Ubisoft, one of the biggest videogame publishers in the world, has announced that it plans to eliminate manuals from all its upcoming titles launched on the PlayStation 3 from Sony and the Xbox 360 from Microsoft. All the data the player needs to enjoy their videogame will be offered digitally on the game disk. The first to fall under the new initiative will be Shaun White Skateboarding, set to be launched during the autumn of this year. PC titles distributed by the publisher also have digital-only manuals.

Internal data from the French publisher shows that one top of paper used in game manuals consumes two tons of wood, which are taken from an average of 13 trees, releasing the equivalent of more than 2,7 tons of CO2 and with an energy use of 28 million British Thermal Units.

The company says that offering game manuals on disk will allow for them to become more comprehensive than ever and deliver the information the player needs to enjoy their experience. This might be the company line but as manuals grew smaller and less interesting over time, the digital-only move might actually signal the fact that they are heading for extinction over the long term.

Ubisoft is also stating that it is entering into a partnership with Technimark in order to create a DVD case made from 100% recycled material. The first game to use it is Splinter Cell: Conviction for the PC, arriving on April 30.

Laurent Detoc, who is the president of Ubisoft North America, revealed that “Ubisoft is often recognized for making great games, but it’s a special privilege to be the industry leader at saving trees. Eco-friendly initiatives are important to the global community and introducing in-game digital manuals on Xbox 360 and PS3 is just the latest example of Ubisoft’s ongoing commitment to being a more environmentally conscious company.”