Gaming chair
A gaming chair is a type of chair designed for the comfort of gamers.[1][2] They differ from most office chairs in having high backrest designed to support the upper back and shoulders.[3] They are also more customizable: the armrests, back, lumbar support and headrest can all be adjusted for comfort and efficiency.[3]
The gaming chair gained popularity with the rising influence of Twitch and other online game streaming websites. Having to sit at a computer, playing games for hours on end attracted streamers to purchase gaming chairs. People were known to acquire these chairs in order to mitigate the damaging effects on the body for sitting too long. [citation needed]
Types of gaming chairs
There are three main types of gaming chairs. These include PC, Platform, and Hybrid gaming chairs [4]
PC gaming chairs are the most popular and well-known. They resemble office chairs, but include a headrest, lumbar support, as well as adjustable armrests. [4]
Platform gaming chairs are popular among console gamers. This is because they are meant to rest on the floor and are efficient for television gaming. These chairs normally resemble recliner chairs.[4]
Lastly, hybrid gaming chairs share characteristics of both PC and platform gaming chairs. They are often mounted on a swivel base, but still include the shape and style of a platform chair.[4]
History
The first gaming chairs were produced by DXRacer around 2006, a company that originally produced seats for sport cars. Before 2006, the company was known for producing high-end seats for luxury cars. However, the company began to experience difficulties with Chrysler discontinuing multiple lines of cars.[5]
In 2008, more companies began to produce gaming chairs, including AKRacing.[5]
The gaming chair market grew rapidly in 2011 with the advent of the live-streaming platform Twitch and the popularization of eSports.[1] Within the Twitch community, it became common knowledge that having a gaming chair labeled streamers to be a legitimate and respectable gamer.[6]
Around 2012, gamers started to notice that sitting at the computer for hours on end created back and neck problems.[7] Additionally, a man at a Taipei internet café died after playing on the computer for 23 hours straight.[7] Events like these made people realize how important comfort was in the context of gaming.
At around 2018, the e-sports industry exploded in popularity with tens of millions of people tuning to watch professional live League of Legends, and Dota 2 matches, for example. [7] With all the pros competing on the latest and trendiest gaming chairs, their popularity grew immensely.[7] Many gaming chair brands aim to sponsor these pro teams so they can showcase their chairs and raise their popularity.
References
- ^ a b Schwartzberg, Lauren (21 July 2017). "Ask the Strategist: What's the Deal With Gaming Chairs?". New York: The Strategist. Vox Media. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "The Global Gaming Chair Market is expected to grow by USD 71.3 mn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ a b Rovzar, Chris (2020-07-17). "It's Time to Consider Getting a Gaming Chair for Your Home Office". The One. Bloomberg. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ a b c d "The Different Types of Gaming Chairs for PC and Console: Buyer's Guide". Chair Institute. 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ a b "History Of Gaming Chairs (From 2006 To $1+ Billion In Sales)". Gaming Chairs Hunter. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ Schwartzberg, Lauren (2017-07-21). "Ask the Strategist: What's the Deal With Gaming Chairs?". The Strategist. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ a b c d "Complete history of gaming chairs: 2006-2020". ChairsFX. 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
