What is Roccat? The Company of Hardware Gaming

ROCCAT was a prominent German company that carved a significant niche in the world of high-performance gaming hardware and PC accessories. Founded in 2006 by René Korte in Hamburg, Germany, ROCCAT rapidly ascended to become one of the most respected brands among PC gamers, particularly within the European market. The company distinguished itself through its innovative designs, proprietary technologies, and a profound understanding of the specific demands of the gaming community.

What is ROCCAT?

Established by René Korte, a former VP of Europe at Razer, ROCCAT was built on a vision to create gaming peripherals that truly catered to the needs of gamers. This gamer-centric philosophy permeated every aspect of the company, from product design to software development, fostering a loyal following among enthusiasts.

Key Facts About ROCCAT

• Founded: 2006 in Hamburg, Germany

• Founder: René Korte (a visionary with prior experience at Razer)

• Industry Focus: Specialized in PC gaming peripherals, including mice, keyboards, headsets, mousepads, and various accessories.

• Global Presence: Operated with offices strategically located in Germany, Taiwan, and the USA, reflecting its international ambitions.

• Team Size: Employed approximately 110 individuals (as of 2016), a testament to its dedicated workforce.

• Strategic Acquisition: Acquired by Turtle Beach Corporation in 2019, marking a new chapter in its journey.

• Brand Integration: Officially merged into Turtle Beach in 2024, signifying a consolidation within the gaming hardware landscape.

Also Read: Stake Your GAME | Earn GAME Staking Rewards

ROCCAT Legacy, Popular Gaming Products

ROCCAT garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional gaming peripherals, particularly excelling in the realms of gaming mice and keyboards. Here are some of the most celebrated and highly-regarded products that cemented ROCCAT's reputation:

ROCCAT Kone Pro Air

A featherlight (75g) wireless gaming mouse engineered for speed and precision. It features the responsive Titan Switch Optical, the accurate Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor, dual connectivity options (2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth), an impressive battery life exceeding 100 hours, and captivating AIMO RGB lighting showcased through a translucent design.

ROCCAT Kone Aimo Remastered

A wired mouse that harmoniously blends the iconic Kone ergonomic shape with the precision of the Owl-Eye optical sensor (up to 16,000 DPI). It also incorporates the innovative Easy-Shift button, effectively doubling the functionality of its buttons, and immersive AIMO lighting with four distinct light strips.

ROCCAT Burst Pro

Celebrated for its ultra-lightweight honeycomb shell (68g), the rapid and durable Titan Switch Optical, and the virtually drag-free PhantomFlex cable. It also boasts heat-treated mouse feet for superior glide and a high-performance 16K Owl-Eye sensor.

ROCCAT Burst Pro Air

The wireless iteration of the Burst Pro, maintaining its symmetrical design and adding water- and dust-resistant Bionic Shell. It features the Titan Switch Optical, a long-lasting battery of up to 100 hours, vibrant AIMO lighting with four RGB zones, and a convenient Phantom Flex USB-C charging cable.

ROCCAT Kone XP Air RGB

An ergonomically designed wireless mouse offering extensive customization with 10 individual buttons and 29 programmable inputs via the Easy-Shift function, catering to diverse gaming needs.

ROCCAT Burst Core Optical Core

A budget-friendly yet high-performing lightweight symmetrical mouse (68g) that incorporates ergonomic design principles and features typically found in more premium offerings.

Key ROCCAT Product Lines

ROCCAT established itself as a leader in several key gaming peripheral categories:

Keyboards

The acclaimed Vulcan series stood out with its proprietary Titan Switch Optical technology, delivering ultra-fast response times and exceptional durability (rated for up to 100 million keystrokes).

Mice

The popular Kone and Burst series were meticulously engineered for precision, speed, and ergonomic comfort, catering to various grip styles and gaming preferences.

Headsets

The Elo series provided gamers with immersive audio experiences and comfortable designs for extended gaming sessions.

Mousepads

The Sense series offered surfaces optimized for gaming performance, ensuring smooth tracking and precise control.

Software

ROCCAT Swarm served as a unified software suite, empowering users to customize device settings, RGB lighting, macros, and profiles in a centralized interface.

The Transition, From ROCCAT to Turtle Beach

In a strategic move in 2019, Turtle Beach Corporation, a prominent US-based gaming audio company, acquired ROCCAT for $19.2 million. This acquisition positioned ROCCAT as Turtle Beach's dedicated PC gaming brand, aiming to leverage synergies and expand their collective reach and innovation within the PC gaming market.

A significant development occurred in April 2024 when Turtle Beach announced the official retirement of the ROCCAT brand name. This marked a transition where many of ROCCAT's iconic and successful product lines, including Vulcan keyboards, Kone and Burst mice, and Sense mousepads, would continue under the established Turtle Beach brand.

Despite the brand retirement, support and software for existing ROCCAT products remain available. Turtle Beach introduced Swarm II, a unified software platform that replaces the original ROCCAT Swarm, supporting both legacy ROCCAT products and new Turtle Beach PC peripherals.

Furthermore, ROCCAT's social media and community channels have been rebranded as "Turtle Beach PC," ensuring a continued connection with the gaming community under the new banner.

Also Read: How to Buy GAME by Virtuals (GAME)

ROCCAT Esteemed Reputation in the Gaming World

ROCCAT solidified its position as a respected and influential brand within the gaming peripheral market:

Market Leader

Achieved recognition as one of the top 10 best-selling gaming peripheral brands in Europe, demonstrating its strong market presence and consumer appeal.

Brand Recognition

Frequently ranked among the top 4 brands in Germany for awareness, buying behavior, and preference in the categories of gaming keyboards and mice, highlighting its strong domestic market.

Industry Accolades

Garnered numerous editorial awards and received high praise from gamers and industry experts alike. Notably, ROCCAT was honored with the prestigious German Founders Award (Deutscher Gründerpreis) in 2016, acknowledging its entrepreneurial success and innovation.

Conclusion

ROCCAT was a true pioneer in the realm of gaming hardware, characterized by its unwavering commitment to quality, relentless innovation, and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of PC gamers. While the ROCCAT brand name has been retired, its core values, innovative spirit, and popular product lines live on under the Turtle Beach umbrella. This ensures that PC gamers will continue to benefit from ROCCAT's enduring legacy of performance-driven design and cutting-edge technology.

FAQ

What exactly was ROCCAT?

ROCCAT was a German company founded in 2006 that specialized in creating high-performance gaming hardware and PC accessories, including mice, keyboards, headsets, and mousepads.

Was ROCCAT a German company?

Yes, ROCCAT was a German company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.

What were some of ROCCAT's most popular product lines?

Some of ROCCAT's most popular product lines included the Kone and Burst series of gaming mice, the Vulcan series of gaming keyboards, and the Elo series of gaming headsets.