Canadian startup Formify is trying to bring 3D printing to eSports' biggest stage
Oct. 24, 2022 - Canadian startup Formify is trying to bring3D printing to the biggest stage of eSports, according to Mohou.com. The company is now 3D printing custom mice and has sent its products to well-known YouTube users and Twitch hosts for review. This advancement could make it easier for gamers around the world to get custom gear and continue to expand the use of 3D printing in the gaming world!
CAD image of a Formify 3D printed mouse
The gaming industry is a huge business, expected to be worth $200 billion by the end of 2022. E-sports accounts for a portion of that, at approximately $1.38 billion, representing a small but significant segment.
When Formify wanted to break into this market, it wanted to change the way gaming mice are designed. Specifically, the company wanted to solve the problem of lack of customization when ordering mice. Currently, there is a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to mass-producing gaming mice. Yes, it becomes cheaper to produce mice this way, but you realize that you have more control and comfort when gaming with a device that is customized for your hand. These small differences may not matter to casual gamers, but when you're playing DOTA 2 in the arena for a tournament prize pool worth $47.79 million, you're going to need devices that allow you to perform at your best.
That's why Formify partnered with additive manufacturing service Hubs.com to begin developing and manufacturing its custom gaming mouse. The pair used Formify's innovative hand drawing software and Hubs' various 3D printers to build the prototypes. After iterating through a number of manufacturing methods, the pair ultimately chose to print the mouse using HP's Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology. This printing method allowed them to print complex, handcrafted meshes at the quality and specifications required by top eSports players. The technology also provides the compatibility necessary to reduce the cost per part, demonstrating HP's ability to penetrate markets that are difficult to access from a cost perspective with other technologies.
△Formify's 3D printed mouse using Multi Jet Fusion printer
So far, Formify has created and sent 15 beta products to gamers on YouTube and Twitch, and plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign near the end of the year. Eventually, the company hopes to sell its products to professional and casual gamers and expand its product line to include office ergonomics and medical sports.
If Formify is successful, it will be one of the first companies in the field to mass customize consumer products, but this is far from the first time 3D printed gaming devices have been used. another promising area of development for 3D printed custom products is 3D printed gaming devices for people with disabilities. caleb Kraft of Make Magazine, along with Ben Heck and Akaki Caleb Kraft of Make Magazine and Ben Heck and Akaki Kuumeri have been modifying devices to expand the possibilities for more people to play video games. Most are non-destructive modifications that fit on top of the controller and can be modified to meet a range of needs. Some examples are shown below, and you're sure to be intrigued by the cool grips.
△ Akaki Kuumeri's 3D printed one-handed gaming station controller unit
This could also be an avenue for Formify to explore in the future. If it has the ability to build a custom mouse for that user by taking a photo of a human hand, then it could also use this technology to build a mouse/gaming rig for people with physical disabilities. We want to see more people enjoying gaming, and Formify has the potential to make that a reality.
