Posted by Video Game News Staff, 57 days ago  |
Thermaltake Teams with BMW Design Group on Level 10 Gaming Mouse
Starting with an intensive workshop the design team observed and surveyed gamers in order to “dive into a gamers´ soul” and understand the nature of the relationship to their very personal steering element. Next to requirements such as precision and innovative functions, it became very obvious that flexibility and options for customization are of great importance for gamers. The findings from the workshop directly flew into the design development for the Level 10 M Mouse creating a design that marries solutions for gamers functional, aesthetic and emotional needs.
Aesthetics, Function & Materials
The Level 10 design concept is a philosophy in consumer electronics. Its design is a language that visualizes creativity and imagination. It´s about open structure, about executing the principle of fewest surface coverage and maximizing functional elements. For the Level 10 M Mouse the designers came up with an array of innovative solutions. Combined with Thermaltake’s expertise in cooling technology, the result is a product that speaks the Level 10 design language but still provides a comfortable equipment for heavy use.
3D Steering Axis Movement: The Mouse is divided into lower and top part which seems to float over the base. This part which is also the essential steering element of the mouse can be adjusted in regards to height and angle. The 3D dimensional character of the mouse provides for new and highly sufficient axis movements in various directions and makes the mouse fit as many gamers’ preferences as possible.
Solid Aluminum base: Commonly used in the aerospace industry and in architecture, this material is characterized by its high resistance to corrosion. It ensures that the Level 10 experience of the user is durable and resilient to mouse-gliding movement.
Air-Through Ventilation System: Thermaltakes’ ventilation solutions made possible the sandwich design of the top and lower part creating a hollow, open structure that lets the light, the air as well as the surrounding travel through the product almost creating the feeling of a 4th dimension. Additionally the Mouse is fitted with exquisite texture - a perforated surface which provides for a better air and temperature exchange as a means of passive ventilation, solving issues due to heavy use and direct touch of gaming equipment and the rise of temperatures of the hand.
Intelligent Software Application for customizing Gaming and Creative needs: The Level 10 M Mouse has it all: Programmable Keys, DPI Adjustability, Function-Lock Mechanism and more. It´s a programmable gaming mouse capable of using the most comprehensive software application to customize settings based on user�s needs. The Mouse has two regular keys on top and five additional keys at the side. Each key is programmable by software application by a single press with the finger. The so called “Z” key is especially designed for five different commands. There is a total of eleven programmable command keys on Level 10 M Mouse while the “Z” key offers another function: During the gaming mode this key can switch between up to five gaming profiles. In addition, the polling rate and the seven lighting-effect colors of the Mouse are also customizable. The Level 10 M Mouse is equipped with 8200 DPI, adjustable from 800, 1600, 3200 to 5000 (default setting), and customizable by software application up to 8200 DPI. With clear indication on top of the mouse, users can observe the current DPI status and make change whenever necessary. The Function-Lock Mechanism also serves to avoid accidental error command by locking side keys during gaming mode. The Level 10 M Mouse is a tool which was clearly designed for pro-gaming and creative needs.
The Color Scheme
The Level 10 M Mouse is available in three different colors: Diamond Black, Iron White, and Military Green. Each represents different characters and user’s unique personality, and each carries the gaming philosophy of Level 10.
The collaboration of BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and Thermaltake has reached the next level. The design consultancy has developed a design concept for an innovative series of gaming accessories of which the first product, the Level 10 M Mouse, will be launched in spring 2012.
As a Think Tank of BMW Group the design consultancy DesignworksUSA works for many industries with only one aim: to transfer design know how between cultures, markets and industries in order to come up with the most innovative, forward thinking and consumer oriented design solutions. In 2009 Thermaltake, the leader and innovator of pro-gaming computer chassis, for the first time partnered with the wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary. The studio had been tasked with the design concept of the Level 10 high end gaming tower. The result was a chassis which triggered off a lot of praise from the IT and pro-gaming world and many awards for its sheer revolutionary approach to computer housing. Now the collaboration continues with the expansion of the Level 10 experience to a range of gaming peripherals for Thermaltake´s e-sports division.
For the upcoming range of Level 10 accessory products DesignworksUSA challenged Thermaltake with most progressive design concepts. They aim at extending the Level 10 experience of the chassis to products that gamers directly interact with. The first product to be launched out of the new series of gaming peripherals is the Level 10 M Mouse. It will give testimony to the delicate thinking of the designers when applying the Level 10 design language to additional products. For the designers this task meant to extend the Level 10 gaming experience to all the gamers’ senses. Facing the challenge of translating the design language of the expressive geometrical Level 10 chassis onto products which by nature require ergonomic design solutions the design team came up with an array of innovative solutions to provide pro-gamers with products that speak the Level 10 design language but still provide them with the most pleasant and comfortable equipment for heavy use.
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