Serious video gamers would tell you that their chair is almost as important as their actual console or PC rig. Second to those things, there’s the fuel that they need to keep going through marathon gaming sessions.
McDonald’s is covering both of those by introducing not only a new menu item in the U.K., but commemorating it with a gaming chair that has so many components that it’s practically a whole kit on its own.
The McCrispy chair, named after the eponymous sandwich, is head-to-toe branded with black-and-gold McDonalds imagery, and includes the following bells and whistles:
- A holder for French fries
- A drink holder
- Two dip holders
- A box that keeps your McCrispy (or any McDonald’s sandwich) warm while you’re gaming
- A built-in napkin holder with two branded reusable napkins
- Modular armrests so users can configure the setup to their liking
Also, the whole thing is made with a stain-proof leather, so gamers don’t have to worry about ketchup, mayo, soda or grease getting on their swanky new chair.
McDonald's really made a gaming chair called the "McCrispy" pic.twitter.com/L4t6pQxFiv
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) November 7, 2022
It’s not quite a console on its own that keeps food warm, but it’s a close second.
Before everyone rushes to McDonald’s social media pages or restaurants in the hopes of getting one, it’s a giveaway prize in the U.K. tied in with the new menu item. So, you can’t just go buy one (or steal it from the back room of a restaurant if you work there).
According to Gizmodo, there’s only one in existence, and it’s not even clear how to win it just yet. But, it exists out there, and it’s an amazing spectacle of a lot of different trends in promo: The over-the-top ways fast food restaurants have been marketing themselves, eco-friendly products (reusable napkins), and some sort of social media tie-in and exclusivity factor.
Elsewhere in gaming, Microsoft just teamed up with Marvel for special branded Xbox Series X consoles and accessories to promote the new “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” film, as well as encourage people to consider careers in STEM, according to DualShockers.
Like McDonald’s, the branded console and controllers are prizes for a giveaway event through movie theater screenings across the country.
The possibilities for video game promos go beyond just cables, headsets or even in-game apparel.
It doesn’t have to be an Inspector Gadget-quality chair, but it should at least fulfill a direct need and play into what video gamers want in a product.
