PC Gamer Setup Horror Stories That Will Haunt You

Beyond the Memes: What r/ShittyBattleStations Tells Us About Gaming Culture

PC gaming can be an expensive hobby, so it’s understandable that many players want to give their big black graphics machine a surrounding setup it deserves. I get the appeal of having the neatest, smartest desk, or colour-coordinating your room with your peripherals’ RGB settings. I totally see why you might want all your merch neatly arranged in glass display cases behind you, or have a perfectly aligned triptych of screens to envelop you in Elite Dangerous or Farming Simulator. I, however, am not one of these people. My setup is a memorial to my time-poor existence and inability to plan. It’s cluttered with coins, notebooks, stationary, plug adapters, and random parts from toys my daughter has brought through to my office. My webcam sits atop a box folder, height-adjusted with three paperback books (two Stephen Kings and a Bob Mortimer, thanks for asking). Somehow, my headphones actually have their own stand. But I did not buy the stand, have no memory of where it came from, and the headphones themselves are held together with electrician’s tape. Oh yes, the rolls of electrician’s tape are also on the desk, because I haven’t bothered to put them away. Does the state of my desk bother me? Well, it’s a little embarrassing to write about, though clearly not enough to stop me from doing so. And like a raccoon, I am generally content amid my filth. Indeed, there are only two occasions when it starts to get on my nerves: when I’m trying to find something and can’t, and when I see another gaming setup that’s far nicer than mine. Because of the way the modern internet works, the latter happens quite a lot. My social media feeds are often bombarded by Twitch streamers, game developers, and just regular gamers who have setups more elaborate than the bridge from the starship Enterprise. Expertly matched furniture, carefully selected wall art, maybe a few (well looked after) plants, and of course, all their Kirby plushies and Tifa figurines perfectly arranged behind them. When I witness setups like these, I worry that I’m the grubbiest gamer on the planet. But in such moments of existential crisis, I turn to the comforting swamp that is r/ShittyBattleStations.

When Immersion Goes Too Far: The Phasmophobia Light Show

TikTok user Idaxix, describing themselves as “The LED Light Guy”, has rigged up their front room with a dazzling array of LEDs, smart bulbs and RGB lightstrips to immerse themselves in their big-screen gaming experience. Good for them. The step too far here involves syncing it all up with terrifying psychological horror game Phasmophobia, including flashing lights that indicate when a ghost is near. I try to avoid swearing in my articles as this is a family friendly website, but allow me to say, with conviction, F-that. I like the odd horror movie, I can take a game trying to make me jump out of my skin, but the combination of the ominous dread Phasmophobia is capable of creating—alongside some incredibly effective lightbulb flashing—would have me wandering into the kitchen to pretend to do something else. Anything else, actually. Still, it’s an excellent example of the sort of immersion a synced lighting setup can provide, along with a gigantic TV, a very good game, and presumably a honking-great audio system. If you’re a big wuss like me you’ll be pleased to know there’s lots more videos of less-terrifying fare on their TikTok account, including some lovely rainbow road action in Mario Kart with associated colourful lighting. Consider it a palate cleanser. Nevertheless, I salute Idaxix’ technical ability, creativity, and mettle. I recently sat through a Razer demo in Las Vegas which involved a rumble pad, haptic-enhanced headphones, RGB light bars and the psychedelic hypno-racer Thumper, and it made me ruminate on the ways lighting and 4D feedback can be used to up the immersion factor. Using similar tech for a properly creepy horror game may be the pinnacle of it, though, and I’ve decided it’s not for me. As a suggestion, I wonder if Phasmophobia could somehow be synced with the Razer Project Arielle fan-assisted gaming chair? A little cool breeze up the back of your neck when a ghost is behind you would be just the ticket, I reckon. It’d lead to an unintended warm seat base for some, that’s for certain.

