Driving Sustainability in Gaming: Insights from PlanetPlay at XDS 2024

PlanetPlay CEO Rhea Loucas recently joined industry leaders at the XDS External Development Summit to discuss how video games, particularly through external development, can become a force for environmental sustainability.

With the games community boasting over three billion players globally, the roundtable explored the untapped potential of the gaming industry to drive climate action at scale.

PlanetPlay’s Vision for Sustainable Gaming

As part of a roundtable chaired by XDS Advisory Committee Leader Caroline Calaway, Rhea shared PlanetPlay’s mission to empower game studios with practical tools and initiatives to support a greener future.

She detailed PlanetPlay’s suite of services, including in-game climate activations, community engagement programs, and easy-to-implement sustainability frameworks designed to make a positive impact within the gaming world.

Key Takeaways from the Roundtable Discussion

Some of the innovative ideas from the session included: 

• In-Game Climate Activations: Studios can foster environmental awareness through gameplay, such as quests tied to real-world conservation efforts or mechanics that highlight climate challenges. 
• Green Certifications for Developers: Creating industry-wide green certifications could encourage studios to adopt eco-friendly practices, rewarding responsible development and giving players a way to support sustainable studios.
• Building a Network of Climate Champions: By creating a dedicated community of developers and studios committed to environmental action, organizations like PlanetPlay, the Sustainable Games Alliance, and the Playing for the Planet Alliance are driving collaborative efforts to make gaming more sustainable.

Integrating climate action into games comes with unique challenges, from balancing messaging with engaging gameplay to securing leadership buy-in. However, with huge player interest in sustainability, the demand for eco-friendly experiences is increasing, offering new opportunities for studios to innovate. 

Get Involved

PlanetPlay invites developers, publishers, and players alike to join the mission of driving sustainability in gaming. As Rhea noted in the roundtable, the games industry has the scale and influence to make a profound impact on climate action. Together, we can use the power of games to build a sustainable future – Find out more here.