Because of the ongoing global pandemic this year Consumer Electronics Show is a completely online affair. Gaming hardware maker ASUS takes the digital format of the show to the limit ROG Citadel XV, a free download on Steam that is a (small) part first-person shooter, and part chic virtual hardware showroom.
ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, the chic gaming brand from ASUS, as seen on laptops, desktops, video cards, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards and more. ROG Citadel XV is a high-tech base for this fictional organization, of which the player is active. The game begins with the player waking up in their room, where a cheeky robot named Omni greets them and offers to take them on a tour.
The tour leads the player to a virtual showroom, where ASUS ‘2021 hardware line-up can be seen. Hardware like the Zephyrus Duo 15 SE, an intriguing new gaming laptop with a secondary screen that can be lifted to open a hidden air intake to aid cooling. I found out about the Zephyrus Duo 15 by walking over to it in the game showroom and clicking on it.
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Each product in the showroom gets its own highly detailed 3D model, with specifications and details on the left and interactive items on the right. Click the keyboard switch – facto on the left side of the ROG Claymore II keyboard and the keycaps on the virtual board will fly away, revealing the sweet optical switches beneath.
Other than exploring and clicking secrets, not much actual gaming comes into it ROG Citadel XV. There is a shooting range, complete with online leaderboards, but there is only one usable weapon and that is very rudimentary.
Watch the video below for a short, un-commented tour of the Citadel, including a quick look at the shooting gallery.
It is advertising, of course. ROG Citadel XVThe main reason for existence is to sell ASUS stuff. But damn what an engaging way to interact with the company’s CES 2021 lineup. Give me this every day during a boring press release or web catalog.