Movement Control Order: Why not just bring the Cybercafe home with you?

Most Malaysians around the country are currently working remotely (or not working at all), as the country endures the Movement Control Order in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. And with travel only allowed for essential tasks, many have complained of cabin fever and boredom. For gamers, the issue of boredom isn’t quite as bad—unless you don’t actually have a gaming machine at home with you (and you’re a cybercafe regular).

As such, Orange Esports cafe and Logitech Malaysia is introducing a way to bring the cybercafe home with you. The Play@Home Initiative is essentially a way for gamers, who are used to getting their fix at cybercafes (or LAN cafes, depending on region), to rent gaming rigs during the MCO period.

There are two packages under the initiative, with options for a 2-week rental or a full month’s rental for the gaming rigs (remember, the MCO has been extended till the 14th of April). Both packages will come with pre-installed games—Dota 2, CS:GO, Apex Legends, PUBG, Fortnite, and so on—and home delivery is also available during the MCO period.

The packages are as follows:

Premium Package – (i5 6th, 16GB RAM, GTX 1050TI Graphic card, BenQ 24” Gaming Monitor), Logitech keyboard, and mouse – RM200 (2 weeks), RM350 (1 month)

Ultimate Package – (i5 6th, 16GB RAM, GTX 1070TI Graphic card, BenQ 24” 144Hz gaming monitor), Logitech keyboard, and mouse. – RM300 (2 weeks), RM500 (1 month)

“Anti Virus” top up campaign

Members of Orange Esports Cafe will also get an additional RM50 whenever htey top up a minimum of RM128, along with a limited edition Orange Esports Jersey (which Orange Esports says is worth RM128). This promotion is only available till the 31st of March 2020.

For now, the initiative is certainly one that fills a void for many gamers who have been itching to get their cybercafe fix over the MCO period. However, it’s also worth noting that the rental fees aren’t cheap, eventhough a 144Hz monitor, coupled with some of the other peripherals listed, fall into the specialist gaming category.

Still, it’s interesting that Orange Esports and Logitech Malaysia have collaborated on a play-from-home initiative of sorts. Everyone has been fixating on the tools that you need to work from home—and rightfully so—but it’s good to see gamers get a hand as well.

To find out more, click here.