Xbox’s ‘carbon aware’ consoles fire up gamers

Xbox may be going green, thanks to its introduction to “carbon aware” consoles, but that has gamers seeing red.

A new default setting will regulate the systems’ power usage to do their part and help save the planet.

“Xbox is working to reduce our environmental impact to help us reach Microsoft’s goal of being a carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste company by 2030 by rethinking how we design, build, distribute, and use our products,” Xbox said in a press release, adding that the focus will be on carbon emissions “in the homes of our fans.”

Xbox explained: “Being carbon aware means reducing carbon footprint by optimizing updates and downloads to run at a time when the console can use the most renewable energy.”

It said the new energy saving features would be applied automatically via a software update.

“Starting today, Xbox Insiders will notice that their Xbox Series X|S consoles automatically update to the Shutdown (energy saving) power option,” according to the press release.

“This one-time update to your power settings will reduce your power consumption while your console is off, and will not affect performance, gameplay, or your console’s ability to receive overnight updates to system, games or apps.”

Xbox warned in the press release that with “Shutdown (energy saving) selected, Xbox One consoles will experience a slower boot time.”

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Some gamers were supportive of the initiative.

“I switched to that setting and the boot up time is no slower,” one person clarified. “I can turn on my Xbox grab the remote and turn on my tv and the Xbox is already up and ready to play!”

One user would have preferred if customers were given the option to “enable this feature.”

However, many Twitter users slammed the green update entirely.

“Time to switch to PS5 I guess,” one detractor tweeted. “I thought my Xbox was immune to woke nonsense.”

Another added: “If the whole ESG [environmental, social and (corporate) governance] thing gets a real foothold, it could be used against all Xbox users.”

One person wrote: “Interesting business model. Forcing consumers not to use its product.”

Young America’s Foundation tweeted, “Lol now the woke brigade is after video games all in the name of climate change.”

Even Sen. Ted Cruz got in on the action: “First gas stoves, then your coffee, now they’re gunning for your Xbox.”