Streaming has seen a massive rise over the past decade, transitioning from a niche pastime into an increasingly mainstream way to consume entertainment. With that, more companies are starting to pay attention, as brand deals with popular streamers and personalities become more lucrative. It's one of the reasons streamers like Ninja earn massive exclusivity agreements. However, smartwatch creator Garmin has a slightly different idea.
Garmin is releasing a new version of its Instinct smartwatch custom-tailored for gamers, specifically streamers and esports players. Dubbed the Instinct Esports Edition, the watch is compatible with Garmin's "Str3amUp" software, which allows streamers to actively display their heart rate while playing games, as well as tracking how stressed a player gets. The Instinct Esports Edition also features a "Body Battery" that monitors biometric data to determine when a player should get some rest.
According to Garmin, the watch's battery can last up to 80 hours while in esports mode or as much as 14 days while in smartwatch mode. It has a black and red design, similar to some of Garmin's other watches, and is intended to be light enough to not be a distraction while playing games. On top of the esports features, the Instinct Esports Edition also has some standard smartwatch benefits, like notifications when paired to a phone.
The Instinct Esports Edition is available now, with a recommended retail price of $299. The smartwatch landscape is already pretty packed, with Apple, Samsung, and many other brands offering their own options for those looking for an extension of their phone, so Garmin will undoubtedly have some competition to overcome. Of course, a watch tailored specifically to streamers and esport players is something of a novel concept, so it may carve out its own niche.
A mainstream consumer electronics company — especially one that has traditionally focused on hikers and outdoor sports — like Garmin launching a smartwatch for gaming is a sign of the times. Video game revenue has become a massive slice of the entertainment pie, steadily overtaking other facets of the industry like movies and TV. It makes sense that a consumer electronics company would want to get in on that, though it isn't yet clear how much appeal it will have to its intended audience.
The ability to display biometric data is interesting, but it seems like something that horror streamers would get the most out of, rather than esports players. Competitive games can be pulse-pounding, but it doesn't necessarily seem like information viewers would be all that interested. Of course, it's up to streamers to determine if they want to show it, as they know their audiences best.
Source: Garmin