So it’s Earth Day, one of the most cosmetically celebrated holidays I can think of. Most people say “Happy Earth Day!” and then proceed like they would any other day. Anyway… I think us video game fanatics for the most part are pretty good when it comes to cutting down on gamer-related waste. Partially because most of us won’t part with certain games and/or systems no matter how old or outdated they may be. Image if people did this with plastic bags, paper plates, etc…
But there is always more you can do right? Here is a list of video-game related things that anyone can do which will conserve in some way:
- Unplug your crap: Even if a system is off, energy will still be consumed by simply keeping it plugged in. This should be even more relevant to PS3 owners since that thing consumes the energy of a dying sun. A helpful idea may be to get a surge strip which has all your systems (I assume you have multiple) in it which you can turn off when you aren’t playing any. On an interesting side note, the Nintendo Wii consumes the least electricity of the current gen systems.
- Sharing is caring: If you know a friend who wants to try a game you own, let them borrow it so they don’t have to buy a whole new copy. That’s one less game that needs to be purchased and kept for eternity. If they decide they must own it, they can try it before buying it. Also, if you don’t even want the game, you can trade it in, eBay it, or just give it to someone.
- Regular Please: Do you REALLY need the dumb toy included with the pre-order? How likely are you to get any real enjoyment from it? Is it just going to sit and gather dust? There are the questions you should ask yourself.
- Naked games: There is nothing wrong with getting a used game that does not include a manual or a case. This is especially true for games that are in cartridge form, like Nintendo DS. How often do you really flip though those manuals?
- A PS3 is not a DVD player: PS3’s burn more energy than standard DVD players, for this reason it is absolutely unnecessary to play standard DVDs in it. I am looking at you Nutgarden05… Use it for Blu Rays and PS3 games only when you can.
- Controller capers: I have 3 PS2 controllers. There are only 2 slots for controllers on a PS2. Nuf said.
- Dead, but not useless: If your system dies, rather than huck it, you may want to see if anyone would like to buy it to salvage parts. I noticed a lot of people were doing this when the PS3 first came out. Also, you may even want to contact the manufacturer to see about warrenty repairs, or ask about proper ways to dispose of the system.
I partly compiled this list as a reminder for myself, but I think if more gamers followed at least a few of these ideas, that would be a good way to honor the Earf. You may need to break out of some old habits. I admit some of the above bullets frighten me as much as I am sure they did you.
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My name is Roy and this is my blog about games that I enjoy. My favorite games are RPGs, but there are a few wild cards from time to time. I use my elementary knowledge of Japanese language and culture to translate info on upcoming games in Japan. When time (and publishers!) permit I also preview games and write reviews.
Latest Tweets @kotowari
White Knight Chronicles
by Level Five
Hours Played: 35-40
Recent Accomplishment:
Georama Level: 7
Clan Level: 7
Trying to make some of the higher level job parts, they take a lot of rare elements which has be questing my ass off. Should be able to reincarnate my character soon!
Haha, I didn’t think anyone actually read my tweets. And wasn’t expecting Will Smith at the header. As for conserving… my PS2 has been in stand-by for the past two years.
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Also, I DO need the crap that comes with pre-orders. And I also do need the box and manual for all my games. It’s part of being an obsessive collector. I can never pass up a “collector’s edition” of a game.
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The Earf is great and all Roy. But I’m not following this list dammit! I might unplug my PS2 though, for Mother Earf.
I’m with Jink. For collectors and people with OCD (like me!), all the extra crap is a must. Though most of my electronics are on the same power strip and it’s usually off. Also letting people borrow my games is always something I’ve done, and I usually just ask for them to pay for lunch in return.
@Jink all I do at work is read people’s tweets, it’s a great way to pass the time.
Relax guys, that was the one I have the biggest issues with as well. Thinking logically one can understand that these items are useless, but our desires override that logic. Still, the more we can do the better right?
I admit I was a tad disappointed when I got Shiren the Wanderer DS with no case, or manual. But I truly don’t mind now, since the game is so tiny and insignificant it seems silly.
I like your sharing story Kabling, it made me want lunch.
If a game didn’t come in a case, only a box like GBA games, I don’t mind so much since I usually threw the boxes away as to not have so much clutter. And by sharing games I saved money for new ones by not buying my own food and my friends could never bring themselves to drop as much money as I do in games, so it creates this nice win-win system.