SteelSeries

SteelSeries (styled as steelseries) is a Danish manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, including headsets, keyboards, mice, and gaming surfaces. Their products were styled as steelseries

SteelSeries
TypeApS (Anpartsselskab): private limited company
IndustryVideo games
Computer hardware
PC gaming
Consumer electronics
Application software
Professional Gaming
ESports
Founded2001 (2001)
FounderJacob Wolff-Petersen[1]
Headquarters
Frederiksberg
,
Denmark
Key people
Ehtisham Rabbani (CEO)
Tino Soelberg (CTO)
Oluf Riddersholm (CFO)
Rune Berendtsen (CIO) Melissa Tomlinson (VP)
Pat Wachendorf
Jeff Mahlmeister
Zach B. Hill
ProductsGaming peripherals and accessories: headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers, and gaming surfaces
Websitesteelseries.com

History

SteelSeries was founded in 2001 by Jacob Wolff-Petersen.[2] The company's original name was Soft Trading, and it was changed to SteelSeries in 2007.[3] Soft Trading made the Icemat and SteelPad mouse mats, the latter of which influenced the company's eventual name change. In 2008, SteelSeries acquired Ideazon, a North America-based developer and manufacturer of gaming peripherals.[4][5]

Michael von Essen-Mueller, the company's first CEO, helped the company establish its brand and grow to a global footprint. In 2007, SteelSeries hired Bruce Hawver as CEO.[6] The company saw tremendous growth over the next five years as it expanded its portfolio and channels,[7] developed the SteelSeries Engine platform, and added partnerships across the esports and the gaming ecosystem [8][9][10]

In 2012, SteelSeries received investments of undisclosed amounts from U.S.-based private equity firm Catterton Partners and China-based private equity firm ClearVue Partners.[11]

Their popular products include their Rival and Sensei series of mice, Arctis headsets, and Apex keyboards. They also have made 5XL mousepads (QcK line).

In April 2020, SteelSeries acquired Nahimic audio software developer, A-Volute.[12]

Team and player sponsorships

SteelSeries supports a number of electronic sports teams and individuals through sponsorships and community support.[13][14] Sponsored teams include FaZe Clan, Evil Geniuses, Vitality, EDward Gaming, Alliance, among others. Past sponsorships include Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen and Tom "Tsquared" Taylor in 2011.[13][15]

Partnerships

SteelSeries has held partnerships with major companies in the gaming industry, including Blizzard Entertainment,[16] Electronic Arts,[17] Hewlett-Packard (HP),[18] Gunnar Optiks,[19] Valve (Steam),[20] and MSI.[21]

References
  1. "Private Equity Firm Axcel Acquires Majority Stake in SteelSeries". The Esports Observer｜home of essential esports business news and insights. 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  2. "How to bootstrap from zero to 50 million $: SteelSeries founder Jacob Wolff-Petersen" (Interview). Whiteboardmag.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  3. "Soft Trading ApS Changes Name To SteelSeries ApS" (Press release). SteelSeries.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  4. "Gaming Accessories Industry Just Got Better, as SteelSeries Acquires Ideazon Inc. in an Asset Transaction" (Press release). Businesswire.com. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  5. Coldewey, Devin (2008-07-29). "Steelseries acquires Ideazon; bigger, better accessories forthcoming". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  6. "SteelSeries Appoints Bruce Hawver New Chief Executive Officer". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  7. "SteelSeries Takes On The U.S Gaming Market". Twice. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  8. "News - PAX 2009 Interview: SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawver". Co-Optimus. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  9. "The Official Website for TechtalkRadio - Audio Interview with Bruce Hawver of SteelSeries". TechtalkRadio. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  10. "SteelSeries to unveil line of gaming headsets at E3 2013". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  11. "ClearVue Partners Completes Investment in SteelSeries" (Press release). cvcap.com. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  12. Bonshor, Gavin. "SteelSeries Acquires A-Volute, Company Behind Nahimic Audio Software". www.anandtech.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  13. "SteelSeries Announces Exclusive Sponsorship of Professional Gamer, Manuel Grubby Schenkhuizen" (Press release). Reuters. 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  14. "Steelseries And Major League Gaming Announce Partnership And Collaboration" (Press release). Gamasutra. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  15. "SteelSeries Announces Sponsorship of Professional Halo 3 Player, Tom `Tsquared` Taylor" (Press release). Reuters. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  16. "Steelseries Prepares Players For The Launch Of Blizzard Entertainment'S Starcraft® Ii: Wings Of Libe" (Press release). bit-tech.net. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  17. "SteelSeries and EA Introduce iOS and Android Headset for Real Racing 3" (Press release). Prweb.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  18. "HP unveils a new class of Windows 10 gaming devices". Windows Experience Blog. 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  19. "SteelSeries GUNNAR Optiks Desmo Review". VGRevolution. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  20. "SteelSeries and Valve® Corporation Introduce the SteelSeries QcK+ DotA 2 Edition" (Press release). Sys-con.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  21. https://steelseries.com/engine/msi
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.