In a new installment of ‘news stories Lauren didn’t think she’d ever be writing,’ IKEA has teamed up with Skyrim enthusiasts Kinggath Creations (known for Starfield’s Watchtower mod) to add a brand new, Kallax-inspired companion to the game. Accompanied by his own unique questline and various IKEA-themed cosmetics, he’s voiced by the one and only Matt Berry, recently of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight fame, but perhaps best known for playing the ever-iconic Laszlo Cravensworth in What We Do in The Shadows. He’s also in The IT Crowd, if you’re from my side of the pond.
The Dovahkiin’s newest companion takes the form of IKEA’s Kallax shelving unit. “Nearly 15 years since launch, Skyrim remains one of the most played open-world fantasy RPGs,” the official press release reads. “However, since the dawn of its creation, Skyrim has been plagued, not just by dragon, beast or man…but encumbrance.” Enter Kallax Storageborn.
A new, storage-focused companion that “brings IKEA’s IRL storage expertise right to where gamers need them most,” you’ll be able to summon him by shouting ‘Aye Key Yah’ (that one took me a minute), where he’ll appear whether he’s your active companion or not. As you travel, he collects loot on the move, meaning you don’t have to stop and pick up every little treasure. When you get home, he’ll reorganize your room for you, tidying up messes and turning objects the right way around. Honestly, I could use a Kallax Storageborn in my flat right about now.
Kallax debuts with his own unique questline, which features the Dwemer furniture store where you’ll uncover Kallax and assemble him, as well as a cluttered dungeon inspired by a Nord archive. Here you’ll unearth the secrets of Kallax’s origin, take on the fearsome Clutter Golem, and fend off a host of new foes.
In addition to this, there are a slew of new IKEA-inspired cosmetics, including a meatball helmet, some reskinned blue and yellow armor, a summonable meatball, and the new meatball food item (there’s a recurring theme here). There’s also the new Dwemer-style Allen Key weapons, which include a sword, staff, and dagger, while Kallax gets a helm based on the iconic Iron Helmet.
I love when brands unite to create weird and wonderful little oddities. This Skyrim mod, while admittedly immersion-shattering, is the perfect example of that – it’s silly, but it’s also well-designed and genuinely sounds fun to play. I’d like to see more of this sort of thing versus just new skins and paid cosmetics. What IKEA and Kinggath have done here is create something tangible and exciting, injecting a little bit of new life into a 15-year-old game. Honestly, you love to see it.
You can download the IKEA X Skyrim collab for free via Bethesda Game Studios’ in-game Creations menu starting today, Wednesday, September 9.
This isn’t IKEA’s first foray into videogames this year. At Gamescom, my colleague Zak checked out the Swedish behemoth’s new collaboration with Xbox, which includes a movable, thumbstick-inspired stool. Perhaps we can expect to see more furniture items wander into our favorite titles – a Malm in World of Warcraft? Housing is Midnight’s big thing, after all. IKEA, if you need ideas, call me.
