Fnatic Launches "No-bullshit" eSports Peripherals by Acquiring Func and Starting an Indiegogo Campaign

[Verne]

Apparently Fnatic, known for their eSports team(s) have gone mad and acquired Func. In doing so, they have plans to focus on "no-bullshit" high quality gaming peripherals. That means clean aesthetics (no flashing lights or fancy designs) with focus on performance. They seem to have done it all with only a small amount of fanfare and there's hardly any mention of Func acquisition outside of an email I got about the the deal from Func themselves.

Fnatic press release: http://www.fnatic.com/content/96550

 

Their new line of peripherals include all the essentials, a mouse, a keyboard and a handful of different sized and coated mouse pads. The Mouse seems to be similar to the old Func MS-2 and sports a Pixart 3310 sensor which is the current most popular optical "flawless" sensor used by most peripheral manufacturers. The keyboard is mechanical (no surprise there) with backlighting and comes in US, UK, DE, FR and Nordics layouts. For mouse pads you have a choice between hard and cloth pads and the cloth option comes in the most common sizes (from normal to desk sized).

 

Indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fnatic-gear-esports-equipment-by-fnatic#/

 

Overall, I like the looks of the devices and I think more manufacturers need to do more of this clean and performance focused stuff. Will be interesting to see how this Fnatic-Func thing works out in the future.

 

[PlayStation 2]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

[Jade]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

not really; far from a ripoff.

"no bullshit" - read no leds/etc

"good for gaming" - only so many ways a mouse can be designed.

performs very similarly

[TechStyle]

What's going to happen with their partnership with Steelseries.

[ForsakenLive]

I liked func, hopefully they don't end up dying.

[Bogica]

I love it. Make it simple, enough LED flashing lights and gaming mice with 10 flashing LEDs in different colors. Keep it clean and if possible- affordable or at least make a cheaper series and a pro series.

[PlayStation 2]

not really; far from a ripoff.

"no bullshit" - read no leds/etc

"good for gaming" - only so many ways a mouse can be designed.

performs very similarly

I mean yeah but still, its plagiarism-levels of similarity can't possibly be a coincidence...

[JLCitadel]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

 

I have one under my hand right now, can confirm, looks identical, because it's best general mouse shape for right handed users. I hope they have braided cables, might pick one up for myself if they do. (depending on mouse sensor as well) It's also a mouse, only so many fuckn ways it can look lmao.

[That Norwegian Guy]

• Rebrands the MS-2, removes one of the DPI buttons for a singular DPI cycle button, slight back shape change, bumps price up by $4.
• Rebrands the KB-460. Does nothing else. Don't mention which Cherry MX keys it has, or if both the brown and blue version survives. Since they're idiots gentlemen of critiqueworthy decisionmaking skills, I assume the blue version is going to be the only one left.
• "Boost" gamepad (Func Surface 1030 L just rebranded) price bumped by $4.
• Func MS-3², the best mouse in the world for people with long fingers and the only one said people can palm other than a few Logitech mice, is nowhere to be seen.

And they already made the acquisition yet double-dip indiegogo.

I hope they collectively contract syfilis.

 

 

I liked func, hopefully they don't end up dying.

 

 

Sorry but that's exactly what this means.

[ThinkWithPortals]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

It's not just you.

Kind of looks like a Deathadder to me. In fact, it kind of looks like "generic FPS-mouse" to me.

[Senzelian]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

Oh noes!

It's a mouse. There aren't that many shapes.  :rolleyes:

[IMPERIUS]

why do they have a full- sized keyboard? i always loved tenkeyless or 60% versions better for gaming. pffff fnatic doesnt know anything about gaming

[SurvivorNVL]

Man.  I always wanted an MS3-2 with an optical sensor, and now their entire website is Fnatic merchandising, and branding.  Lame.

[PlayStation 2]

why do they have a full- sized keyboard? i always loved tenkeyless or 60% versions better for gaming. pffff fnatic doesnt know anything about gaming

I've never understood the point of tenkeyless gaming keyboards

[IMPERIUS]

I've never understood the point of tenkeyless gaming keyboards

 

You can have your hands closer together

[Diederik_Gr]

I've never understood the point of tenkeyless gaming keyboards

Some prefer it because it leaves you with more space for your mouse. Also not a lot of games make use of the keypad.

 

I personally do prefer full sized, but to each their own.

[APrettyCoolWalrus]

why do they have a full- sized keyboard? i always loved tenkeyless or 60% versions better for gaming. pffff fnatic doesnt know anything about gaming

Having a full-size keyboard is really nice when it comes to games like ARMA, all the zeroing buttons and zoom options are right there.

[Slinta]

I actually wanted to buy a kb 460 on cristmas, it was really cheap for a mechanical keyboard with a czech layout, does this mean it won't exist anymore ?

[LAwLz]

Rebrands the KB-460. Does nothing else. Don't mention which Cherry MX keys it has, or if both the brown and blue version survives. Since they're idiots gentlemen of critiqueworthy decisionmaking skills, I assume the blue version is going to be the only one left.

It says it right on the IndieGoGo page:

Available in Cherry MX Red, Blue, and Brown. All colors available in the following keyboard layouts: English(US), English(UK), Nordics, German, and French. Limited quantities of each available.

 

You seem a bit too eager to bash them. Read the specs before calling their decisions bad.

[EChondo]

 

• Func MS-3², the best mouse in the world for people with long fingers and the only one said people can palm other than a few Logitech mice, is nowhere to be seen.

And they already made the acquisition yet double-dip indiegogo.

I hope they collectively contract syfilis.

I bought a MS-3² last year and within 3-4 months the scroll wheel was having issues, I RMA'd and they sent out a brand new one to me without any hassle. Within 3-4 months that one started having issues too. I've been holding off on a RMA until they come out with a newer version/revision but they haven't...and now this happens....

 

They better come out with a newer MS-3² cause I don't want some Sensei ripoff, I would have bought SteelSeries from the get-go.

 

 

What did the process of product development look like?

 

We decided to scrap the rest of Func's product designs and start developing everything else from scratch.

BULLSHIT. They just rebranded Func's products! THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME!

[Saiko]

I will always welcome more competition in the anti-BS enthusiast market. As long as they treat what was Func well and only intent to push the envelope further, I'm all for it. Every single one of my peripherals are plug-n-play. I'm typing right now on my Ducky Shine 5 (used to use a Keycool 104 Hero as my daily driver). And I'm using a Zowie FK-2. I'm about to pre-order the Ducky Secret, too. Anybody else looking forward to the Secret?

[Yoinkerman]

I've never understood the point of tenkeyless gaming keyboards

Having switched somewhat recently, I prefer tkl now, my arms are more natural

[soaringchicken]

I really didn't realize fnatic had the kind of money to just, acquire companies. Alrighty.

[Alurit]

I've never understood the point of tenkeyless gaming keyboards

it makes for a more natural hand position for people who don't have very wide shoulders

[Guest Kloaked]

is it me or does that mouse look like a steelseries rival ripoff

 

Just you (and the people who 'liked' your comment who are also overestimating).

 

Func's mouse:

 

SS's mouse:

 

There's a small, minuscule resemblance, but it's a mouse.