This Thursday marks Earth Day, a day dedicated to environmental protection. You may be asking yourself what Earth Day has to do with hobby board gaming. The simple answer is that there are always positive changes to be made, even in the board-gaming industry. From the reels of single-use plastic packaging to the stacks of plastic card sleeves, there is more to be done to reduce the impact the hobby has on the environment. The recent champion of this green change, Big Potato Games have proudly announced that just under half of their entire catalogue is totally plastic-free.
Now, some of their best-known games, such as Colourbrain, Muffin Time, and P for Pizza, all come without a single piece of plastic. This positive change shows us that the industry is willing to change. Hopefully for good and to be considerate of our planet.
It is more important than ever to do our bit to keep the planet green. We need to encourage the industry we love to pursue more eco-friendly routes. For a small, indie game designer, this announcement from Big Potato Games is a big revelation. This is certainly one they can be proud of. This small step now represents the possibility for something greater. For the noble hobby of board gaming. I believe this is just the beginning.
This change may not rival the Paris Climate Agreement, but it is a step in the right direction for the industry. Knowing that Big Potato Games are trying hard to do what they can for the environment makes them an exemplary role model for other publishers, and I for one am excited to see how they go from here.