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[Deerock71]

To remove seal, just soak in water!

 

[RetroGamingUK]

They did it on the ps1 and then changed it later, I think with the ps2?

I always wondered why they went back to bigger cases. It's not like they needed more mind share in the ps2 days.

PS2 cases were taller to match DVD

They then went shorter with PS3 to match Blu-ray (wasn't a fan of the top border)

I think the current PS4/PS5 cases are perfect and they look nice on my shelf alongside the taller PS2 ones.

Hopefully PS6 will go with black cases to match 4K Blu-ray

 

[kruis]

Not the first time one of the most profitable, richest companies ever to exist was trying to "save the environment" (hah!). Anyone remember these horrible, Xbox 360 "eco" cases? What a letdown when that brandnew, expensive game came in the flimsiest, cheapest case possible.

 

[RCX]

"We're helping the environment....while inhaling all the electricity we can from any and every source to power our AI tech that's largely being used for worthless bullshit"

 

[VolticArchangel]

Is there any official announcement for this or is this a leak? Do you work at some retail chain like GameStop or are you a dev, OP?

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Microsoft is removing the cellophane wrapper (cellowrap) from Xbox game disc packaging and also replacing the plastic BTS (Break the Seal) label with a translucent paper version of the label. Will start appearing from August/September 2025 as some disc manufacturers already switched and then by Dec 31, 2025 all have to. Just a little PSA to not be surprised when you order physical copies in the future.

It's been announced since 2020, but they sent an email out today.

you couldn't provide a picture because I can't make even the slightest bit of sense of what you just wrote

 

[CrimsonTide]

You're right, they do aim to be waste-neutral by 2030. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some tax incentives involved as well.

There has and always will be tax incentives for things like this. Big corpo's don't change for "the greater good"
It's always something that will help their bottom line

 

[Mattyp]

"We're helping the environment....while inhaling all the electricity we can from any and every source to power our AI tech that's largely being used for worthless bullshit"

They've been carbon neutral for over a decade now… and a few more years carbon negative.

I remember reading somewhere they plan on winding back every bit of carbon Microsoft has emitted since conception eventually.

 

[Rosoboy19]

Do they even make physical games anymore for Xbox?

It's still out there and Xbox has devalued physical media so much this gen that it's become a bargain hunter's dream. I can usually find disc copies of games for way less than the digital version.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

That's nice but can anyone design a case that isn't prone to artwork damage? This goes for Nintendo and Sony as well.

Actually if it's what some other poster implied that means I can finally buy a Xbox game in store and not find out the artwork is damaged underneath the shrink wrap because it blended in. Having it already off is a blessing for collectors who actually play the games yet still want them to be in good looking condition.

Now if only there was a way to rebuy official case artwork straight from the publishers.

 

[El Muerto]

I'm curious to see how gamestop is going to reseal used xbox games to sell as new

 

[simpatico]

Guys I swear, printing all these discs is a joyous passion project to all video game makers. It costs basically nothing and will continue for perpetuity.

 

[Sevyne]

We bringin it back!

 

[Pasta la Vista]

Nothing like buying a "new" game when they use the box you just took off the shelve (that has been mauled by countless grubby hands kids) and then taking a game out of a paper sleeve (which has probably already been played by the staff) and sticking it in the box and selling to you as new.

Ultimately this is why Gamestop lost me as a customer.

 

[Boo Who?]

"We're helping the environment....while inhaling all the electricity we can from any and every source to power our AI tech that's largely being used for worthless bullshit"

This is the best statement right here. All these people who think that these comapnies are doing shit for the environment are so braindead. The amount of power required for these datacenters is beyond what you can imagine. Same with electric cars. Where the fuck do you think the power is going to come from to recharge you stupid Tesla or other bullshit EV?

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

All these people who think that these comapnies are doing shit for the environment are so braindead. The amount of power required for these datacenters is beyond what you can imagine. Same with electric cars. Where the fuck do you think the power is going to come from to recharge you stupid Tesla or other bullshit EV?

because of demand, we're considering nuclear en masse again, which is cool.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

I'm curious to see how gamestop is going to reseal used xbox games to sell as new

Oh they will. Just pray the minimum wage idiot doing it doesn't crush your games box on the counter like they did with mine. Making it go from "new" to used looking in an instant. Had to ditch that copy and find it elsewhere.

 

[rapid32.5]

remember we would pay 30% less for digital games promise during 360 days, how did that play out?

 

[skyfinch]

Is this for gamepass games too?

 

[Three]

Wait so Microsoft still distributes games on disc?

On PlayStation mostly

 

[Nydius]

They did it on the ps1 and then changed it later, I think with the ps2?

I always wondered why they went back to bigger cases. It's not like they needed more mind share in the ps2 days.

I liked the PS1 cases but even those are too wasteful. When I say Digipaks I mean the modern CD cases that use primarily use thick cardstock with thin plastic disk trays glued into them, like these examples.

