How Opera’s ‘What If’ Became a Browser Tailored for Gamers and Esports Enthusiasts

The range of products marketed as ‘built for gamers’ is extensive and often includes unique features or designs intended to attract attention. Many of these products leverage gaming’s cultural significance primarily as a marketing strategy. Given that gaming and esports are mostly digital experiences, tech companies have been eager to connect more deeply with the gaming community.

Opera is one such company that has developed a browser specifically designed with gamers in mind: Opera GX. Although based on Opera’s standard browser, Opera One, Opera GX is tailored to address gamers’ preferences, as noted by Product Director Maciej Kocemba in an interview with Esports Insider. The browser’s development began with the idea of creating something uniquely suited for gamers, driven by the team’s own gaming interests. They tested it at Gamescom to gather feedback and found that gamers valued customization, which led to the features now present in Opera GX.

Opera GX offers several notable features aimed at gamers, such as controls to limit the browser’s CPU and RAM usage, which helps prevent the browser from impacting game performance. Additionally, it includes options to manage bandwidth to ensure a stable online connection during gaming sessions.

Opera GX is also making strides into the esports sector. It has formed a sponsorship with Moist Esports, a streamer-supported organization, and includes features that enhance the viewing experience for esports fans. For instance, users can detach videos from their webpages and overlay them on other content, allowing them to keep up with esports events while multitasking. The browser also offers transparency options to maximize screen space.

Kocemba hints that Opera GX may continue to evolve in the esports arena, with future updates potentially blending gaming and esports even more closely. While details about specific plans are not yet available, the ongoing growth of Opera GX’s user base, which stands at 25 million monthly users, suggests that further innovations could be on the horizon.

Esports business models are closely intertwined with streaming, whether through employing content creators or broadcasting team games on various platforms. Opera GX aims to provide a browser experience that caters to both viewers and streamers.

The browser includes features designed to support streamers, such as the ability to mute tabs by default to avoid potential copyright issues and the removal of search data to protect personal information. “For example, if you search for pizza while streaming, people might infer your location based on the search history links you’ve clicked,” explained Kocemba.

Opera GX markets itself as an ideal tool for aspiring streamers in the competitive gaming community. It integrates with hardware companies like Asus and MSI, which have previously sponsored esports events. The browser also offers customizable backgrounds and includes music by The Berlinist, known for their work on the soundtrack for the acclaimed game GRIS.

“We worked with musicians who are gamers to create our browser’s soundtrack,” Kocemba said. “We support RGB lighting across peripherals without needing additional programs and have notifications for when a streamer goes live. This feature is particularly useful for smaller streamers, helping them stay connected with their audience even if they don’t have a set schedule.”

When selecting a browser, it’s important to understand its business model, data handling practices, and the management of search history. Opera GX, for instance, generates revenue through affiliate partnerships. “We earn a commission if users make purchases through partner sites featured on our start page. We benefit from users enjoying and continuing to use the GX browser, as we don’t sell user data or products directly.”

As a Norwegian company, Opera must adhere to stringent privacy regulations. Consequently, Opera GX provides users with options to keep their data anonymous.

“We require anonymous data to improve our products,” said Kocemba. “Norway has very strict data protection laws, and managing personal data involves significant overhead in terms of protection and storage.”

Kocemba added, “Anonymous data simplifies the process of identifying what needs improvement and what new features to implement.”

Interestingly, Opera GX is not just for playing games but also for creating them. In 2021, Opera acquired Yoyo Games, the creators of GameMaker Studio 2, a popular game engine for 2D and 2.5D game development. GameMaker is now integrated into Opera GX and available for free. Users can publish their creations on GX’s platform, with standout works featured in the GX Corner, a section curated to highlight notable games and recommendations.

Opera GX stands out as a browser designed specifically for gamers and has the potential to become a valuable tool for both esports enthusiasts and professionals. While there are esports-focused viewing platforms and specialized gaming peripherals available, there remains an opportunity for Opera GX to expand its role in the competitive gaming ecosystem through further partnerships or additional features.