Logitech’s “Sustainable Mouse” subscription concept stirs up waves

Logitech’s new supreme CEO has brought innovative ideas to the PC hardware titan, including a polarizing “eternal mouse” that might come with a monthly subscription fee. Read on for her statements and gamers' reactions towards this revolutionary trend in gaming.

Logitech CEO Introduces 'Eternal Mouse' That Might Require SubscriptionLogitech 'Eternal Mouse' Part of Broader Subscription Trend, and Gamers Find It Absurd

transcript of interview via The Verge

In a recent conversation with The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber introduced the "forever mouse" that she envisioned to be Logitech's all-new, premium, luxury mouse that comes with regular updates for a fee. Faber explained that the forever mouse is still in the conceptual stage. She envisions a mouse that, much like a Rolex watch, remains useful indefinitely through continuous software updates. "Imagine it’s like your Rolex. You’re going to really love that," Faber illustrated.

"Given that we know the technology that we attach to changes, it’s not going to be like your Rolex in that it doesn’t have to ever change." She further explained, "Our stuff will have to change, but does the hardware have to change? I’m not so sure. We’ll have to obviously fix it and figure out what that business model is. We’re not at the forever mouse today, but I’m intrigued by the thought."

The potential longevity and quality of the forever mouse, and its comparable qualities akin to luxury items like Rolex watches, seemed to be Faber's selling point. "I’m not planning to throw that watch away ever," Faber explained. "So why would I be throwing my mouse or my keyboard away if it’s a fantastic quality, well-designed, software-enabled mouse?"

Logitech's Forever Mouse not 'super far away' from turning into reality

When asked about the specifics of the subscription model, Faber confirmed that it would primarily be for software updates. "Yeah, and you never have to worry about it again, which is not unlike our video conferencing services today," she said. She also mentioned that Logitech is exploring other business models, such as allowing customers to trade in their mouse for a more recent version, similar to Apple's iPhone upgrade program. "The everlasting mouse could be the mouse that you keep and we just send you software updates, but it could also be the mouse that you turn in at Best Buy and we get it back or Best Buy takes it back and refurbs and resells it," she explained.

Ongoing Subscription-Based Models Trend in Gaming

Faber emphasized the potential for expansion in the gaming sector, noting that top-tier, long-lasting gaming accessories, such as controllers, mice, and keyboards, are crucial for players and present a sizeable business chance. "It's evident that on the gaming front, it's a truly vital lifestyle product, and once more, it's a genuine development opportunity for us for a long time to come."

The "perpetual mouse" is part of a more extensive trend toward subscription-based business models in various sectors, including gaming. From streaming movies and music to hardware services, businesses are adopting subscription models more and more. For instance, HP launched a service in February that lets customers print 20 pages monthly for $6.99. Additionally, in the gaming sector, both Xbox and Ubisoft have raised their subscription costs, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft , this year alone.

Fan Responses

screenshots taken via Twitter (X) and arstechnica forum

Evidently and quite extensively across the internet, groups of gamers communicated their skepticism about the concept of a subscription for common everyday items such as a gaming/computer mouse. One social media user even jokingly commented that they were "simply surprised Ubisoft didn't consider this first," while others shared their own ideas.