They make them in single, double, and triple disk configurations so they'd be more than adequate for most physical games, and Switch games could be accommodated by changing the plastic molding from a cd tray to a cartridge tray.

I'm hardly a green eco warrior type but I've always disliked the amount of plastic standard game (and Blu-Ray) cases use, especially since they're a "type 5" plastic that most local/municipal recycling facilities won't take because they only have the facilities to do type 1 and 2 plastics.

 

[Chittagong]

Xbox is hitting its stride

 

[Zacfoldor]

I'd burn a tire in protest but I'm too lazy.

I see this as a woke virtue signal.

That said, in the grand scheme of things this is a very small and meaningless issue.

I'm not mad about it.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

I liked the PS1 cases but even those are too wasteful. When I say Digipaks I mean the modern CD cases that use primarily use thick cardstock with thin plastic disk trays glued into them, like these examples.

They make them in single, double, and triple disk configurations so they'd be more than adequate for most physical games, and Switch games could be accommodated by changing the plastic molding from a cd tray to a cartridge tray.

I'm hardly a green eco warrior type but I've always disliked the amount of plastic standard game (and Blu-Ray) cases use, especially since they're a "type 5" plastic that most local/municipal recycling facilities won't take because they only have the facilities to do type 1 and 2 plastics.

If only everyone could switch to those. Without manuals cases these days are empty and pointless for the most part.

 

[RCX]

They've been carbon neutral for over a decade now… and a few more years carbon negative.

I remember reading somewhere they plan on winding back every bit of carbon Microsoft has emitted since conception eventually.

Are they carbon neutral thru purchasing

This is the best statement right here. All these people who think that these comapnies are doing shit for the environment are so braindead. The amount of power required for these datacenters is beyond what you can imagine. Same with electric cars. Where the fuck do you think the power is going to come from to recharge you stupid Tesla or other bullshit EV?

Where does the power come from? Unicorn farts and good feelings.

And they are neutral through purchasing. Carbon credit system is a fantastic grift.

 

[PlayStaytion]

The engagement has grown so much and it is so HUGE right now that Xbox was forced to change disc packaging to get discs to retailers faster in order to satisfy the demand.

Thank you for caring so much MS!

God bless the protectors of the physical media!!!

 

[Mattyp]

Are they carbon neutral thru purchasing

Where does the power come from? Unicorn farts and good feelings.

And they are neutral through purchasing. Carbon credit system is a fantastic grift.

They purchase directly and have deals with solar companies to provide the power to their data centres while also setting up their own farms, it's the cheapest form of power once set up why wouldn't they want to save money? It's all easily googleable.

Same with electric cars. Where the fuck do you think the power is going to come from to recharge you stupid Tesla or other bullshit EV?

I've done 50,000km in mine with my solar system for free haven't consumed a cent from the grid, saved around $14,000 in fuel… 80% of tesla owners or something ridiculous have solar in Australia.

The US needs to fix their solar laws for citizens.

 

[Scrawnton]

I get they're doing this for the environment, but when does the AI overlord that runs them look at their sales, gamepass, and decide to just axe physical all together?

 

[Windle Poons]

All the shit that gets pumped into the atmosphere by certain continents yet this will save all the polar bears.

 

[Boo Who?]

They purchase directly and have deals with solar companies to provide the power to their data centres while also setting up their own farms, it's the cheapest form of power once set up why wouldn't they want to save money? It's all easily googleable.



I've done 50,000km in mine with my solar system for free haven't consumed a cent from the grid, saved around $14,000 in fuel… 80% of tesla owners or something ridiculous have solar in Australia.

The US needs to fix their solar laws for citizens.

Australia has what, 30 million people? NYC is like half of that. We have solar and wind farms in the US, and IMO, are shit for the population density we have in our country. Solar probably works fine for an entire continent of 30 million people, but The United States is slightly bigger. Also, correct me if I am wrong, the process to get those materials for solar panels is pretty shitty.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

This reminds me of the Xbox packaging that was really nice and elaborate and obviously didn't care too much about environmental impact.
Then Phil gets an award for the environmental packaging . . .

Meanwhile the PS5 was in the flimsiest paper bull shit packaging where the handle tore off if you tried to use it. The packaging could biodegrade in about 6 months tops. No award for you!!!

 

[Mattyp]

Australia has what, 30 million people? NYC is like half of that. We have solar and wind farms in the US, and IMO, are shit for the population density we have in our country. Solar probably works fine for an entire continent of 30 million people, but The United States is slightly bigger. Also, correct me if I am wrong, the process to get those materials for solar panels is pretty shitty.

Like all things in life more people = more scalability, the roll out if anything should be quicker.

