If you’re a PC gamer, the amount of products catered to the hobby is extensive, but many products are garish. There aren’t many choices either. Do you want this black racing seat or this black racing seat, both of which refuse to blend in any room? It’s time for something functional that works with the rest of the room and won’t cost a ton.
Swedish design
Earlier this year, IKEA partnered with Republic of Gamers, an Asus sub-brand that focuses on gaming peripherals and devices. ROG is known for making high-end gaming laptops and overpowered gaming phones, but the heavy-handed design is taking a back seat to IKEA’s subtler touch.
The 30 products are divided across six product lines. The “UPPSPSEL” line is a direct collaboration between both brands, while the other five are wholly designed by IKEA, using information learned through the collaboration.
In Swedish, UPPSPSEL translates to “Play.” Other product lines use “Play” in different ways.
Cup holders and more
The full line of gaming products hasn’t been revealed yet, but you can expect gaming chairs and desks, as well as accessories such as a cup holder($10), ring light ($34.99), pegboard ($19.99), mouse bungee ($12.99), headphone stand ($24.99), and pillows ($9.99-$24.99). With different product lines, there are sure to be more products announced and maybe higher quality variants in different product lines.
Stand-up gaming
The all-black UPPSPEL standing desk ($549-$599) is a standout and ample enough for two large monitors and more by the looks of it. And the pegboards, which IKEA already offers, are also getting a matching all-black look and gaming-specific pegboard accessories for controllers, cables, and other peripherals. The cup holder and hand-shaped wooden headphone stand are some of my favorites.
The MATCHSPEL gaming chair ($189) is sleek, thin, and curved for ergonomic support, with a red metal support beam running down the length of the chair that provides a striking accent. The red is applied minimally elsewhere on the seat’s edge and the wheels for a subtle pop of color. There are eight chairs in the collection, with the three GRUPPSPEL chairs launching next January.
Learning from the best
IKEA’s no stranger to tapping another company to borrow its expertise in a specific industry. Previous collaborations with Sonos and Teenage Engineering are examples. This product line with ROG is a similar move, with IKEA slowly wading into the world of gaming and taking it upon itself to make products that actually look good.