Why is Japan slower than overseas? I asked Etisian Lavni of the long -established Steelseries Gaming Device [Exclusive Interview]

The Gaming Device specialty brand Steelseries based in Denmark has been a pioneering position that is indispensable for talking about gaming devices.

At the new product reporter presentation & experience session held on Tuesday, July 26, Etisian Labeni , the company's CEO, appealed to its own history and product. He explained that he has created various world's first for gaming, such as headsets and mechanical keyboards that are familiar in the e-sports scene (related article).

This time, the headset ARCTIS Nova Pro Series announced for Japan is also supported by the world's first gaming parametric equalizer Sonar Audio Software Suite, as well as the gaming keyboard APEX PRO Mini and APEX PRO Mini Wireless. It is also based on the Apex Pro that enables the world's first actuity point (depth of pushing the key).

In this paper, an interview with Etisian Labeni, who has been sending such world's first to the world. We hit directly from the user's point of view, such as the image of the Japanese market and why the product release timing was different in Japan and Japan.

Thank you. As soon as possible, please tell us the opportunity and reasons for coming to Japan this time.

Labeni: I came every year before 2019. Unfortunately, the pandemic of the new colon virus infection has not been able to visit recently, so I am glad to have such an opportunity this time. It is very important to meet Japanese gamers, e-sports teams, and users directly to ask what is happening locally. The presentation of new products was one of the purposes, but I came to to listen to everyone .

ー How do you capture the Japanese e-sports scene?

Labeni: It was a slow start, but now many people are really enjoying it. I think Japanese professional teams are gradually winning at international events, and I think they are very exciting.

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Labni: I think there are still many gamers in Japan who do not know the existence of Steelseries themselves and our story. We are working to make more understanding of SteelSeries products, including what is better than other companies. For that reason, we also care about communication through such interviews.

What is important on top is that we are more involved in Japan **. I would like to increase the support of the STEELSERIES JAPAN, the E-sports team, and the communication with influencers. In addition, I want to cooperate more with games publishers.

ー ー What specifically, the cooperation between the game publisher and the gaming device is specifically assumed?

Labeni: There are various forms, but one of the things we can do is PRISMSYNC . This means that the writing (lighting) of the device changes according to the information in the game. increase. In addition, just before the next round starts, the headset will inform you in a vibration, that is, our products will be part of the game. It's like a multi-berth. The game and the reality are created by each world, and they already like many game developers and public.

The other is Sonar Audio Software Suite . According to the developer of Valorant, there was a problem that the system used by the player did not sound the same, assuming that a specific sound was designed. Therefore, if you use Sonar Audio Software Suite, you will be able to get the intended sound experience of the development. This is an example of our relationship with the game publisher.

-The device is developed as a bridge that connects game experiences and players to deliver the intention of the duberopper to the player as it is. The story changes, but in November last year, Steelseries was acquired by the acoustic manufacturer GN Store Nord. Is there any impact on management and product development?

Labeni: There is no bad effect at all. Even if the shareholders change, SteelSeries is still running as an independent company. Rather, a positive effect can be converted to our products such as GN's audio to our products.

I see...! By the way, in recent years, gaming devices are high-end, and there are concerns that their performance may be peak. Can you get lost in the direction of the evolution of the device?

Labeni: In the first place, we are not satisfied with the status quo while we want to make the gamer's experience better. As you said, if you look at the hardware alone, you may have a peak, but there is an endless possibility for software such as SteelSeries GG that you are focusing on. I don't think there is any limit if hardware and software are available.

ー This is a difficult question, but gaming devices have different release timing in Japan and overseas, and in many cases the release in Japan tends to be delayed. What are the factors here?

Labeni: That's a good question. The keyboard has a long time to take a long time to localize Japanese, and in the last six months, parts have been short of parts around the world. There is such a situation, but we want to increase the development in the future. In fact, in the Asian region, Japan is the first country to develop the ARCTIS Nova Pro Series, which is the highlight of today's announcement. We plan to start from Japan with the highest priority and increase the sales area little by little.

I am very grateful for the high priority in the Asian region. However, when I look at social media for overseas, I feel a little lonely that I can't get it at the same time, as it has been announced extensively. I hope that the gap will shrink in the future.

Labeni: Don't be sad. It will be better in the future, and in fact it is difficult to get in the United States. Even so, we have a firm number for Japan.

Thank you. Finally, can you give a message to SteelSeries fans and readers?

Labeni: Our vision, but our lives must not be very special, ordinary or mediocre. I believe that each moment, every second, each moment should shine. By all means, I think that you want to go to grab the stars without staying .

Thank you for your wonderful messages and valuable opportunities!

It was an interview with the attitude of coming to Japan and trying to be active with the game community, being familiar with its products and services, as well as the importance of Japan in the Asian region.

Steelseries has also announced that it will exhibit at the Tokyo Game Show 2022 in September. Expect what kind of information will be published and the brand's unimaginable challenge.