As someone that’s been using Alienware monitors for ages, I think the brand has always walked a fine line between high-tech performance and aggressive sci-fi camp. When I saw the press release for Roswell, the first collaboration between GUNNAR Optiks and Alienware, my initial reaction was mixed.
I admit, these frames look kind of awesome, despite being a little dorky. But they are a perfect fit for someone like me that runs a geek culture and technology site like GeekExtreme. If you spend your life staring at screens, you eventually have to ask yourself: Do I want to look cool, or do I want to be able to see when I’m 60?
The “Conspiracy Blue” Aesthetic
Let’s talk about the design, because you cannot ignore it. These aren’t subtle wireframes you wear to a board meeting. The “Roswell” model features a “Conspiracy Blue” finish and wide-format lenses. They scream gamer.
The frames pay homage to the 1947 crash site, blending Alienware’s distinct recognizable look (including the iconic alien head emblem) with GUNNAR’s polymer frame engineering.
For the general public, wearing these to a coffee shop might garnish some side-eye. But within the gaming sphere, it works. It feels like equipment rather than fashion.
Why I’m Buying the Hype (and the Specs)
We need to move past the aesthetics and look at the utility. I have burned my retinas on high-contrast raids for too long. The specs here are specific and impressive:
- Weight: They weigh 35 grams. That is light enough to forget you are wearing them during a marathon session.
- Coverage: The lens width is 58 mm with a nose bridge of 16 mm. The “wide-format” design gives a panoramic field of view, meaning the frame doesn’t cut into your peripheral vision.
- Protection: They block 100 percent of UV light and use GUNNAR’s patented lens technology to filter blue light.
The inclusion of the G-Shield Plus lens coating is arguably the most practical feature. It is anti-reflective and smudge-resistant. Nothing ruins a ranked match faster than a greasy fingerprint or glare from a window, and these lenses aim to eliminate that variable.
The “Dork” Factor vs. Eye Health
There is a privilege in being able to ignore eye strain. If you only look at your phone for an hour a day, you might think “gamer glasses” are a gimmick. But for those of us who work and play in the digital space, eye fatigue is a career hazard.
I spoke with a friend in the peripherals industry regarding this specific launch (let’s call him “Deep Throat” to keep with the conspiracy theme), and he noted, “We aren’t trying to make glasses for the runway. We are making armor for your eyes. If it looks like it came from space, that’s just a bonus.”
What You Get in the Box
If you decide to embrace the conspiracy, the unboxing experience leans hard into the theme.
- A custom “puffy pouch” (think astronaut gear).
- A microfiber cleaning cloth with custom detailing.
- A 12-month warranty.
The Verdict
Are they dorky? Yes. Are they effective? Absolutely.
In a world where we optimize our refresh rates and buy ergonomic chairs for our posture, neglecting our vision seems foolish. The GUNNAR x Alienware Roswell glasses sit at the intersection of “I love sci-fi” and “I don’t want a headache.”
If you run a site like GeekExtreme or just log serious hours in front of a monitor, the trade-off of looking like a sci-fi extra is valid for the visual clarity you gain.
Poll: traveling to the year 3000 or 1947?
- A: I’d rock these. My eyes are burning right now.
- B: Too much “gamer” look for me. I’ll stick to basic frames.
- C: I only wear them if they come with a tin foil hat.
Share your vote in the comments and tag your squadmate who desperately needs these!
