Why isn’t AGDQ 2023 in person?
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The Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2023 event was moved online due to Florida’s radical anti-mask and anti-LGBTQ+ policies, which raised concerns among the event organizers and attendees, and as a result, the event was shifted to a virtual format to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants. The decision to move the event online was also influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Florida state government’s stances on LGBT rights, which made it challenging to host an in-person event in the state.
Introduction to AGDQ
What is AGDQ?
AGDQ is a charity speedrunning event that raises money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and it is one of the two flagship events held by Games Done Quick, the other being Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ).
FAQs
- Why isn’t AGDQ 2023 in person?: The Winter AGDQ 2023 event was intended to be an in-person event held in Orlando, Florida, but was moved to a virtual event after controversies due to the Florida state government’s stances on LGBT rights and COVID-19.
- What is the controversy with AGDQ 2023?: The controversy surrounding AGDQ 2023 is related to the Florida state government’s stances on LGBT rights and COVID-19, which made it challenging to host an in-person event in the state.
- Is AGDQ 2023 online or in-person?: The AGDQ 2023 event was moved online due to the controversies surrounding the event, and it will be a virtual event.
- How much money did AGDQ 2023 make?: According to Game Done Quick’s official website, AGDQ 2023 featured 150 speedruns and raised a total of $2,644,770.41 from 39,857 donations from 21,519 donors.
- Can anyone attend GDQ?: Games Done Quick event attendance is open to the general public, and you don’t need to be a speedrunner or volunteer to attend.
- Do speedrunners get paid at GDQ?: The runners volunteer their time to showcase the games they love, support the community, and raise money for a charity, while the staff gets paid to prepare the events throughout the year.
- What is the difference between GDQ and AGDQ?: The two flagship events held by Games Done Quick are Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ), which raises money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ), which raises money for Doctors Without Borders.
- Why is AGDQ online this year?: The speedrunning event noted issues with Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and the event was moved online due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and the Florida state government’s stances on LGBT rights.
- How long does AGDQ last?: Both AGDQ and SGDQ events last for seven days.
- Where is AGDQ hosted?: The AGDQ 2024 event will be held live in Pittsburgh, PA, from January 14-21, benefiting the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
- What games are banned from GDQ?: Games with an ESRB rating of Adults Only, such as God of War (2005), are banned from GDQ, as well as games like Air Control, America’s Most Wanted, and Frog Fractions.
- Is God of War banned from GDQ?: Yes, God of War (2005) is banned from GDQ due to its mature content, but God of War 2 was run at AGDQ 2019 using the Japanese version.
- What was the first video game to cause controversy?: The first video game to cause controversy was Death Race, released in 1976, which was a simple driving game that challenged players to run over as many “gremlins” as possible within a time limit.
- What is the biggest single GDQ donation?: The largest single donation to GDQ was $200,556.24, made by Humble Bundle.
- Who is taking over GDQ?: The director of operations, Matt Merkle, will be taking over as the owner and managing director of GDQ, succeeding the founder Uyama, who established the event in 2010.