Did you know that almost 50% of gamers are making eco-friendly choices after playing games focused on climate change? A recent survey by the non-profit organization PlanetPlay reveals surprising insights into how gaming is influencing players' environmental habits.

The Play2Act survey, carried out in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, involved a massive 181,000 players from 189 countries across 24 popular games, including Subway Surfers, Beatstar, Pokémon Go, and Avakin Life.

Notably, 79% of participants who engaged with environmentally themed games reported making at least one positive change in their behavior, while a significant 34% adopted greener consumer habits. This highlights the potential for video games to be more than just a pastime.

The findings are even more promising: 49% of players believe that video games can play a crucial role in combating climate change, with 55% stating that games raise awareness and 52% saying they provide educational insights on how to take action.

Incredibly, 24% of respondents left their gaming sessions feeling hopeful, realizing that viable solutions to climate change exist.

The data from this survey will support the Game Realising Effective and Affective Transformation project, a collaborative effort funded by the European Union and UK Research Innovation. Participating studios will use these insights to implement eco-friendly measures within the industry.

PlanetPlay’s CEO, Rhea Loucas, remarked, "Games are uniquely positioned to engage a vast and diverse audience on environmental issues. The fact that so many players are adopting greener habits after interacting with green content is a powerful testament to gaming's potential in shaping a sustainable future."

UNDP's global director of climate change, Cassie Flynn, emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about climate issues, stating, "We must use every tool available to effect meaningful change, including the gaming industry. The Play2Act initiative demonstrates the unique potential of games for engaging with young audiences on a grand scale."

Just last month, PlanetPlay introduced three new ambassadors for its Make Green Moves campaign, which has raised over $2.2 million, with all proceeds directed towards environmental projects.