Sony Donates $5 Million To Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts

Multiple fires continue to devastate the Los Angeles area, and with dry conditions and strong winds on tap for the coming week, firefighters are expecting difficult times ahead. Sony has now donated $5 million to Los Angeles relief efforts.

The company said in a release that the money is being donated to help support first responders, community relief and rebuilding efforts, and assistance programs. Sony's film and TV divisions are based in Los Angeles. Sony Santa Monica, which makes the God of War games, is based in the area as well.

Sony is not the only corporation or individual to donate to the relief efforts, as Netflix and NBC Universal have each announced $10 million donations. Singer Beyonce, meanwhile, has donated $2.5 million.

Necrosoft Games is leading an effort to create a "California Fire Relief Bundle" on itch.io that calls on game developers to submit their work to the bundle for a charity campaign to raise funds for relief efforts. Submissions are open until January 19.

A number of game developers are based in the Los Angeles area. A spokesperson for Santa Monica-based Activision told PC Gamer that it is monitoring the situation and are in contact with its local employees, offering resources as needed. League of Legends developer Riot, meanwhile, is based in the Los Angeles area, and its CEO, Dylan Jadeja, said the studio plans to "stand up for Los Angeles and give back in every way we can..."

"After all, while our reach is global, the heart of Riot Games has always been in Los Angeles. Los Angeles raised us and we are proud to call this great city our home," Jadeja said.

The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog is based in Santa Monica, too, and released a statement about the fires. The studio said it is working to support its staffers affected by the fire and the wider community. Naughty Dog, like its parent company Sony, is making a donation to support wildfire relief efforts.

At least 24 people are confirmed dead as a result of the fires that have destroyed thousands of homes and other structures in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press. Information about how to help the affected victims can be found here.