Play Greener: Solutions To Offset The Environmental Impact Of Videogame NFTs

The potential applications of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), like blockchain technology in general, are attracting attention across the economy. Some early projects by mainstream videogame publishers have been met with mixed reviews, but adoption shows no sign of slowing down. But like blockchain technology in general, NFTs, including in videogames, cause environmental concerns because of the energy required to create, transfer, and track them. A number of factors can influence NFT energy consumption, but a single NFT can generate more carbon dioxide than driving for 500 miles¹ (and every subsequent transfer of the NFT would generate incremental emissions). Coupled with research that shows 66% of gamers are more likely to play games that are socially and environmentally responsible,² it is evident that game studios have not only a values-based but also commercially-driven conundrum on their hands when deciding whether and how to introduce NFT marketplaces into their