You may have noticed that your Xbox 360 games have recently arrived in crappier boxes. They look the same on the outside, but when you open it up and remove the disc, you'll see big holes cut out of the case's back with a weird "web" of plastic keeping the disc barely secure. It looks silly and makes the case bend whenever you try to open it, but Microsoft has finally revealed why the cases changed.
The new cases are supposed to be more environmentally friendly (eyeroll) and have also been made lighter to reduce shipping weight. They were designed by Viva Group in order to better perform according to Walmart's "packaging scorecard" initiative -- a scheme that aims to reduce packaging materials by 5% before 2013.
These cases are the new standard, so even though they feel flimsy and see unable to hold games in place, you can expect to see them shipped with all 360 games from now on. Nintendo has told Kotaku it will follow suit with its own reduced, lightweight packaging. Sony has not confirmed it will do the same, but said it was always looking to streamline its goods.
Silly business, but whatever. These companies have a pathological need to look like they're doing something for the environment, so it might as well be this.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 AM on 12.02.2009
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I'm scared to put it back in the case.
You should have just put that Assassin's Creed 2 game cover on the front
but but but........... :D
If anything, it's making me buy more CE's and multiplat games on PS3 so I don't have to deal with this B.S.
:p
It isn't "environmentally friendly" for either the Xbox or Blu-Rays; it's just them cutting costs. If they really wanted to use less plastic, they'd go back to CD Jewel cases like the ones in the PS1 era.
Either way, I'm switching all my recently purchased games to older boxes. I might go raid Gamestop as well and see if they'll give me some.
Why is this an "eyeroll"? It is better for the environment to use less plastic. The new design definitely uses less plastic. I don't understand what the big deal is. Sure it probably saves M$ cash by reducing materials, and reducing shipping cost... but if it in the process reduses plastic usage, I am all for it.
Holy shit me too! I wasn't too pleased but the disk was fine at least.
Perhaps we should start a lawsuit? Thats what these Americans do isn't it?
Guys we're talking money here. Lots and lots of wonderfull dollars are being saved. God I love money, and so does Mircro$oft.
The 'eyeroll' was because it's Microsoft? I mean I'm sure it's supposed to be more environmental friendly, it's money. And like someone else stated, you really think they're going to do different things with 'Special Editions' and the junk you get with the majority of those?
The store I work at has some 'environmental' thing going on and you get rewarded for it. It's just money, no one actually gives a shit when it comes to these companies. So the 'eyeroll' is deserved.
Fixed.
I would so rape mother nature if i could.
harharharhar