ustwo and University of Bristol launch PRISM, a new open-source tool that helps developers understand the carbon impact of AI usage during development. New plug-in gives developers real-time estimates of AI-related emissions directly inside their coding environment, helping teams make more informed decisions about AI usage LONDON-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Global digital product studio ustwo, in collaboration with the University of Bristol, today announced the launch of PRISM, an open-source developer plug-in that provides visibility into the estimated operational emissions associated with AI usage. This creates momentum and transparency to positively impact the decisions teams make when working with AI. As organisations rapidly adopt AI-powered tools and workflows, the environmental impact of these technologies remains largely invisible to the developers using them. PRISM aims to change that by surfacing directional estimates of AI-related emissions directly inside the integrated development environment (IDE), enabling teams to consider carbon impact alongside other metrics such as cost, speed, and performance. Built using a transparent token-to-energy-to-carbon methodology informed by Green Software Foundation guidance and recent academic research, PRISM is among the first open-source tools designed to help developers understand the estimated environmental implications of AI usage. "AI has become an everyday part of software development, but the environmental cost of using it remains largely hidden," said the project lead Paolo Rizzi, Sustainability Principal at ustwo. "PRISM is our attempt to make that impact more visible and help developers and organisations make informed choices." Unlike traditional sustainability reporting tools that focus on infrastructure or organisational-level emissions, PRISM delivers directional signals at the point where technical decisions are made. "Developers are a fundamental part of the solution," said Nick Hegarty, Executive Director of Technology at ustwo. "By making AI emissions visible during development, we hope to create greater awareness and support better decision-making. We believe even directional estimates can be valuable if they help start conversations and encourage more thoughtful AI usage." PRISM was developed through a collaboration between ustwo and software engineering students from the University of Bristol's Undergraduate Software Engineering Projects programme. It is being released as an open-source project to encourage community participation, transparency, and continuous improvement. "AI presents extraordinary opportunities, and with those opportunities comes responsibility," said Nicki Sprinz, CEO at ustwo. "As organisations increasingly integrate AI into the products, services, and tools they use daily, we all have a duty to understand the wider impacts of these technologies." The creators emphasise that PRISM is not intended to provide precise carbon accounting. Instead, it offers directional estimates based on the best available data and methodologies, giving developers a practical signal where previously none existed. As AI adoption accelerates across organisations worldwide, tools like PRISM represent a new category of developer tooling focused on helping teams better understand and manage the broader impact of their technology choices. PRISM is now available as an open-source project and is free for developers and organisations to use, review, and contribute to. About ustwo ustwo is a global digital product company that designs and builds products, services, and experiences used by millions of people around the world. Working at the intersection of design, technology, and strategy, ustwo partners with organisations to create meaningful digital experiences while helping shape a more responsible and sustainable future for technology. About the University of Bristol The University of Bristol is one of the UK's leading research universities, recognised globally for its work across science, engineering, technology, and sustainability. Through collaboration with industry partners, the university advances research that addresses some of society's most pressing challenges. Media Contacts International: Alex May, [email protected] US: Kristen M., [email protected]

Digital product studio ustwo and the University of Bristol have launched Prism, an open-source plug-in that estimates carbon emissions from developers' AI tool usage in real time. The tool sits inside integrated development environments and converts AI tokens into estimated energy consumption and carbon emissions. Prism aims to help engineering teams consider environmental impact alongside cost and performance during software development. Its methodology draws on guidance from the Green Software Foundation and recent academic research, though it provides directional rather than precise carbon accounting. The plug-in was developed with Bristol students and is being promoted by the Green Software Foundation community. It targets individual development workflows where decisions about models and AI usage occur, unlike existing sustainability tools that focus on infrastructure or company-wide emissions.

GameMaker says AI coding is inevitable, Sony clarifies DRM confusion, and how video games are helping rikers inmates - Patch Notes #50. Plus: Is job security now a 'romantic' notion within the video game industry? Chris Kerr, Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com May 1, 2026 Patch Notes logo via Game Developer / Background image via GameMaker How many fingers does a monkey's paw have again? Because those digits won't stop curling. It feels like this is the first week in a long time where I haven't reported on multiple game industry layoffs (just the one studio closure this time around). Instead, I've been writing about how 'vibe coding' is becoming increasingly expensive (thanks, GitHub) but is also apparently an inevitability Maxpears must simply accept (thanks, GameMaker). In other news, an interview I conducted with Ustwo CEO Maria Sayans during London Games Festival went somewhat viral after she suggested the idea of long-term job security has become a "romantic" notion and that contractors are becoming increasingly vital. It's a point I suspect many studio bosses might agree with, but one that was made using some rather questionable phrasing. Apropos of nothing, I am once again tapping The Sign. Elsewhere, Xbox hardware revenue is still plummeting faster than a striker who felt a whisper of contact in the box, although monthly active Xbox users reached record numbers during Q3. Who that metric actually covers, mind, is anybody's guess. via The New York Times // "Video games may seem inconsequential in a place with a reputation for dangerous conditions and inhumane treatment," writes reporter Nicole Carpenter in this fascinating piece, which delves into the impact video games are having on some inmates at one of America's most notorious jails. If you only read one story this week, make it this one. via Game Developer // You might have seen out interview with Ustwo boss Maria Sayans doing the rounds this week, largely because of her extremely candid comments about the studio having perhaps been "a little bit too romantic" about the idea of long-term job security with the video game industry in crisis. The full interview is well worth your time (in my humble opinion). via Game Developer // You might have missed it, but GameMaker is leaning into the world of 'vibe coding' by adding support for Claude Code. The company said AI-assisted coding is basically here to stay and so it must give users "who might benefit from AI" the option to do precisely that. via Game File // After a few days of wild speculation and confusion, Sony confirmed that a recent DRM tweak won't require users to complete an online check-in every month to play digital titles offline. Instead, the company said the new system will only demand a single online check before functioning as a perpetual license. Crisis averted? via Game Developer // Parisian studio Spiders has closed its doors after parent company Nacon filed for insolvency earlier this year. In a brief note on Facebook, the company - which employed over 90 people according to its website - said it has been liquidated. via Game Developer // Microsoft released its financials and it's a case of 'as you were' for the company's video game division. Xbox hardware revenue fell by 33 percent year-over-year, while Xbox content and services revenue declined by 5 percent over the same period. Work to do for new division boss Asha Sharma. via digiphile // The studios behind Peak have joined forces (once again) to raise money for Make-a-Wish. The pair are offering folks the chance to nab a bunch of their games on the cheap in support of the children's charity. Be sure to check out the bundle on digiphile. via Game Developer // AI coding tool GitHub Copilot has been forced to switch to a usage-based billing model after realizing that its current premium request model is "no longer sustainable." The company said the switch isn't a price hike in disguise, but conceded some power users will see an increase in costs. Who knew generative AI is wildly expensive? That hasn't been widely publicised. Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox