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MICRO CENTER - Hands-On with Arbiter Studio Mousepads

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MICRO CENTER - Hands-On with Arbiter Studio Mousepads

on Jul 31 2026
MAIN ARTICLE LINK:https://www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news/article/arbiter-studio-godzilla-hands-on.aspx   Here at Micro Center, we’ve had a wide selection of Arbiter Studio mousepads and keycaps, but it wasn’t until recently that I got my hands on one of their glass mousepads. Specifically, the absolutely gorgeous Godzilla LUNAR Heat Ray edition. Photo: Jacob Bobo  Now, I’ve been working at Micro Center for a long time and gaming even longer, but I had never actually tried out a glass mousepad. A week and change later, I get it. The smooth surface and cool-to-the-touch feel has it still sitting on my desk, as it will for a while, even as it eats up a third of the space. They’re not for everyone, but if you have the space and style, a glass mousepad might just be for you. Initial Impressions First things first: this is a BIG mousepad; 500x400mm, or 19"x15”. I have a large desk and still had to make some pretty sizable adjustments for it to fit comfortably. But if you tend towards low DPI and big arm movements for precision aiming, the LUNAR glass pad offers plenty of space for moving around. It’s also absolutely striking, featuring a hyper-stylized blue Godzilla letting loose with his iconic heat ray, red smoke billowing through the spikes. As a life-long Godzilla fan, I have no shame in admitting that I had been staring at this mousepad for a little while, waiting for the chance to try it out. Photo: Sean Mekinda. Please ignore the paint stains.  The Hand Feel Mousepads aren’t just about how they handle the mouse, though. A coarse or rough mousepad can really ruin an otherwise fantastic experience; no one wants to get blisters on their wrist from moving their mouse. And this is where glass feels incredibly different.  The first few times I used the glass mousepad, I almost jumped back. It was perfectly smooth and almost cold, at least in comparison to the felt and nylon mousepads I was used to. I thought I had stuck my hand in a small puddle of water at first. It’s something that took some getting used to, but is something I have come to appreciate. It’s cool and smooth to the touch, almost soothing in stark contrast to the fabric deskmat I had been using. Glass wasn’t a texture I was expecting to enjoy quite so much as a mousepad, but once I had adjusted I am even more aware of the small irritants that linger in some more budget-conscious options. But also, it’s an incredibly personal opinion; you might find that the coarseness of nylon gives a bit more grip and control over your wrist. The Mouse Feel Actually using the mouse pad took a bit of adjustment. The greatly reduced friction over traditional cloth or nylon mousepads means it's easier than ever to pick up speed while moving across the glass and overshoot your targets, whether they’re players or desktop icons. But I do mean just a bit of adjustment; while I would occasionally find myself moving faster than my target, after only an hour or so of gaming I had adjusted my speed and found a middle ground and was back to my usual, just-okay gameplay. While I found the glass mousepad experience genuinely great and will probably continue to keep using glass mousepads, I do still love a full-size deskmat and, thankfully, Arbiter Studio has you covered there as well. Other Arbiter Options I’ve spent the last several hundred words gushing about the Godzilla LUNAR mousepad, but Arbiter has plenty more, including Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man glass mousepads. They also have a wide selection of cloth mousepads featuring Demon Slayer and, of course, even more Godzilla.  Photo: Jacob Bobo  While I’ve been gaming on the LUNAR at home, I’ve been using one of Arbiter Studio’s full-size deskmats at work and, for all I’ve been talking about how non-glass mousemats are coarse, this is one of the softest deskmats I’ve used. The cloth is incredibly smooth for quick mouse movements and almost pillowy on the wrist. If glass isn’t your thing, the cloth offerings are just as good. Micro Center has a wide range of mousepads and deskmats for just about any need or style. If you’re ready to bring some new style to your desk, stop in today. Our knowledgeable associates will be more than happy to help you find the perfect accessory for your desk. Sean Mekinda is the editor for Micro Center News, with three years of experience on The Micro Center Community and writing credits across the internet, including Polygon, 25YL, and 614 Magazine. He's been writing about and reviewing tech for over five years.   Sean has a specialty in gaming, peripherals, and creative projects designed to make your life easier, especially when it comes to tabletop gaming.     Contact Sean at SMekinda@microcenter.com or find them on BlueSky.
Arbiter Studio and Padsmith Join Forces

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Arbiter Studio and Padsmith Join Forces

on May 27 2026
IRVINE, California – May 27, 2026 – Arbiter Studio today announced that Padsmith has officially joined the Arbiter Studio family, marking a new chapter for both brands as they continue expanding across enthusiast gaming peripherals, collectible products, and creator-driven collaborations. Known for its distinctive artwork, premium quality, and passionate enthusiast community, Padsmith has become one of the most recognized brands within the mousepad space. Through this partnership, Arbiter Studio and Padsmith will work together on new collaborations, creative projects, and experiences for the next generation of gaming enthusiasts. Padsmith co-founder Clank will also join Arbiter Studio and continue contributing to future product direction, collaborations, and community initiatives. Built for Enthusiasts Arbiter Studio and Padsmith share a common philosophy centered around products that combine gaming performance, design, collectibility, and culture. From limited-edition releases to artist-driven collaborations, both brands have focused on building products that connect with enthusiasts beyond traditional gaming hardware. The partnership further strengthens Arbiter Studio’s growing ecosystem across glass mousepads, cloth mousepads, keyboards, and collectible gaming products. Expanding the Ecosystem With Padsmith joining Arbiter Studio, both teams plan to continue expanding creative collaborations, global community reach, and product categories while maintaining the enthusiast-first approach both brands are known for. Future projects will include new releases, collaborations, and experiences designed for collectors, competitive players, creators, and gaming enthusiasts worldwide. About Arbiter Studio Arbiter Studio is a creator-driven gaming brand focused on collectible gaming products, enthusiast peripherals, and premium collaborations. From limited-edition glass mousepads to custom keyboards and artist-led releases, Arbiter Studio works with creators, brands, and entertainment properties to develop products that blend gaming performance with culture, design, and collectibility. The company continues to expand its ecosystem through collaborations and products built for the next generation of gaming enthusiasts. About Padsmith Padsmith is a premium mousepad and peripheral brand known for combining enthusiast-level performance with distinctive artwork and collector-focused releases. The brand has built a strong following within the competitive gaming and mousepad community through its focus on quality materials, unique designs, and limited-edition product drops. ###