Cougar launches an attack on the gaming keyboard market

By Brad Jones December 10, 2015

cougar attack x3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Plenty of hardcore gamers would argue that the best way to enjoy today’s biggest releases is to build a custom rig capable of doing today’s graphics technology justice. However, today’s video game connoisseur isn’t just interested in a powerful system – the associated peripherals have to be just as formidable.

Yesterday, Cougar announced the Attack X3, a mechanical keyboard that’s being targeted at gamers. According to its creators, the device offers high quality construction, superior durability, and a few pieces of functionality that are sure to come in handy in-game.

The keyboard uses Cherry MX switches, which Cougar claims will “guarantee” the “incredible performance” that’s expected of a mechanical keyboard. These switches offer tactile and aural feedback that make it easier for players to ensure that they’re making exactly the inputs that are intended.

Users will also be able to take advantage of the Cougar UIX system, which makes it easy to define functions for all keys on the keyboard, and permits users to set up as many as ten macro keys. These settings can be stored in the device’s on-board memory, which can store three different set-ups for later use.

The Attack X3 is a sturdier keyboard than most stock options, with a robust aluminium frame providing a strong foundation for its high-quality keys. It’s also rather visually arresting, with stark red backlights that the manufacturer states will “enhance the gaming atmosphere.”

So if you’re looking for a keyboard that’s more suited to mammoth online multiplayer sessions than word processing, the Cougar Attack X3 might be the ideal choice, offering a balance of striking visual design and compelling functionality. The keyboard will ship in December for European customers, and is scheduled to arrive in the United States in early 2016, at a price of around $120.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…

Gaming

What games will Nintendo Switch 2 launch with? We have some ideas

Mario and friends zip through a race course in Mario Kart 8.

We’re officially on “new console watch.” Reports from credible publications like Eurogamer say that Nintendo secretly showed developers its next system behind closed doors at this year’s Gamescom. While it’s only a rumor, it’s a realistic one. We’re six years into the Nintendo Switch’s lifespan and even the longest-running consoles turn over at eight. If Nintendo’s next system is one or two years away, it’s time to start lining up support from third-party developers.

We’ve speculated on features we’d want in a new system before, but the reality of a new platform has me asking another question: What games would you launch with something like this? The Nintendo Switch’s launch day was crucial to its long-term success thanks to a bonafide classic in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While the rest of its launch lineup wasn’t as impressive, Nintendo capitalized fairly quickly with titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2. If Nintendo’s going to push Switch owners over to a new system, it’ll have to roll out the big guns.

Gaming

You can’t play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, but you can play these 6 Game Pass RPGs

A player conversation in Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur's Gate 3 just launched on PC on August 3 and comes to PlayStation 5 shortly on September 6. Unfortunately, an Xbox Series X/S version of the RPG does not have any concrete release date. Developer Larian Studios explained in a community post that this is because it doesn't "want to compromise on quality and feel it would be a shame to downscale to 30 [frames per second, aka fps] or make other compromises to hit an arbitrary date." Still, it's disappointing that Xbox players can't get in on the fun anytime soon. Thankfully, there isn't a shortage of alternatives on Microsoft's gaming platforms.
Xbox Game Pass is home to dozens of RPGs, many of which share the same computer-RPG roots as Baldur's Gate 3. While Xbox players might not be able to enjoy Larian Studios' shockingly thorough and immensely enjoyable Dungeons & Dragons CRPG just yet, they can't go wrong playing these six titles right now.
Fallout: New Vegas

Where Baldur's Gate 3 may be the pinnacle of fantasy RPG games inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, Fallout: New Vegas is that for postapocalyptic RPGs. This game from Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda Softworks -- both of which are now owned by Microsoft -- first released in 2010. Despite some in-game glitches that still persist, the Xbox 360 version of Fallout: New Vegas on Xbox Game Pass is just as enthralling of a role-playing experience as it was nearly 13 years ago. The Xbox 360 version can even be played at 60 fps on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, thanks to the FPS Boost feature.
Like Baldur's Gate 3, it's a faithful follow-up to some classic CRPGs that give players a massive amount of choice as they complete their adventure however they see fit. You can have endless fun exploring the world and creating experiences that feel personal to you while dealing with its eclectic cast of factions and characters. While it's a bit rough around the edges in certain aspects, New Vegas is still one of the best RPGs ever made. As such, it's worth replaying or trying first the first time if you want to play an RPG, but can't experience Baldur's Gate 3 right now.
Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Computing

AMD’s latest V-Cache chip proves to be cheap, fast, and perfect for gaming

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D box.

AMD's surprise launch of the Ryzen 5 5600X3D is upon us -- the CPUs are hitting the shelves starting tomorrow. However, it's a very exclusive set of shelves, seeing as the CPU will only be available at Micro Center for a limited amount of time.

Based on AMD's aging AM4 platform, is this CPU a worthy contender at a time when there are newer Ryzen 7000 parts readily available? The first reviews are in, and we pretty much know the answer.
Specs and architecture