Breaking Down the “Ideal” Setup: Challenging the Aesthetics of Gaming

I’ve been around this game long enough now to have sat through many immersive gaming experiences. VR headsets, racing wheels, game-synced RGB room lighting, bum-rumblers, the lot. But there’s inevitably a point where all this gear transitions from a gameplay-enhancing experience booster into something genuinely terrifying, and I think TikTok user Idaxix may have found it. Describing themselves as “The LED Light Guy”, Idaxix has rigged up their front room with a dazzling array of LEDs, smart bulbs and RGB lightstrips to immerse themselves in their big-screen gaming experience. Good for them. The step too far here involves syncing it all up with terrifying psychological horror game Phasmophobia, including flashing lights that indicate when a ghost is near. I try to avoid swearing in my articles as this is a family friendly website, but allow me to say, with conviction, F-that. I like the odd horror movie, I can take a game trying to make me jump out of my skin, but the combination of the ominous dread Phasmophobia is capable of creating—alongside some incredibly effective lightbulb flashing—would have me wandering into the kitchen to pretend to do something else. Anything else, actually. Still, it’s an excellent example of the sort of immersion a synced lighting setup can provide, along with a gigantic TV, a very good game, and presumably a honking-great audio system. If you’re a big wuss like me you’ll be pleased to know there’s lots more videos of less-terrifying fare on their TikTok account, including some lovely rainbow road action in Mario Kart with associated colourful lighting. Consider it a palate cleanser. Nevertheless, I salute Idaxix’ technical ability, creativity, and mettle. I recently sat through a Razer demo in Las Vegas which involved a rumble pad, haptic-enhanced headphones, RGB light bars and the psychedelic hypno-racer Thumper, and it made me ruminate on the ways lighting and 4D feedback can be used to up the immersion factor. Using similar tech for a properly creepy horror game may be the pinnacle of it, though, and I’ve decided it’s not for me. As a suggestion, I wonder if Phasmophobia could somehow be synced with the Razer Project Arielle fan-assisted gaming chair? A little cool breeze up the back of your neck when a ghost is behind you would be just the ticket, I reckon. It’d lead to an unintended warm seat base for some, that’s for certain.

The Importance of Community: Finding Belonging in Shared Experiences

There are three things I love about r/ShittyBattleStations. The first I’ve already mentioned: the simple reassurance that I’m not alone. The second is the sheer diversity of dire gaming setups on show. At the least remarkable level are extreme versions of my own scenario, gamers who play surrounded by a dragon’s hoard of detritus. Some have desks so jam-packed with stuff it’s impressive they can play games at all, as a rogue twitch of the mouse would surely trigger a domino effect of cascading clutter. Many of these above setups fall into categories that are acknowledged by the community. There’s even an automoderator that asks the community to define why a particular setup qualifies as “shitty”, suggesting things like “Incomplete”, “Trash all around” and perhaps my favourite “Not a computer”. However, I’ve seen numerous themes through the subreddit yet to be formalised by the community, so I thought I’d suggest a few below:

The Sir Terry Pratchett award for monitor mania

The late Sir Terry Pratchett’s workspace was built around this incredible six-monitor setup. Once, he was asked why he used six screens, to which he famously replied “because I can’t have eight”. This award goes to the user who has an obscene number of monitors, often with questionable functionality, but who somehow manages to keep them all working.

The “It’s Not Furniture, It’s a Game Boost” Award

This award is given to the gamer who has repurposed everyday objects into gaming accessories. A stack of books as a monitor stand, a coatrack holding controllers, a lampshade doubling as a makeshift headset stand – anything goes! This category celebrates the ingenuity of those who make do with what they have and turn the mundane into the gaming-ready.

The “My Cat Thinks This is My Throne” Award

This one needs no explanation. It’s for the setup where the furry overlord has clearly claimed their rightful place on the gaming throne. The gamer may be relegated to the sidelines, but their feline companion is the true ruler of this domain.

Gamers Are People Too: Embracing Imperfection in a Digital World

The subreddit is a place where gamers can let their guard down, embrace their imperfections, and celebrate the unique quirks of their setups. It’s a reminder that gaming is not just about having the latest and greatest hardware or the most meticulously curated setup. It’s about the experience, the community, and the joy of playing games. It’s about connecting with others who share your passion, even if your desk looks like a bomb exploded in a thrift store. r/ShittyBattleStations is a testament to the fact that gaming is for everyone, regardless of their budget, their aesthetic sensibilities, or the state of their living space. As long as you’ve got a computer and a passion for gaming, you’re welcome at the table.