Forget about those invisible and impersonal AIs that are supposed to help you at work by composing e-mails, generating images, or even drafting a whole document for you. What you really need is an AI that will take care of your bodily needs while using the computer, whether it’s for crunch time in the office or, more likely, grinding experience points in games. At least that’s the foundation of Razer’s latest genius gaming accessory, a chair that knows your needs and literally gives you a hand, or a claw rather, so you don’t have to stand up for a bite or a drink or even a shave. Yes, this mythical chair is obviously an April Fool’s joke, but it’s an idea that could very well foreshadow the future that is both exciting and terrifying as its name suggests.
Named after the eldritch god but looking more like a Doctor Octopus arsenal, the Razer Cthulhu is a gaming chair that literally has a mind of its own, in addition to its six flexible tentacle-like arms each with a three-finger claw for the hand. The idea is pretty simple, really, and is exactly what it looks like. Just like the robotic appendages of the comic book villain, these arms act as an extension of the user’s own arms, performing extra work that frees up the person to do what they enjoy and do best: play a game.
What this “work” entails really depends on what the chair’s AI would learn from your habits and needs. It could be as simple as holding your drink or assisting you with eating, or it could be as complicated as giving you a massage or even shaving your facial hair. At some point, it could even start playing your game for you, allowing you to play a second game on a different device, like a phone or handheld console, without missing a beat.
Of course, it’s literally impossible to accomplish all these today even with the most advanced AI, especially actions that require precision and dexterity. You could even say it’s a tongue-in-cheek commentary on how we’re becoming too dependent on AI, putting our eggs, and our livelihood, all in one basket. That’s not to say it’s not a tempting idea for the future, at least within moderation. With human life and work becoming more complex, it’s not surprising that people will start wanting to offload some of the more mundane tasks to robots and AI.
Computer chairs are becoming more sophisticated, offering features that span ergonomics and convenience from different angles. There are even some that are like a whole encapsulated space for gaming and entertainment, so a chair with AI features won’t be that far from reality. We can only hope that designs will be more on the conservative and reasonable side rather than outfitting the chair with everything, including a kitchen sink, that would make use feel less human and more like cogs in a machine instead.
Are you tired of sweaty, uncomfortable gaming sessions that leave you feeling like you’ve just run a marathon? Cougar has your back, literally, with its NxSys AERO gaming chair. It’s not just another run-of-the-mill gaming chair; it’s a game-cooler! Coupling cooling with a focus on comfort, this gaming chair promises a cool and comfortable gaming experience no matter the intensity and longevity.
Cougar’s NxSys AERO is equipped with a 200mm RGB fan built right into its backrest. It’s not just there for aesthetics – which one can mistake it from the RGB lighting – it’s for action! This fan ensures you stay cool, even at your highest energy levels, so you can bid adieu to sweaty back and have uninterrupted gaming enjoyment.
The battery-powered fan is placed in the mid-back to guarantee a consistent breeze throughout, and the chair boasts an elastomeric mesh back cover for adaptive cushioning. The fan’s speed and RGB lighting is fully customizable, but the fan is just one part of the NxSys AERO’s charm. This gaming chair is designed for ergonomic comfort as well.
The NxSys AERO gaming chair features a swiveling capability from 90 to 150 degrees, a magnetic headrest you can snap onto the top of the chair to find your perfect comfort, and a physiotherapy-grade lumbar pillow built into the backrest. These features make sure you can maintain a healthy posture and reduce strain on your lower back.
The chair’s armrests and seat are height adjustable, while the bucket-style high-density foam seat has angled flanks ensuring you are well-supported during your gaming sessions. Covered in breathable PVC leather, the chair offers the perfect blend of style and function and comes in two stylish color combinations: black and orange/black to choose from. Whether you prefer a sleek, stealthy look or a pop of color, the Cougar gaming chair will set you back $399 in the US and will be available in select European markets for €449.
As we near the final days of 2023 (known in some circles as either one of the best years in gaming history or one of the worst) the massively popular gaming hobby shows no sign of slowing down in terms of public reception. In fact, Statista predicts that 3.1 billion humans (a little less than half of the current global population) will regularly play games as a hobby by 2027.
But can you truly call yourself a “gamer” if you don’t spend at least a little time and money decking out the room you play games in? I’m half-joking; of course there is no specific “correct” way to play video games in your own house. But there are quite a few gadgets and cool decorative items you can use to make any gaming room more impressive.
