Gaming
The controller and headphones that make the professionals even better.
Every sporting professional strives to gain a tiny advantage in competition. For example, Sir Dave Brailsford enjoyed great success at British Cycling with his philosophy of marginal gains where he sought to improve every facet of riding a bike by 1%.
It often takes more than pure talent to regularly win tournaments. Having the best gear helps as it not only bolsters a player’s performance but also gives them the assurance that they are doing everything within their power to win.
Several products in the past decade have allowed eSports players of every calibre to realise their potential, and have helped improve the quality of professional tournaments. Here are three of the most influential pieces of kit in eSports.
Scuf Controller
The Scuf controller has taken both the eSports and wider gaming community by storm. It has levelled the playing field for gamers favouring a conventional grip of their Xbox and PlayStation pads, removing the advantage enjoyed by a minority who had adopted the claw grip, which sees players using their right forefinger for the A, B, Y and X buttons.
Two rear buttons (or the four which are now offered by the Scuf Hybrid) are configured to each player’s personal preference, giving them greater manipulation of the controls, which allows for slicker movement. Perhaps the single most important manoeuvre offered by this set-up is the ability to both jump and turn at the same time, an action that could not be achieved in sync with the most popular form of grip without risking a player’s orientation in the heat of the moment.
Scuf’s breakthrough as the first modified controller to be approved by event organisers means it will always have an important place in the history of eSports.
Astro Mixamp
One of the first products to be decorated as competitive-grade equipment in console eSports in 2006, gamers fell in love with Astro’s A40 Audio System for its quality and contemporary style.
The headphones look good, but its the Mixamp which played a pivotal role on LAN, allowing teams to bridge their devices for instant communication. Users can also configure a balance between game sound and voice chat to maximise their awareness of both their team-mates and mid-match developments.
There have been surprisingly few imitators, and none have achieved the harmony of simplicity, reliability and portable convenience that the Astro Mixamp provides.
Kontrol Freeks
At a level where the smallest tweaks can determine championship glory, Kontrol Freeks allow players of first-person shooters to fine-tune their accuracy at the most precise detail. The accessory is clipped onto the analog stick, raising it higher to increase the range of motion and provide greater dexterity and precision of each shot.
They grew to prominence in console eSports when Halo players used them as a facilitator for more delicate flicks at long range with the Battle Rifle and Sniper Rifle. Since then, several professional Call of Duty, Halo and Gears of War players have added Kontrol Freeks to their toolbox in an effort to gain an advantage.
