A mans keyboard.
It’s been more than 5 years since we developed our very first mouse pad for professional gaming. Back then most people laughed when they heard we made “specialized mouse pad” (in all fairness, it wasn’t very cool to make “ordinary mouse pads” either). Why put so much effort into something as simple as mouse pads? Why spend months and months researching surfaces that were responsive, accurate and offered consistent glide? Who would ever need (or even spend money on) such a product? Any piece of cloth, rubber or plastic “even a table” would do the job equally well. During the past few years professional gaming has grown ever larger, and as mouse technologies developed from ball mice to optical and even laser, more and people have realized just how much difference an accurate and responsive mousing surface offers. Not just to the gamer demanding perfection and extreme accuracy, but for everyone who communicates with their computers by using a mouse.
We have since then released 11 mouse pads using different surface materials like aluminum, plastic and cloth, and our mouse pads have been used by teams winning international tournaments. They do make a difference. :-)
2 years ago “gaming headsets” were laughable and (often) just cheap OEM headphones with a microphone - their only connection to gaming were usually large letters saying “GAMING”, printed on the retail box. We began looking at headsets, because we wanted to create a gaming headset that would enhance in-game performance, the same ambition we had with our mouse pads.
After talking to literally hundreds of gamers, we isolated some very basic requirements that everyone wanted:
1. “Awesome” sound (duh..)
2. A microphone (which could be tugged away)
3. Comfortable full-size ear cups (at the time practically all headsets featured small ear cups that pressed on the ear, which would often become uncomfortable after extended use)
4. A headset that was easy to transport
It took us 9 months to create our first gaming headset, named SteelSound 5H (we released v2 a couple of days ago). It was a product that would have been impossible to create without help from professional gamers. During product development we talked to more than 20 professional sound-engineers, who could all create a product that could make great sound for music. But none of them could help with a gaming headset, as in-game sound frequencies and the ability to pinpoint an opponent’s location was something completely new to them. The final sound optimization was done with a number of championship gamers, especially with HeatoN from Ninjas in Pyjamas, to make sure the headset boosted the right sound frequencies to make sounds like footsteps, gunfire and alerts as clear as possible.
SteelSound 5H has since then been used by a number of teams who’ve won major international tournaments, just like our mouse pads. Our mission to create a headset that could enhance in-game performance succeeded.
Whats the point with all this? SteelSeries is all about creating professional gaming gear, our focus is “sports gear for gamers”. If we can create quality gear that enhances the gaming experience, we consider the product a success.
SteelKeys 6G, overview
Enter SteelKeys 6G, a keyboard we are releasing now. We began work on the keyboard more than 13 months ago, at the request of gamers in Asia. At the time the game o2 Jam was attracting a huge audience in that territory, a game that raised the bar for detailed and advanced key combinations. To master the game players needed to press up to 8 different keys simultaneously.
The first step in the development of the keyboard was (once again) to consult some of the many gamers we work with. What keyboard did they use? Why did they use it? What did they like about it? What didn’t they like about it? What were their requests for a keyboard? We started mapping the feedback we got from our network of gamers, and the results were interesting.
A good keyboard should:
1. Support 4-8 simultaneous key presses
2. Have keys that “felt good”
3. Be really durable (so it could be transported safely)
4. Should be “plug and play” (using custom drivers at LAN-events can be a pain)
We noticed something really interesting in the feedback, not a single gamer had asked for a more responsive keyboard. When we asked the gamers “why?!”, the response went along the lines of “aren’t they all the same?”. And with that in mind we started the actual development of the keyboard.
We wanted to create a product that could make a difference for a gamer, otherwise there simply would be no point in creating a keyboard to begin with. We quickly came to the conclusion that our keyboard should be about gaming and durability, without a lot of needless “nice-to-have” fluff. No media center controls, no Internet buttons, no “porn” backlighting, no nothing. Our keyboard should be built strong to last long, which goes against the very idea of adding fluff. The more fluff, the more stuff that can break. We also wanted to create a product that would be an integral part of a serious gamers gear, so the product had to communicate “seriousness” as well (iPod connectors and media controls are cool and nifty, but they have nothing to do with gaming).
