Bit-tech.net Razer Interview: Robert Krakoff

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Razer Interview: Robert Krakoff
Author: Joe Martin Published: 4th Jun 2007
1 - Introducing Robert Krakoff

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We recently got a chance to put some questions to Robert Krakoff, A.K.A 'RazerGuy', who is the founder of Razer Ltd. Responsible for some of the best mice we've ever seen, Razer has been a massive name in gaming peripherals ever since they first released the Boomslang, the worlds first 1000 DPI mouse. Since then Razer has pushed forwards and released a whole range of new products. Teaming up with professional gamers such as Meng 'Rocketboy' Yang, the number one in Doom 3, has allowed Razer to become massive in the professional gaming circuit and recent expansions with products such as the Razer Pro|type has pushed them into new emerging markets. But, with many people fearing that PC gaming is being left behind due to the rapid growth in consoles, has Razer reached a plateau and, if so, is there a way off it? We put the question to Robert 'RazerGuy' Krakoff to see what he thinks about the world of PC gaming and how professional gaming has changed over the years. Bit: Why did you move into gaming peripherals and what was it that you thought you could bring to the market at that time? Robert: In 1998 we carefully surveyed the gaming market expressly for mice and noted that while other hardware, notably video graphic and audio cards were being upgraded specifically by gamers, mice hadnt changed from an engineering standpoint since the first mouse was developed some 35 years before. Bit: What do you think the most single important aspect of a gaming set-up is? Robert: Many gamers will claim video graphics processors or even your online connection, but from a standpoint of providing a distinct edge to improve your game the mouse is singularly the most vital weapon in your arsenal.
The Razer Copperhead mouse is still the favourite of more than half the bit-tech.net team. Bit: Razer has been making games peripherals for a number of years. How has the market changed in that time and what do you think the future holds for Razer and peripherals at large? Robert: Certainly the console market boom has been the most dramatic evolution to gaming over the past ten years. The development of the online console community is a big step towards enticing hardcore PC gamers to be tempted to switch. For the PC the biggest news has come from the MMOG and strategy game developers over the last few years. Games like World of Warcraft and Guild Wars have brought millions of new gamers over to the PC, many of whom are female and belonging to the older generations. Im sure that the console makers have taken notice of this trend. Bit: With a lot of gamers moving away from PC gaming and towards consoles, do you have any plans to develop
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/06/04/razer_interview__robert_krakoff/2

4 Jun 07

console peripherals?

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Robert: The PC business has never been stronger or more vital. The way I see it, there is a very high percentage of crossover gamers who own both a PC and one or more consoles. The real question here is how much time they spend on each. What you have to define is the game genre they play on each and whether they play the game socially, with a group of friends or if they are completely immersed in the game and their virtual environment while they play. I offer that very often, the way one plays a console game is very different from the way one plays a PC game. Nevertheless, to respond directly to your question, Razer is always open to exploring new hardware opportunities, as long as we can create advanced technology that can enhance the user experience.

The Razer Tarantula is endorsed by professional gamers like Meng 'Rocketboy' Yang. Bit: With the Nintendo Wii and PS3 SixAxis controller changing the way console games are played, there is a fear that PC gaming may be left behind. What do you think is the future of PC peripherals and will there ever be a time when mice and keyboards are left behind? Robert: Lets take this scenario and play Halo 2 online 1v1 for money. Ill play on a PC using a Razer mouse and keyboard and you use the game controller of your choice. Well see who gets left behind. My point is that in the games that matter (the ones played for prize money), the console and the current crop of game controllers cant compete with the mouse and keyboard. If you own a console and only play against other console players this argument is mute, however; if you compete online head-to-head against PC players get ready for some serious pwnage. Bit: With keyboards constantly getting more complex, incorporating LCD screens and macros for example, it can seem as if keyboards often rely on gimmicks to sell these days. Do you ever get the feeling that simpler is sometimes better? Robert: That really depends on the game and the individual player. Some games dont require much more than a good solid WASD key command while other games scream for macros and advanced key programming. One mans gimmick can be another mans Tarantula. Bit: Razer introduced the world to the first optical mouse with 1000 DPI, but do you think gamers will ever reach a point when they say they have enough is enough in terms of sensitivity, or will it keep escalating? Robert: I think that has already happened. Once you hit 1800 to 2000 DPI there isnt a noticeable difference in sensitivity and performance. DPI is one of the most misunderstood and misused measurement vehicles for mice. In fact I am in the midst of writing a full explanation and compendium of exactly what technologies actually affect precision and accuracy in a mouse. Look for this information in one of my upcoming blog posts early in June.

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Bit: Razer has branched out from gaming mice to other products such as soundcards and keyboards, do you have plans to branch out further? Can you tell us about them? Robert: I could but then I would have to shoot myself. Razer is always looking for ways to enhance gaming and gamers abilities. As game developers continue to raise the bar, Razer will be there to pick up the support of those games when it comes to hardware. I will admit to a number of new products and exciting technological advances in various stages of development today. The future will be a very exciting place for us to spend our time playing games. Bit: There are obviously a lot of interface innovations still in experimental stages, such as gaze detection for PCs, do you keep a close eye on these technologies and do you ever plan to branch out into them? Robert: Yes we do keep an eye out for such innovations, and in fact we have some new ones on our own. Again all top secret stuff and unfortunately I cant comment further at this time.

Razer was one of the first companies to sponsor pro gamers, contributing to the rise of figures like Fatal1ty.
Bit: Razer is obviously close to the professional gaming scene. In your mind what is it that makes a professional gamer so much better than the average Counterstrike n00b and how do you watch for the next Fatal1ty? Robert: I honestly dont know if there will ever be another Fatal1ty; Jon is unique to himself. No gamer I know of has exhibited the package of talent, expertise, style, newsworthiness and business sense that Jon has. I know Jon personally and he is the real deal. Add to this the trend away from individual gamers towards teams over the past five years and the way the entire sponsorship dynamic has changed. We do look for players or teams that have consistently place high in important tournaments mostly live events. We ask players to provide feedback and validation for many of our new products. We also look to find players who can deliver relevant soundbites with eloquence and composure. We also look for teams with stability, honesty and integrity. Razer will never support a team unless the players believe that Razer products can make them better players. This is the cornerstone of our belief system. In the old days when Fatal1ty was sponsored by Razer he used and believed in our products, and that is the only way we will work with current and future sponsorship opportunities. We'd like to thank Robert and everybody at Razer for taking the time to answer our questions.