This has been a very interesting week for us in Bentonville. We had the opportunity to bring in folks from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony as well as Electronic Arts, Activision and American Game Factory for a “green gaming summit.” It was truly eye opening. We also had a representative from the Natural Resources Defense Council to assist us in this process. We talked about a lot at this meeting about packaging, power consumption and education. There is a lot of work to be done and I am really proud that Sam’s Club is helping to drive this change. Here are some things we discussed:

• There were about 101 Million games sold in plastic cases last year. That translates into green house gas emissions equal to over 9,000 cars!
• Some of the next generation consoles can be used to play DVD or Blu-Ray media. Doing this uses more energy, a LOT more, than a stand alone DVD or Blu-Ray player.
• If we left one of a sample of our next generation consoles on 24/7/365, we consume as much energy as TWO refrigerators in that same timeframe!
• If half of us did this, consoles alone would consume as much energy as it takes to power a city like San Diego.

It really made me take pause and question what I am doing as a part of the industry to make a difference. I have a small daughter and want to ensure that she has a better life then I do. Certainly, that is the hope of all parents in the world. So, what can we do?

• Switching to cardboard packaging would be like taking almost 4,000 cars off the road in terms of equivalent green house gas emissions.
• Working with console manufacturers on coding and power usage design can reduce the power consumption when we use our devices for media playback.
• Developing software and hardware that allows us to save the game so we do not have to leave it on would allow us to turn it off during a meal break or overnight without loosing our place. Additionally, come clever programming would allow the console to go into a lower power, standby mode when not in use.
• Focusing on the next generation of consoles would allow the machines to be built from the ground up to use less power while providing an even better experience.

There is no reason that we cannot make such a difference. We believe that games are an important and worthwhile part of our lives. They can enrich our experiences, allow us to relax and explore while challenging our skills mentally and in some cases physically. The goals of sustainability and the gaming experience are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, they should move forward on the same track. I am proud to be a part of this and ensure that we are helping influence the industry to become even more sustainable. It is time to change the game as we should not be playing games with the environment.

How important is this to you as a gamer? Did you know about power usage and consoles? Would it make a difference to you as a consumer if you had options? Are you ready for a green gaming revolution?

This is really funny to me.  Unfortunately I have a lot of questions that will never be answered:

I wonder what the casting call was like for this gig..."Must have the ability to stand in line and look excited/anxious."  What did they do when all these "customers" that waited for hours didn't actually buy an iPhone?  How would you work this into your résumé?  Depending on the store location some lucky actor may have just had a gig on Broadway.

So if you are good at standing in line and looking for a little extra groszy or maybe a couple zloty...head over to Warsaw, they will make you a star.

I am writing from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California where I just attended the Maddenpalooza event sponsored by Wal-Mart.  It was amazing.  We sold the first copy of Madden ’09 in the United States from here and had lots of fun playing the game.  There were many celebrities and professional football players like Eddie George signing autographs.  The highlight of the day was Good Charlotte rockin’ the Rose Bowl.
The other exciting news I have to share today is that, as Joe said in his post, Wal-Mart will be the first to have the new cover art for Madden ’09 -- of Brett in his Jets uniform -- starting TODAY.  It's available in all Wal-Mart stores that have a photo service center!  Brett looks pretty good on the cover in Jets green.  This cover is available for free with purchase of the game.  Check it out!

OK, if you have been following the drama in the NFL and have heard of Madden 09, you know that the cover athlete is Brett Favre. EA shipped the units to all of the clubs with a Packer's jersey. Well, with some fast work between our teams and EA, I am pleased to announce that Sam's Club will have optional covers available with Brett Favre in a JETS jersey. As far as I know, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart will be the ONLY retailers offering this cover. We have a great price on it at Sam's Club, I cannot share that with you, but you can always look it up on the net or on our website.

So, may I introduce to you, the act you've known for all these years, with a twist...

What do you think? As a Steeler fan, even I like it.

Working in retail, like many occupations, is a highly tasking profession: staying on top of ever-changing technologies; finding the best solutions for your customers; partnering with suppliers to offer those goods and services at affordable prices; keeping a store clean and easy to shop; being friendly and helpful to customers.  It is a continuous cycle that requires your best effort every day.

But, let me tell you blogging is hard work.  Anyone that consistently maintains any type of online commentary is to be greatly commended.  It isn’t so much finding time to post, for me.  It isn’t even writer’s block.  The problem is finding a compelling story to tell, one that I think other people would find interesting.  My hard drive is littered with half-written articles filled with anecdotes, attempted humor, and alliteration.  The initial excitement had worn off, and I was wondering what I had gotten into.

Then this week I get an email from RSS subscriber Michael from Florida that was very encouraging, specifically because he makes a point to read every post and it is somewhat interesting.  So, I have gotten my second wind and will re-double my efforts to bring you wireless from my perspective.

But, I need help from you…let me know what interests you.  What topics do you want inside information on?  Do you have a question about current technology in your home?  Leave a comment and I’ll be in touch.  I look forward to the interaction with you.