The result speaks for it self. SteelKeys 6G looks plain and somewhat boring, just like many of our other products do (look at a SteelPad S&S, our best selling mouse pad).
SteelKeys 6G, WASD grey.
The ability to press and use a large number of keys simultaneously was our next goal for the product. To allow players to use up to 8 keys at the same time, we decided to go with PS/2 - which contains more dedicated bandwidth than USB. Using PS/2 had one more benefit: we freed up a valuable USB port. A real life-saver if you’re at a tournament with your USB headset and USB mouse only to discover that the computer you’re supposed to play on only has two USB ports (it still happens).
SteelKeys 6G, USB and PS/2.
No one at SteelSeries was under the illusion that we could invent the best switches in the world, but we were fairly confident that we could find them. After extensive testing of numerous switches, we decided to go with switches/mechanical tactiles from Cherry. Mechanical tactiles operate differently than a “standard keyboard”. The switches respond faster, since they connect and register as the key is being pressed down, as opposed to when the key is pressed to the bottom of keyboard. Using mechanical tactiles also meant a lot more durability for our switches. Standard keyboards usually boast a lifecycle of 1 to 10 million keystrokes. We built SteelKeys 6G to withstand 60 million keystrokes (for each key).
SteelKeys 6G, key disassembled.
Another important factor in our decision about switches, was the fact we could get switches plated with 18K gold. Gold is one of the most electrically conductive metals known to man. Electricity can be described as “the flow of charged particles in a current”. The more conductive a metal is the more current can flow through the metal without being slowed or delayed. Gold is able to convey electrical current even at extreme temperatures, varying from -55° to +200° centigrade. Using gold for SteelKeys 6G was an obvious decision, since we wanted to create an ultra responsive keyboard.
SteelKeys 6G, 18K gold-plated connector.
To give our keyboard extreme durability, we decided to mount all keys on a metal plate within the keyboard. The thermoplastic used to create the casing is the strongest plastic material we have ever used in a SteelSeries product. More durability was added by using a metal mesh over the wire for both the keyboard and the included PS/2 to USB converter. The wire itself was also beefed up considerably, by adding an extra thick layer of copper (this boosts bandwidth as well as wire strength).
SteelKeys 6G, close up of metal mesh.
And finally, we included a key changer and an extra keyset for all standard-sized keys. The extra keyset can give the user easier/faster visual navigation while playing. The extra keyset is neutral grey, and is really easy to switch. We also added a carrying bag, to make transportation of the keyboard easier and safer.
SteelKeys 6G, WASD close up.
SteelKeys 6G is “a mans keyboard”. It registers keystrokes faster than any of the keyboards we tested it against, it’s more durable than anything we have found on the market and it’s simple and basic to look at.
But it’s also one of the most expensive products we have ever created. We used the best components we could find on the market, which makes it more expensive than most other keyboards in the world. We expect that the heavy price tag will limit sales a lot, but we really wanted to create a hardcore product for the hardcore gamer. If that description doesn’t fit you, you would probably be better off by spending your money on something else.
SteelKeys 6G, it’s a wrap (in a bag-like).
August 21st, 2006 19:53
looks pretty damn good.. when will it be released in the States?
August 21st, 2006 20:34
looks amazing, when will it be released in the UK?
August 22nd, 2006 17:14
To be honest i think alot of gamers would take this alot more seriously if you had a technical specification to look at, and an extra keyset i would class as “nice to have fluff”. the mesh wire and the switches look awesome, id defo buy this keyboard, although backlit keys would be nice (yes its fluff but most of us gamers are insomniacs). Also the complete history of SS might be better suited in its own section, keep it short to hold our attention (unlike this post) ie “this keys is teh woot cos its got gold init + 60Mil strokes and is indestructible,better b able to type in teh dark LOLZ” thats what id put :) well written but less waffle next time eh
August 24th, 2006 08:56
as dan d said backlit light would be nice. the only thing ic that may become a problem the letters on the keys mite come off. it doesn’t look like its laser engraved. shrug i may be wrong. hopefully this can be cleared a bit. =]
August 24th, 2006 10:56
I think this keyboard has nothing more to offer above the Logitech g15.
