Environmental protection in the gaming industry: a hot topic

Environmental protection in the gaming industry

The German games industry is booming. According to the latest market data from the Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung, in the first six months of 2021 games, hardware and game-related services alone generated sales of 4.6 billion in the German games market. Generated - an increase of 22 percent compared to the previous year. The chances that the German industry will surpass the sales record of 2020 - at that time it was 8.5 billion euros - are therefore pretty good. But also from a global perspective, the future prospects are still bright, despite a small corona dent in 2021.

Table of contents

Page 1 Environmental protection in video games, Page 1 1.1 Constantly increasing hunger for electricity 1.2 High-end graphics card and Cloud gaming: the climate problem children? 1.3 "Playing for the Planet" provides fresh ideas 1.4 The Green Game Jam winner comes from Germany Individuals are in demand Page 3 Image gallery on "Environmental protection in the gaming industry: A hot topic" The researchers at the market research portal Newzoo are forecasting global sales for the gaming industry of just over 200 billion dollars in 2023. The growth engine in the background is a gaming community, which by then is expected to have grown to 3.22 billion players. In other words: Assuming eight billion people on the planet by 2023, just over 40 percent of them will be involved in one form or another with computer and video games.

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Kids and Gaming: From Roblox to Fortnite, How to Stay Safe and Have Fun Online

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Our connected and online world has changed the way we communicate and share experiences. At home, with co-workers, with friends and with family. This is especially true for that interactive form of entertainment we call video games.

Gaming for all ages is seen by many as open, social, and creative. And going online is baked into the very design of platforms; from high-end gaming rigs, to entry-level mobile, and everything in between. Firing up a multiplayer game of Fortnite in 2021 is as easy as clicking a ‘Play Now’ button. And it’s for everyone.

When looking at some of the most played games by kids, titles like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, these are all games that foster critical thinking and experimentation, while simultaneously acting as social forums in fun, vibrant, and friendly digital worlds. That said, reality paints a far more nuanced and grounded picture than the brightly coloured action might suggest.

Playing games and going online in a safe and secure environment is a real concern. A place free from abusive remarks or phishing (that is, an attack via social engagement to steal data) and other malicious forms of online exploitation. Those computer viruses that made headlines decades ago. They’re back, in malware form. Online safety for kids, especially when it comes to video games, is serious. But it’s also a challenge where the information, tools and support is out there.

Reality paints a far more nuanced and grounded picture than the brightly coloured action might suggest.And, as we’re talking about video games, keeping your child safe online can be a rewarding experience. We partnered with ESET to put together this guide to help you navigate the issues, share some helpful hints (that might wind up changing your own gaming habits), and possibly open the door to new cooperative experiences you can enjoy at home with the little ones in your care.Gaming Safety and Social Tips for The Games Kids Play

In Ye Olde Times™ communication in games was relegated to in-game chat via textboxes or in-person with those sitting near you with controllers in hand. Now, things are different. In-game voice chat, Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network, Steam, dedicated community apps like Discord, and all the various forms of social media. Becoming a fan of a specific game can lead to joining any number of communities, on platforms that can and do extend from PCs to smart devices thanks to the ubiquity of readily available Apps and web browsing on the go.

Valve’s Steam is one of the most popular platforms for purchasing and hosting games on PC, which in a way acts like a dedicated console like the Xbox Series X|S. Like an Xbox or Nintendo Switch it offers several social-minded features to help foster communities around specific games. And with that, it offers parental tools to limit access to certain aspects of the platform.

Microsoft has gone one step further with an Xbox Family Settings app that allows for the management of screen time, access to certain games, and even provides notifications based on console activity. Including the ability to monitor purchases and set limits for popular titles that offer microtransactions for cosmetic items and additional content like Fortnite.

Becoming a fan of a specific game can lead to joining any number of communities, on platforms that can and do extend from PCs to smart devices thanks to the ubiquity of readily available Apps and web browsing on the go.Keeping track of screen time, age-appropriate content, and limiting digital purchases is a key part of maintaining a house full of gamers.Cyberbullying is Real… And Here’s What You Need to KnowAustralia’s e-safety commissioner offers tools to make a proper government-style formal complaint when faced with any form of online abuse, which should clue you into the very serious nature of cyberbullying. Even if restrictions are in place in terms of screen time, what games can or cannot be played, or what social media access is allowed, going online in any capacity can still lead to harassment. This can happen in-game, unexpectedly, and from there extend to social media and other realms that are in many ways ‘hangouts’.

In addition to the e-safety commissioner, various platforms from Xbox to PlayStation and even games like Fortnite, offer the ability to report users. These are all helpful, and something we encourage carers to follow should the need arise. What these tools can’t help with, however, is in understanding the ever-shifting nature of online etiquette, understanding online social norms and unwritten rules, or in truly knowing who’s behind the handle on the other side.

