It's been a busy quarter for gaming peripheral manufacturer ROCCAT. There have been no less than five new product announcements from the Hamburg, Germany based company including the new Kone XTD, Kone Pure and LUA mice; their year isn't over yet though. This week they have also revealed the latest version of their Isku gaming keyboards: the Isku FX, which adds support for 16.8 billion colour backlighting and their propriety synergistic software ROCCAT Talk FX.
Combining the world’s smartest gaming engineering with jaw-dropping design, the ROCCAT™ Isku FX Multicolor Gaming Keyboard hands you the power to own any game the easy way -- and be legend.
ROCCAT™ Talk® COMBINE DEVICES - FOR UNSTOPPABLE POWER
ROCCAT™ Talk® lets your compatible ROCCAT™ gaming devices join forces -- for amazing Set Bonus advantages that let you play faster, win more and enjoy a more intense game. The ROCCAT™ Isku FX Multicolor Gaming Keyboard, the Kone XTD and the Kone Pure are the world's first devices to be connected with the ROCCAT™ Talk® protocol -- and they work great together.
For example, ROCCAT™ Talk® lets you take advantage of our exclusive Easy-Shift[+]™ technology like never before. Now you can use the Easy-Shift[+]™ key on your Isku FX to activate macros for both the keyboard and mouse – a one-stop short-cut that makes giving orders quicker and easier.
ROCCAT™ Talk® also lets you use our exclusive Easy-Aim technology to perfection when playing with the Isku FX and the Kone XTD or Kone Pure. When you need precise marksmanship in sniper mode, just press and hold a single Isku FX key and Easy-Aim will instantly optimize the DPI setting on your Kone XTD or Kone Pure. This unprecedented two-handed team marksmanship is the most convenient way ever to be the deadliest sniper in the game.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX LET THE ACTION FLOW STRAIGHT TO YOUR ROCCAT™ DEVICE
The powerful ROCCAT™ Talk® protocol can also forge unprecedented software and hardware alliances thanks to a bold new feature called ROCCAT™ Talk® FX, which translates on-screen game action into exciting sensory effects on your gaming hardware – for a new level of intensity-packed play.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX offers a wide range of amazing feature possibilities for compatible software and for enabled devices like the ROCCAT™ Isku FX, the Kone XTD, and the Kone Pure gaming mice. For example, with the ROCCAT™ Talk® FX Event Lighting feature, the lighting system on your device will activate in a certain color every time a corresponding in-game event occurs. Imagine getting hit with a fireball in your favorite RPG and having your Isku FX explode in glowing red bursts that dramatically mirror the on-screen attack! Or imagine getting shot with a poison-tipped arrow and having your mouse pulse in bursts of toxic green light that echo the nasty poison pumping through your veins! ROCCAT™ Talk® FX makes that kind of thrilling sensory gaming excitement a reality.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX also makes possible additional ambient lighting effects that can greatly enhance the mood and intensity of your gameplay. Imagine running through a jungle in your favorite first-person shooter and having your gaming device emanate a dark green glow that brings that jungle feel right down to your desktop -- or swimming while your mouse glows in a shimmering ocean blue. And there's much more. ROCCAT™ Talk® FX's sensory messages can also be used to get important in-game notifications in a revolutionary new way. Imagine having your gaming hardware – not just the software -- alert you when your home base is under attack, or when production of an important building is finished. A groundbreaking way to better gaming.
ROCCAT™ Talk® COMBINE DEVICES - FOR UNSTOPPABLE POWER
ROCCAT™ Talk® lets your compatible ROCCAT™ gaming devices join forces -- for amazing Set Bonus advantages that let you play faster, win more and enjoy a more intense game. The ROCCAT™ Isku FX Multicolor Gaming Keyboard, the Kone XTD and the Kone Pure are the world's first devices to be connected with the ROCCAT™ Talk® protocol -- and they work great together.
For example, ROCCAT™ Talk® lets you take advantage of our exclusive Easy-Shift[+]™ technology like never before. Now you can use the Easy-Shift[+]™ key on your Isku FX to activate macros for both the keyboard and mouse – a one-stop short-cut that makes giving orders quicker and easier.