The only thing that is handy are the changed key’s the colours for gamers. But it has no light for in the dark ore w/e. So I prefer the g15 :). You have much more for your money there.
August 26th, 2006 20:36
Looks great, now i want to test it, release date for UK? Thanks.
August 29th, 2006 03:35
tbh the extra key set isnt fluff, if u take your hand of a key in acrucial part of the game and put it back in the wrong plce your screwed but you will always see the other colour out of your eye so yours hands will eventually go to the corredt place
August 31st, 2006 00:34
I tested this product at I28 when i o-so-nearly beat mangiacapra in a 1v1 at the steelseries shootout, and in all honesty the keys were not as responcive as my basic dell KB i got 2 years ago…
Back lighting and responcive keys is all i care about, you have got it right getting rid of the ‘fluff’ and having a durable board, however some ‘fluff’ is needed for a modern gamer… at WCG this year i could not have played without my back-lit keys.
August 31st, 2006 12:07
Think its good ill be getting my clan one each.
September 1st, 2006 20:13
The enter and \ keys lost the sale for me…
September 1st, 2006 20:22
Just noticed that the 6G that GotFrag previewed and this one have different layouts. Any reason for that or can you customise that kinda stuff too?
September 6th, 2006 20:03
OMG i l0ve the video he L33T
September 7th, 2006 09:45
Mox - This is the UK layout. GotFrag got the US version afaik.
UK layout
US layout
September 13th, 2006 04:09
Does it worth the expence? You never know untill u test it, i know i cant wait to get my hands on one of those babyes! xD
September 14th, 2006 20:33
nice keybord..
September 21st, 2006 01:59
Looks damn nice… should be very good…
October 1st, 2006 08:10
A really nice keyboard, I have a IBM that is about 5-8 years old that works great but, i think this is my next buy ;)
October 17th, 2006 19:33
hey, I was one of those testing this keyboard and I think it’s really nice. only problem I’ve encountered so far is when I play need for speed -_- I need to have both the handbreak(space) and 3 arrows held down at the same time etc…then the comp freaks out with the keyboard sound ^^
October 20th, 2006 21:06
hell yeah, looks great, thats my next buy. release date in norway? tnx
October 22nd, 2006 05:13
what keyboard ever, he got the damn shit quickest hands i ever saw ( and i saw many…)
November 1st, 2006 20:19
Thats i nice, love Denmark. The best country in the world…. See you in the sunshine!!!
November 2nd, 2006 20:20
#Clymax-Gaming one of the best belgium Cs 1.6 clans are certainly going to use this keyboard!
November 10th, 2006 10:57
This keyboard actually looks 100% the same as my 10 year old keyboard…
November 15th, 2006 00:36
#Clymax-Gaming lol you guys are dead and certainly not one of the best , there are like 15 of the 15 better then you ??
November 25th, 2006 14:36
I loved the Steelpad 5L and Steelpad S&S, so I’m thinki’m gonna love this keyboard to :P
December 2nd, 2006 00:02
I’m sure that the guy posting above me gave input absolutely crucial to the further development of SteelSeries products!
December 27th, 2006 12:05
Great job guys. Love what you are doing
January 7th, 2007 03:08
good job stealseries
ill be asking for one, for next christmas ^_^
January 12th, 2007 00:05
OOOOOOOOOOFFF!!!
January 29th, 2007 16:04
hmmmm… nice i like
February 20th, 2007 17:41
silver is more electrically conductive than gold… and considerably cheaper
March 15th, 2007 02:38
ive won one in a poker tournament.. i just can say that its the best keyboard ive ever played before.. not to big, supreme quality… just the best =)
March 27th, 2007 17:57
how much its the ms?
