Xbox's New Update Requires All Gamers To Use 'Shutdown Mode' To Fight Climate Change

Microsoft-owned Xbox intends to force gamers to power down to fight climate change. In a news post, Microsoft announced its campaign for "building a more sustainable future of gaming."

The company says that it wants to become a "zero waste" company by forcing gamers to switch to "shutdown mode" that saves energy. If two gamers used shutdown mode for a year, it is equivalent to planting one tree, Microsoft said.

By 2030, Microsoft wants to become a "carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste company." According to Ars Technica, Microsoft started rolling out the update on January 23. Usually, an Xbox goes into Sleep mode when not being used. But this uses a lot of energy - Shutdown mode intends to change that.

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How will the Shutdown Mode work?

During the "sleep mode," gaming consoles continue to perform tasks like downloading games, charging peripherals, and keeping the game where users left them.

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Now, Microsoft says that all Xbox gamers would be able to update to update their systems to make their consoles "carbon aware." "Your console will wake up at a time when it can use the most renewable energy in your local energy grid," the post adds.

Also read:?After Heading Development Of Iconic 'Halo' At Xbox For 15 Yrs, Bonnie Ross Quits

The Shutdown Mode, Microsoft claims, will use 20 times less power than the sleep mode. However, this will remove the ability to remotely turn on the system.

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In this mode, your console will also take a bit longer to start up. If gamers want their Xbox to start off with the same response time, they will have to set "active hours" in their system settings.

Also read:?Switching Sides? Playstation's Beloved Hideo Kojima Is Working On An Xbox Game

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"Every small step we take has larger collective impact – and choosing shutdown (energy saving) can have real, meaningful impact. For example, for every 2 consoles that switch to Shutdown (energy saving) for one year, we will save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by 1 tree planted and grown for a decade," the post said.

What do you think about Xbox's efforts to conserve energy? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.

References

Hauglie, B. T. P. M. (2023, January 11). Xbox Is Now the First Carbon Aware Console, Update Rolling Out to Everyone Soon. Xbox Wire. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/01/11/xbox-carbon-aware-console-sustainability/

Chapados, A. (2023, January 23). Xbox will force gamers to power down to fight climate change, touting the first “carbon aware console.” TheBlaze. https://www.theblaze.com/news/xbox-energy-saving-carbon-aware

Purdy, K. (2023, January 11). Microsoft will soon push Xbox owners into energy-saving Shutdown mode. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/01/microsoft-will-start-firmly-pushing-xbox-owners-toward-energy-saving-mode/