Stick with me on this, because I think it's a good theory.

Recently I been bombarded "green" initiatives, both at work and in daily life. For instance: Ikea is no longer offering bags, movies are being shot with solar powered lights, Yahoo's got a "green" page, MTV has a conservation PSA every five minutes... you name it. While I'm not one to apply guilt and preach the virtues of these campaigns, they've started me analyzing the wasteful ways of others. I've been doing this more so for the "point-the-finger" satisfaction; but I'm not focusing on my wasteful ways, I already know how bad I am.

THE THEORY

So, here it is. My unscientific, but well thought out, theory: Video game pre-orders are killing the planet.

THE EVIDENCE

• Placing a game pre-order requires a shopper to drive to their local retailer to place the required $5 down-payment. For me, that's a round trip of 18 miles (from home and back). I burn roughly a gallon of gas, depending on traffic, to make this transaction. How many times is this repeated around the country?

• After placing the pre-order at the retail location the customer is usually given a paper receipt confirming "intent to buy" the game. Due to the fact that the transaction is recorded and assigned to the buyer's phone number, the receipt is completely useless and unnecessary. Sure it's just a little bit of paper, but think how many pre-orders occur each day. That's a lot of useless paper.

• There's also the electricity used to run the printer and computer at the store. It's a just a little energy used, but a little adds up, especially when it's such overkill.

• When the game arrives at the retail location, customers must return to the store to pick up their game. This requires another trip to the store (another 18 miles for me), another useless receipt (the one you have to sign to confirm you picked up the game) and yet another receipt for the purchase. I'm sure there's some extra electricity burned up there too.

MORE EVIDENCE (?)

Those facts above are pretty irrefutable. But, I came up with some more ideas that might add to the overall impact of pre-ordering:

• The store air-conditioning works harder to accommodate more traffic into the store to place pre-order. I'm sure store would love to hear that they should reduce traffic into their locations.

• Traffic congestion increases with more people driving to place their pre-orders. What about road and tire wear?

• Personal stress levels increase. I know I HATE pre-ordering a game. The idea that some random company can be earning interest on my money (that I could be earning interest on) so that I can have a game, worry-free, that releases in 5 months down the road, kills me. I'm not sure what impact that has on the environment, but I'm sure I could figure it out.

• There is more electricity used to transfer paper money into the store's electronic accounts.

THE SOLUTIONS

OK, I have tired-head now. Let me jump to the solutions. Some of these can be implemented right now, some will require a pitch to the retailers. Here's how we fix this and make "green gaming pre-orders":

• Allow online pre-orders for retail locations. I know there's a huge group or gamers that wants their new games the second they are released (I'm in that group too). Allow customers to place their pre-order online and choose their pick-up location. This saves a trip to the mall, reduces paper consumption, eliminates some transaction costs and reduces stress for the customer. I'm willing to make this pitch to retailers. Anyone wanna help?

• Eliminate redundant paper receipts. Tie the pre-order to a credit card number, ID number, address, username or phone number.

• Place LOTS of pre-orders at one time. You can do this now. You're not legally tied to buy the game so you can always get your money back. I try to do this anyway, but it hurts to dish out fifty bucks on a hope and a prayer.

• Stop pre-ordering. I know it's tough, especially when there's some goodies thrown in for early buyers, but it's a solution. I'm not doing this one.

CONCLUSION

Whew! That was exhausting. Being up on the soap box has worn me out.
Let me know what you think and feel free to offer up any other solutions you can come up with.

Hopefully, with the advent of downloadable content, pre-orders will become a thing of the past. Until then, I hope something can be done to reduce gamers impact on the earth and give us a little glory in the eyes of non-gamers. Besides, I would much rather take a nap than drive to the mall to place a pre-order.

VICTOR: Don't GameStop and Wal-Mart and other retailers already let you pre-order online?

I went to check out the Madden 08 page on gamestop.com, and the company even has a notice that if you preorder online and select overnight shipping, the game will be delivered to your door on the actual release date (next Tuesday, as a matter of fact.)

Walmart.com also has a "preorder" button if you try to buy Madden 08. Looks like the fastest shipping option, though, wouldn't get you the game until next Wednesday.

Granted, if you really want your copy of the game the minute retail doors open at 8 am or whatever, then online might not be your best bet.

But why even pre-order in the first place? Granted, some obscure titles might be a little hard to find, but I've never gone into a store and found any mainstream game was sold out.

Posted by: Chris Adams | August 6, 2007 4:18 PM

European retailer HMV mistakenly posted pre-order information for the Xbox 360 version of 'Metal Gear Soild 4.' The game, supposedly a PS3 exclusive, has never been officially announced for the 360. Of course message boards and blogs lit up after this little error. And, according to many sources there may actually be a 360 version in the works. Read about the uh-oh here