Coloured Static Press / Independent testing
The Games Lab
Real-world gaming. Real homes. Real opinions. We’re building a practical testing space for the hardware, tabletop games and compact arcade experiences that deserve a place in everyday life.
No sprawling showroom required. Our focus is the kit people can actually fit, afford, set up and enjoy.
PC & hardware
Displays, controllers, headsets, accessories and real-world gaming performance. Any manufacturer-supplied review equipment is disclosed in its coverage; testing, scores and recommendations remain independent.
Tabletop & hobby
Board games, card games, strategy, miniatures and the joy of playing together.
Arcade & retro
Bartop and compact arcade products, retro devices and space-conscious setups.
Collectibles & memorabilia
Officially licensed figures, compact display pieces, controller stands and retro gaming keepsakes. We assess finish, authenticity, usefulness, desk footprint and value, rather than treating every unboxing as a review.
Our guiding question
Building the Ultimate Games Room Without a Games Room
How much gaming enjoyment can you build into a modest space? This developing editorial series will examine footprint, storage, setup, usability, performance and value. Expect useful measurements and honest trade-offs, not glossy showroom promises. Compact or fold-away sim-racing equipment is one of the future areas we would like to assess, when suitable test equipment becomes available.
What we’re testing with
Our existing PC gaming environment includes a three-monitor setup and equipment already used for gaming and hardware coverage. We will identify individual components and configurations in relevant reviews, rather than imply every product has been independently verified here.
This page describes an editorial project in development. It is not a list of confirmed brand partners or a claim that proposed review equipment has been supplied.
Explore existing coverage
Reviews, collectibles and the real testing desk
Our work starts with the kit we have actually used. Explore published hardware reviews, the Gear Room and its practical buying guides, the Collector’s Shelf, and our Tabletop & Hobby desk. Product spotlights based on supplied information are labelled separately from hands-on testing.
For manufacturers, publishers and retailers
We’re interested in appropriately sized review loans, hands-on demonstrations, board-game samples, product briefings and written interviews. Particularly welcome: desk-sized arcade products, compact retro systems, foldable accessories, controllers and tabletop games.
We can consider longer-term test equipment and clearly disclosed affiliate partnerships where they genuinely help readers. Review access, advertising and affiliate relationships never guarantee coverage, a positive review or a particular score. Loan and return arrangements are agreed before delivery.
Commercial opportunities / separate from reviews
Support the Lab without buying a verdict
We offer a limited introductory Games Lab founding-partner advertising trial at £99 per month for three months (£297 total), subject to availability and a written agreement. This covers a clearly labelled sponsor placement and linked brand credit for each agreed month, with reporting based on actual recorded results. No minimum traffic, sales, review, positive score or promotional posts are promised. Sponsorship is not a condition of being considered for free editorial coverage.
See the advertising optionsDiscuss a sponsorship
We will not display a company logo as a confirmed sponsor or partner without permission and an agreed relationship. Manufacturer review samples are not sponsorships.
Follow the work
Our Games Lab shares real-world testing through the existing Gear Room, Collector’s Shelf, and Tabletop & Hobby coverage. Confirmed hands-on results will be linked here as they are published.