ZOWIE Unveils First European Esports Lab
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZOWIE, the leading esports-focused brand of BenQ Corporation, proudly announces the establishment of its first European Sports Science Lab in Eindhoven. As the third lab in ZOWIE's global network, this new facility underscores the brand's commitment to applying sports science to esports peripheral design, now with strategic emphasis on Europe's burgeoning competitive scene.
ZOWIE is taking a truly scientific approach to helping European pros reach their peak. This is not just about equipment—it's about understanding performance at its deepest level.
"With the ZOWIE Sports Science Lab, we're bringing scientific methodology to help European pro players unlock their full potential,' said Jay Wu, President of BenQ Europe B.V. 'Every design is grounded in real-world player data and expert insights, reflecting our dedication to performance-driven product innovation and the future of esports.'
Leveraging motion capture and electromyography (EMG), the lab analyzes player interactions with mice, collecting data on ergonomics, joint angles, movement speed, and muscle activity. This enables personalized mouse recommendations tailored to individual playstyles and game types, letting players optimize their training based on fatigue data to maintain peak performance under prolonged competitive pressure.
Player-Centric Design, Informed by Data
Since the launch of the iconic EC series mouse, co-developed in 2010 with Swedish esports legend Emil 'HeatoN' Christensen, ZOWIE has remained committed to evolving its products through real-world player feedback. With the new Sports Science Lab, ZOWIE can assess how various mouse models align with individual gameplay styles across titles like CS2, VALORANT, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, enabling precise equipment recommendations that maximize player potential.
The lab also evaluates performance before and after fatigue sets in, helping players identify issues like reduced finger stability or imprecise deceleration control, and adapt their training accordingly. Continuous collaboration with esports athletes throughout the testing process ensures that every product generation reflects the evolving demands of actual competition.
Sports Science in Action: ZOWIE Mouse Design
Sports science insights play a central role in shaping ZOWIE's mouse designs. The U series, for instance, was designed for fast-paced games like Valorant, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, featuring a lightweight wireless build and improved claw grip feel to enhance agility and endurance.
Similarly, the EC3 goes beyond simply scaling down from EC2 to incorporate deeper sports science insights, with a restructured design that adjusts finger joint angles and side button placement to reduce fatigue during rapid clicking and avoid accidental presses. Testing has shown that these refinements help minimize strain in the wrist flexor muscles during repeated click-intensive tasks.
The DW series, ZOWIE's latest symmetrical wireless mouse, was also developed based on real-world gameplay needs and professional player testing data. Designed to support a variety of grip styles, each model in the DW series offers distinct gameplay advantages. For example, DW-FK variants excel during repeated micro-adjustments, providing greater precision and long-term comfort in FPS games that require strong aiming.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Innovation Through Research
ZOWIE has long been devoted to innovating esports technology, holding numerous patents and continually evolving its product design philosophy. The launch of the new European Sports Science Lab marks a milestone in ZOWIE's product innovation journey.
With the European esports market experiencing exponential growth – projected to reach USD 4.3 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 11.04% from 2025 to 2033 1 – ZOWIE is committed to expanding its research efforts to deliver tailored gear and training recommendations that adapt to the evolving demands of players.
