For smaller games, up to 5 GB, we estimate that download has lowest overall carbon emissions compared to streaming and disc.įor larger games we estimate that streaming through PS Now has lowest carbon emissions if playing for just a few hours overall, while downloading them has lowest emissions if you want to play for longer*. Likewise – game file size is also important. For example, on average we estimate streaming using PS Now has the lowest carbon emissions for up to four to five hours of total (lifetime) gameplay, when compared to downloading, or up 20 hours compared to a PlayStation disc. How long you play a game for in total (over its lifetime) has an impact on the carbon footprint. In general, gaming is a low carbon activity compared to other leisure activities, particularly those which involve using transport (such as going to the cinema estimated at 2.4 kgCO2e/h) Druckman et al.
This is relatively low compared to a typical gaming PC (estimated at around 0.09 kgCO2e/h). We have analysed these different factors to identify the best ways to game in terms of carbon emissions per hour of gameplay.Īt present, we estimate downloading has the lowest carbon emissions compared to discs and streaming (at 0.05 kgCO2e on average per hour of gameplay using the latest PS4 system). Two of the most important factors are the size of the game and how long you play it in total (over its lifetime).
The carbon footprint of gaming depends on many factors, including which country you live in and which model of console you have.