Swedish furniture giant IKEA has partnered with modders to create an official Skyrim Creation called Kallax Storageborn, a move that injects recognizable IKEA elements into the fantasy RPG. While initially appearing as a mere corporate stunt leveraging The Elder Scrolls V's meme-friendly reputation, the mod offers a surprisingly well-crafted experience, designed by Kinggath Creations, known for their work on Fallout 4's Sim Settlements.
In-game advertising is becoming an increasingly common consideration for game developers seeking new revenue streams. However, integrating such ads naturally into fantasy RPGs like Skyrim presents unique challenges compared to genres like sports games. The Kallax Storageborn mod sidesteps lore concerns, opting for a direct approach to its premise. Upon becoming overencumbered, players receive a magical telegram directing them to a dungeon named Storereach, which promises a solution to their storage problems.
Storereach begins as a typical Skyrim cave but evolves into a detailed Dwarven dungeon. The transition becomes apparent upon reaching the Storereach Workshop, where the game's orchestral score gives way to the ambient sounds of elevator music, mirroring a Dwarven department store. Here, players encounter an apparition and discover unique Dwarven versions of IKEA shopping trolleys. The dungeon features mazes with dioramas showcasing Dwarven furnishings, complete with ghostly salespeople demonstrating products like Stenrygg seats and Tavan rugs. Players can also find unique gear and hidden secrets, adding a layer of exploration beyond simple advertising.
Some in-game jokes, such as a 'Shield of the Returns Policy,' offer a groan-worthy but fitting touch. More creative humor is found in a skeleton discovered in a restroom, with a note suggesting they died from getting lost in the store's labyrinthine layout. This self-aware humor, which pokes fun at the real-world IKEA experience, prevents the mod from feeling overly corporate. The mod also includes a spell that fires the retailer's signature Swedish meatballs and culminates in the assembly of the namesake Kallax shelving unit.
The Kallax follower, voiced by comedian Matt Berry, accompanies the player, assisting with carrying burdens similarly to a base-game follower. The adventure continues with quests to find heirlooms and an assistant for Kallax, taking players through additional dungeons. The mod incorporates subtle touches, such as Kallax's footsteps mimicking the sound of wooden furniture being dragged, and encounters in ancient Nordic ruins where Kallax can clean up clutter to clear paths. The final chamber is described as majestic, and the mod concludes with several long-running Skyrim jokes.
The creation is praised for its creativity and execution, with Kinggath and team reportedly applying the same effort as they would to a non-advertising project. It manages to avoid relying on established Elder Scrolls tropes for its humor, creating an officially sanctioned gag that offers more than a fleeting novelty. However, the article suggests that Kallax Storageborn should not be viewed as a universal blueprint for future in-game advertising.
The mod treads a fine line between charm and cringe, with its success attributed to a specific blend of British and Scandinavian humor. The author posits that advertising for more overtly American brands might feel more intrusive and forced in Skyrim, given the game's established meme culture and modding scene, which makes it more receptive to tongue-in-cheek commercial integrations. Ultimately, Kallax Storageborn is presented as an exceptional case rather than an ideal model for integrating corporate advertisements into video games.