A Campus United by Play: Celebrating Full Sail Armada and Extra Life

Positioned within the entertainment hub in Central Florida, Full Sail University is renowned for its degree programs in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Among its most popular offerings are the Game and Esports programs, which help students transform their passion for gaming into rewarding careers.

The spirit of gaming for a cause took root at Full Sail University in 2017, when a student passionate about games and helping children introduced the Extra Life movement to campus. What began as a small club hosting its first game day in the school library quickly blossomed. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni joined forces, and the event soon moved to the Full Sail’s  Esports Arena, the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress. By 2019, Extra Life had grown to nearly 450 students, raising over $13,000 for children’s healthcare, a testament to the power of a united gaming community.

After rebuilding the Extra Life movement post-COVID, and with gaming being a core program at the University, Full Sail’s Armada, a dynamic group of students competing in games against universities locally and nationally, joined the Extra Life movement in 2024. This year, the Full Sail Armada hosted its’ inaugural Game Day, raising over $4,155. The event included 24 hours of continuous gaming by both the Full Sail Armada team and individual gamers, with live streaming and interactive fundraising activities throughout. Students played their favorite games, broadcasted on Twitch, and encouraged viewers to donate. Our team stopped by to be part of their game day and even had a chance to hop on their Twitch stream which was top notch all the way! To celebrate fundraising milestones and keep the day interesting, students engaged in fun antics like pieing each other, dyeing their hair bright orange, and sampling mystery jellybeans, ensuring a lively and memorable experience for all.

Our partnership with Full Sail and the Full Sail Armada extends year-round, with our team participating in campus activities and sharing the impact of Extra Life with students. The Full Sail Armada also brings the joy of gaming to hospital patients, with favorites like Mario Kart and Sonic providing entertainment. During Halloween, the team brings smiles and joy to patients by dressing up in costumes and bringing treats, with their Nintendo Switch always a hit!

We are so grateful for our Full Sail family and they all continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children.