Whether you’re a PC gamer who wants an extra edge, a racing game enthusiast who wants maximum immersion, or if you simply want to make your entertainment center a little more comfortable, you’ve got a number of options at your fingertips to trick out your gaming room to match your style. To help you out, I’ve come up with a list of gaming room accessories that immediately come to mind, including a few mainstays I’ve used in my personal gaming setup for years.
1. Playseat Trophy – Logitech G Edition
Playseat is one of the best racing chair brands you can buy from, and this collaboration between Playseat and Logitech (called the Playseat Trophy – Logitech G Edition) is probably the best option for an all-rounder racing chair with direct drive wheel support plus all the other bells and whistles you’ll need for maximum immersion. It’s also advertised to naturally conform to the shape of your body thanks to Playseat’s patented ActiFit material, so you can theoretically sit inside of it and race for hours without developing aches and cramps. It’s a little expensive at an MSRP of $599.00, but it’s hard to find a decent racing chair below that price range, and critics love the mix of features and high build quality.
2. Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pro Racing Pedals
If you’re going to invest in a high-quality direct drive racing wheel and accompanying racing pedals, you’re going to want to go straight to the best one on the market. That’s the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pro Racing Pedals bundled together for around $1348.99 – which, yes, is expensive, but if you’re in the market for a high-end racing setup anyway, is money even an object? GamesRadar+ had some especially kind words for the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel, highlighting the powerful force feedback, robust customization options, and advanced features throughout the design. It’s also widely known as one of the sturdiest racing wheels around, with IGN’s slightly less enthusiastic review still giving credit to Logitech for delivering on its commitment to quality.
3. Cololight Smart RGB LED Gaming Lights
Hexagonal LED wall lights are a popular and stylish way to decorate any gaming area or entertainment center, and I find the Cololight COLO PLAY Ultimate Fusion Set offers the best price balance for the widest range of features as it’s designed around PC gaming setups – letting you sync a wide range of lighting systems (like Razer Chroma) with Cololight’s hex lighting pieces. The included COLO PLAY light switch sits comfortably on your desk and is especially useful to quickly cycle your hex lights and PC lights by simply twisting a knob. Not only that, but the company pledges to plant a tree with every purchase made on its online store, which is a nice gesture on its own.
4. Secretlab MAGNUS Pro
Sit-stand desks are an excellent centerpiece for any modern PC gaming setup, and one of the best-rated desks in 2023 is the Secretlab MAGNUS Pro. It’s spacious, sturdy, and has a number of quality-of-life features like electric height control, a cable management system, and even a little headphone hook for added convenience. It also contains a rather impressive integrated RGB lighting system, making for a unique and stylish design. Its height is configurable via an array of buttons conveniently accessible on its front panel. It’s expensive, but the reviews are unanimously (overwhelmingly) positive, with GamesRadar+ calling it the best sit-stand desk they’ve ever tested when they reviewed it in February 2023.
5. NEWTRAL MagicH Ultra Adaptive Support Home Office Chair
I personally dislike most gaming chairs I’ve ever sat in. I’m a firm believer that the secret to buying a proper gaming chair is avoiding them altogether, and instead investing in a really nice office chair. After all, office chairs are designed to be sat in for at least eight hours a day by office workers of all builds and ages. Their most critical function is comfort, and the NEWTRAL MagicH seems to push the boundaries on just how comfortable an office chair can be. This Kickstarter-backed office chair is advertised to provide full support in any sitting position, whether you’re sitting upright or reclining back. As someone who spends a lot of time sitting down in the same computer chair all day for both work and gaming, I’ve been looking for something that adapts to my needs throughout the day, and the NEWTRAL MagicH is on the tippy top of my wish list.
6. Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers
I’ve been using these Logitech G560 2.1 PC speakers for years now, and I still recommend them as a compulsory purchase for any modern PC gaming setup. Their sound quality is decent enough – these aren’t going to compete against a proper 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system, or even a nice pair of monitors. However, for the $200 MSRP, you’re getting a powerful 2.1 PC speaker system that also provides a ton of visual ambiance. These speakers double as LED lights that beam colors onto the surface behind your monitor. They can be configured via Logitech G HUB software to mimic the visuals on your monitor itself, creating a dynamic backlighting experience that heightens immersion when playing games and watching movies. Just remember to turn up the brightness to max and boost the subwoofer in the acoustics menu, otherwise these will be a lot darker and a lot quieter than advertised.
7. Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The most stylish gaming PC monitor you can currently buy is the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, which looks incredible at 5120×1440 resolution with 1800R curvature. The Odyssey OLED G9’s integrated HDR 400 support should produce crisp and rich colors thanks to its OLED display, which doesn’t rely on a backlight and therefore negates the need for local dimming to generate deep blacks and bright whites. It’s designed for gamers first and foremost, running at up to 240Hz refresh rates with built-in support for AMD Freesync. Reviewers especially like how it produces near-instant response times, giving off no perceptible input lag. From a purely aesthetic perspective, the minimalistic design of its stand and the integrated RGB backlights make the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 a centerpiece rather than an eyesore.
8. Xbox Mini Fridge
The Xbox Mini Fridge is admittedly a bit goofy, but then again, it’s not a “real” fridge. What was originally a meme product designed to build up hype for the then-new Xbox Series X in 2020, is still a genuinely cool item to have sitting around in any gaming room. It’s small, with a sleek black chassis and bright green inlay that mimics the design of a proper Xbox Series X. But its best feature is the integrated green LED that gives it its visual flair. Besides, it’s perfect to store a few cans of soda in since it is, after all, classified as a mini fridge.
9. Govee DreamView T1 Pro TV Backlights
Console gaming is way more immersive with a dynamic TV backlight that beams colors onto the surface behind your TV to match the visuals on-screen. Thanks to the Govee DreamView T1 Pro, you can light up your entire entertainment center across three different zones. It’s all controlled by a single camera placed on top of (or below!) your television screen, which can interpret the colors on the screen into information which tells the lighting zones which color to display at any moment. In action, the wide range of lights and colors displaying across the entire entertainment center makes games and movies come to life.
10. PDP REALMz Gaming Controllers for Xbox/PC/Nintendo Switch
Unique gaming controllers are a great way to personalize your gaming room, and thanks to the PDP REALMz diorama controllers for Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch, you can impress your friends with artsy designs that feature popular characters and backdrops. What really stands out here, though, is their transparent design, which makes them look retro. These are a great gift for any gamer in your life, or you can decorate your own gaming room with the wide assortment of styles and colors offered by PDP REALMz.
Racing sims are the best way to experience the exhilarating in-game action but there’s a caveat. They can be bulky, not suited for small rooms, and also hefty on the pocket if you are on a budget. Logitech wants to get over this predicament with a compact gaming chair that can be folded away when not in use.
Meet the Playseat Challenge X – Logitech G Edition sim racing chair designed to “experience the thrill of racing at home” without burning a hole in your pocket. As Jim Hoey, head of simulation marketing at Logitech explained that the collaboration with Playseat (gaming chair maker) was intended to make the “Challenge X more functional, comfortable and overall, a better racing experience, than traditional desktop gaming chairs.”
The racing sim cockpit chair priced at $299 is far cheaper than the popular options on the market including ones by Logitech and Playseat. The racing chair is somewhat similar to the normal Playseat Challenge Black Actifit which is $70 cheaper. On this version, however, there are tilting pedal mount gear shift mounts that can be opted as extra accessories. Also, this new variant comes with an extra handle to adjust the position according to the user’s comfort.
The lightweight, foldable racing sim cockpit is compatible with all the Logitech G racing wheels and pedals including the Logitech G racing wheel and Logitech G Driving Force Shifter. If you already own them, this will be a worthy upgrade to the collection. Playseat Challenge X – Logitech G Edition is made from a sturdy steel frame and comfort is a given with the breathable Actifit seat material. The seat can be adjusted to six levels for the ideal racing positions which is great if you are a serious racer. Also, they are mindful enough to provide the adjustable poles at the bottom to toggle the positioning of pedals to fit the leg length.
Logitech G has provided a carrying case with the package to easily stow the chair without any hassles. Weighting just 26 pounds makes the task easy we assume. If you want to use it as a regular chair, you can do it by unmounting the steering, pedals and gear shifter. The portable gaming chair in gunmetal color can be bought right away from Amazon or official retailers offline.
Gamescom 2023 expo happening in Germany is the place to be if you’re a gaming freak for plenty of reasons. Exposure to next-gen gaming titles and hardware being one!
