Let’s go for the 6th edition of ZEvent. The charity marathon was invented in 2016 with the Avengers edition by Adrien Nougaret (ZeratoR) and Alexandre Dachary (Dash). On Twitch, the event holds the world record for fundraising for charities. Last year, the video game streaming marathon brought in ten million euros for Action Against Hunger. But what exactly is ZEvent? 20 minutes takes a look for you at this ultra-popular annual meeting on Twitch, which begins tonight at 7:30 p.m.
How does ZEvent work?
Every year, ZEvent brings together well-known streamers and Internet users can watch them live. These Twitch stars, like ZeratoR, which has 1.4 million followers on the platform, or Domingo, which has 1.5 million, engage in different activities. Video games, singing, drawing… And even a Twitch version of the burger quiz with star guest Alain Chabat. Title Questions for a streamer, burger editionit will air Saturday at 8 p.m.
All these activities aim to collect donations for associations. Many streamers also offer to do activities according to the donation levels they will reach, these are “donation goals” (donation goals). So if viewers want to watch the AlphaCast streamer do push-ups, they’ll have to donate 20,000 euros.
The streamer Ultia offers to play the vintage game – released in 2001 all the same – Barbie saves the animals when the donation level reaches 10,000 euros. Others motivate their fans by offering to test sodas with strange tastes, create music, organize boxing matches or go surfing with other streamers.
Where does the money raised by ZEvent go?
ZEvent has gained in striking power over its editions. In 2017, the stream raised 500,000 euros for the Red Cross. But, each year, the collected donations increase just like the popularity of the event. After donating more than ten million euros to Action Against Hunger last year, ZEvent is focusing this year on the environment.
The 2022 edition of the event will donate its donations to five associations that were chosen by fans during an online vote. This decision follows a controversy and the withdrawal of the association which was originally supposed to collect donations. Indeed, the GoodPlanet foundation had been accused by many fans of the charity marathon of doing “greenwashing”, in particular because it collaborates with TotalEnergies and BNP Paribas. The association was also criticized for its links with the founder of anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner, and its promotion of biodynamics.
Among the 22 associations proposed by the organizers of the event were therefore selected: Sea Shepherd France, The League for the Protection of Birds, WWF France, Time for the Planet and The SeaCleaners. Each of its associations will receive an equal share of the donations.
Is it that popular?
Absolutely ! ZEvent is immensely popular. Fifty-seven streamers are scheduled to participate in the event, which begins today and ends on Sunday. But this charity marathon now also drains beyond the Twitch sphere, which already has many French-speaking stars. We mentioned the icon that is Alain Chabat earlier but other artists, sportsmen or Youtubers will respond. This is the case for example of Bigflo & Oli and Soprano who will give a concert to support the event.
In 2021, ZEvent had attracted a large number of spectators, with in particular a record peak of one million viewers during the day on Sunday. Twitch stars attract their own viewers to the event, while some have accumulated more than a million hours seen in August 2022 alone, like Stars or Ponce. Cécile and Hugo are among the regulars of the event. They were even planning to put their Monday down in order to recover from this marathon weekend of which they do not want to lose a crumb. “We will be in front all weekend”, explains Hugo to 20 minutes.
“This weekend, it’s pajamas and ZEvent all the way! “, Adds his companion, who notes however that they will probably be “tired” on Monday after this marathon. A prospect that does not dampen their enthusiasm. They will have light hearts and wallets on Monday because both make donations of 20 to 100 euros each year, depending on the edition. It remains to be seen whether ZEvent 2022 will manage to beat the previous edition, which was the year of all records, both for viewers and donations. To your screens!