IKEA has released its first line of furniture designed for PC gaming in collaboration with popular hardware brand Republic of Gamers.
The collection contains four desks with accompanying chairs at price points that IKEA believes will make professional-level set-ups accessible to a wider demographic of people.
“The needs of billions of gamers around the globe are very diverse, whereas the existing offer is rather technical and often perceived as masculine design-wise, despite around 46 per cent of gamers being female,” said Ewa Rychert, global business leader of workspace at IKEA.
“We believe there’s a lot to be done to democratise the gaming experience,” she continued. “Now we take the first step on our gaming journey and we do it by presenting affordable, high-performing gaming products and complete solutions that we hope reflect people’s personality and taste.”
Including a line of accessories, the collection spans more than 30 products that are available in classic black as well as more refined white and grey options.
IKEA worked with Republic of Gamers (ROG), the gaming hardware brand of Taiwanese electronics company ASUS, to create a core range called Uppspel.
The most technically advanced of all the releases, this includes a desk that can be height adjusted using an electric motor to create optimal gaming conditions.
It features an extra-wide tabletop to hold two screens at a healthy and comfortable eye distance, as well as an integrated USB charging port.
A recessed edge can either be turned towards the user to allow them to rest their arms or it can be spun around to face the wall and allow computer cables to be hidden out of sight.
Additional equipment like headsets and controllers can be stored in a matching, sleek black drawer unit or displayed on a pegboard, with integrated magnetic strips holding tools or screws.
For the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), IKEA and ROD have developed a width-adjustable metal stand, which they claim is able to hold more computer towers than any product on the market.
The accompanying Matchspel chair was built to follow the movements of the user and is fully adjustable from the tilt of the seat and backrest to the height of the head- and armrests to help reduce muscle strain.
All remaining products were developed by IKEA based on the insights gained from the collaboration, adapting them to suit different budgets and interiors.
The slightly more pared-back Utespelare range features a slim desk that can be manually adjusted, while a metal mesh insert allows air to circulate around the PC and prevent it from overheating.
A matching chair is available in black or grey faux leather with an integrated pocket at the back to store crucial equipment at arms reach.
On the more affordable end is the Huvudspelare series, which includes a matte black desk that’s said to facilitate an immersive gaming experience, while a mesh backrest on the accompanying chair improves ventilation when things get heated.
Alongside the furniture pieces, the Lånespelare accessories range includes everything from extra-large mousepads to neck pillows, headset stands and desk-mounted cup holders to prevent spillages.
A ring light with integrated phone holder is targetted at those who steam their games online, while a mouse bungee is designed to hold the device’s cable in place to keep it from getting tangled or causing friction mid-game.
Currently, the collection is only for sale via IKEA China but it will be made available across the world later this year.
In a bid to make gaming equipment more accessible, the company also created a series of 3D printed accessories in 2019 that can be customised by the user.
Microsoft has previously launched an Xbox controller for people with limited mobility and even redesigned the console’s packaging to make it easier to open.
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