A new performance enhancing drug hits the market; for gamers
Tomarni, a small German enthusiast PC builder, caught gamers eyes late last year when it released a brand of ultra-quiet "stealth" computers that were highly-configurable and could sport top-end configurations. Now Tomarni is making news with gamers in a new, different, and a tad bit weird way: drugs.
The company is incredibly excited about its new drugs, which are specifically formulated for professional gamers looking for an edge. The drugs were developed through a partnership with the Free University Berlin. Tomarni is marketing the pills under the trade name FpsBrain.
Tomarni is very secretive about exactly what is in its literally mind-altering pills, but it will say its not traditional stimulants.
Traditionally gamers have relied on substances such as stimulants such as nicotine, ginseng, coffee, or guarana to increase their reaction speeds. However these drugs also leave the user twitchy and dehydrated. Supplementing such regiments with Berocca and other hangover meds is anecdotally stated to help decrease the dehydration, but many drug using pro-gamers struggle to deal with its effects. Some gamers have even allegedly turned to using controlled substances adderol or amphetamines, which can have even more severe effects, aside from the pertinent legal issues.
Tomarni says that its pills deliver a similar effect to traditional stimulants -- heightened focus, but do so without the shakiness and dehydration. They are manufactured in Germany and contain only "internationally tested and approved" ingredients.
All the employees of Tomarni take the pills at least four times a week, according to the company's press release sent to DailyTech. This helps their employees be more productive as well as gain an edge when gaming.
The pills are being distributed by Tomarni in a bottle containing 60 capsules including a 110 percent money-back-guarantee. The bottle retails for €19.90 (about $30).
The professional gaming industry is evolving into a big money business, with teams of salaried professional players competing on U.S. TV and pro-gamers in South Korea earning $100,000 or more a year. Advertiser revenue is starting to flow into the field.
It should be interesting to see as the sport legitimize how it deals with the thorny issues of performance enhancing drug use and their repercussions in terms of fairness and user health. Who knows, perhaps the pro-gaming industry may become the next Major League Baseball and turn a blind eye to the topic until a big ugly crisis is staring it in the face.
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