ROCCAT™ Talk® also lets you use our exclusive Easy-Aim technology to perfection when playing with the Isku FX and the Kone XTD or Kone Pure. When you need precise marksmanship in sniper mode, just press and hold a single Isku FX key and Easy-Aim will instantly optimize the DPI setting on your Kone XTD or Kone Pure. This unprecedented two-handed team marksmanship is the most convenient way ever to be the deadliest sniper in the game.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX LET THE ACTION FLOW STRAIGHT TO YOUR ROCCAT™ DEVICE
The powerful ROCCAT™ Talk® protocol can also forge unprecedented software and hardware alliances thanks to a bold new feature called ROCCAT™ Talk® FX, which translates on-screen game action into exciting sensory effects on your gaming hardware – for a new level of intensity-packed play.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX offers a wide range of amazing feature possibilities for compatible software and for enabled devices like the ROCCAT™ Isku FX, the Kone XTD, and the Kone Pure gaming mice. For example, with the ROCCAT™ Talk® FX Event Lighting feature, the lighting system on your device will activate in a certain color every time a corresponding in-game event occurs. Imagine getting hit with a fireball in your favorite RPG and having your Isku FX explode in glowing red bursts that dramatically mirror the on-screen attack! Or imagine getting shot with a poison-tipped arrow and having your mouse pulse in bursts of toxic green light that echo the nasty poison pumping through your veins! ROCCAT™ Talk® FX makes that kind of thrilling sensory gaming excitement a reality.
ROCCAT™ Talk® FX also makes possible additional ambient lighting effects that can greatly enhance the mood and intensity of your gameplay. Imagine running through a jungle in your favorite first-person shooter and having your gaming device emanate a dark green glow that brings that jungle feel right down to your desktop -- or swimming while your mouse glows in a shimmering ocean blue. And there's much more. ROCCAT™ Talk® FX's sensory messages can also be used to get important in-game notifications in a revolutionary new way. Imagine having your gaming hardware – not just the software -- alert you when your home base is under attack, or when production of an important building is finished. A groundbreaking way to better gaming.
HUNT YOUR PREY INSTEAD OF HUNTING FOR KEYS
The Isku FX is the only keyboard in the world to feature our groundbreaking Easy-Shift[+]™ technology, which offers you the wonder of 36 easily-customizable macros strategically positioned in 3 spots in the easy-to-find WASD zone. This means you can fire off orders without ever having to re-adjust your hand position – so you won’t have to take your eyes off the screen to look for keys. Simple and ingenious.
And because the Easy-Shift[+]™ key works just like the standard shift key, activating your macros is as simple as typing an uppercase letter.
The Easy-Shift[+]™ zone gives you an impressive 28 macros keys – including 8 dedicated keys that can be doubly programmed. Plus, the ability to instantly switch between 5 profiles lets you enjoy up to a whopping 180 macros – enough customization to meet even the most demanding warrior’s needs.
GET YOUR THUMBS INTO THE FIGHT
Are all your digits in? Now you can give your thumbs something useful to do instead of just hovering over the spacebar. Our ROCCAT scientists put three individually-programmable Thumbster macro keys right below the Isku FX’s spacebar -- each easily activated with a quick thumb strike. Perfect for casting a lightning-quick healing spell in the middle of a tough fight. Brilliant for a rapid weapon change. Think of your thumbs as two new eager allies. Thumbs up to that.
RECORD MACROS MID-ACTION
New enhanced Macro Live! technology makes in-game macro recording a joy. Simply hit the dedicated Macro Live! Recording button and let the handy new Sound Feedback tool talk you through the quick and easy recording process, step by step. You can program up to an amazing 500 actions for each of the 180 macros – giving you the freedom to lay down any orders you can dream up. And you won’t have to leave your game to do it.
RECORD MACROS AT YOUR LEISURE
If recording macros using a menu-based system is more your style then our world-famous Macro Manager software is just what
you want. The award-winning Macro Manager lets you record and fine-tune your macros with incredible precision -- and with intuitive ease thanks to a gorgeous and simple-to-use interface. The new Loop Function even lets you repeat your settings up to an incredible 255 times. And the internationally-adored program even comes with presets for top games and office apps -- so you can enjoy your favorites with no wait.
JUMP INTO THE FRAY RIGHT AWAY
Save your favorite settings – button configurations, lighting level, DPI preference, etc. — in 5 handy profile slots and activate each instantaneously with the simple press of a button – so you can game your way with speed and ease. You’ll always know which profile you’ve chosen thanks to 5 bright LED profile indicators. And with the clever Sound Feedback tool, the world-famous ROCCAT™ Voice will even tell you which profile you’ve selected. You can even set a profile for Windows which the Isku FX will automatically switch back to when you’ve finished gaming.
The Isku FX is the only keyboard in the world to feature our groundbreaking Easy-Shift[+]™ technology, which offers you the wonder of 36 easily-customizable macros strategically positioned in 3 spots in the easy-to-find WASD zone. This means you can fire off orders without ever having to re-adjust your hand position – so you won’t have to take your eyes off the screen to look for keys. Simple and ingenious.
And because the Easy-Shift[+]™ key works just like the standard shift key, activating your macros is as simple as typing an uppercase letter.
The Easy-Shift[+]™ zone gives you an impressive 28 macros keys – including 8 dedicated keys that can be doubly programmed. Plus, the ability to instantly switch between 5 profiles lets you enjoy up to a whopping 180 macros – enough customization to meet even the most demanding warrior’s needs.
