IKEA launched its first line of furniture designed for PC games in collaboration with the popular hardware brand Republic of Gamers.
The collection contains four desks with accompanying chairs at prices that IKEA believes will make professional-level settings accessible to a larger group of people.
“The needs of billions of players around the world are very diverse, while the existing offering is very technical and often perceived as a masculine design, despite the fact that about 46 percent of the players are women,” said Ewa Rychert, business leader global workspace at IKEA.
“We believe there is a lot to be done to democratize the gaming experience,” she continued. “Now we take the first step on our gaming journey and we do so by presenting affordable, high-performance gaming products and complete solutions that we hope will reflect people’s personality and taste.”
With a line of accessories, the collection covers more than 30 products that are available in classic black and more refined options in white and gray.
IKEA worked with Republic of Gamers (ROG), the gaming hardware brand of Taiwanese electronics company ASUS, to create a central line called Uppspel.
The most technically advanced of all launches, it includes a table that can be adjusted in height using an electric motor to create ideal playing conditions.
It has an extra-wide table top to hold two screens at a healthy and comfortable distance from the eyes, as well as an integrated USB charging port.
A recessed edge can be turned towards the user to allow the user to rest their arms or can be rotated to face the wall and allow the computer’s cables to be hidden.
Additional equipment such as headphones and controllers can be stored in a sleek black drawer unit or displayed on a bulletin board, with integrated magnetic straps holding tools or screws.
For the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), IKEA and ROD have developed a width-adjustable metal bracket, which they claim is capable of containing more computer towers than any product on the market.
The Matchspel chair that accompanies it was built to follow the user’s movements and is fully adjustable from the inclination of the seat and back to the height of the head and arm rests to help reduce muscle tension.
All remaining products were developed by IKEA based on the insights obtained from the collaboration, adapting them to suit different budgets and interiors.
The slightly smaller Utespelare line features a thin table that can be adjusted manually, 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 gray synthetic leather with an integrated pocket on the back to store essential equipment within arm’s reach.
On the more accessible side is the Huvudspelare series, which includes a matte black table that facilitates an immersive gaming experience, while a mesh backrest on the accompanying chair improves ventilation when things get hot.
Together with the pieces of furniture, the Lånespelare accessory range includes everything from oversized mousepads to neck cushions, earphone holders and table-mounted cup holders to prevent spills.
A ring of light with integrated phone support is aimed at those who play their games online, while an elastic mouse is designed to hold the device’s cable in place to prevent it from tangling or causing friction during the game.
The collection is currently on sale only through IKEA China, but will be available worldwide later this year.
In an attempt to make gaming equipment more accessible, the company also created a series of 3D printed accessories in 2019 that can be customized by the user.
Microsoft previously released an Xbox controller for people with limited mobility and even redesigned the console packaging to make it easier to open.