![Xbox Series X](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zw9nvQud7vfrhzUa8Rt5j7-415-80.jpg)
Do you know what I hate, other than injustice, war and broccoli? Game updates. As a time-poor gamer it sometimes seems that my Xbox Series X is booby-trapped: when I manage to get a few spare minutes to go in and kill space monsters, there's a multi-gigabyte update that I have to download before I can play. I'd leave my Xbox in standby overnight but with UK energy bills being what they are, even a small download has a hefty energy footprint. And when it comes to game updates, the downloads are rarely small.
So I'm delighted to discover that Microsoft has improved the Xbox Energy Saver mode to make downloading all those updates a lot cheaper. 20% cheaper, in fact.
More fun for less money
Writing on the official Xbox blog, Microsoft's Dave McCarthy explains: "Energy Saver mode consumes about 20 times less power than Standby mode when the console is not being used or receiving updates. Now, system and game updates can be downloaded during Energy Saver mode, further saving energy."
It's part of a wider move by Microsoft to become a carbon negative, water positive and zero waste company by 2030. As part of that, all Xbox products, accessories and packaging will be 100% recyclable, and Team Xbox will also work "tirelessly" to reduce gaming's environmental impact. As Microsoft itself admits, during the pandemic Xbox sales and usage were partly responsible for an increase in emissions, an increase it's keen to reverse.
Software updates can help with that. Energy Saver is now the default mode on new consoles instead of something you need to choose, and Microsoft is also looking at ways to reduce the environmental footprint of its Cloud Gaming service: by 2025 its Azure data centres will move to 100% renewable energy. It's even pushing environmental awareness in Minecraft, and adding electric vehicles in Forza. Of course virtual EVs aren't any more environmentally friendly than virtual V8s, but by positioning them as exciting and desirable such moves can help shift the dial towards more environmentally responsible transport. And according to Microsoft there are more environmental initiatives to come.
If you haven't already enabled Energy Saver, here's how to do it: on your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, go to Settings > Sleep Mode & Startup > Sleep Mode > Energy saver. I'll be doing it as soon as I clock off today.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
What are gorilla rows: the underrated strength exercise you’re not doing for a stronger back
It will also give your core a run for its money
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
iPhone 17 slated for one massive camera upgrade which photographers will love
The question is, will it be too technical for non-photographers?
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Xbox Game Pass gets the latest Call of Duty – you can download it right now
Game Pass gets COD
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
New PS5 Pro graphics details found in an unlikely source
A recent game update spills some intriguing beans
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
The new Deadpool Xbox controller has a unique, cheeky new feature
There's something altogether new on the rear
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Xbox Game Pass getting a trio of brand new games real soon – including a promising Zelda-alike
Shaping up to be a busy week for the subscription
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
EA Sports FC 25 to be revealed this week, but we already know who the cover star is
Take a sad song and make it better
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
There's a good reason why 8BitDo's latest retro controllers are $100 each
8BitDo has gone big for its anniversary, with a couple of extra-special Nintendo-inspired controllers
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Nintendo Switch Online gets 3 free games you won't have played before
Nintendo digs out some hidden gems
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Nintendo Switch is officially its longest-standing console and shows no signs of slowing down
Do we even need a Switch 2?
By Max Freeman-Mills Published