Umair Gaines
Black Desert Online (BDO) is a popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) that has attracted criticism for encouraging players to keep their PCs running 24/7 to gain in-game advantages. This practice, known as AFK (away from keyboard) or AFK fishing, can lead to significant electricity costs for players, with some reporting increases of up to $50 per month on their electric bills. While BDO does offer an option to minimize the game to the system tray, which reduces power consumption, the game's design still incentivizes players to keep their computers running constantly. This has sparked debates about the environmental impact of such practices and the responsibility of game developers in encouraging sustainable behaviours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity wastage | BDO wastes electricity when in tray |
| Extent of wastage | A PC running BDO in tray with monitors on sleep can draw as much as 100W power |
| Cost implications | A user reported a $50 increase in their electric bill for leaving BDO on 24/7 without minimizing. Another user reported a $5 monthly increase in their power bill. |
| Energy-saving alternatives | Enabling "Energy-Saving Mode" in the Optimization options in the graphics settings. Using the "shutdown" command in the Windows command window to remotely shut down a PC running BDO. |
| User feedback | Users have criticized the game for encouraging players to keep their PCs and Consoles running 24/7, which is irresponsible and against today's green values. |
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What You'll Learn
Reducing electricity costs
While it is ultimately the player's decision, Black Desert Online (BDO) has been criticized for encouraging players to keep their PCs running 24/7 to gain an advantage in the game, which wastes electricity and shortens the lifespan of their computers.
Reduce Heat Loss
Warm air leaks and cold drafts can account for up to 25% of a home’s heat loss. Before the heating season, inspect your home and do some maintenance work to limit air leaks. Shut your curtains and blinds at night to minimize heat loss and keep them open during the day to let the sunlight in. An insulated ceiling can make a big difference, with effective ceiling insulation saving you up to 20% on cooling and heating costs.
Efficient Lighting
Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume excessive electricity and don't last as long as energy-efficient alternatives. Instead, opt for Energy Star-certified LED light bulbs, which use less electricity and last longer.
Efficient Appliances
When purchasing an appliance, consider the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Energy-efficient appliances might have higher upfront prices, but they usually save money on electric bills. Look for the Energy Star label, which guarantees that the appliance will consume less energy than standard models.
Efficient Water Heating
Water heating contributes significantly to total energy usage. Heat pump water heaters are one of the most efficient ways to heat water, with Energy Star-certified models saving a household of four people $550 per year compared to a standard electric water heater. Tankless water heaters are also energy efficient, but they are a poor choice for large families as they can’t handle multiple simultaneous uses of hot water. Insulating your water heater and the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes can also reduce water heating expenses.
Efficient Cooking
Slow cookers use up to 80% less electricity than a stove, so consider using one for sauces, stews, and other comfort foods. Microwaves also use much less energy than an electric oven, so use the microwave when you can.
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The impact of AFK activities
Some players have reported a significant increase in their electricity bills due to AFK activities, with estimates ranging from $6 to $100 or more per month. To mitigate these costs, players have suggested reducing the graphics settings, enabling low power mode, and turning off the computer when not in use. However, the competitive nature of BDO and the desire for progression can incentivise players to keep their PCs running continuously, even when they are not actively playing.
The developers of BDO have also been criticised for encouraging this behaviour as a means to inflate their active user count and make the game appear more popular to potential investors. Players have suggested that removing the "leave the game running" condition for certain activities could help reduce energy consumption without significantly impacting the game's economy. Additionally, it has been proposed that AFK activities could be converted into offline activities, allowing players to progress even when logged out.
While some argue that the energy usage of AFK activities is minimal, particularly when using the tray mode, others emphasise the cumulative impact of numerous players keeping their PCs running continuously. This practice not only increases electricity consumption but also contributes to the early degradation of computer hardware, as it is typically not designed for continuous operation. As a result, players have called for changes to the game's design to discourage energy-intensive AFK practices and promote more environmentally conscious gameplay.
Overall, the impact of AFK activities in BDO has sparked debates about the balance between in-game advantages and the real-world consequences of increased energy consumption. While some players are willing to incur higher electricity costs for the benefits provided by AFK activities, others advocate for modifications to the game that promote sustainability and reduce the need for continuous PC usage.
