A bizarre crossover item has just dropped.
Gamers in Turkey can now get their hands on a new McDonald’s item–an arch-shaped device called ‘Archie’ –by purchasing the newly-launched Pro Gamer Menu. While Archie resembles the classic McDonald’s logo, it serves an unusual purpose: preventing console players from going AFK while eating–as strange as that may sound.
The concept of the device is pretty simple. Archie works by “bringing the controller’s analogue sticks together” using its golden arches, “allowing a player’s character to continue moving while they are briefly away from the screen”.
During this short AFK (away from keyboard, gamer slang for being away) period, players can take a few bites of a Big Mac, or whatever else is on their plate. Now instead of using the ‘rubber-band method’ or any other way to stop the game from detecting you of being AFK, users can use the handy Archie. However, only customers in Turkey currently have the chance to try it out.
According to IGN, Özdeş Dönen Artak, Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s Türkiye, commented on the launch:
“Being away from the screen during online gameplay–especially in high-intensity moments–can directly disrupt the flow of the game.
That is why many players turn to different workarounds. We transformed this behaviour into a gamer insight and made Archie part of the McDonald’s experience by offering it as a gift to customers who order the Pro Gamer Menu.”
What is in the Pro Gamer Menu
The Pro Gamer Menu includes a Big Mac, medium fries, a medium Coca-Cola, and eight onion rings. While the meal itself is fairly standard, the inclusion of Archie as a bonus item may appeal to console gamers curious to try it out.
McDonald’s has frequently tapped into modern trends to attract customers, whether through film collaborations–such as its recent K-pop Demon Hunters set–or partnerships with the gaming industry, including limited-edition items inspired by Street Fighter in collaboration with Capcom.
Now, the global fast-food chain has ventured into something more niche with an AFK-assisting device, albeit currently limited to Turkey. If Archie blows up, it may eventually make its way to other regions.