GET YOUR THUMBS INTO THE FIGHT
Are all your digits in? Now you can give your thumbs something useful to do instead of just hovering over the spacebar. Our ROCCAT scientists put three individually-programmable Thumbster macro keys right below the Isku FX’s spacebar -- each easily activated with a quick thumb strike. Perfect for casting a lightning-quick healing spell in the middle of a tough fight. Brilliant for a rapid weapon change. Think of your thumbs as two new eager allies. Thumbs up to that.
RECORD MACROS MID-ACTION
New enhanced Macro Live! technology makes in-game macro recording a joy. Simply hit the dedicated Macro Live! Recording button and let the handy new Sound Feedback tool talk you through the quick and easy recording process, step by step. You can program up to an amazing 500 actions for each of the 180 macros – giving you the freedom to lay down any orders you can dream up. And you won’t have to leave your game to do it.
RECORD MACROS AT YOUR LEISURE
If recording macros using a menu-based system is more your style then our world-famous Macro Manager software is just what
you want. The award-winning Macro Manager lets you record and fine-tune your macros with incredible precision -- and with intuitive ease thanks to a gorgeous and simple-to-use interface. The new Loop Function even lets you repeat your settings up to an incredible 255 times. And the internationally-adored program even comes with presets for top games and office apps -- so you can enjoy your favorites with no wait.
JUMP INTO THE FRAY RIGHT AWAY
Save your favorite settings – button configurations, lighting level, DPI preference, etc. — in 5 handy profile slots and activate each instantaneously with the simple press of a button – so you can game your way with speed and ease. You’ll always know which profile you’ve chosen thanks to 5 bright LED profile indicators. And with the clever Sound Feedback tool, the world-famous ROCCAT™ Voice will even tell you which profile you’ve selected. You can even set a profile for Windows which the Isku FX will automatically switch back to when you’ve finished gaming.
BE THE MASTER OF DARKNESS
Thanks to its off-white UV-coated keys and your choice of backlighting in 16.8 million colors and 6 adjustable brightness levels, the Isku FX makes it easy to always hit the right key -- even in low lighting. The Isku FX’s optimized illumination also means it’s perfect for avoiding eye strain during those long gaming sessions. Plus, you can program the Isku FX to automatically switch its lights off if you haven’t hit a key for a length of time of your choosing – great for when you want to take a break from your game. And did we mention Isku FX’s keyboard illumination simply looks awesome?
BE IMPRESSED WITH EVERY PRESS
The Isku FX boasts medium height keys with fully-optimized key architecture, giving you a perfect striking surface and ideal keystroke response -- for finger action that feels right every time. The 1000Hz polling rate also ensures ultra-fast keyboard response with no lag, so your commands are carried out instantaneously. And advanced anti-ghosting technology means multiple keys can be depressed simultaneously -- making sure you can take full advantage of every complex command at your disposal.
KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE SPAWN ARRIVES
The Isku comes standard with the ingenious ROCCAT™ Timer, which gives you a handy audible countdown timer for any event you wish. Among other uses, you’ll always know exactly how long it’ll be before something re-spawns on the battlefield – valuable info you can exploit for a tactical advantage.
Thanks to its off-white UV-coated keys and your choice of backlighting in 16.8 million colors and 6 adjustable brightness levels, the Isku FX makes it easy to always hit the right key -- even in low lighting. The Isku FX’s optimized illumination also means it’s perfect for avoiding eye strain during those long gaming sessions. Plus, you can program the Isku FX to automatically switch its lights off if you haven’t hit a key for a length of time of your choosing – great for when you want to take a break from your game. And did we mention Isku FX’s keyboard illumination simply looks awesome?
BE IMPRESSED WITH EVERY PRESS
The Isku FX boasts medium height keys with fully-optimized key architecture, giving you a perfect striking surface and ideal keystroke response -- for finger action that feels right every time. The 1000Hz polling rate also ensures ultra-fast keyboard response with no lag, so your commands are carried out instantaneously. And advanced anti-ghosting technology means multiple keys can be depressed simultaneously -- making sure you can take full advantage of every complex command at your disposal.
KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE SPAWN ARRIVES
The Isku comes standard with the ingenious ROCCAT™ Timer, which gives you a handy audible countdown timer for any event you wish. Among other uses, you’ll always know exactly how long it’ll be before something re-spawns on the battlefield – valuable info you can exploit for a tactical advantage.
In our reviews of the ROCCAT Kone XTD and Kone Pure, we discussed how ROCCAT Talk functionality could allow you to capitalise on the potential of these mice, and the Isku FX is the ideal keyboard to advantage of this technology as well as having excellent personal customisation. The Isku FX is priced at €99.99 inc. VAT @19%, which roughly translates to an approximate UK price of £81.50.
For more information visit ROCCAT.org, or the dedicated Facebook page which has an on-going Advent Giveaway this holiday period.
