Razer today announced two new partnerships with Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and Panerai today at RazerCon. These new partnerships are aimed at promoting sustainability within the gaming industry.
With UL, Razer intends to develop new Product Category Rules for gaming products. Razer points out that the gaming industry “currently lacks a standardized way to measure an eco-product.” This would rectify that, and it would help provide a way to identify what parts of the industry create the most environmental impact. The two companies will try to provide an objective standard of measurement for manufacturers of gaming products and to give gamers a way to be more informed about the products they buy and what their impact is.
With Panerai, the luxury watch company, Razer shifts focus to the ocean specifically. The two companies will support a specific cause (they haven’t yet announced what that cause is) and will work to increase ocean literacy.
Matt Ployhar, Razer’s senior business development manager, described the process of coming up with an objective standard in a written interview with GamesBeat: “This process involves calling on fellow manufacturers to join us in the development of the rules. We’d also have to conduct a comprehensive study to learn about what consumers want to know about the products they purchase from an environmental impact perspective. Finally, we will also publish the common consensus as a standard for other gaming manufacturers to follow.”
Ployhar told GamesBeat about how gamers are likely to change the tech industry for the better: “One of the best things about the gaming industry is that it’s literally chalk full of the smartest humans on the planet. So, if there’s a future in sight where we can get as near to being ‘completely eco-friendly and sustainable’ – then I fully believe it’ll be gamers that get us there first… Once the gaming industry sets its mind to a problem, or an issue, there’s real-world results!”
These partnerships are part of the brand’s #GoGreenwithRazer sustainability plan, which it outlined earlier this year. Razer had earlier this year partnered with ClearBot to reduce pollution from ocean plastics. In addition, Razer reiterated its intention to use recycled and recyclable products by 2030.
In addition to the new partnerships, Razer is continuing its existing one with Conservation International, with which it partnered last year. Razer has expanded its goal to save 1 million trees with the sales of its Sneki Snek mascot merch. The mascot will also be part of an animated series designed to educate Razer’s audience about sustainability. Razer is developing it in partnership with Franklin Templeton, who will also sponsor the first season.
Regarding how gamers can get involved, Ployhar encourages everyone to remain vigilant about how their games and products effect the world: “It’s important for everyone, gamers included, to constantly be vigilant about staying informed about all environmental sustainability issues. (Green House Gas reductions, climate change, renewable energy, etc). So, when we purchase a game, or a device for the purposes of gaming, we should be asking ourselves one simple question: what is that company doing to help the earth? I’m proud and honored to say that Razer continues to raise the bar, and lead by example.”
[Updated at 3pm PT on November 5 with quotes from Matt Ployhar.]