July 4th, 2007 15:30
Really nothing to match this one. BUT it has a VERY WEAK cord fastings inside the keyboard. I’m sitting ATM trying to soilder the damm thing togther after my cat managed to run back my computer and stressing the cord. Actualy it doesn’t have any fastings at all. The cord end is just connected via a special kind of thoughs fan connecter plugs thats used for mobo/CPU fans- And that plugs into 4 metal bits just soilder on the board. Basicly thats where it goes wrong. With no other fastnings to take the stress of pulling the cord you can easly by acident rip the tiny metalrods out of the print circuit. Compared to the proffesional studiness of the rest of this neat keybord thats disapointing they didn’t think of that. Looking forward to any version where they hopefully fix this.
August 1st, 2007 22:24
I really need to know an answer on this. I bought this keyboard expecting the best quality I could find. The only problem I am having with it is the arrow keys. I am an old school QUAKE fragger converted to Counter-Strike, and I still use the default arrow keys to strafe. The problem is… well let’s say that I want to crouch walk northwest. I can’t do it. The keyboard will not register the last key pressed. So if I hold my crouch key (KP_INS) and press up then right- it will make me just crouch walk forward.
Is there a fix any of you have discovered for this, or possibly a firmware update you can shell out?
Thanks again, and by the way- I just got my SteelSeries SX and 3.0SS in the mail and they are fantastic!
August 12th, 2007 06:22
Hi, I have been hearing that there will be a new steelseries keyboard released this year and wanted to know if there is any word on an official release date or if there is any information about this new board that i could get. I play first person shooters and evidently this keyboard is geared towards them unlike the 6G.
I also see that there are 2 new windows in the keyboard section on the page with a “coming soon” text below them.
PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFO ON THESE!!! :)
August 16th, 2007 15:03
kurridGe: I’m afraid that there is no fix to this problem. The 6G allows the promised amount of keystrokes at once but the keystrokes have to be pushed in the right sectors across the keyboard to reach the amount. This is why we recommend this keyboard for RTS players (as mentioned in the FAQ) since it suits their needs perfectly opposed to FPS players that bump in to the problem you describe.
Kurt D: You can only speculate on what will be up next but yes we are planning a release of a new keyboard - when, well… Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to know ;-)
/Crash_
October 25th, 2007 22:15
:( is it gona be released in the united arab emirates :( “Dubai” ??
:(!! i play o2jam 2 =/
November 4th, 2007 00:02
Hello!
How are you?
December 4th, 2007 21:53
I got one, nice. But one thing, is there any way to shorten key stroke, anybody knows? I guess it would be nice - easy to jump, fast switch between items ets. Thanx.
December 5th, 2007 08:22
hm, maybe the 7G :D
March 20th, 2008 00:52
thats it, dude
March 22nd, 2008 21:54
Hello everybody, my name is Damion, and I’m glad to join your conmunity,
and wish to assit as far as possible.
April 12th, 2008 09:42
I’m getting a 7G. But just wanted to make comment; so it’s not a WOMANS KEYBOARD THEN? A pink glittery one with buttons for bluethooth washer and kitchen apparel remote control would be more like it? I’m a male, but none the less.
Author of entry should be a dane and us scandinavians know better than this for the most part! :)
May 1st, 2008 03:53
[…] computer game hardware manufacturer called SteelSeries.” A blog post from SteelSeries has all the hype over the 6G. Once again, Cherry keyswitches make another appearance. Sam pointed me to this review which […]
March 19th, 2009 17:55
Well, no the Keys are not laser engraved, but this was one of the first keyboards, with hte Cherry 20 Euro Keyboards, who had more then 3-4 Keys supported, and this just fucking rules.. + the inner Technique is constructed like, you can just fly around the keyboard, though I´m having mine for about 2 years and 1 Month now, and it’s still nearby like on the first months I´ve bought it.. But I´m noticing a little downgrade of the softness I´m pushing the keys down, but it is still awesome! ..
In my opinion it was the first, and is still the best keyboard to implent/invent the 8 >+ more keys on one function, and no keyboard topped it..
Maybe in G8 - 10 they can make Macros, and backlight, well but .. If you play BLIND you don´t even need the grey keys, they´re maybe just to accentate that you´re using these specific keys the most.. What I dislike about this part, is, that you´re not able to change Space, Enter, Backspace, + insert etc.. Just the small 1 CM Keys. ?
