NZXT is a hardware manufacturer of cases, components, and accessories for the PC gaming market; RTKFT produces "the next generation of virtual and physical collectible sneakers for the best esports, gaming, and entertainment celebrities." Each is a force in its own field, but when they come together like the proverbial chocolate and peanut butter, the result is ...... No, it really is a bit confusing.

Shoes like PCs? Or is it a little PC that looks like a shoe, or is it a ridiculously expensive oddity to put on a shelf between an Assassin's Creed statue and a GTA coffee cup? I honestly couldn't tell them apart at first glance.

The shoe system was initially teased on Twitter as a surprise of sorts from NZXT, but RTFKT later confirmed that a partnership with the hardware maker had been formed, and that "RTFKT and our community of creators have the power to create the future of fashion and collectibles, and we are excited to be a part of it. empowering them to create the future and boost our vision, community and crazy ideas with their amazing builds and love for the game."

I like the idea that this could be an actual shoe with a fake fan on the sole and a battery-operated holographic window showing various techno-innerwear that doesn't really exist to entertain us. There is no way you could put your foot in a tiny little PC without stomping all over the expensive hardware and shredding your toes. Definitely not a real shoe. Or rather, it can't be. Right?

(I contacted RTFKT. Just in case. I'll tell you.)