10x the amount of people doesn't mean that same sized group of people can't roll out 10x more installations. Australia and the US are probably the most two similar sized countries for land mass of this size in the world, large vast land mass for clean energy. Not like trying squeeze this shit into a euro country smaller than either of our states.

Solar panels are near 100% recyclable and have a 30 year shelf life. Wind turbines are another matter and shit but.

My point is nearly 50% or Australian houses have solar on the roof we generate to much solar now when the sun is out already, there's no reason the USA can't be the same.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

The PC gamers are going to be really upset about this.

 

[Unknown?]

They've been carbon neutral for over a decade now… and a few more years carbon negative.

I remember reading somewhere they plan on winding back every bit of carbon Microsoft has emitted since conception eventually.

Well there goes our vegetation, without that carbon they live off of. Carbon neutral is so stupid.

 

[Boo Who?]

Like all things in life more people = more scalability, the roll out if anything should be quicker.

10x the amount of people doesn't mean that same sized group of people can't roll out 10x more installations. Australia and the US are probably the most two similar sized countries for land mass of this size in the world, large vast land mass for clean energy. Not like trying squeeze this shit into a euro country smaller than either of our states.

Solar panels are near 100% recyclable and have a 30 year shelf life. Wind turbines are another matter and shit but.

My point is nearly 50% or Australian houses have solar on the roof we generate to much solar now when the sun is out already, there's no reason the USA can't be the same.

I get where you are coming from, and it makes sense. I remember reading several articles back in the day (about 10 years ago) about solar panels and their actual effect on the environment, and decided then to never put them on my house, and I am no crazy tree hugger environmentalist. I can't imagine much of that has changed since China makes most of them, and they could give two fucks what they are doing to the planet. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one. We do agree on wind farms though. Giant fucking eyesore, that create shit for electricity, and cost way too much money to maintain. Whoever convinced people to invest in that nonsense pulled off a great grift.

 

[zaga]

Also no more data on the discs

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

Soon enough, they'll be in cardboard sleeves like the CDs bands sell on their site.

You joke but that would still be an improvement over the digital download code cards they have in some stores now after nuking their physical disc section. It's depressing to see.

 

[Xaeroxcore666]

My God comes in a wrapper of cellophane.

Understood that reference!

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Next step at stores: just write the code on your hand with a pen

 

[Soodanim]

I get where you are coming from, and it makes sense. I remember reading several articles back in the day (about 10 years ago) about solar panels and their actual effect on the environment, and decided then to never put them on my house, and I am no crazy tree hugger environmentalist. I can't imagine much of that has changed since China makes most of them, and they could give two fucks what they are doing to the planet. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one. We do agree on wind farms though. Giant fucking eyesore, that create shit for electricity, and cost way too much money to maintain. Whoever convinced people to invest in that nonsense pulled off a great grift.

I'd love to know more, I've had a quick Google but haven't dug up anything that too damning specific to solar panels yet, just rare and potentially hazardous materials. I don't really know anything about it and there are questions that need answering.

1. Was it from a biased source?
2. Was it verified information?
3. Is 10 year old information still accurate?

If you can remember any specifics I'd appreciate what you can share

 

[Boo Who?]

I'd love to know more, I've had a quick Google but haven't dug up anything that too damning specific to solar panels yet, just rare and potentially hazardous materials. I don't really know anything about it and there are questions that need answering.

1. Was it from a biased source?
2. Was it verified information?
3. Is 10 year old information still accurate?

If you can remember any specifics I'd appreciate what you can share

I remember the issues I had with them was the hazardous materials. The issue with manufacturing them (China not caring about what they dispersed in the air). The mining of the materials (this was the big one and one of the reasons I don't get behind EV's), and at the time recyclable panels were not really a thing, so disposing of old panels was a nightmare. Sounds like they can be recycled now, but how much of that is really happening. I'll see if I can come up with some of the old articles I read back in the day.

 

[Soodanim]

I remember the issues I had with them was the hazardous materials. The issue with manufacturing them (China not caring about what they dispersed in the air). The mining of the materials (this was the big one and one of the reasons I don't get behind EV's), and at the time recyclable panels were not really a thing, so disposing of old panels was a nightmare. Sounds like they can be recycled now, but how much of that is really happening. I'll see if I can come up with some of the old articles I read back in the day.

Thanks. I've heard bad things about alleged recycling efforts, like plastic often not really being recycled but instead shipped off to some storage facilities in a different country.

I think we'd all like to imagine the best but the reality of these industries isn't necessarily there yet. I like the idea that solar panels do more good than bad, but it sounds like we aren't all the way there yet.

 

[Melon Husk]

Some GameStop manager somewhere: "Jokes on them, we've been doing that shit for years!"

Late edit: I know I'm a broken record on it but at this point I wish all physical games would adopt the Digipak model CDs adopted long ago. Minimize plastic. No need for these big ass blu-Ray sized cases.

Digipak model and replace the inner disc holder with non-plastic would be perfect.