Opera GX and TikTok Team Up with BlindWarriorSven to Challenge Gamers to Defy Their Limits

Opera GX announced today that it’s partnering with TikTok for the #GamingForAll Challenge to benefit AbleGamers, a non-profit organisation dedicated to using gaming to foster inclusive communities and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Opera GX, ‘the browser for gamers’, is on a mission to enable all users to pursue their passion for gaming, no matter what their goals or abilities. That’s why they’re teaming up with visually impaired Street Fighter champion BlindWarriorSven to inspire gamers to challenge themselves to overcome their personal obstacles - no matter what they are. 

At the center of the campaign is blind professional gamer Sven van de Wege – better known by his opponents as BlindWarriorSven – who lost his sight to cancer when he was just six years old… but never lost his love of gaming. With grit and dedication, Sven was able to teach himself to play by relying solely on his hearing, memory and an undying determination. Sven inspired the brand to launch the Opera GX #GamingForAll Challenge: A unique TikTok challenge in which Opera GX dares gamers to challenge themselves by playing their favourite game without the use of their sight, just like Sven. For every upload on the platform, the brand will make a donation of $0.5 USD to AbleGamers.

To get the word out about the activation, which was created by Madrid-based ad agency Officer & Gentleman, the brand is launching a promotional video featuring BlindWarriorSven. The spot tells Sven’s unique story and shows how he challenged himself to not only play again, but to become the best. 

According to Alex Katz, executive creative director at Officer & Gentleman, “Sven is an inspiration for both gamers and those who’ve never picked up a controller in their life. He had to overcome obstacles most of us could never dream of just so he could continue to pursue his passion, and that’s enough to make anyone want to try even harder to accomplish their goals, no matter how daunting.” 

“This collaboration between Sven, Opera GX, TikTok, and AbleGamers allows us to encourage gamers to overcome their personal obstacles, while having fun, challenging themselves, and raising money for charity.” said Maciej Kocemba, product director of Opera GX.

The challenge, which launched today, will be amplified by a live event hosted on October 2nd in Amsterdam in the Netherlands where participants will get to meet Sven in person and challenge him in Street Fighter V. The stream will take place at 6PM CEST on theScore Esports' TikTok channel at tiktok.com/@thescoreesports

“I’m excited to be helping people face their own fears but also to have some new opponents in Street Fighter. Game on – see you in Amsterdam!” said Sven Van de Wege.