Interview with the president of Razer (part 2)

March 4, 9:10 AMPC Game ExaminerBryan Edge-Salois

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the PC Game Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Razer
collaborates with gamers to develop, manufacture,
and market cutting-edge gaming peripherals using
proprietary technologies that give gamers a
competitive edge. Razer products have earned
critical praise and won multiple awards from around
the world for their precision, sensitivity, usability and
distinctions in product design.

This is part two of a two-part, exclusive interview with Robert Krakoff, the president of PC gaming peripheral maker Razer. In this part, we learn a little about Robert's thoughts on convergence in the gaming industry, and what he thinks about the 'death of PC gaming'.

Bryan Edge-Salois (Examiner.com):  PC Gaming, movies, gaming consoles, and home theatre technology has been rapidly converging in many areas. Does Razer have any plans for products that will start to ‘cross the line’ to consoles or gaming in the living room? 

Robert Krakoff, Razer: One of the more unique capabilities of the Razer team is that we conceive, design, engineer, and develop our own firmware and drivers in house. The vast majorities of hardware makers develop pieces of their products internally but use EOM makers and outside contractors to fill in the pieces. This total dedication to product development allows us to compete in nearly any category. Again I use the Mako as a prime example of this developmental approach. Therefore I would not rule out the likeliness of Razer moving into interactive entertainment or other hardware products. The bottom line is that we don’t want to be a me-too company and copy what others are doing. If we enter any new category it will be utilizing the same successful principles that made the company a huge success. I will also add that Razer is first and foremost a gaming hardware company and we know where our roots are. 

The folks that conduct or analyze the so-called [pc gaming sales] research are comparing apples with oranges. They have no method of analyzing digital downloads of PC software and since console software is purchased through traditional retail and online shops their “facts” are skewed.

--Robert Krakoff, President, Razer

 

 BES: So how do you feel when you read or hear that ‘PC Gaming is dead?’ 

RK: I just shake my head and laugh. The folks that conduct or analyze the so-called research are comparing apples with oranges. They have no method of analyzing digital downloads of PC software and since console software is purchased through traditional retail and online shops their “facts” are skewed. What we like to look at is hours played on the PC vs. the console. The other barometers for success are the online leagues, live events, LAN center mix of PC vs. console stations. Lastly we look at Razer sales and the demand for PC hardware around the world … thrust me it is healthy and growing every year. 

BES: I have to ask this –  your circumaural headset, the Carcharias – sounds like the name for some kind of Latin dance. And most people won’t even know it’s a Sand Tiger Shark unless they Google it. Why not just call it the Tiger Shark?

The Razer Carcharias -- an excellent 
headset AND educational. Click the image
to read my review.

RK: Ah, that would be 2 words (we did cheat the 2 word rule a couple of years back by making DeathAdder one word). We do get a number of emails from gamers who enjoy looking up our names and learning something new. There’s nothing wrong with learning a new word.

BES:   So what’s next for Razer? Any plans to start making console technology? Sure, we PC gamers would like to keep you all to ourselves, but the console market seems like a big market to ignore. 

RK: Razer has not intentionally ignored the console market and we recognize that it is growing and now a very competitive environment. Our goal has been to complete the four main PC hardware categories that can make a difference in your game. Those are in order of importance mice, mousing surfaces, audio products and keyboards. There are many new products on our roadmap for 2009 and 2010 and although I am not at liberty to go into detail I think that our friends and fans will be very excited once these can be officially announced. 

BES: Where do you think “professional gaming” is headed in the future? Will it remain strong enough on the PC to compete with console gaming? 

RK: Razer has pioneered the eSports sponsorship programs since the late 90’s. Since then, other companies have come in and pushed eSports sponsorships to ludicrous amounts, many paying for endorsements to gain user loyalties. It has always been Razer’s goal to give back to the community and support the gamers who have supported us. With the current financial crisis, many of the companies have, and will pull out of sponsorships. Razer will still continue to sponsor gamers as we believe in the mantra for gamers by gamers. We intend to continue sponsoring gamers and have no intentions of ever pulling out. 

BES:  Now that Logitech, Ideazon, and others are competing in that space, is Razer still ahead -- and how do you stay ahead of the competition? 

RK: Logitech makes great products and has been the default hardware leader since the 1980’s. Razer only competes in the gaming sector and in that sector there are only two noteworthy players, Logitech and Razer. In some parts of the world we are the leader and in other parts of the world we are a strong number two. It is interesting to note that ten years ago it was Logitech and Microsoft as the PC hardware leaders. As I mentioned earlier our edge is in technology and internal product development. Razer will maintain its leadership position by offering new products that make a difference and enhance the gaming experience. This is a proven formula and we are eager to see where we will grow gaming in the future. 

BES: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

Read Part 1 of the Interview

Read my reviews of Razer products

Razer Carcharias gaming headset review

Razer Mako 2.1 speaker system review

Razer Moray gaming headphones review