The highly anticipated Starfield world premiered at the event with the live-action trailer and the first few minutes of the gameplay, leaving everyone star-struck. The action role-playing title developed by Bethesda Game Studios features an in-game cockpit, and that’s what inspired sleep specialist TEMPUR and Microsoft to collaborate on a unique themed gaming chair for every gamer to appreciate.
Lovingly referred to as the Dream Chair, the gaming seat features the signature Tempur memory foam originally developed by the 60s NASA team to provide able support to space-bound astronauts. The elaborate swiveling seat is designed by Nicholas Alexander, a U.K.-based designer and artist for a convincing in-cockpit feel. Just like in Starfield’s promotional videos, you as the in-game pilot take control of the sci-fi switches, array of lights, random dials and the ability to telescopically move forward or backward.
According to Xbox global partnerships director Marcos Waltenberg, the chair is a “modular cockpit” that emulates the Starfield gameplay for an immersive feel of captaining a starship on a mission. The Dream Chair has two aluminum joysticks on the armrests to maneuver an in-game flight in a small section of Starfield’s huge universe. The curved display upfront elevates the level of immersion as you navigate through a mystical space.
The peculiar NASA Punk art style is evident in the creation, and if you’ve got your eyes set on buying one, there’s bad news. This is a one-off creation for the gaming event and is currently on display at the Xbox booth. If you do miss the event, you can catch a glimpse at the Saturn Xperion store in Germany. After that, the gaming chair will make temporary residence at the TEMPUR store in Westfield, Stratford in October for a month. Finally, the gaming chair will be auctioned off in a charity raffle, of which there are no details at this point in time. So, practically you do have a chance to own this intergalactic cockpit chair!
Designed for that broad category of folks who love Porsches but can’t afford to break their 401Ks, the company’s teamed up with Recaro to debut a limited-edition Porsche gaming chair with a color scheme especially curated by Studio F. A. Porsche (a subsidiary design unit of Porsche AG), and the automotive giant’s insignia embroidered right onto the headrest. Styled quite like the kind of seat you’d see in a racecar cockpit, the gaming chair has height, backrest, and armrest adjustability, and is limited to 911 units *wink wink*.
Designers: Recaro & Porsche
Built out by Recaro, the chair is a variant of the manufacturer’s high-end Recaro Exo Platinum series. The chair stands at a proud 5-feet tall, weighing 58.4 lbs, with a maximum capacity of 330 lbs (whether that’s a shot fired at the gamer physique, I’ll let you decide). The chair also features Recaro’s 5D armrests – a common feature in their top-tier models – which can rotate 360 degrees from the front pivot point. As far as actual comfort goes, the chair features an “ergonomically optimized seat shell made of high-quality upholstery foam and breathable fabrics” and an anti-submarining seat ramp.
As a limited-edition offering, the Porsche gaming chair is more than just a gaming accessory; it’s a collector’s item for the true Porsche aficionado. Each chair is manufactured in Germany, and the entire line is limited to just 911 units, as a hat-tip to Porsche’s most iconic and successful model series. If you’ve got 2 and a half Gs to spare, grab this one while it’s hot.
Considering the scale at which the gaming industry is growing, a parallel furniture and accessories market is only going to see an upsurge. In that wake, everyone, whether widely known or not, is going to jump onto the bandwagon with their own comfortable, high-quality designs. The Recaro x Porsche Gaming Chair is a fascinating example of this, where the two companies are combining their expertise to create a premium seat for long, unperturbed gaming sessions.
This exclusive Porschegaming chair designed in collaboration with Recaro Gaming is like any ordinary chair with an adjustable headrest, lumber support, and adaptable armrests. It tends to sway the gamer’s opinion however with its luxury exuding a high-quality finish and Porsche branding to go with it.
In addition to the lux, the chair is a comfy seat for longest-performance gaming sessions or a home office that deserves auto-inspired furniture for obvious reasons. This exquisite gaming chair is designed by Studio F.A. Porsche and is made exclusively in Germany.
With the idea to present some competition to the likes of Herman Miller and Secretlab, the Porsche gaming chair features full-back support. The use of high-end materials makes the gaming chair a work of art, which gamers and bound to love for a few reasons.
It starts with the headrest embroidered with the Porsche logo on the inside while the Recaro branding graces the back of the adjustable headrest. The ergonomic seat is upholstered in foam and features a breathable mesh so that you don’t break a sweat while racing your fiercest competitor in the virtual world.
