PC releases from Sega are going to be more environmentally friendly going forward, as the publisher announced a new initiative to package their games in recycled cardboard boxes on social media this weekend, as part of an effort to reduce waste and environmental impact in the gaming industry. Sega Europe and Sports Interactive previously released soccer simulator Football Manager 2020 in recyclable cardboard packaging last year, urging other companies to follow their lead in the future.
The companies have pointed out that the new cases are lighter and burn less fuel to ship, and are easier and cheaper to destroy due to being sent to a recycling facility rather than a landfill. In the wake of increased attention being paid to consumer habits that are potentially harmful to the environment, more companies across a wider swath of industries are investigating ways to reduce their contribution to a growing problem.
Sega announced its intent to spread environmentally conscious decision-making to all of its releases going forward on its Twitter page Friday, revealing that the upcoming Total War: ROME II – Enemy at the Gates Edition for PC will also be released in eco-friendly packaging. Instead of a plastic case, the game’s three disks will be stored in a “reinforced, three panel, 100% recycled cardboard sleeve made with 100% recycled fibers” with text and artwork printed using “vegetable and water-based ink.” Reactions from followers have been mixed so far, with some gamers concerned about how the new packaging will protect the game’s disks over time, and others praising Sega for their initiative to be more environmentally conscious.
Whether due to the large amount of energy required to power consoles or the raw materials used to create them, video gaming has been noted to leave a major impact on the environment. Over the years, console developers like Microsoft have addressed this in the form of special energy-saving modes to reduce the amount of electricity used and cutting back on paper manuals in favor of digital versions that can be accessed in-game. Last fall, Sony announced a partnership with the U.N.’s Playing For The Planet alliance to ensure that the Playstation 5 will be more environmentally friendly going forward.
With the topics of environmentalism and climate change becoming more intensely debated in recent years, it’s nice to know that a major publisher like Sega is doing a small part to reduce waste while packaging its titles, at least when it comes to PC releases. This change won’t affect the company’s console ports, as the console manufacturers themselves have the final say in how their titles are packaged, but every little step helps in the effort to become more eco-friendly. Sega is looking to lend its support to an effort that won't change the way it designs games and will benefit the planet, with the hope that it could lead to cleaner and greener gaming in the future - a win for everyone involved.
Total War: ROME 2 - Enemy at the Gates Edition releases on February 6, 2020 for PC.
Source: Sega/Twitter