I suggest not to buy the G7 because it’s just a change in design, and its still the same as before, maybe more robuste, but the G6 is smaller, and does exactly the same.
??
This Keyboard rules, and yes, it’s a womans keyboard… I think the G15 - G20 from Logitech are WOMANKEYBOARDS fucking colors, 3-4 Keysupporting on one push, & this damn display for Ammunition, damn Im not going to watchmy keyboard while killing people in Counterstrike, neither I need modelled Cases for my PC because “Wow, this damn fucking case is so fucking beautiful.. FUCK HE KILLED ME, NOW I LOST THE CHAMPIONCHIP, FUCK!” ^.^..
See that? ..
March 19th, 2009 17:56
Well, no the Keys are not laser engraved, but this was one of the first keyboards, with hte Cherry 20 Euro Keyboards, who had more then 3-4 Keys supported, and this just fucking rules.. + the inner Technique is constructed like, you can just fly around the keyboard, though I´m having mine for about 2 years and 1 Month now, and it’s still nearby like on the first months I´ve bought it.. But I´m noticing a little downgrade of the softness I´m pushing the keys down, but it is still awesome! ..
In my opinion it was the first, and is still the best keyboard to implent/invent the 8 >+ more keys on one function, and no keyboard topped it..
Maybe in G8 - 10 they can make Macros, and backlight, well but .. If you play BLIND you don´t even need the grey keys, they´re maybe just to accentate that you´re using these specific keys the most.. What I dislike about this part, is, that you´re not able to change Space, Enter, Backspace, + insert etc.. Just the small 1 CM Keys. ?
I suggest not to buy the G7 because it’s just a change in design, and its still the same as before, maybe more robuste, but the G6 is smaller, and does exactly the same.
??
This Keyboard rules, and yes, it’s a womans keyboard… I think the G15 - G20 from Logitech are WOMANKEYBOARDS fucking colors, 3-4 Keysupporting on one push, & this damn display for Ammunition, damn Im not going to watchmy keyboard while killing people in Counterstrike, neither I need modelled Cases for my PC because “Wow, this damn fucking case is so fucking beautiful.. F*CK HE KILLED ME, NOW I LOST THE CHAMPIONCHIP, F*CK!” ^.^..
See that? ..
March 19th, 2009 17:56
Well, no the Keys are not laser engraved, but this was one of the first keyboards, with hte Cherry 20 Euro Keyboards, who had more then 3-4 Keys supported, and this just fucking rules.. + the inner Technique is constructed like, you can just fly around the keyboard, though I´m having mine for about 2 years and 1 Month now, and it’s still nearby like on the first months I´ve bought it.. But I´m noticing a little downgrade of the softness I´m pushing the keys down, but it is still awesome! ..
In my opinion it was the first, and is still the best keyboard to implent/invent the 8 >+ more keys on one function, and no keyboard topped it..
Maybe in G8 - 10 they can make Macros, and backlight, well but .. If you play BLIND you don´t even need the grey keys, they´re maybe just to accentate that you´re using these specific keys the most.. What I dislike about this part, is, that you´re not able to change Space, Enter, Backspace, + insert etc.. Just the small 1 CM Keys. ?
I suggest not to buy the G7 because it’s just a change in design, and its still the same as before, maybe more robuste, but the G6 is smaller, and does exactly the same.
??
This Keyboard rules, and yes, it’s a womans keyboard… I think the G15 - G20 from Logitech are WOMANKEYBOARDS fucking colors, 3-4 Keysupporting on one push, & this damn display for Ammunition, damn Im not going to watchmy keyboard while killing people in Counterstrike, neither I need modelled Cases for my PC because “Wow, this damn fucking case is so fucking beautiful.. F*CK HE KILLED ME, NOW I LOST THE CHAMPIONCHIP, F*CK!” ^.^..
See that? ..
March 19th, 2009 17:57
I had some fucking error with the site, I´m sorry!