Indian studios and large developers must start measuring their carbon footprints while simultaneously funding products, projects and initiatives that help the environment
Online gaming is responsible for a significant 3.7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, often referred to as' internet pollution'. The India Gaming Report 2024 underscores the potential for the burgeoning online gaming sector to proactively address these environmental concerns. By setting clear emissions targets, aligning with national goals, and adopting responsible standards, the Indian gaming industry can reduce its carbon footprint and also enhance its appeal to global consumers and investors.
Global agencies, such as the United Nations (UN), are teaming up with the dynamic game community to launch initiatives like the "Playing for the Planet Alliance," which aims to help the online gaming industry reduce its environmental impact by making the game development process and gameplay more environmentally friendly and raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection. Industry players like Sony and Guerilla Games are leading the way with initiatives such as "Plant and Play", where trees are planted as part of the game achievements in games like "Horizon Forbidden West". The reliance of gaming (console and online) on carbon-intensive data centres makes it a serious emitter, prompting the industry to devise innovative methods to reduce its carbon footprint.
The aim is to encourage collaborative efforts through yearly events like the Green Game Jam (GGJ). This event brings together the gaming community to incorporate "green activations" within their games, which are used for fundraising and promoting awareness. These initiatives not only engage a wider audience and create awareness but also provide an opportunity to explore new avenues of game development via "green nudges."
Game design, a powerful tool at the intersection of gaming and sustainability, can drive significant change. In addition to in-game donations, companies can streamline their corporate funding to support climate-sensitive initiatives. Industry giants like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are setting ambitious environmental goals to address their carbon footprint. Microsoft plans to be carbon-negative by 2030. 71 Studios aims to do this by implementing environmentally conscious products and services with regular monitoring and compliance with formal standards.
India's online gaming industry needs to address carbon impact by investing in green initiatives and raising awareness among players about climate change. Developing environmentally-focused games like Samudra, a 2D puzzle-based game that educates players about deep-sea pollution caused by surface-dweller actions, could be a step in the right direction. With opportunities for offline contributions to environmentally conscious causes and funds, Samudra is an interactive and impactful product that creates positive change.
India needs to fund green initiatives for the gaming industry. Even though there is a diversity of online gaming companies and studios, embracing global standards can be an excellent starting point. Playing for the Planet and UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) have published a Green Games Guide that offers ways for gaming companies to reduce their environmental impact and work towards their climate goals collectively.
Indian studios and developers must measure their carbon footprints and fund eco-friendly initiatives. A joint emissions commitment by 2030 and "call to action" features in games can help. Participation in climate events like COP can also make a difference.