“I feel kind of cheated”

Unnecessary plastic packaging can be stressful and harmful to the environment, but at least it's usually wrapped around a real product. A frustrated Reddit user took his story to the internet after receiving a plastic package that didn't even contain the item.

What happened?

According to the Redditor, they wanted a new Nintendo Switch game – and they didn't just want to download a digital copy. “I bought Just Dance 2024 from Game because I wanted the game map,” they explained.

The box in her photo appears to be a regular plastic case for a Nintendo Switch game, with the name and list of participating music artists on the colorful cover. Only a tiny label in the bottom corner gave any clue as to what the unfortunate buyer would find inside.

“It wasn't until I got home that I realized they had given me a box that only contained a download code,” the Redditor complained.

Why does it matter what form the game takes?

There are many reasons why a buyer might want a physical copy of a game. For example, they may want to protect it from deletion, save storage space on their device, or have the ability to resell their copy of the game when they're done with it.

Selling packaging that looks exactly like a physical copy but doesn't contain a game cartridge seems misleading – and a tiny note saying “Download Code Only” doesn't solve the problem.

The box itself is now a problem because plastic is used unnecessarily. Plastic waste is created that is difficult to recycle and pollutes the environment if handled improperly.

“I heard that some people like to show off the case and that getting a box is better than a piece of paper as a gift,” one commenter said. “But I feel kind of cheated picking up a box full of nothing.”

What is the company doing about the plastic waste problem?

Ubisoft, the game's maker, did not respond to The Cool Down's email request for comment on packaging practices.

However, their website details their “Play Green” initiative, the company’s commitment to global carbon neutrality. A tenet of this commitment is waste management, where it is said that the elimination of single-use plastic, the overall reduction of all types of waste and optimized recycling are part of the plan.

However, considering how much plastic the video game company uses, this seems like a very small step towards curbing waste and achieving its goal of no longer using single-use plastic.

What can I do to reduce plastic waste?

Buying digital copies of games is an option, but it comes with its own problems, such as the need for more digital storage space.

Another option is to buy games used if possible.

Used items in good condition are much cheaper than buying new items, and purchasing items this way will prevent them from ending up in landfill. Services like Decluttr allow you to trade in your old games and get new used games.

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