More than 20 major video game companies announced on September 23rd during the United Nations Climate Action Summit held in New York, USA. that by 2030 they will seek to reduce some 30 million tons of CO2 emissions.
This is then, an alliance called Playing for the planet that aims to demonstrate the commitment that these large companies have with the environment.
Companies such as Xbox and PlayStation (Microsoft and Sony, respectively), are part of the commitment that includes planting millions of trees. But they are also thinking about improving the energy management of their devices, reducing pollution in their manufacturing processes and creating recycling strategies.
Suspended game mode, among other new features, is what is coming in terms of video games for environmental care.
Through a statement posted on its website, PlayStation announced the commitments made to the UN environmental agency. These include the use of energy-efficient technology thanks to a suspended game mode. This for the PS5, which will be released in 2020.
“The next-generation PlayStation console, will include the ability to suspend game play with much lower power consumption than PS4 (we estimate this can be achieved with around 0.5W). In other words, if at least one million users enabled this feature, the savings would be the equivalent of the average electricity use of 1,000 homes in the United States.”
For its part, Microsoft stated that it seeks carbon neutrality in its devices. Therefore, the goal will be to reduce its supply chain emissions by 30 percent by 2030. In addition to certifying 825,000 Xbox consoles as carbon neutral in a pilot program.
In addition, Google Stadia will produce a new Sustainable Game Development Guide. In addition to funding research on how “green nudges” (emission reduction strategies by players) could be incorporated into the game.
Ubisoft intends to develop ecological themes in the game, and source its materials from purely green factories.
In the words of Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program:
“The video game industry has the ability to engage, inspire and captivate the imagination of millions of people around the world. This makes them an extremely important partner in addressing the climate emergency.”
You can also read: Xbox One S All- Digital Edition: goodbye to game console discs?
