More Than a Game
Wyatt Scores Big at Bungie Headquarters
Walking into Bungie headquarters, wish kid Wyatt had a huge smile on his face. A large screen illuminated bold letters, “Bungie Welcomes Wyatt,” accompanied by a larger-than-life image of one of his favorite characters from his favorite game, Destiny 2.
Hundreds of Bungie employees lined the entryway to greet him. Applause and cheers echoed throughout the large space. Tears welled up in Wyatt’s mother’s eyes as they walked through the line of joyful staff. It was one of the first times Bungie has welcomed visitors to their newly renovated HQ, and Wyatt was getting VIP treatment.
“You have no idea how much what you’re doing means to kids like Wyatt,” said his mom, Jessie, to Bungie staff.
Wyatt spent the entire day at Bungie. He got to meet with teams from various departments, including narrative, concept art, visual effects, animation, music and audio, and playtest. He even got to see never before seen concepts and storylines. It was a dream come true.
For staff who got to meet Wyatt, they said the wish experience will be something they will remember as well. From the moment Wyatt arrived, there was an electricity in the air. The transformational power of a wish not only impacted Wyatt and his family, but everyone there that day.
“For a company like Bungie, granting wishes like Wyatt’s is a core part of our culture and identity. We find purpose in improving the lives of our community through entertainment,” said Christine Edwards, senior foundation manager at Bungie Foundation. “Having been a proud partner of Make-A-Wish since 2001, we have seen time and time again the way a wish provides joy, hope, and a sense of purpose to a child and their family who have faced unfathomable hardship. Each wish leaves an imprint on our hearts and reminds us of the true reason why we make video games – to connect with our shared humanity and inspire friendship, empathy, and compassion.”
...Each wish ... reminds us of the true reason why we make video games – to connect with our shared humanity and inspire friendship, empathy, and compassion.
Christine Edwards
Senior Foundation Manager at Bungie Foundation
This day was a long time in the making and the pathway to it began nearly two decades ago.
Wyatt has been in and out of treatment since the age of two when doctors discovered a brain tumor the size of a baseball. Since then, he’s undergone multiple brain surgeries and has been through several, long and arduous rounds of chemotherapy.
During cancer treatment, Wyatt was in and out of the hospital. During that time, he played video games. They were a distraction from cancer and a way to build friendship, through the gaming community. Wyatt latched on to the narratives of the characters in Bungie’s Destiny 2. He loved the meticulous attention to detail the creators poured into its effects, animations and storylines. To say Wyatt is a fan is an understatement. He knows everything about Bungie and the games they create – and it’s in those fantastical worlds where he’s forged deep and meaningful connections.
His mom said video games got him through some of the hardest moments of his life.
“People can’t imagine how much those games meant to us, to keep kids entertained and not scared,” Jessie said. “It’s everything.”
When Wyatt was inpatient, they heard about Make-A-Wish, but at the time, they were focused on treatment.
As time went on, they wanted to recognize all that Wyatt had been through in his life and celebrate him making it through. He’s persevered, but he’s also missed out on a lot of things kids his age have gotten to do.
“We thought, ‘maybe there’s something he could do, so we called Make-A-Wish,’” said Jessie.
Deciding on a wish was easy. Wyatt knew visiting Bungie would be life-changing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. He dreams of one day working there.
Together, Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington, Bungie and Bungie Foundation brought Wyatt’s wish to life, going above and beyond to give him an unforgettable experience.
He described his wish as one of the best days of his life, and a day filled with memories he’ll never forget. “From the bottom of my heart, Destiny has given me the greatest gaming memories of my life. Part of the reason I’m here is because this is what I would love to do one day. A big part of that, I owe to you guys. Every little bit, every small detail you do, it makes life worth it,” he said.
The Bungie Foundation has partnered with Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington for more than two decades to bring wishes like Wyatt’s to life.
Since the partnership began in 2000, the Bungie Foundation has granted hundreds of wishes through their financial and in-kind support, donating gaming equipment, computers and much more to children like Wyatt.
Special thanks to Make-A-Wish® Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington, Bungie and Bungie Foundation.
You have the power to transform lives and make wishes like Wyatt’s a reality. Spark joy in the lives of children with critical illnesses. Consider making a gift today.