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Energy-saving mode
The competitive nature of BDO encourages players to keep their PCs running 24/7 to gain an advantage. This can lead to a significant increase in electricity costs, with some players reporting an increase of $5 a month, while others claim their electricity bill went up by $100.
To reduce electricity usage, players can enable "Energy-saving mode" by following these steps:
- Change your graphic settings to the lowest: Lowering the graphics settings will reduce the power consumption of your PC.
- Enable low power mode: This can be done by setting your power plan to "power saver" or "low power mode". This will reduce the overall power draw of your computer.
- Put the game in the tray: Putting BDO in the tray allows it to run with minimal resources. It will only run processes and keep data in memory for a quick startup when you need it.
- Disable sleep mode: Disabling sleep mode ensures that your PC remains in a low-power state when not in use.
- Turn off your monitor: Turning off your monitor when you're not playing can also help reduce power consumption.
- Close unnecessary applications: Running multiple applications in the background can increase power usage. Closing these applications will help reduce power draw.
- Adjust your PC's brightness and sound settings: Lowering the brightness and sound settings can also help reduce power consumption.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the power consumption of your PC while playing BDO. It is important to note that while these settings can help reduce electricity costs, the best way to save electricity is to turn off your PC when it is not in use. Ultimately, it is the player's responsibility to decide whether to keep their PC running 24/7, but it is essential to consider the environmental impact of energy usage.
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Player behaviour
While players ultimately have the choice to leave their PCs on or off, the incentive to stay competitive in the game can be a strong motivator for keeping their systems running. This behaviour can lead to increased electricity consumption and may also shorten the lifespan of computer hardware, as components are not typically designed for continuous operation.
Some players have suggested workarounds to reduce resource consumption when running BDO in the tray. These include minimising the game to the system tray, opening the pearl shop and selecting a non-animated piece before minimising, and adjusting graphics settings to lower resolutions. However, these solutions may not be ideal for all players, especially those who wish to engage in other resource-intensive activities, such as VR gaming.
Changing player behaviour regarding electricity consumption in BDO may be challenging. One suggestion is to convert all "playtime" rewards to "account anniversary" rewards, removing the incentive to keep the game running continuously. Alternatively, the game could introduce a feature that allows characters to remain in-game as NPCs, performing AFK activities while the player is away, thus reducing the need for players to keep their PCs running 24/7.
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Casino mentality
The casino mentality is most prevalent among novices who are yet to learn the basics of investing and risk management. However, even experienced traders can fall prey to this mindset when greed overtakes discipline. Education is the best defence against the casino mentality, and those who take the time to study the financial markets and develop disciplined strategies are more likely to succeed in the long run.
The term "casino mentality" draws an analogy between the mindset of some traders and the psychological factors that influence gamblers in a casino. Casinos are designed to influence visitor behaviour and keep them playing for as long as possible. They use a range of techniques, such as maze-like layouts, lack of windows or clocks, bright lights, loud sounds, and background music, to disorient visitors and make them lose track of time. These factors can put customers in a trance-like state, making them less aware of their spending.
Similarly, people with a casino mentality when trading or investing may be driven by the adrenaline rush of winning and taking risks, seeking the dopamine rush that comes with pleasurable activities. They may also be motivated by a desire to escape from worries or stress, finding solace in the gambling zone. However, this mindset can lead to addiction and financial loss, just as casinos are designed to encourage.
In the context of the video game Black Desert, some players have criticised the game for encouraging a "casino mentality" by rewarding players who keep their PCs running 24/7 with in-game advantages. This not only wastes electricity and shortens the lifespan of computers but also promotes an irresponsible and unsustainable mindset. While it is ultimately the player's decision, the game's competitive nature can create pressure to keep up with others, even if it means leaving their PC running overnight.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, BDO does waste electricity when running in the tray. However, the amount of electricity used is disputed. Some sources claim that it can cost up to $50 extra a month, while others claim it is as little as $5 a month.
To reduce electricity usage, players can minimize the game to the tray, use a laptop instead of a PC, enable low power mode, and change graphic settings to the lowest option.
BDO encourages players to keep their computers running 24/7 to gain advantages in the game. This leads to increased electricity usage and can also shorten the lifespan of computers.
Players can choose to log out and turn off their computers when they are not actively playing. Additionally, BDO developers could remove the "have to leave the game running" condition and allow progress to continue when players are logged out.
