Including game manuals directly in games will offer players “easier and more intuitive access to game information,” the publisher says, as well as allowing itself to provide gamers with “a more robust manual”.
Ubisoft internal data shows that producing one ton of paper used in Ubisoft’s game manuals consumes an average of two tons of wood from 13 trees, with a net energy of 28 million BTU’s (equivalent to average heating and energy for one home/year), greenhouse gases equivalent of over 6,000 lbs of CO2, and wastewater of almost 15,000 gallons.
The initiative will launch worldwide with Shaun White Skateboarding this autumn, the publisher says.
In addition, Ubisoft has partnered with Technimark, Inc. to release “the industry’s most environmentally-responsible DVD case” for all of its future PC titles in North America, it says.
The 100 percent-recycled polypropylene “ecoTech” DVD case will make its debut with Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction PC video game on April 30, 2010.
“Ubisoft is often recognized for making great games, but it’s a special privilege to be the industry leader at saving trees,” said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft North America.
“Eco-friendly initiatives are important to the global community and introducing in-game digital manuals on Xbox 360 and PS3 is just the latest example of Ubisoft’s ongoing commitment to being a more environmentally conscious company.”