In April alone, the online game “Fortnite” was played for 3.2 billion hours. That leaves a significant CO₂ footprint.
This is how much CO₂ we emit on average on the Internet.
–
–
- Playing video games results in large CO₂ emissions.
- As a study shows, “Fortnite” players emit around 140,800 tons of CO₂ in April alone.
- Some game developers have joined forces with the goal of better educating their players about environmental issues.
—
“Fortnite” is played around the world, and now more than ever. As the company Epic Games, which develops “Fortnite”, reports, the game was played for a total of 3.2 billion hours in April alone. The reason for this is, among other things, various in-game events that attract many players.
–
For example, Travis Scott gave a virtual concert in Fortnite that within the first day has already accumulated 12.3 million views from all over the world. It was similar with a live EDM show by DJ Marshmello.
–
Such events are not only extremely profitable for everyone involved, they also leave a substantial CO₂ footprint, as a new study by the marketing company Blueclaw shows. In fact, the average CO₂ emissions when playing “Fortnite” on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation and PC are around 0.044 kg per hour and per player.
–
Travis uses 145.6 tons of CO₂
If you extrapolate this, it means that “Fortnite” players emitted 140,800 tons of CO₂ in April alone. That is similar to using 60 billion liters of gasoline, 17.9 billion smartphones or 70.3 million kilograms of coal.
–
Or to put it another way: According to the study, an average “Fortnite” gamer triggers up to 5.1 kg of CO₂ emissions within the 108 hours that are required to play through the game’s main story, for example. However, the CO₂ emissions that result from digital purchases and downloads in the game are still missing. The actual number of CO₂ that is emitted is therefore a little higher.
–
With this knowledge, it can be calculated that Travis Scott’s virtual concert alone was responsible for around 145.6 tonnes of CO₂, even though it only lasted 15 minutes. Nonetheless, it was the most popular online concert ever held, and it consumed a lot of resources.
–
«Angry Birds» is becoming environmentally conscious
Some game developers have already recognized that there is a lot that can be done in this industry to make companies, but also the players themselves, aware of the topic. The developers of the popular mobile phone game “Angry Birds” and ten other companies have teamed up and committed themselves to incorporating information on all aspects of environmental protection into their games.
–
Other companies that have joined this eco-alliance include the makers of “Golf Clash”, “Subway Surfers” and “Transformers: Earth Wars”, such as BBC reported. “Around three billion people use cell phones, and half of them play games on them,” says John Earner, head of Space Ape, the company behind “Transformers: Earth Wars”. “We have a huge reach compared to other media and believe that we have to achieve something here.”
–
Specifically, the companies have committed to switching on a new mode, a new map, an event or new artwork in their games that make the players aware of the importance of climate protection and teach them what a positive impact they are in on the environment have their own life.
–
If you subscribe to the digital push, you will be informed about news and rumors from the world of Whatsapp, Snapchat, Instagram, Samsung, Apple and Co. You will also be the first to receive warnings about viruses, Trojans, phishing attacks and ransomware. There are also tricks to get more out of your digital devices.
–
Here’s how it works: Install the latest version of the 20-minute app. At the bottom right tap on «Cockpit», then «Settings» and finally on «Push notifications». At the point “Topics” you tap “Digital” – et voilà!
—-
