For friends who are playing real-time online games or hang up, one of the most fearful situations may be that sometimes they temporarily leave the computer screen for something (such as eating). If they do not move for too long, the system may determine it as “idle” (AFK, Away From Keyboard), which may result in being kicked out of the room, or the task may fail, and the progress may be reset to zero. This problem has troubled countless players for many years, and the Internet is full of various DIY solutions: such as using rubber bands to fix the handle, using things to press the buttons, etc…. all kinds of methods are used. However, McDonald’s Turkey recently launched a creative game accessory called “Archie”. This device is inspired by McDonald’s iconic M-shaped Golden Arches, which cleverly solves the problem of players being kicked while eating.
Product Design: Transforming Brand Symbols into Gaming Weapons
The main purpose of Archie is also very simple. It can mainly solve the problem of players hanging up while eating. According to the official description of McDonald’s Turkey, the working principle of this device is quite intuitive: by attaching it to the left and right analog sticks of the game controller, it allows the game character to maintain continuous movement. Even if the player has left the screen to pick up a burger or fries, there will be no penalty due to the system detecting idleness.
This accessory was designed by TBWA\Istanbul, a well-known Turkish creative agency, and its shape is directly taken from McDonald’s most recognizable brand symbol: the golden arches. The arc structure of the arch is in line with ergonomics. It is not only beautiful, but also firmly “bridges” the two joysticks together, generating continuous character movement signals. Archie’s flexible design allows it to be used with most mainstream game controllers on the market, so players don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
This creative accessory with both funny and practical value is not sold independently, according to McDonald’s Turkeyannouncement, consumers must purchase the “Pro Gamer Menu” to receive a free Archie device. This limited-edition meal includes: a classic Big Mac® burger, a medium fries, a medium Coca-Cola, and eight onion rings. Simply put, it’s a complete McDonald’s classic meal plus onion rings. And it is only given away through delivery channels for a limited time, and is not currently available in physical stores (counting as event gifts to promote delivery).
Players in other markets around the world: Regret that we are temporarily out of luck
For gamers around the world who also want this AFK accessory, the bad news is: this Archie accessory is currently only available in the Turkish market, and players in other parts of the world are temporarily unable to experience it. McDonald’s officials have made it clear that there are currently no plans to expand Archie to other markets. This means that if players outside Turkey want to obtain this golden arches-shaped game artifact, the only way at present is to fly to Turkey in person and order delivery, or wait for McDonald’s in other regions to follow up on the event (waiting for manufacturers on the other side to copy it may be faster).
McDonald’s Turkey has also officially produced an introductory video. If it hadn’t been for the event starting yesterday, otherwise I would have thought it was an April Fool’s Day joke (so ridiculous). Do you think this accessory is practical?
Source: KOCPC Chinese