Where dreams and imagination become real life

Beth Arnold’s title at work may be business program manager for Xbox Game Studios, but the reality is she’s also a wish granter. A Microsoft employee, Beth has heard a lot about Make-A-Wish given the company has been helping to grant wishes since the 1990s.

And Microsoft can now add a new wish to their growing resume of wishes granted: 14-year-old Asher’s wish to learn how video games are made by bringing his video game ideas to life!

Beth remembers when the request came across her desk. She remembers how easy it was to get her colleagues onboard with Asher’s wish.

“To see a group of people all coming together … everyone was so willing to participate,” she said. “That was a surprise to me, I thought I’d have to convince more people. But as soon as I said, ‘Hey, we’re doing this for Asher,’ everyone said, ‘I am there and I will do whatever you need.’”

The team decided early on to give Asher a true glimpse of what goes on behind-the-scenes to bring a video game from idea to the console. “We worked through the sequence of making a game,” Beth explained. There were virtual meetings with artists and software engineers and program managers. He met with professionals who write the stories behind each of the games. Asher had the chance to ask questions and be fully immersed in the creative process in a way unlike any other wish the chapter has granted.

“When we talked to Asher’s family, it was clear that he had a lot of ideas,” said Peter Zetterberg, senior director for Xbox Game Studios. “But what really blew us away was the fact that he had been working on a script … and that’s the story that really came alive when we did his wish.”

Asher’s wish culminated in a visit to the Microsoft campus, where he met the team who was busily turning video games into reality. He had a chance to play games at the studios he visited – including 343 Industries, Mojang and Forza -- and was delighted with some other surprises in store.

“If someone’s wish is to see what we do and be part of what we do, that’s insanely humbling,” said Ron Brown, program manager for 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios. “Events like this remind me just how special what we do is and how much it means to a lot of people. Watching someone else come in and be excited, that just reinvigorates you.”

That’s because a wish transforms the lives of children, their families, volunteers, supporters, medical professionals and entire communities.

Being part of Asher’s wish was especially poignant for senior software engineer Jim Wordelman. As a child, Jim was the recipient of a wish experience and now sees the impact of a wish through a different lens when he is able to help pay it forward and fulfill a wish for someone else.

“It’s a magical experience, but it’s a real experience too,” said Jim. “It’s easy to see how special it is for everyone. I feel lucky that I get to be on both sides of it.”

And Asher’s wish will have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

“The fact that we could give him just a little bit of joy and excitement is going to stick with me forever,” said Beth.

“(Having a wish) makes a difference,” said Jim. “It shows that everybody here is saying this is special and you are worth our time.”

“It’s just really exciting to watch people enjoy the thing that you’ve been working on,” said Ron. “Hopefully that’s a special memory for (Asher and his family) because it’s a special memory for me.”

Thanks to the team at Microsoft, Asher can now see what a future in gaming could look like. He’s had first-hand experience with the different roles and now knows what goes into the process of game creation. They’ve helped inspire his future.

Microsoft employees also support Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington through employee giving, matching gifts, in-kind donations and event sponsorships. That additional support has helped grant countless other wishes for children in Alaska and Washington.

Workplaces of any size can make a lasting impact for children with critical illnesses when they align with Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. Learn more about workplace giving today!

Special thanks to Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios for making Asher’s wish possible! Including:

Ron Brown, 343 Industries
Beth Arnold, Xbox Game Studios
Dave Mongan, Publishing
Patrick Shettlesworth, Publishing
Jim Wordelman, 343 Industries
Tamar Goldberg, inExile Entertainment
Gerardo Malpartida Vela, 343 Industries
Ken Lobb, Xbox Game Studios
Art Usher, Minecraft
Matt Turnball, Publishing
Peter Zetterberg, Xbox Game Studios