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Xbox has made an exciting announcement regarding one of its esteemed studios, Rare, renowned for developing the popular Sea of Thieves game. Rare has unveiled its new sustainability-focused studio, named ‘Barn X’, located in the UK.
Constructed as a mass timber building, Barn X incorporates a plethora of eco-friendly features and design solutions aimed at significantly reducing its energy consumption by an impressive 63%. One notable aspect is its exclusive reliance on electrical power, completely eschewing the use of gas. Additionally, innovative measures involving condensated water help conserve resources, particularly in tasks like toilet flushing. Moreover, the site boasts a staggering 750 square meters (over 8,000 square feet) of solar panels, poised to potentially offset a substantial 138,000 kWh of electricity annually—equivalent to powering more than 438,000 Series X consoles.
Rare’s Studio Head, Craig Duncan, expressed pride in the project, highlighting Barn X as a pioneering model of sustainability and environmental design. The studio’s expansion reflects a commitment not only to fostering a cutting-edge workplace for its teams but also to supporting Microsoft’s broader sustainability objectives. Duncan emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration, creativity, and well-being within the new space, recognizing these as vital components for crafting engaging experiences for players worldwide.
Barn X’s dedication to environmental sustainability has been duly recognized, earning the prestigious LEED GOLD certification—an impressive feat signifying Rare’s commitment to green practices. This achievement aligns with Microsoft’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon negativity by 2030.
Incorporating sustainability into the very infrastructure where game developers operate underscores Microsoft and Xbox’s broader vision of inspiring creativity and innovation in game development. By fostering eco-friendly practices in their workspace, the hope is to elevate the quality of the gaming experiences they create.
While the impact of these initiatives on game development remains to be seen, the move is a commendable step toward promoting sustainability within the gaming industry. It sets a positive example for other studios to follow, encouraging tangible actions toward environmental responsibility and eco-consciousness.