Microsoft Lets Xbox Players Go Green While Gaming With New Update

Xbox is searching for ways to do its part in keeping the planet clean. One such method it has found is to turn all its users around the world into energy-saving gamers.
 
How will it do so? In a new update from the company, consoles will be able to become “carbon-aware” as they download games and consumer energy with a ‘Shutdown’ (energy-saving) option. 

In addition, consoles can scan a player’s energy grid to ensure it uses the most renewable power source. They can even reduce power consumption overnight while allowing downloads to take place.
 
Microsoft posits that leaving the console in this mode for 20 hours each day for a whole year will save the carbon equivalent of a tree that has been growing for over a decade.

In order to access the new green mode, gamers can find it under the ‘Power Options’ section in Settings.

Xbox Insiders will have access to these updates on their Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and the Xbox One.
 
With the new green initiative being added to the hardware, one has to wonder if this will be enough for Microsoft to achieve its goals of “being a carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste company by 2030.”

On the sweeter side of things, Xbox and Oreo have just dished up a selection of cookies inspired by gaming controllers.
 
 
 
[via Digital Trends and Kotaku, images via Xbox]