Due to the ongoing global pandemic, this year Consumer Electronics Show is a completely online business. The game hardware maker ASUS takes the digital format of the program to the extreme with ROG Citadel XV, a free download on Steam featuring one (small) part first person shooter, one part fancy virtual hardware showroom.
ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, ASUS ‘flashy gaming brand, as seen on laptops, desktops, video cards, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards and more. ROG Citadel XV is a high-tech base of operations for this fictitious organization, of which the player is an operator. The game begins with the player waking up in their neighborhoods, where an audacious robot named Omni greets them and offers to take them on a tour.
The tour takes the player to a virtual showroom, where ASUS ‘2021 hardware series will be on display. Hardware like the Zephyrus Duo 15 SE, an intriguing new laptop with a secondary screen that can be lifted to open a hidden air inlet to promote cooling. I learned about the Zephyrus Duo 15 by walking into the game’s showroom and clicking on it.
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Each product in the showroom gets its own very detailed 3D model, with specifications and details on the left and interactive items on the right. Click on the keyboard switch factoid on the left side of the ROG Claymore II keyboard and the key caps on the virtual board will fly down and show the sweet optical switches underneath.
Other than investigating and clicking secrets, there are not many real games in there ROG Citadel XV. There is a shooting range, complete with online rankings, but there is only one usable rifle and it is very rudimentary.
Watch the video below for a quick commentary-free tour of the Citadel, including a quick look at the shooting gallery.
This is of course advertising. ROG Citadel XVThe main reason for existence is to sell ASUS stuff. But damn, what an engaging way to communicate with the company’s CES 2021 series. Give it to me every day via a boring press release or web catalog.