Communicating with kids and others in your situation is a great way to engage and understand.

Strength in numbers -- Ask other carers what their kids are playing, and how they communicate across their gaming adventures. The deeper the pool of experience you can gather from like-minded adults and trusted peers, the better you can formulate plans for understanding.

Safety instructions -- Check your child’s game’s Options menu. Often, you’ll find built-in parental controls. Additionally, seeking out publisher or developer websites or social media channels can lead to hints and tips for parents from the creators or custodians of those games.

Learn the lingo, don’t ban -- If there’s bullying, communicate with your child and try not to simply ban them from accessing the internet or going online. Cyberbullying, just like the real-world kind, is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed with support, care, and communication.

An Introduction to Internet Security

This is the somewhat technical stuff, protecting passwords, secure online transactions, and filtering out potential breaches that might happen by a string of nasty 1s and 0s. Common sense might play a role, but it’s a combination of software, education, and awareness that makes up the modern Internet Security picture.

When it comes to kids and gaming, things can escalate quickly. A chat window opens, a mysterious avatar offers a free copy of a new game, update, or cosmetic that’s only a single click away. Inadvertently exposing a computer to malicious software (malware) is as easy as getting online in the first place. Handles and nicknames can be traced to social media accounts.

The good news is that internet security packages are aware of these problems and have been designed to provide support, right down to offering controls to protect what can be seen on a webcam. ESET’s Safe Kids Online initiative offers up handy reminders for things parents can do in addition to installing security software. Keeping consoles, games, and hardware patched and up-to-date is as important as running regular scans. As is using a strong password for all accounts in addition to not installing add-on software or untrusted applications.

The good news is that internet security packages are aware of these problems and have been designed to provide support, right down to offering controls to protect what can be seen on a webcam.In a way, it’s a team effort. But with the typical gaming household featuring consoles from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, in addition to Google or Apple-powered smart devices, TVs, PCs, fridges that can track when you need more milk - internet security software that can cover and protect multiple devices, such as ESET Internet Security, is important. Like, making sure your team has a goalie. Or, jerseys to play.

With its Gamer Mode feature, gamers can continue to play securely without risking being interrupted by their antivirus slowing down their computer, or sending distracting notifications or pop-up windows. ESET Internet Security protects you without slowing down your PC, or demanding any interaction. That way you can make the most of your game.

The Mobile Play Space

Often seen as an afterthought by some, gaming on Google Android and Apple iOS devices is big business, from Minecraft’s 10 million plus downloads to Pokemon GO’s 100 million and counting.

Free-to-play and paid-for apps are not only part of the gaming landscape when looking at smart devices, but they tend to fall into the former category. This means the billion-dollar a year industry in terms of revenue (in Australia alone) sees the majority of this coming from in-app purchases and advertising. Being aware of this fact before letting any child fire up a new mobile game is as important as being aware of the game itself.

Playing Together

Safety comes from firsthand knowledge of what you’re creating protection for, and from. In the case of games, knowledge really is power, and many of us are lucky enough to have grown up with games a ubiquitous part of our lives. However, younger generations will always find that fresh new thing you might have overlooked in your ripe old age, and you might think you’re just too out of touch to know exactly what it is the kids are ga-ga over these days.

Safety comes from firsthand knowledge of what you’re creating protection for, and from. In the case of games, knowledge really is power, and many of us are lucky enough to have grown up with games a ubiquitous part of our lives.Guess what? You’re not. In fact, that generation of gamers mentioned above - those same cats are now driving the development of the games your kids are playing, so their sensibilities stem from the same places you probably gamed ‘back in the day’. This is a gentle nudge to tell you not to be scared, and to maybe swallow a bit of pride because the chances are you’re going to discover old-school nods and a bit of nostalgia when diving in.

As per the latest Digital Australia report, parents play games with their kids because it’s fun and a great way to spend time together. With that, based on our own experience, it’s best to let the kids drive the show.

They feel empowered when teaching you, which flips the carer script in a positive way; you see their worlds the way they do in how they teach. So, pay attention.

You learn their behaviours with the wares you’re being taught, which is a good way to learn what sort of habits they have around gaming. And the specific games they are playing.

Trust is instilled in both parties, and games or desires kids might have been more secretive about before, are suddenly open for discussion and sharing.

Something fun might come of you playing something you otherwise might never have.

Tools of the TradeHopefully the above can give you the tools to navigate what can initially seem insurmountable as a task, or even just daunting. But just know that you don't need to be an old hat at this, or even overtly informed. And games won't bite. Instead, you have one of the best tools available in your kids or the kids in your care, and with what we've added to that toolkit with all of the above, hopefully you can find a firm footing on traveling this winding road with them, together. For positivity, trust and most important of all, safety.