culture.
“Really nice to have party line in the comms system, helped immensely in monitoring the show while still being connected to comms”
Project Overview
Games Done Quick (GDQ) is a series of charity video game marathons where gamers come together to raise money for various charitable organizations. The events feature speed runs, where players attempt to complete games as quickly as possible, often with unique or challenging conditions. These speed runs are streamed live, and viewers can donate money to support the cause, usually while watching the players perform incredible feats in real-time.
During the live stream with GDQ, Hollyland supported their production team by providing them with the Solidcom M1 and the Mars Ecosystem, including the Mars 4K and the Mars 400s Pro II. The Solidcom M1 is a wireless intercom system offering full-duplex communication for up to 8 users, with a range of 1,000 feet. It features noise-canceling technology, long battery life, and a lightweight, ergonomic design for seamless team coordination. The GDQ team needed a communications solution for their production team. As a company that produces charity streams throughout the year, it is essential to invest in products that will help you get the job done and allow you to operate to ensure the success of your stream. By operating in multiple areas instead of one camera, their live streams have become more of a production than your standard live stream.
With the capabilities of the Solidcom M1, their team communication was streamlined and audio was accessible through the mixer as well. With the system able to cascade into another Solidcom M1 hub, the GDQ crew was excited to add more headsets through the custom groups. With the ability to have up to 16 headsets on the base station, their live stream alongside other dynamic environments, should have no issues with communication.
“I enjoyed using it! It was easy to toggle communications and the audio was clear.”
Why choose Hollyland?
GDQ chose Hollyland given the recommendation from some of the employees and friends they have made along the way since beginning their livestream charity marathons. In speaking with Hollyland at Infocomm, GDQ received an offer to test the Solidcom M1 in the live streaming production space, a space Hollyland wasn’t too familiar with. Given how the streaming industry is rapidly growing, Hollyland’s goal was to understand better the needs and pain points of the streaming space. “Yes, 8 Solidcom M1s fit the needs of our production at the moment, and with room to grow to 16 at an affordable price it is likely something we will be pursuing in the future,” says GDQ employees. By testing just a set of 8 headsets, GDQ mentions that their efficiency during the show increased as people were constantly running around the event center. Whether they are communicating with the Live Stage team or the AV team, communication “reduced their own stress before performances.”
Takeaways
With most of the GDQ events involving at least two stages, communication amongst the teams is essential and can’t be ignored. We hope to grow alongside GDQ as we strive to work alongside more people in the streaming industry. We love opportunities to have gear tested in every new environment and we are glad GDQ had a great experience. Its reliability, ease of use, and scalability were key highlights that contributed to the smooth operation of the dual-stage setup. The system facilitated effective communication across different teams, enabling them to collaborate seamlessly despite being physically separated. We are happy to have helped GDQ out with their communication and transmission needs and how to further support them in their goals to bring more awareness and raise more support for different charities in the future.
“I really think the Hollylands are good for us, especially if we can eventually get 16 out of it.”
