ASUS CES Showcase is a free Steam game

Due to the ongoing global pandemic, this year Consumer Electronics Fair is a fully online business. Gaming hardware maker ASUS takes the show’s digital format to the extreme with ROG Citadel XV, a free download on Steam which is a (small) part of the first person shooter, part of the fancy virtual showroom.

ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, ASUS ‘sophisticated gaming brand, as seen on laptops, desktops, video cards, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards, and more. ROG Citadel XV is a high-tech base of operations for this fictitious organization, of which the player is an agent. The game begins with the player awakening in their quarters, where a cheeky robot named Omni greets them and offers to take them on tour.

The tour takes the player to a virtual showroom, where the ASUS 2021 hardware lineup is on display. Hardware like the Zephyrus Duo 15 SE, an intriguing new gaming laptop with a secondary screen that can be lifted up to open a hidden air intake to aid cooling. I discovered the Zephyrus Duo 15 by walking towards it in the game’s showroom and clicking on it.

Each product in the showroom is given its own highly detailed 3D model, with specs and details on the left and interactive elements on the right. Click on the keyboard control button to the left of the ROG Claymore II keyboard and the virtual card keys fly out, showing the soft optical switches below.

Other than exploring and clicking to find secrets, there aren’t many actual games in ROG Citadel XV. There is a shooting range, with rankings online, but there is only one gun that can be used and it is very basic.

Watch the video below for a quick non-commentary tour of the Citadel, including an overview of the shooting range.

It’s advertising, of course. ROG Citadel XVThe main reason for this product is to sell ASUS products. But damn, what an engaging way to interact with the company’s CES 2021 lineup. Give me this on a boring press release or web catalog any day.