Video games aren’t just for kids or reclusive teens. According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), there are now a total of 226.6 million video game players of all ages in the U.S., up nearly 6 percent from 214.4 million in 2020. The pandemic has pushed that number up by 30 percent. then now. was in 2019. This sudden increase also means that integrators are seeing more requests for spaces suitable for this activity.
Mainly as a result of the pandemic, video games have become a source of stress relief and a way to connect with family and friends as well as pure entertainment. This also means that the time spent on other digital activities, such as watching TV, surfing the web or using social media, has been reduced. Integrators and manufacturers are closely monitoring this trend to see how best to accommodate customers requesting gaming rooms. Here are our top tips for creating this type of space:
1. Get personal
Any athlete will tell you that the equipment they use for their sport is very individual. It’s the same for gaming. Some gamers stick to one type of console (PlayStation, Xbox, etc.), while others often have several. They want to be comfortable for the many hours they can spend in one position. It is the designer’s or integrator’s job to find the most comfortable furniture for the customer to sit or recline in, which lighting will make the game screen easy to see but not strain the customer’s eyes, and how the will sense air in the room.
2. Determine the most important part
While there are some games that can be played completely solo, most of the games are meant to be played with others and over the internet. The best way to improve this experience is of course to give the customer an excellent connection.
“A direct, wired connection is the way to go,” said Tom Clancy, executive vice president of Audio Command Systems.
According to Clancy, one of the biggest challenges here is the range from the controller to the console and connecting that router to the Ethernet cable. The range of the PlayStation technology is 50-100 feet, while the range for wireless controllers for Xbox is only 19 to 28 feet, which is something to consider when wiring a system that cannot be easily moved or hidden.
3. Find the best monitor for their sport
Plan to find out where their priorities lie. A professional esports player — someone who can earn money streaming their games through social media, for example — wants the fastest response time and may even be willing to sacrifice the resolution on their own screen for that. However, most casual players want high quality video, with the typical average for reactivity of a refresh rate of 120-140 Hertz. The top tier is usually 4K TVs, as most games aren’t quite up to par with 8K yet. High-end models usually offer gaming features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) support, as well as an Auto Low Latency Mode, which automatically switches the TV into Game Mode when a game is launched from a compatible device for low input lag.
Computer monitors are also something to consider if your client prefers this type of game. Most high-end gaming monitors have a fast response time that causes very little motion blur, and variable refresh rate (VRR) support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth are also options to enhance the experience. It all depends on which games the customer prefers as some do better with more resolution, less reactivity or vice versa.
Customers may also want more than one screen, especially if there are several people playing different games at the same time, or if they want to play the same game from two different perspectives.
4. Create immersive sound
The best video game experience is the one that brings the player into the world they are playing in. Fortunately for integrators just entering this market, the audio for these rooms is comparable to that of a home theater. According to Michael Short, global marketing director, residential and marine at Crestron, while the same subwoofers and speakers can be installed in these spaces, it’s also important to consider a technology that enables a “gaming mode.”
“It’s not just about what’s on the screen, it’s also about how it sounds and how perfectly you set up that space,” Short said, adding that it’s also a consideration whether the customer can reduce the playroom’s sound through the screen. spread all over the house.
Headphones and additional microphones are something that integrators typically rely on their customers to choose for themselves, as it can be a very personal choice for gamers.
What’s coming next for E-Gaming Rooms
The space devoted solely to gaming is probably not a trend, but the multi-purpose room with gaming capabilities certainly is. Customers are leaning towards a cleaner concept for these spaces as Oculus and virtual reality games are slowly growing and needing open spaces to play. 8K is soon on the horizon, although games still have a long way to go to catch up with this resolution.
The biggest trend is the growing social aspect of video games. Especially now that colleges — like Miami University, which has a dedicated esports lounge and arena — start offering scholarships and incentives for students to play, parents and homeowners will show more interest in video games and their potential to bring people together.
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