Gaming and Sustainability: The Green Path of the Industry
Explore how the gaming industry is embracing sustainable practices, from Ubisoft’s carbon-neutral goals to digital distribution reducing environmental impact. Learn how gamers, developers, and manufacturers contribute to a greener future in gaming.
The impacts of gaming environment are known well in current generation. Nevertheless, we are living in an age, where looking for a way out of this dilemma becomes paramount. Therefore, this paper takes a closer look at what sustainable gaming means and how developers can incorporate sustainable practices into their productions.
Sustainable game development:
One company that is leading the way towards developing sustainably is Ubisoft, which recently committed itself to become carbon neutral by 2020; in fact, it has made it its mission statement! The company aims to reduce its emissions by 8.8% before 2023 while also introducing environmentally-friendly methods into its game making process (Ubisoft's website). Another example is that PlayStation 5 consumes less power due to energy efficient technology.
Moreover, some of these cloud-based gaming like Google Stadia or Xbox Cloud Gaming are believed to mitigate the high costs of packaging along tremendously and transport thus causing less pollution than shipment of physical copies around the world. This would therefore not only save on transportation costs but also reduce production of plastic discs and boxes thus saving on materials used for both ends. So, when players use streaming, they don’t have to worry about buying new copies every time nor do they need huge bulky packs with too many games enclosed inside them hence they play without limitations as long as internet connection remains stable.
An eco-friendlier gaming distribution:
The digital distribution mode is on the rise, and 80% of global gaming revenue comes from digital sales thus minimizing dependence on hard media. This digital shift cuts down on the resources used to make discs, packaging, shipping materials which directly reduces carbon emissions. Initiatives like Microsoft’s Carbon Negative by 2030 pledge puts them in front with an aim of not only increasing reduction of carbon (that comes from their operations) but actively removing more carbon than what they produce.
Decreasing e-waste in games-playing:
Because electronic waste continues to be a global concern, hardware manufacturers involved in gaming are also reacting. Thus, Microsoft has established an Xbox Recycling Program that calls upon gamers to dispose of their old gaming devices responsibly while Dell has come up with gaming laptops made of green material and fitted with interchangeable parts that are easily repaired or improved thus reducing purchase options.
Gamers’ roles:
In addition, consumers are contributing to being sustainable. On their part, gamers can play their role in making this industry greener by going for digital downloads, supporting studios that have strong environmental practices and disposing of old devices appropriately. Based on the report given by Green Man Gaming, more than 50% of the conservationists in view of this fact are said to have shown interest in paying more for sustainably developed games or those in which companies promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Advancing towards greener gaming industry
Towards achieving sustainable development goals; energy saving gadgets and online sale platforms were some of the things done by various game developers such as electronics producers and players. Yet, there are still a lot of challenges but combined efforts between video game makers, hardware producers and gamers could help find a way out that is better to our environment.
