Why are "gamer/gaming" accessories so overpriced?

[Ikagura]

With a design that I personally find ugly most of the time, they want to make it look "cool" with bright colours and angles when I think that chic minimalism and metal would be much better. I also dislike the overreliance on bright RGB LED that flashes in every colours of the spectrum as if we needed more distraction from the screen. I systematically deactivate them when possible (I do like a dim white light on my keyboard so I could read the letters in the dark).

I know that it's a PC user culture thing about customising everything possible (like tunning for cars) but it has slowly affected console gaming with third party pads having LEDs and weird artistic designs

 

[bjork]

Attempts to be something different to stand out in a market where the standard version usually does the job just fine.

 

[Ikagura]

Attempts to be something different to stand out in a market where the standard version usually does the job just fine.

Different doesn't equal better in my humble opinion.

Or else make something much better in every way without reliance on the design and LEDs.

 

[FlameSpice]

Just like Bjork said, it's just a Marketing strategy to Make it look like it's better than the Standard version and make it more expensive.

 

[Endergod1]

Some think that spending more money = making them feel more pro, and forget what made standard accessories work in the first place. I know some people online who thinks Razer makes the best accessories ever because they're for "gamers".
I guess that's the unfortunate standard for general brands selling the accessories. People buy, they create and sell more of that, just so you can justify $$ for that extra 5% better performance

 

[Ikagura]

Just like Bjork said, it's just a Marketing strategy to Make it look like it's better than the Standard version and make it more expensive.

So yeah, it's only with a coat of paint without being that much better... That' dishonest imo.

Some think that spending more money = making them feel more pro, and forget what made standard accessories work in the first place. I know some people online who thinks Razer makes the best accessories ever because they're for "gamers".

I only got interested in Razer for the macros but I agree that they're not the best.

I still appreciate "ergonomic" accessories like an angled mouse or a keyboard with waves:

 

[bjork]

Different doesn't equal better in my humble opinion.

Or else make something much better in every way without reliance on the design and LEDs.

Wasn't saying it was better, I'm with you on this. But I'm sure this kind of thing has to be focus tested out the wazoo, so even if you or I don't care for it, someone out there does. Someone *needs* an Xbox controller with a texture like scales and horns coming out of it, or a Spongebob wiimote or whatever.

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

Mainly they see the gamer identity market as an untapped and undersold market so they hike up the prices as much as they can to hope to be part of the tend that leads to mass adoption and quick profit by streamers and their fans that want to emulate the "Gamer" identity when all you need is just to play games. You have no idea how much my Mystic lighting has griefed me just by causing multiple crashes because I refused to update when I never use it in the first place. Who ever started this trend of back lighting needed to be a gamer standard in keyboard was either sadist or bored and required stimulation at every moment he sits at his desk.

 

[Endergod1]

So yeah, it's only with a coat of paint without being that much better... That' dishonest imo.


I only got interested in Razer for the macros but I agree that they're not the best.

I still appreciate "ergonomic" accessories like an angled mouse or a keyboard with waves:

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Sometimes simple is better, yes. Although mechanical keyboard are superior due to better feedback, IMO

 

[Ikagura]

Wasn't saying it was better, I'm with you on this. But I'm sure this kind of thing has to be focus tested out the wazoo, so even if you or I don't care for it, someone out there does. Someone *needs* an Xbox controller with a texture like scales and horns coming out of it, or a Spongebob wiimote or whatever.

On the other hand a skin is at least being honest at being exactly the same thing.

I don't need RGB.

 

[FlameSpice]

Sometimes simple is better, yes. Although mechanical keyboard are superior due to better feedback, IMO

Yep, if you care about how the keyboard sounds it's definitely better to get a mechanical keyboard.

Also performs better.

 

[Ikagura]

Sometimes simple is better, yes. Although mechanical keyboard are superior due to better feedback, IMO

I have one currently (sadly a low end one because I'm poor) and I love the sound.

But I hate that it has RGB backlight so I put the light level at minimum and I think that black accessories with a white light are much better to the eyes.

 

[bjork]

On the other hand a skin is at least being honest at being exactly the same thing.

