Peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. Rock and roll. Fried chicken and video games. Some things just go together – like KFC Gaming and Cooler Master, which came together to create a game console with an integrated roaster.
The KFConsole, a bargain-shaped machine equipped with an internal cooling system to extract heat, is the “first device in the world” to feature a chicken chamber, specifically designed to keep the contents warm and “ready for consumption during intense gaming sessions, “KFC says.
The American fast food restaurant chain is no stranger to unique PR stunts: it hired a number of celebrity colonels (Rob Lowe, Ray Liotta, Billy Zane, Reba McEntire and Mario Lopez donned the iconic goatee and string tie); launched edible enamels with fried chicken flavor and perfumed bath bombs; and just follow five Spice Girls and six guys called Herb on Twitter.
You would be forgiven, however, for ignoring the KFConsole scheme, which started in June – amid a global pandemic and the heated US presidential campaign. Advancing from an initial teaser campaign, the company took its first look at the cock-a-doodle panel last week.
“We are delighted to finally be giving fans exactly what they wanted: to make KFConsole a reality,” said Mark Cheevers, PR and KFC social media leader in the UK and Ireland, in a statement. “We all know that the console war is cruel, but we are very confident in KFConsole as our flagship. This machine is capable of playing games with high level specifications, in addition to keeping your meal warm for you to enjoy during your gaming experience. What is there not to like?
A greasy controller, for example. KFC worked with Cooler Master to create the device’s “exclusive cooling system and … exclusive chicken chamber”, which promises high performance through an Intel Nuc 9 Extreme Compute Element, “buttery” Asus graphics and fast speeds. It is also VR-ready, supports 4K TVs and includes two 1TB Seagate BarraCuda SSDs.
The machine could be a real lifesaver during those long hours of button locking. “If Sony or Microsoft wants tips on how to design a chicken chamber for their efforts next time, they are welcome to contact us,” said Cheevers.
“When we were approached by KFC Gaming to do KFConsole, we took the chance to get involved and enter the console war,” said Stephen James, public relations manager and influencer at Cooler Master. “KFConsole was built to order with the player in mind. The last thing we want is for someone to go hungry while playing.”
It is quite possible that this thing will never reach your living room or kitchen. So if you can’t get your hands on a KFConsole, take a look at our PS5 vs. VPS summary. Xbox Series X.