Microsoft Urges Players To Use Xbox In Energy Saver Mode As Part Of Sustainability Efforts

thegamer.com:

Microsoft has released an update on the company's sustainability efforts. It has set an ambitious goal of becoming a carbon negative, water positive and zero waste company by 2030.

"Our mission as Team Xbox is to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet," said Corporate Vice President of Xbox Operations, Dave McCarthy. "While gaming brings joy to players, we also recognize that gaming has an impact on our environment. Our commitment to our players and the industry is to work tirelessly to reduce that impact in a responsible way and consistent with Microsoft’s corporate commitments."

McCarthy outlined key areas where the company aims to make an impact in order to reach its goal.

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In terms of hardware improvement, both, the Xbox Series X and Series S, were built with the goal in mind. Microsoft embedded a power monitoring system in a small number of consoles for "expanded in-field, anonymous, telemetry collection." The Series S became the first console to include Post-Consumer Recycled. Apparently "28% of the mechanical component plastic by weight" of the console comprises PCR.

Xbox has also made improvements to software in a bid to achieve this goal – the most notable one being the console's Energy Saver. "Energy Saver mode consumes about 20 times less power than Standby mode when the console is not being used or receiving updates." said McCarthy. However, system and game updates can now also be downloaded while the console is in Energy Saver mode.

Microsoft is additionally expanding its sustainability efforts towards cloud gaming as well, by taking advantage of Azure’s investments towards renewable energy. "By 2025,