Plantronics Gamecom
 | |
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Santa Cruz, California |
| Products | headsets |
| Website | www.gamecom.com |
GameCom is the gaming sub-brand of Plantronics, offially trademarked as Plantronics GameCom. Though Plantronics produced gaming headsets as far back as 1999, it wasn't until 2004 that the GameCom brand was created to encompass their gaming headset family. In 2002, Plantronics started on the path to GameCom by partnering with Microsoft to create the first headset to be released in conjunction with Xbox Communicator to enable voice communication with Xbox Live[1]. Since then, GameCom has released headsets compatible with both console and PC gaming platforms, hosted gaming tournaments, and sponsored professional gaming teams.
History
After successful sales for the DSP-500 and the Xbox Communicator headsets [2], Plantronics created the GameCom sub-brand in 2004 to continue to be a competitor in the gaming headset market. GameCom debuted with four headsets, the GameCom X10 and GameCom X20 both for the Xbox Console, as well as two PC headsets, the GameCom 1 and GameCom Pro 1. The GameCom Pro 1 featured a Digital Signal Processing built-in sound card and connected to a PC via USB port.
1999-2003
In 1999 Plantronics entered the PC gaming headset market first releasing headsets in the .Audio line, such as the .Audio 90 analog headset, followed by a line of USB PC headsets, most notably the DSP-500.
In the following years, Plantronics teamed up with Microsoft[3] to create the first headset that, along with the Xbox Communicator, enabled online voice chat with the new Xbox Live[4] online gaming service. In June of 2003 Plantronics and Valve Corporation released a Counter-Strike branded headset based on the DSP-500.
2004
In 2004, Plantronics kicked off the GameCom brand with the launch of four new headsets for Xbox Live and Online PC gamers: GameCom X10 & X20 for Xbox Communicator, and GameCom 1 (analog) and GameCom Pro 1 (DSP) for PC gaming[5].
In October of 2004, Plantronics released the GameCom Halo 2 Edition-- a custom wired monaural headset built specifically for playing Halo 2 online with Xbox Live.
2005-2009
GameCom was selected as the official licensee of the Xbox Communicator and headset bundle, specifically the GameCom X10C headset, to be released for the Xbox 360 console[6].
In 2006, Plantronics GameCom expands it's family of gaming headsets by releasing three new Xbox headsets: GameCom X10, GameCom X20, and GameCom X30 for use with the Xbox 360. The GameCom X30 received an honor in the CES 2007 Best of Innovations Electronic Gaming Category.
Plantronics continued to expand in the PC gaming headset market with the release of the GameCom 777 in 2008, a PC headset that featured virtual 5.1 Dolby Surround sound[7]. Two other PC headsets, the GameCom 367 and GameCom 377 were released concurrently with the 777.
2010-2011
In the year of 2010, Plantronics GameCom released the GameCom X95 headset that featured wireless stereo audio and communication for the Xbox 360 as well as a new wired Xbox headset, the GameCom X40. Additionally, GameCom enters the Playstation 3 wireless headset market with the release of the GameCom P90 which also features the ability to connect to mobile phones[8].
2012
The Plantronics GameCom 777 headset is honored with a CES Innovations Design and Engineering award in the headphones category for 2011[9].
In January of 2012 Plantronics GameCom released it's most current models of their PC headsets, the GameCom 380 (analog) and the GameCom 780 (digital). The 780 features optional Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound.
The GameCom Commander is the latest headset in the GameCom family. Pre-order online sales for this limited edition headset began on August 16, 2012 and sales will stay exclusively online. Plantronics is limiting production to 10000 units.
Sponsorship
GameCom has sponsored professional gaming teams and clans. In 2008 GameCom sponsored PMS Clan at ESWC 2008 in Paris as well as Frag Dolls at PAX 2008. Currently Plantronics GameCom sponsors Team Dynamic for various games including Counter-Strike: Source and League of Legends.
ESWC 2012
Plantronics GameCom is hosting the North America Qualifier rounds for the 2012 Electronic Sports World Cup tournament in Paris, France for League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: GO. This means all competitors and teams must compete in the online tournaments through GameCom in order to go to PAX Prime 2012, and the winners of which will go to ESWC 2012 in November.
Comparison of GameCom Headsets
| Model | Platform | Connection Type | Speaker | Speaker Frequency Response | Mic Frequency Response | Dolby Virtual Surround | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 307 | PC | 2 x 3.5 mm audio/mic jacks | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No | |
| 380 | PC | 2 x 3.5 mm audio/mic jacks | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No | 13.6 |
| 780 | PC | USB | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 100 Hz - 10 kHz | 7.1 | 14.4 |
| Commander | PC | 2 x 3.5 mm audio/mic jacks | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 18 kHz | 100 Hz - 10 kHz | 7.1 | 13.4 |
| P90 | PS3, Mobile phone | Bluetooth wireless | monaural | No | 0.4 | ||
| X10 | Xbox | Xbox controller, 2.5 mm jack | monaural | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No | 8 | |
| X30 | Xbox | Xbox controller, 2.5 mm jack | monaural | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No | ||
| X40 | Xbox | Xbox controller, 2.5 mm jack | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No | |
| X95 | Xbox | Wireless, 3.5 mm | 40 mm stereo | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 100 Hz - 8 kHz | No |
See also
References
- ^ "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Plantronics Ships More Than 1 Million Xbox Live Headsets". Plantronics. August 5, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Plantronic Strategic Voice Partners". Plantronics. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Plantronics Launches New Headsets for Xbox Live and Online PC Gamers". Plantronics. August 19, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ "Microsoft Selects Plantronics as Official Licensee of Xbox® Communicator and Headset Bundle". Plantronics. November 8, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ "Plantronics Teams with Dolby to Deliver Enhanced PC Game Play". Plantronics. August 29, 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ "Plantronics Expands Its Award-Winning GameCom Headset Line for Xbox 360® and PlayStation® 3". Plantronics. September 2, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ^ "CNET CES Awards 2011". CNET. 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
External links
- GameCom Portal — official website
- GameCom ESWC — tournament information