Here is everything you need to know about how the global multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry is going green.
The multi-billion-dollar global gaming industry is now more environmentally friendly than ever. Industry leaders are constantly searching for innovative new ways to become more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint.
With that said, let’s now dive straight in to discover some of the main ways this industry is going green.
What is the gaming industry doing to become more environmentally friendly?
In recent years, the gaming industry has come up with several amazing ideas to become more sustainable and reduce its negative impact on the environment.
The companies that manufacture the consoles and devices that we play games with now come with energy-saving features, and even the latest arrivals in slot gaming on the world’s safest iGaming websites are greener than ever.
Here are five ways the industry is working to become more environmentally friendly than ever:
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Net zero targets – most of the gaming industry’s biggest companies have committed to achieving a net zero target before the end of the decade or soon after
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Using renewable energy – to reduce reliance on fossil fuels to create a greener and more sustainable energy grid, gaming companies have started using renewable energy to power their production facilities, offices and data centres by using things like wind turbines and solar panels on their properties
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Minimising digital waste – by providing regular updates, using cloud-based computing technology/services, and other pioneering innovations, market-leading gaming companies are extending the typical lifecycle of their games
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Improving energy efficiency – these same forward-thinking companies are also opting for greener web hosting providers, optimising code, and incorporating hardware that’s more energy-efficient
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Using sustainable packaging – when packing their games and sending them out to customers, companies today use biodegradable or recycled packaging materials
Additionally, gaming companies today are more transparent in how green they are by closely monitoring their actions and reporting them for everyone to see how sustainable they have become.
They also try to teach players about how they can become more environmentally friendly by introducing in-game green challenges.
The process of making games is now more sustainable than ever, and if you own a new Xbox or PlayStation, you may have noticed how these consoles come with several greener features. The aim is to make gaming less electricity-intensive.
Which major gaming companies are having the biggest impact on reducing their carbon footprint?
Some of the world’s biggest gaming companies that are actively working to become green and with net zero targets are SONY, Microsoft/Activision Blizzard, Nintendo, Tencent, Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Capcom.
Others include Roblox, Bandai Namco Holdings, Bethesda Game Studios, Konami, and many others. Some aim to reach net zero targets by 2030, and others by 2040 or 2050 at the latest.
How can I become greener?
If you are also concerned about the environment and the negative impact that your gaming activities might be having, there are many things you can do to become more environmentally friendly.
Examples include the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), which means extending the life of your hardware/consoles/games/accessories/peripherals by handing them down to friends or younger family members or by swapping them or selling them when you no longer want to use them.
You may also want to consider looking for greener options/sustainable equipment when you are next looking to replace your current gaming equipment. When you aren’t using your devices, whether it’s a console, dedicated handheld gaming device, tablet, smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer, either switch off or put it into standby/sleep mode.
You can also avoid buying single-use plastic items, where possible, and use reusable utensils or drink holders.
When travelling to friends or relatives to play games or to a gaming convention/exhibition or eSports competition, consider using green/sustainable travel options and try to support these events when they are trying to promote sustainability.
You can fight climate change in many ways, and the first big step is to recognise the importance of reducing your carbon footprint. The next step is to actively become greener, and then you can help even more by encouraging others to become more sustainable in their everyday life.
Final thoughts
Another way to minimise waste is to stop purchasing physical copies of games and, instead, purchase digital copies that you can store directly on your device or via the cloud. Storing games digitally on the cloud eliminates the need for a high-powered gaming device or external storage device.
Try not to purchase the latest device each year, and only upgrade it when absolutely necessary. As you can see, becoming a greener player isn’t that difficult. It only takes a few simple changes in your everyday life to make a huge difference.
Not only will your efforts positively impact the environment, but also give you a sense of achievement. Going green can be extremely rewarding and improve your mindset.