As gaming continues to be a major influence in popular culture, endemic industries are targeting this demographic. The latest company to try to tap into gamers is Swedish furniture giant Ikea. Ikea has partnered with Asus ROG to sell a new series of gaming furniture.

In addition to typical gaming-centric products like desks and chairs, IKEA's new lineup includes such oddities as ring lights and pillows with pockets. But you can't buy any of them right now.

Of course, this is not the first time IKEA has gone out of its way to market to gamers. Just last year, IKEA began putting PS5 and Xbox Series X shape models on store shelves. This way, they can see if the furniture they want to buy is suitable for storing such huge game consoles. However, this new series is taking on a whole new dimension.

Gaming-specific desks and chairs are a logical choice, especially since IKEA already offers a huge range of products that can immediately meet these needs. One of the desks, UPPSPEL, has an electric standing function that can be controlled by a number pad on the front. That way, it can be quickly changed between different heights.

Not many people would want to play games on a standing desk, but this gives them that option. One can also use the UPPSPEL as a standing desk for work and a sitting desk for gaming.

Next up is the very odd LÅNESPELARE, which IKEA describes as a "multifunctional cushion/blanket." Details are scarce, but it appears that the cushion can be expanded to become either a parka or a slanket. It is unclear which. The press release describes it as a "neck pillow," but the image is different. There is a pocket, the reason for which is not clear.

Given that many clothes, especially those designed for women, do not have pockets, it is odd that IKEA would put pockets on something as mundane as a pillow.

Also in the LÅNESPELARE series are mugs. These mugs come with a straw and have a special mug holder that can be fixed to the side of the desk. When playing games, there is no space for a mug on the desk. To be fair, however, desks can become cluttered unintentionally.

Similarly, LÅNESPELARE's ring light and phone holder are fairly niche and probably designed for streamers, but still offer value. Similarly, UPPSPEL's drawer units offer many use cases, even if many of them have nothing to do with gaming. The headphone stand is another nice addition.

As for the MATCHSPEL chair, it looks no different from the typical office chairs IKEA already sells. The adjustable headrest looks good, but it is not something that cannot be utilized if it is used exclusively as an office chair. However, the price in China is 999 yuan (roughly $155), which is clearly cheaper than most of the similar-looking office chairs that IKEA sells. In other words, IKEA isn't trying to drive up the price by writing "gamer" on the box.

Finally, there is the UTESPELARE gaming desk.

IKEA's gaming products are already available in China and will be available in Japan this May. However, the rest of the world will have to wait much longer, as IKEA does not plan to ship worldwide until October.