There are only so many hours in the day, and unfortunately, only a minority of them can be devoted to gaming. It’s worth, therefore, dedicating a little bit of energy to optimizing the experience.Designing your own setup goes beyond choosing a comfortable gaming chair. The ultimate setup is very personal and can be tailored to your preference to create a stimulating environment, which can help produce a superior experience while enhancing your gaming performance.
Audio
Where games are concerned, it’s easy to focus on visual fidelity. But the sound, too, plays a critical role in making things enjoyable. When Sonic the Hedgehog collects a ring, you want the resulting sound to be as crisp and clear as possible. The same goes for those pulsing synthesizer tunes in the background.
If you are not concerned about limiting the volume, soundbars or Bluetooth speakers make a versatile addition to any gaming setup. On the other hand, if you’re worried about the neighbors or you need a microphone, you might shop for a premium-quality headset.
When choosing a headset, the most important feature will be comfort. If you are used to long gaming sessions, having ear pain because your headset puts too much pressure on your ears can be annoying. Other features that you should look for are noise cancellation, surround sound, and, of course, a good-quality microphone that allows you to communicate clearly with other gamers and immerse yourself in the game even more. Making it a wireless one is another good idea. Those cables can often get in the way when the gaming action gets a little frantic.
Chair
Spending too much time gaming can lead to postural problems and pain in the lower back. It goes without saying that a good chair will need to be comfortable. However, other features can help your body in the long term. Armrests and a wheeled base are among these, and nowadays, gaming chairs can also be equipped with massage functions and built-in speakers to make the gaming experience as comfortable and immersive as possible.
If the aesthetic of dedicated gaming chairs, which look a little bit like the bucket seats you’d find in a racing car, doesn’t agree with your taste, a quality office chair can also do the trick. Look for a premium-quality chair, like the Herman Miller Aeron, on the second-hand market.
Of course, no chair in the world is going to preserve your physical fitness by itself. So, don’t neglect those stretches and exercises. Your body will thank you in the long run!
Lighting
When you think about gaming setups, a dark room accessorized with customizable LED lighting is usually what comes to mind. Futuristic and colorful lighting is an essential part of any true gaming experience, and LEDs can help you achieve this result.
Being so important for the health of your eyes, the lights in your room should also strike a balance. You want to be able to see what you’re doing, and at the same time, you want to limit the eye strain that comes from looking at a bright object in an otherwise dark room. On the other hand, the screen should always be the focal point of your attention.
You can find lighting solutions that sync to the onscreen action, especially if you’re a PC gamer. Just affix those LED strips to the rear of the monitor, and enjoy the light cast on the wall behind. And if you need to block out the sunlight and minimize glare on the screen, don’t forget to buy a good set of blackout curtains.
Accessories
There are a number of other accessories that can help you create the perfect gaming setup for you, starting from your controller. The standard control pad that comes with your console, or the cheapest available membrane-based keyboards and office-quality mice, are going to put you at a competitive disadvantage in a gaming environment.
Look for a mechanical keyboard with keys that match your preference. If you want clicky keys, they’re available, as are smooth and silent ones. As for your mouse, an ergonomic gaming one will not only be beneficial for the health of your hand, but it will make your movement more accurate.
Even though they are not functional for your gaming performance, graphic prints, posters, and floating shelves are another great addition to your setup. You can show your games and collectibles off while plastering the wall with your favorite graphics.
If you have limited time available for gaming, it’s essential that you can get right into the action without any setup problems. Shop for reliable peripherals from reputable manufacturers, and you should avoid any headaches.
