Due to the ongoing global pandemic, this year Consumer Electronics Show it is a case entirely online. ASUS, a manufacturer of gaming hardware, takes the program’s digital format to the extreme with ROG Citadel XV, a free download on Steam that is a (small) part of a first-person shooter, a sophisticated part of a virtual hardware showroom.
ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, ASUS ‘sophisticated gaming brand, as seen on laptops, desktops, video cards, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards and more. ROG Citadel XV it is a base of high-tech operations for this fictitious organization, of which the player is an agent. The game begins with the player waking up in their rooms, where a cheeky robot named Omni greets them and offers to take them on a walk.
The tour takes the player to a virtual showroom, where the ASUS 2021 hardware line is on display. Hardware like the Zephyrus Duo 15 SE, an intriguing new gaming laptop with a secondary screen that can be raised to open a hidden air intake to promote cooling. I learned about the Zephyrus Duo 15 by walking to it in the game’s showroom and clicking on it.
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Each product in the showroom receives its own highly detailed 3D model, with specifications and details on the left and interactive items on the right. Click on the keyboard switch factoid to the left of the ROG Claymore II keyboard and the keys on the virtual panel fly, displaying the beautiful optical switches below.
Aside from exploring and clicking on secrets, there’s not much real play in ROG Citadel XV. There is a full firing range with online leaderboards, but there is only one usable weapon and it is very rudimentary.
Check out the video below for a quick tour without commentary through the Citadel, including a quick look at the photo gallery.
It’s advertising, of course. ROG Citadel XVThe main reason for its existence is to sell ASUS material. But, damn, what an engaging way to interact with the company’s CES 2021 program. Give it to me in a press release or boring web catalog any day.