Logitech G unveils 'Prodigy' line of PC gaming gear for the casual 'everyman'
There is a stereotype that all PC gamers are the hardcore variant -- drinking Mountain Dew in their mom's basement while spending their entire paycheck on video games and associated accessories. While those people surely do exist, there are plenty of people -- myself included -- that are casual gamers with limited budgets. When I say casual, I don't mean Candy Crush and Words with Friends -- we enjoy the same games as the hardcore folks. Sadly, we just don't have as much time and resources to dedicate to playing.
Unfortunately, companies don't seem interested in catering to the PC gaming everyman (or woman). Today this changes as Logitech G announces a new line of accessories for the casual segment. Called 'Prodigy', it offers capable gear without nonsense.
"We love building products for hardcore gamers, and we'll never give that up. With the explosion of play across all ages and skill sets we knew we needed something more. Our new Logitech G Prodigy series gives all gamers access to our best technology. It's gaming gear made exclusively for everyone", says Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager, Logitech G.
Logitech further explains that Prodigy is "a family of gaming gear that was designed to enhance the way you play. The new series, which includes two mice, a keyboard and a headset, all share the same attributes of high-performance technology, exceptional comfort, and a sleek and modern design".
Curiously, the gear doesn't stand out much from Logitech's other gaming hardware. You know what? That is a good thing. Look, no one wants to use gear that appears to be generic or of lesser quality. By retaining the classic "G" logo and apparently forgoing any "Prodigy" branding on the hardware itself, consumers can be confident while also saving some money.
The two mice -- the G403 and G403 Wireless -- look very similar, with the big difference obviously being the wire (or lack thereof). Both of them feature rubber grips, customizable DPI and lighting. You can, of course re-map the buttons too. While wireless mice may look nicer on a desk, many gamers (including me) prefer wired variants.
While the G213 Prodigy RGB Gaming Keyboard is not mechanical, it looks both well-built and attractive. Gamers will appreciate the anti-ghosting technology. For comfort, it has adjustable legs and an integrated palm rest. When not gaming, the media controls will come in handy for both movies and music.
The Logitech G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset looks comfy and attractive, although the orange color may not appeal to all. The microphone can be folded back, making it a good music headphone option too -- especially with the included inline media controls. Logitech shares more details on the headset below.
Using 40 mm neodymium drivers, the G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset delivers high-quality stereo sound that keeps you immersed in your PC or console game from start to finish. The earcups are covered with carefully selected sports performance cloth for a comfortable, soft touch even after hours of use. And they slip off easily for washing to keep the headset in top shape. The earcups are also designed to be slim and light, without skimping on audio quality.
Ultimately, gamers and reviewers will have to get their hands on the Prodigy-designated gear to determine the quality. To make a mark, Logitech needs to deliver some serious value here -- consumers will need a reason to take notice. With that said, Logitech rarely disappoints, so I expect the Prodigy line to be a winner. Hopefully it ends up carving out a niche -- we casual gamers need it!
But what about pricing and availability? Logitech shares the following.
- The Logitech G403 Prodigy Gaming Mouse, Logitech G213 Prodigy RGB Gaming Keyboard and Logitech G231 Prodigy Gaming Headset are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning September 2016. All three products have a suggested retail price of $69.99.
- In Europe, the Logitech G403 Prodigy Gaming Mouse has a suggested retail price of €69.99, the Logitech G213 RGB Gaming Keyboard has a suggested retail price of €79.99 and the Logitech G231 Gaming Headset has a suggested retail price of €59.99.
- The Logitech G403 Prodigy Wireless Gaming Mouse is also expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning September 2016 for a suggested retail price of $99.99 and €119.
What do you think of this Prodigy gear and its pricing? Tell me in the comments.