Each year in October, the ESA Foundation (a group affilated with the Entertainment Software Association) throws a black-tie event in San Francisco. Nite to Unite is both an event in and of itself (last year, comedian and San Francisco resident Robin Williams surprised attendees to toast and roast honoree Bing Gordon, chief creative officer of Electronic Arts), as well as a fund-raiser the entire game industry gets behind.

　　This year the event will take place on October 18, but for those who can't wait to start in on the bidding, an eBay auction site will go live Friday, October 7, to allow early birds to indulge in some wagering (you can never get your Sony tickets too early).

　　The site will accept bids through October 14.

　　This year, the event (which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year) will benefit the following four organizations: National Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE); Pax, Inc.; Web Wise Kids; and Work, Achievement, Values, and Education (WAVE). George Lucas, film director and founder of LucasArts, will receive the group's 2005 Champions Award.

　　The cochairs this year are Kathy Vrabeck, former president of Activision Publishing; David Zucker, president and CEO of Midway, and Jim Ward, president of LucasArts.

　　As in years' past, Nite to Unite will take place at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m.