ROCCAT's Isku FX keyboard lights up with the game

ROCCAT Studios recently revealed the latest iteration of its Isku line of gaming keyboards, which feature backlit keys for late-night sessions. Rather than just having one color to choose from, as in last year's model, the company's new Isku FX Multicolor Gaming Keyboard lights up in a range of 16.8 million colors, which can now be programmed to match in-game actions.

The key layout and basic features have remained largely unchanged since the ROCCAT's last Isku keyboard, but that's not necessarily a strike against it. This newest version still uses an Easy-Shift[+] key duplication system that allows for a total of 36 macro keys, which includes three thumbster keys, so you barely need to move your hand to run custom game commands. Up to five different macro profiles can be configured at a time, and new macro commands can be created in the middle of a game with a dedicated recording button.

The keyboard also has a 1000Hz polling rate with a 1ms response time, along with a large wrist rest and adjustable feet. It also includes timing software that will audibly alert you to certain events in the game, like when an item or weapon respawns, and is compatible with ROCCAT's achievement system, which was introduced earlier this year.

The most noticeable change is in the backlighting, which now has 16.8 million color options along with six adjustable brightness levels. As before, the Isku keyboard communicates with a compatible ROCCAT mouse for macros functions and to sync their colors, but now these colors can be programmed to match what's happening in a game. For instance, the two devices might glow red when you're hit by an enemy, or flash white when a new round is about to start. They can also be set to light up for notice from other programs or just to provide ambient lighting.

It looks like ROCCAT's new keyboard could provide an interesting (if purely cosmetic) touch to any gaming session, though gamers are sure to find the macro keys much more useful than any sort of backlighting.

ROCCAT's Isku FX Multicolor Gaming Keyboard is expected to hit store shelves this week in multiple language layouts, at a price of US$99.99.

Source: Roccat