Lumbar support gives the seated gamer a relaxed posture and comfort to the back. The support is adjustable to gamer’s personal seating needs. In spite of all the abovementioned traits, the highlight is the chair’s unique 5D armrest, which features numerous adjustments to allow the occupant to find the right position for their comfort while gaming on the console or a mobile phone.
Featuring a payload capacity of 150kg, the Recaro x Porsche Gaming Chair is strictly limited to 911 pieces and is now available for pre-order at $2,499.
We’re already nearing the end of the year, but you’d be forgiven if you felt we went back in time to April or moved fast forward to next year’s date. With gaming continuing to be a highly profitable market, more companies are trying to get their toes wet and claim a piece of the pie. That includes companies with totally no direct connection to video games, like fast food chains. Although not as ridiculous as KFC’s “KFConsole” gaming PC, McDonald’s UK office is apparently trying to get its game on with a similarly contentious product aimed at PC gamers. On the one hand, it might hit all the right notes for a gamer’s dream chair. On the other hand, it also checks all the wrong stereotypes and encourages a lifestyle that further paints gamers in a negative light.
Parents used to tell kids not to eat while using the computer, though that was probably more from fear of damaging the computer with spilled drinks or ruining keyboards with oils and crumbs. Eating in front of the computer does have such dangers, but it also develops an unhealthy habit of not eating properly or not drawing the line between personal life and work life. Unfortunately, that’s the kind of unbalanced lifestyle that most people have in mind when thinking of gamers, and McDonald’s isn’t doing this market any favors even as it tries to sell them its latest gimmick.
Formally called the McCrispy Ultimate Gaming Chair in honor of its newly-launched chicken sandwich, the chair adds dedicated compartments for gamers to enjoy the meal, complete with all the sides and drinks. On the right side, you have a container for fries, two dedicated slots for dips, and a hanger for a towel to wipe your mouth and hands with. On the left, there’s a hot box that will keep that McCrispy or any other food warm. There’s also a holder for a large drink, and it’s thankfully situated near the back, far away from potential accidents.
For avid PC gamers, it definitely promises the ultimate convenience of having your food within easy reach. It doesn’t have to be McCrispy meals either, as the containers and holders can be used for other food as well. That’s not going to help improve a gamer’s physical and mental health, not to mention it still runs the risk of ruining expensive gaming peripherals with oils from foods. It won’t harm the chair itself, though, since McDonald’s promises it uses stain-proof leather.
This is admittedly something that only a die-hard McDonald’s fan will probably want to grab, not that it’s available anywhere else except through a raffle. The chair is full of McCrispy branding with a gold and black motif that’s not exactly that appealing to many people. Then again, it could have been worse since the brand’s official colors are gold and red.
Herman Miller has set the precedence for office chairs and is also steadily building dominance in the gaming world with gaming-specific versions of the popular Embody (in partnership with Logitech G), Aeron and Sayl chairs. Now the popular and trusted ergonomic office furniture maker has struck another partnership with Logitech for a winning gaming chair design that will be hard to ignore.
Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum Gaming Chair is the first fully gaming-centric chair by the Michigan-based manufacturer. Just for the records, this is also the first ever gaming chair out there with a thoracic support pad (for upper back, neck and head support) which adds to the USP. To top it off, the chair costs considerably less at just $995 in three color options – Polar, Flare and Obsidian. Stack it to the duo’s first collaborative creation, the Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair that debuted in 2020 for a price tag of $1,500.
Vantum is tailored for long gaming sessions to keep the gamers in an “active/upright position the moment they sit down.” This is possible with the custom seat pad and PostureFit’s extra adjustable lower back support. Thereby preventing slouching to reduce fatigue in hot game action.
When you are taking a break from all the shooting or intense racing, the chair supports the head where it meets the spine via the adjustable headrest. Clearly, we can see that the chair has gaming ergonomics in mind, and created to offer support during different stages of play. According to Jon Campbell, General Manager of Gaming at Herman Miller, their team shifted keen focus to the versatile requirements of gamers. Hence, an equally supported reclined position for times when watching movies, chatting with buddies or amid virtual events is important for an ergonomic chair.
The chair has a flexible cushion and special suspension material for balanced pressure no matter what the posture is. This ensures maximum comfort and support for breathable circulation. HM has left no stone unturned when it comes to fabric durability and the glass-filled nylon frame. The Polyurethane foam headrest and seat cushion are made out of 100 percent recycled polyester fabric.