About ZOWIE / BenQ Corporation
Established in 2008, ZOWIE is a top esports brand for professional players, focusing on player-centric design and dedicated to providing esports gear for professional FPS players. In 2015, ZOWIE joined BenQ Corporation, combining its expertise with BenQ's robust R&D resources and leading panel manufacturing capabilities. ZOWIE remains committed to driving excellence in product design through scientific research. With 70% of professional players using ZOWIE products, the brand continues to successfully deliver serious gear technology to global players. For more information, please visit: https://zowie.benq.eu/en-eu/mouse.html
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business Insider
"We can turn Africa into a 'heaven' in the next five years" — Dangote
Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has urged Africans to adopt bold thinking and a long-term mindset, asserting that the continent could be transformed into a 'heaven' within just five years. Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, advocates for bold thinking and long-term vision to transform the continent within five years. Dangote emphasized that Africans must believe in their potential to make the continent productive and growth-focused. He has spearheaded major investments, including the $20 billion Dangote Refinery in Lagos, the world's largest single-train oil refinery. Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has urged Africans to adopt bold thinking and a long-term mindset, asserting that the continent could be transformed into a 'heaven' within just five years. He made the remarks on Friday while speaking at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). 'We can actually turn Africa into a heaven in the next five years. It doesn't take time. Like I keep saying: You need to think big, and then you grow big,' Dangote stated. 'We African champions should know that we are the only people who can make Africa great. Nobody will do that for us. So, as such, we need to make sure that we concentrate. We believe in our own continent. The job of people like us is not about amassing wealth. It's about creating wealth," he said. Africa's foremost industrialist has long championed investments in the continent's development. His commitment recently drew praise from the Nigerian government for prioritizing national advancement over the allure of tech windfalls. Rather than betting on global giants like Amazon, Microsoft, or Google, investments that could have boosted his net worth to $120 billion, Dangote chose instead to build the world's largest single-train oil refinery in Lagos. Reshaping Africa's energy future Valued at $20 billion, the Dangote Refinery is now Africa's biggest and a transformative force in the region's energy sector. Although delayed for several years, the refinery officially began production of diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel in January last year, followed by petrol production in September. The massive facility surpasses the capacity of Europe's 10 largest refineries. According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dangote's oil push in Nigeria is already starting to disrupt the European oil market. Economists suggest that the Dangote refinery could potentially end the long-standing gasoline trade from Europe to Africa, which is valued at $17 billion annually. Earlier this year, Aliko Dangote projected that his conglomerate is on track to generate $30 billion in total revenue next year, despite growing concerns among global businesses about the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.
Time Magazine
8 hours ago
- Time Magazine
Fornite Players Could Be Due a Refund—How to File Your Claim
Players of Epic Games, Inc.'s popular video game Fortnite could be eligible for a refund from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). "The Federal Trade Commission is sending refunds totaling more than $126 million to players of the popular video game Fortnite who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game," the FTC said in a statement on Wednesday. This latest round of payments come after $72 million was issued out to players in the first round of refunds, sent in December 2024. The deadline for additional claims has been extended, allowing further eligible consumers, who have not yet submitted a claim, the chance to request a refund. The FTC's action against Epic involves "two separate record-breaking settlements." In December 2022, it was announced that Epic would have to pay $245 million in refunds for "tricking users into making unwanted charges." The FTC alleged that the gaming company 'used dark patterns to trick players into making unwanted purchases and let children rack up unauthorized charges without any parental involvement.' The FTC further alleged that Fortnite's 'counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration' aided in these unwanted purchases. It was also announced that Epic would be required to pay a $275 million penalty for "violating" the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Epic issued a statement regarding the settlement in December 2022. 'The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount,' the statement read. 'Statutes written decades ago don't specify how gaming ecosystems should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough.' The company went on to say: "Over the past few years, we've been making changes to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry." Here's what you need to know about whether you're eligible to file a claim and how you can go about doing that. Who is eligible to file a claim? If you filed a claim after Feb. 14, 2025, you don't need to do anything else right now, per the FTC's instruction, as they are "still reviewing claims filed after that date and will provide more information soon." For those who haven't already filed, Fortnite players who were charged for 'unwanted purchases' may be eligible to seek a refund. The first eligible party is someone who was charged 'in-game currency' for items they did not want, between January 2017 and September 2022. The second is a parent whose child made charges in Fortnite using their credit card, without their knowledge, between January 2017 and November 2018. The third is a player who was locked out of their account when they complained to their credit card company about 'wrongful charges' between January 2017 and September 2022. Players of all ages are eligible for the refund, but the FTC stipulates that those under 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out the claimant form on their behalf. The refund is also currently only available to players in the United States. When is the deadline to make a claim and apply for a refund? The FTC has reopened the claiming process for eligible people to submit a refund request. People now have until July 9 to file a claim. How can you apply for a refund? Eligible persons can apply for a refund via the official Fortnite refund website, using either a claim number sent to their email address or their Epic Games account ID. In December 2024, the FTC said the average refund amount that an individual would receive was $114, but it now says that the amount of each refund depends on multiple factors, including how many people file a claim. When can you expect to receive payment? The next round of refunds are expected to be sent to players in 2026, after all claims are validated. Claimants can reach a representative through the email admin@ or by calling number 1-833-915-0880, if they have questions about their payment status. The refunds are due to be sent by check or via PayPal from the FTC. It's recommended that successful claimants cash checks within 90 days and redeem the PayPal payment within 30 days.