I don't need RGB.

The cool thing? You're not required to buy them. Vote with your dollar, and always keep a spare controller or keyboard that you do like, on hand. Just in case one breaks down eventually. Easy peasy.

 

[Viiella423]

With a design that I personally find ugly most of the time, they want to make it look "cool" with bright colours and angles when I think that chic minimalism and metal would be much better. I also dislike the overreliance on bright RGB LED that flashes in every colours of the spectrum as if we needed more distraction from the screen. I systematically deactivate them when possible (I do like a dim white light on my keyboard so I could read the letters in the dark).

I know that it's a PC user culture thing about customising everything possible (like tunning for cars) but it has slowly affected console gaming with third party pads having LEDs and weird artistic designs

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I don't know. I don't even have those accessories.

 

[Yousef]

How do you mean? It depends on the specific accessory. I think it goes without saying that headsets depend on audio quality, controllers have always been overpriced, VR is kinda its own thing that sucks, Drink coasters are kinda whatever, but I like them.

 

[Prism_Red]

Marketing, like everyone has mentioned here.
Performance wise, there isn't much different between standard and 'pr0 g4m3r' stuff, as someone who used to frequent fighting game tournaments, fancy fightstick don't make you a better player, in the end it depends on the hand of the beholder. Comfort is still the most important thing when you look for peripherals, be it for PC or Consoles or whatever.

There are obviously some overlap but fortunately you can pimp your gaming gear for cheaper cost these days. Like replacing and lubing keycaps to put in your cheap keyboard would cost you less than straight up buying a new high-end gear.

 

[GardeniaSky]

It's trendy to get 'gamer' shit.

 

[Prism_Red]

Slightly off topic but case in point, I have a cool 'gamer certified' signature as you may notice, with RGB lights and all that shiet, it costs nothing and not necessarily better than other user's signature.

 

[Ikagura]

Slightly off topic but case in point, I have a cool 'gamer certified' signature as you may notice, with RGB lights and all that shiet, it costs nothing and not necessarily better than other user's signature.

Your signature gif is at least referencing Super Sentais so RGB is quite fitting.

Adding them on a computer isn't necessary.

 

[thanonyx]

Just buy what you know works for you and don't fall for all the useless bells and whistles.

Just because you're a gamer doesn't mean you have to be a fool who is soon parted with their gold.

 

[happymasksalesman]

With a design that I personally find ugly most of the time, they want to make it look "cool" with bright colours and angles when I think that chic minimalism and metal would be much better. I also dislike the overreliance on bright RGB LED that flashes in every colours of the spectrum as if we needed more distraction from the screen. I systematically deactivate them when possible (I do like a dim white light on my keyboard so I could read the letters in the dark).

I know that it's a PC user culture thing about customising everything possible (like tunning for cars) but it has slowly affected console gaming with third party pads having LEDs and weird artistic designs

View attachment 51584

I never use gamer keyboard and mouse but I heard gamer mouse has additional bottoms aside it and see a game use them.
I rather to buy a good keyboard and then customize it with my style.

 

[Ikagura]

I never use gamer keyboard and mouse but I heard gamer mouse has additional bottoms aside it and see a game use them.
I rather to buy a good keyboard and then customize it with my style.

I mean side buttons are now normal to see on mice like the wheel.

 

[happymasksalesman]

I mean side buttons are now normal to see on mice like the wheel.

as I use a simple mouse and don't have any backup or second I don't know that. Thanks for information.
What about make a self fan made keyboard or mouse? I think it worth.

 

[DanCalibur]

I used to assemble and sell PCs for a while during the pandemic and I noticed crappy computers with flashy lights sell faster than good computers in simple cases. Apparently people like shiny stuff, just like birds

 

[happymasksalesman]

I used to assemble and sell PCs for a while during the pandemic and I noticed crappy computers with flashy lights sell faster than good computers in simple cases. Apparently people like shiny stuff, just like birds

I know what you mean. People like things which look like cool or colorful.(simply look like beautiful to them) even if it's something they don't need!
What kind of PC you assemble?