Imagine Playing a Competitive Game on a Giant Keyboard and Mouse

In some past stories, I’ve chatted about cool gaming gear. You can find those linked at the end of this post.

But today, let’s talk about Alienware’s latest marketing gimmick — a massive 16-foot keyboard and mouse combo that Dota 2 pros got their hands on. It’s quite the spectacle!

Now, entering the grand league of oversized wonders, Alienware presents its latest marketing extravaganza: a whopping 16-foot keyboard and mouse combo, claiming to be the largest ever made. But before you roll your eyes into oblivion, hold up.

Unlike those previous gimmicks, these peripherals aren’t just for show; they actually work. In fact, Alienware went all out and had their “Team Liquid” DOTA 2 esports squad play some serious matches using these colossal gadgets against real opponents.

So, how did they come up with this monstrous idea? Well, it started with a straightforward thought experiment: “Could we get one of our mice and keyboards and enlarge them to the size of a room?” The result? Designs for an insanely enormous set of peripherals.

However, turning these behemoth devices into fully functional gaming tools posed a series of engineering challenges for the team. The 3D-printed keys were nearly a foot wide, with four inches of travel. To make them functional, the team had to construct giant mechanical switches using PVC pipe and rubber bands for resistance instead of the typical springs.

A small piece of metal tape measure was added to the plunger to achieve that satisfying “click” at the end of each keystroke. So, not only do these switches sound like traditional mechanical ones, but they also emulate the feel. 86 of these colossal switches were crafted, and yes, they come with RGB backlighting.

All this technical wizardry is just a show until you bring in actual players to tackle these oversized gaming monstrosities. Alienware flew in their “Team Liquid” esports squad, who, supposedly, had no clue about the true scale of the challenge until the last moment.

Let’s pretend to believe that for a second. After some nervous laughs, the team dove into testing the devices, scribbling vague squiggles in Paint and engaging in a word count typing challenge.

Soon enough, they faced off against their DOTA coach Blitz, who, handicapped without glasses and playing at low resolution from five feet away, had his work cut out. Yet, given the enormity of the devices before them, it wasn’t a walk in the park.

Sure, we’ve seen massive peripherals crafted as technical experiments before, and some manufacturers sell oversized devices with practical advantages for people with disabilities. But here, we’re deep into the realm of PR stunts. Still, don’t brush it off entirely; the engineering showcased here deserves a nod.

Final Words

Who knows, this might mark the beginning of a marketing arms race where every peripheral maker tries to outdo the rest to grab those headlines.

If that’s the case, I’d love to see a giant racing wheel setup. Imagine needing three people just to operate the gas, brake, and clutch pedals. Now that would be a showstopper!

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About Me

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