Today, during their E3 event, Opera launched the first ever internet browser designed specifically for gamers. The current offering is dubbed 'Early Access' and is unsurprisingly exclusively available on the Windows OS platform. Now, Mac users may think that's unfair, but considering Steam's March 2019 report that less than 2% of their gamers use the platform on a Mac, Opera is perhaps justified in this bias. That isn't to say they won't some day go reaching for that sweet, sweet Apple market, but today is not that day, folks.
Of course, one could argue that what is effectively a niche market browser is a dumb idea, but considering that literally an eighth of the world's population--1.2 billion people--are PC gamers, niche might not be an accurate description of this particular situation. In fact, with how popular it's become to use YouTube and gaming forums to share strategies for defeating various levels or solve puzzles in any given game on any given platform, it's a wonder no one thought of it sooner. And really, calling it a browser is almost criminal.
It does a LOT more than browse the internet. The Opera GX broswer is a fully integrated gaming tool. They've thought of nearly everything, from privacy in the form of free browser VPNs to limiters, which allow users to moderate the amount of RAM and CPU power the browser uses, Opera GX is loaded. How loaded?
Here's a video from the product manager of Opera Software's new browser with the run-down:
Pretty neat, but there's a lot this two-minute video doesn't cover, and a lot of the features left out make this browser almost ideal for anyone interested in a better web browsing experience. That's right, I said it. This gamer-minded browser is not JUST for gamers.
Opera GX integrates with four major messengers: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Vkontakte can all be added to a convenient sidebar within the browser for seamless multitasking. No more switching between chat windows and the browser! It gets better though, because it also contains a video pop-out feature which allows you to continue playing a video even while chatting, browsing or working within an entirely different application. I can think of a few non-gaming situations where a pop-out video would come in handy, from catching up on
BeatEmUps to watching a Salesforce tutorial video while working in the Salesforce UI.
Ew. Gross. I talked about work in my gaming post. I'm so, so sorry. Moving on.
Another great feature allows Chrome fans to utitlize Google Chrome extensions in addition to Opera's own extensions in the GX browser. Which means you don't have to start from scratch or go hunting for comparable extensions to the ones you already have. Nice.
Finally, let's talk about the two major features not discussed in the above video that should appeal to just about everyone and perhaps lends a better reason for Mac users to feel jipped. Opera GX has both a built-in VPN and ad blocker, totally free. Gamers and non-gamers alike can choose to allow or suspend pop up ads from appearing, making for an overall more enjoyable and seamless browsing experience. Furthermore, with a built-in VPN, your browsing and location information is vastly more secure. A virtual private network is something you typically have to pay for in order to acheive a safe network connection even on public wifi hotspots or, say...I don't know, visit websites where your access is normally restricted by region. VPNs also come in handy for work, allowing the user to access their work email and servers exactly as if they were onsite.
Have I taken a super cool, exciting gamer-exclusive gift from Opera and made it boring? Probably, and yet I regret nothing. On the surface, Opera GX looks like the interface of most GPU utility apps, a s00p3rl33t mockery of what the more standard elite browsing giants view as their territory. Beneath the surface, however, Opera GX manages to deliver more than a pretty package and with as many customization options as it has, I wouldn't be surprised if its reach extends beyond that of their target, "niche" market.
Have you played around with the new Opera GX browser? Share your thoughts in the comments.