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford's smallest pickup truck, a popular hybrid, finally gets a grip
I could fit four others in this cabin and bring home a hefty haul from a Swedish, flat-packed furniture store. I could do a heavy Saturday morning bulk-retail run in the morning and navigate with ease Toronto's congested downtown core in the afternoon. I could head out to visit friends in rural Ontario in the evening. And I could do all this without blowing the bank; this capable compact vehicle is miserly on fuel. Driving the refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid, I'm reminded of how pragmatic this compact pickup truck is. From winding back-roads to highways to smallish parking spaces, the feeling of 'I know it's a truck, but it feels and drives like a car' is a constant. The refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid is a practical alternative in the crowded world of compact crossovers. At roughly two-thirds the price of the average new vehicle in Canada — this clocked in at more than $60,000 in 2024 — it's a smart-sized pickup truck for urban life. The all-wheel drive version consumes just 0.1 litres of fuel more per 100 km than the front-wheel drive vehicle. The 2025 model is Ford's mid-cycle refresh. Ford said Maverick hybrid-buyers yearned for more than front-wheel drive. So that's what they're getting. Inside, the highlight is a new 13.2-inch infotainment system, nearly double the size of the previous eight-inch version. It's quick and responsive and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are lightly refreshed exterior styling cues to modernize the vehicle's appearance. Although there are still hard plastic bits on the interior, practicality scores high. On the road, the all-wheel-drive version handles similar to the front-wheel drive vehicle; it's fairly smooth, sturdy and comfortable and has ample power. It is in inclement weather and less-than-ideal driving conditions that the all-wheel-drive version comes into its own. Having power available to each wheel coupled with a terrific hybrid system truly is the best of worlds. The Maverick feels more like a car than a pickup truck. It's small footprint makes it easy to manoeuvre, especially in highly congested urban areas and it can be a viable alternative to a compact crossover. It's not cumbersome. There's no feeling of rumbling down the road. This small and sensibly sized truck is more than enough for most needs. All hybrid versions use Ford's continuous variable transmission. The front-wheel drive hybrid system can tow up to 2,000 pounds. The all-wheel drive vehicle can double that, if you choose the tow package. Payload in the 4.5-foot bed — that is the amount of weight that can safely be put there — is 1,500 pounds for front-wheel drive and 1,400 pounds for all-wheel drive. So, yes, this Maverick does all the things a pickup truck does, even though it is relatively small. Glancing at the bigger picture, the overall Maverick lineup includes a nonhybrid trim, an off-road variant and a 'street-truck' version, new for 2025, called the Lobo. As one of just two compact pickup trucks in the Canadian market — the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the other — Ford has quite the breadth of offerings in this niche market. With a starting price of less than $40,000, the all-wheel drive hybrid Maverick is an smart option for those who want cheap and cheerful paired with capable and confident. Type: Four-door compact pickup truck; front-engine, front or all-wheel drive Engine: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder; 191 horsepower, 151 pounds-feet of torque (motive force) Fuel: 5.8 litres/100 km in the city; 6.9l/100 km on the highway; 6.3l/100 km combined Transmission: Continuous Variable Cargo: 1,500 pounds payload capacity Towing: 2,000 to 4,000 pounds Price: $37,100 all-wheel drive
