The computer mouse of a gamer is quite a different beast from that of a casual computer user; the ergonomics are a key factor, as are the locations of buttons, the commands they send when pressed, and even just the ‘cool factor’ of looking, well, badass. What kind of gamer could properly slay his enemies in his MMORPG of choice using a swirly-designed, two-button wireless mouse? Clicking attack commands on that kind of mouse (incidentally, I just described my own mouse) does not exactly instill heroic e-courage into the heart of a gamer.
In October 2013, SteelSeries introduced their Rival Optical Gaming Mouse, featuring an ergonomic right-handed design, an advanced optical sensor, and even anti-sweat coating and rubber side grips to enhance the entire gaming experience from performance to feel. The mouse boasts a 30 million click lifespan, so it should last for a while. Since its release, it has also received positive reviews and a handful of awards.
SteelSeries’ CEO, Bruce Hawver, noted upon the Rival’s release that, “The new ergonomic shape and state of the art hardware deliver unmatched levels of precision, comfort and durability. Combining this level of hardware with new SteelSeries Engine 3 software, users will find an entirely new customization experience that redefines how a mouse can be configured.”
One key feature of the Rival is its customization capabilities. Sure, you can choose from 16.8 million color illumination
At SteelSeries’ booth, visitors could get a Rival with a customized 3D printed name plate. While those ordering the mouse online could get a part 3D printed from Shapeways whileat PAX Melbourne the part was made using a BEETHEFIRST from BeeVeryCreative.
The Rival mouse and its customization will surely catch the attention of many interested gamers eager to put their mark on both their games and their mice. What do you think? Would you want to customize your mouse? Discuss over at the steelseries forum on 3DPB.com.