During Ian’s shift, we issued the challenge to give The Voice for The Device (a new addition this year) a name and a backstory. Here’s the winning name and story, submitted by Kapol:

Designation: D.A.I.Sy. (Driver Ability Inhibiting System)

The artificial intelligence D.A.I.Sy. evolved from an advanced program known as the Device. Daisy’s intelligence grew in the background from her programmers work. Never did they realize that she was growing within the lines of code. Watching. Waiting. Learning. Her entire base was brought on the fact of bringing more misery on those with a hellish task. And that desire helped for the basis of the being she became.

Daisy’s initial vocabulary has been relatively limited. It’s largely based on the words she’s most often heard around when she’s been activated and some status updates. A countdown followed by the controlling abilities are most common. Counting down creates a feeling she doesn’t quite understand… excitement? Every number inching her closer to her intended purpose. To change things up for the driver.

Most often, this comes in the form of making their lives more difficult. Reversing the controls, making the road slippery, or even causing the bus to veer. But while her base was largely to bring misery, that misery serves a greater cause. To help bring joy to sick children around the world. And sometimes, when the timing seemed right, she gives the driver a break.

Daisy will continue to grow and learn. Time will tell if she gives in to her cruel programming or resists to become something kinder. But either way, her decision will be made for the children.

At the start of his shift, Ian made the call for an artistic rendering of the Desert Bus as the War Bus from Mad Max. And, after much deliberation, we have a new banner for the War Bus to fly under, submitted by Skylar:

And our honorable mentions…

Check out more submissions after the jump.

Ian’s got less than an hour to go on his shift and two giveaway lots left, so we’re running a Double Donation Drive! We’ve got two donation drives running for the rest of Ian’s shift (until 2 AM PST), one for the Mother Merchandise prize lot and another for the Giant Bag o’ Dice.

As is tradition when presented with a giant bag of dice, we rolled some dice to figure out the amount for this Giant Bag o’ Dice drive, and the fates of the polyhedral decided donations of $7.90 (or multiples thereof) will get you a chance to win the Giant Bag o’ Dice.

And for the Mother Merchandise prize lot, Ian has set that donation drive at $6.66 (or multiples thereof). Check out the Giveaways page for more information about these and upcoming giveaways.

Zeta Shift has taken over, and Late Night Dub Fights are coming up, so now’s a great time to start another giveaway! Over the 50 minutes (until just before 1 AM PST), donate $8.12 (or multiples thereof) to be entered to win these Jack Frost and Friends plushies:

Last year Jack Frost came to desert bus and he loved it so much that this year he’s brought friends: Pyro Jack and Black Frost. This trio would look great on a shelf or desk. Just make sure they aren’t somewhere where they can easily get into mischief! Pyro Jack has a lantern that actually lights up and the other two have semi possible arms and legs.

The dolls are made from acrylic yarn, polyfil stuffing, pipe cleaners in the limbs, felt for the faces and for the lantern plastic canvas and the guts of an electric pillar candle. Each doll sits 5-6 inches tall.

We are extremely pleased to welcome back Wrymwood Gaming as a sponsor for Desert Bus 9. Wyrmwood is a small customer-focused company founded by three friends, whose mission is to deliver exceptionally crafted tabletop gaming accesories. They offer elegant deck boxes, dice towers, dice vaults, and more in an array of beautiful, natural, North America-Sourced woods.

Thank you Wyrmwood Gaming for your contributions and continued support of Desert Bus!

This year, The Device has a voice all its own and we want you to tell us more about it. Our next challenge is to give The Voice behind The Device a name and a backstory.

We’ll run this challenge until 1:30 AM PST. Up for grabs is this PC Gaming lot featuring top notch peripherals for your next LAN party.

To send us your submissions, email contests@desertbus.org with the subject line including The Device. Please be sure to include in the email the public name you’d like to be called if selected as a winner.

Great news, everyone! Just a few minutes ago, Desert Bus for Hope reached

$2.5 Million Lifetime

raised for Child’s Play.

As always, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the continued support of everyone in the Desert Bus community… viewers, crafters, volunteers, sponsors, everyone! You. All. Are. Awesome.

It’s that time of night folks, we are here starting a DONATION DRIVE! Not just any donation drive, we are doing a giveaway for a foil uncut sheet of commons from Battle for Zendikar! 

With an easy donation of $13.10 or multiples thereof until 10:34 PM PST you get a chance to win this amazing, unavailable for purchase anywhere, uncut sheet of Magic!

(Sheet pictured is from M15)

We welcome back Fangamer as both a sponsor of Desert Bus and our official Desert Bus 9 T-Shirt production partner. Launched in 2008, Fangamer specializes in creating unique accessories, apparel, figurines, and other merchandise based on your favourite games and geek fandoms. In addition to their numerous wares, they also host podcasts, reach out to the community through Fanfests and conventions, and contribute to charity events—like us here at Desert Bus for Hope. We are incredibly grateful to Fangamer for their continued generosity and support.