The Download: Gaming has become almost universal during the pandemic: new research shows that four out of five U.S. consumers played video games from March to August 2020. Irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, or income, most U.S. citizens have spent time gaming. Mobile gaming accounts for just under half of the market, with the remainder using a console or computer. High-design furniture brands are taking note and launching new collections geared toward this emerging pastime.
Why It Matters: Last summer, Herman Miller identified the need for a comfortable chair not for typing, but for lengthy gaming sessions. Honing into the health aspects of gaming often overlooked by endemic gaming brands, the furniture purveyor collaborated with computer accessories mainstay Logitech on the $1,495 Embody gaming chair, which distributes weight more effectively to reduce fatigue and stiffness. Even Ikea has recognized the market for gaming furniture by releasing its own furniture collection, including desks, chairs, and drawer units, plus add-ons like neck pillows, mug holders, and lighting. The need for gaming chairs will only continue to increase—the market is poised to grow by nearly $92 million by 2024.
In Their Own Words: “The needs of billions of gamers around the globe are very diverse, whereas the existing offer is rather technical and often perceived as masculine design-wise, despite around 46 percent of gamers being female,” said Ewa Rychert, Ikea’s global business leader of workspace. “We believe there’s a lot to be done to democratize the gaming experience.”
Surface Says: Hopefully even more designers will tap into this promising market. Gaming furniture has long needed an aesthetic overhaul.
