Silent Hill composer's guitar auctioned for Japan relief

What's scarier, being absolutely broke or regretting never taking a chance to have a piece of video game history? An auction for Akira Yamaoka's guitar and FX amps, which were used to create the audio atmosphere for a little franchise called Silent Hill, is currently underway on eBay (and will last for five days).

The auction is part of Play for Japan, a coordinated effort to present consumers and gamers with means to help the relief effort in Japan. If you partake, you'll not only feel good about donating money to Japan, but you'll possibly give this guitar a new home and outlook on life, one filled with joy, sunshine and family -- not giant death bunnies and other unspeakable horrors.

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Fight For Relief charity tournament raises money for Japan

Up Series, are teaming up to help raise money for Japan the only way they know how: by kicking ass. Simultaneous tournaments in Union City and Irvine, California will be streamed online as one massive show. Fight for Relief will feature giveaways, interviews and competition in Super Street Fighter IV and Marvel vs Capcom 3 from some of the best in the scene, including EG Justin Wong, Alex Valle, John Choi and others.

The fundraiser kicks off this Sunday, April 3, with all tournament proceeds and donations being given to Japan through GlobalGiving.org, a site that facilitates the actual giving of the money. We imagine flying to Japan with a giant briefcase stuffed full of cash just isn't the most practical way to do it.

If you want to sign up for either tournament, there isn't any pre-registration; just show up to either the NorCal venue or the SoCal venue with some cash and your fight stick and throw down!

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Japan relief roundup: League of Legends and a special Final Fantasy Tactics

Companies, organizations and individuals connected to the games industry continue to come forward with offers of support for the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Japan. We'll be collecting the latest opportunities to lend a hand in end-of-day roundups like this one as they're announced.

Head past the break for details on the today's happenings. If you'd prefer to donate to the efforts directly, you can always do so through the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org).
From now through noon PST on Sunday, March 27, League of Legends studio Riot Games will be donating 100 percent of the profits from purchases of Nurse Akali or Riot Points spent on the summoner Akali to the Red Cross relief effort. Riot Games is placing Akali and her nurse skin on sale for 50 percent off during the period as well.Play for Japan is auctioning off a rare signed copy of Final Fantasy Tactics for PS One featuring cover autographs by character designer Akihiko Yoshida and art director Hideo Minaba. The high big as of this writing is just over $100, with the auction set to close on Sunday, March 27 at 4:34PM PST.

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