Razer Inc. Explained

Razer Inc.
Native Name:Razer / Chinese: 雷蛇
Type:Private
Products:Laptops, peripherals, consoles, software
Area Served:Worldwide
Revenue Year:2021
Num Employees:1,576[1]
Num Employees Year:2024

Razer Inc. (stylized as R Λ Z Ξ R) is an American[2] [3] [4] multinational corporation and technology company that makes, develops and sells consumer electronics, financial services, and gaming hardware. The brand was founded in 1998, then refounded in 2005[5] by Min-Liang Tan and Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, although the business originated in 1999 in the US. It is dual headquartered in the one-north subzone of Queenstown, Singapore, and Irvine, California, US.[6]

Origin

Razer began as a San Diego, California-based subsidiary of kärna LLC in 1998, which was created to develop and market a high-end computer gaming mouse, the Boomslang, targeted to computer gamers. Kärna was shut down in 2000 due to bankruptcy. The current iteration of Razer was founded in 2005 by Min-Liang Tan, a Singaporean NUS graduate,[6] and Robert Krakoff after they procured the rights to the Razer brand following a large investment from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing and Singaporean holding company Temasek Holdings.[7] [8]

Razer bought the software assets of the Android-based microconsole Ouya from its parent company Ouya Inc. on 27 July 2015, while the hardware was discontinued.[9] [10] Ouya's technical team joined Razer's team in developing their own microconsole, which was called the Forge TV.[11] It was discontinued in 2016.[12] [13] [14] [15]

According to THX CEO Ty Ahmad-Taylor, Razer purchased THX from Creative Technology in October 2016.[16]

In January 2017, Razer bought manufacturer Nextbit, the startup behind the Robin smartphone.[17] Shortly after in November that, Razer unveiled the Razer Phone, its first smartphone whose design is based on that of the Robin.[18]

In July 2017, Razer filed to go public through an IPO in Hong Kong.[19] In October, it was confirmed that Razer plans to offer 1,063,600,000 shares at a range of $0.38–$0.51.[20] On 14 November, Razer was officially listed on Hong Kong stock exchange under the stock code 1337, a reference to leet speak commonly used by gamers.[21] Razer's IPO closed 18% up on the first day of trading and was the 2nd most successful IPO of 2017 in Hong Kong.[22]

In April 2018, Razer announced that it was planning to fully acquire the e-payments platform MOL for about $61 million.[23] In July, Razer made its debut in Malaysia by launching an e-wallet service called Razer Pay.[24] They also announced the Razer Phone 2 in October.[25]

On 21 December 2018, Razer announced its new seven-storey South-east Asia headquarters in the one-north subzone of Queenstown, Singapore. The building was expected to be ready by 2020, with Boustead Projects' joint venture firm constructing it. The exterior would be lit with LED strips representing a central processing unit in operation.[26] Razer held its ground-breaking ceremony on 22 February 2019, with a new digital real estate start-up called Echo Base launched the same day. 600 more staff were planned over the next few years, adding to the 400 staff based then. The first smart city project in the region would be developed soon.[27] [28] [29]

In February 2019, Razer announced it was closing its Razer Game Store as part of the company's realignment plans.[30]

On 21 May 2019, Razer released a statement that announced that Ouya online accounts and services would be discontinued on 25 June 2019. According to Razer, most apps will become unusable on the platform, many relying on the user accounts to work. Razer suggests that users may be able to transfer purchases to other storefront platforms like Google Play if developers and publishers agree to such.[31]

In May 2020, Razer announced the Razer Health initiative, sponsoring high-quality certified surgical masks to governments, healthcare organizations, and individuals around the world.[32]

In October 2020, Razer announced it was launching a new virtual prepaid debit card starting with Singapore in January 2021.[33] [34]

In 2021, Razer announced the shutting down of Razer Pay (Beta) e-wallet in Malaysia and Singapore.[35]

In February 2021, CEO Tan Min-Liang announced that Razer will move its Singapore headquarters to a much larger building that would open in the second quarter of 2021.[36] Razer planned to hire up to 1,000 positions for the new headquarters.[37] The headquarters officially opened on 26 October 2021, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat at the ceremony. The building consisted of a "RazerStore" and a "RazerCafe".[38]

On 26 April 2022, cofounder Robert Krakoff died.[39] As of 12 May 2022, no cause of death has been confirmed from the company or his family.[40]

In May 2022, Razer delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.[41]

Products

Razer's products are generally targeted at gamers and include gaming laptops, gaming tablets, and PC peripherals such as mice (e.g. Razer Naga), audio devices, keyboards, mouse mats, and gamepads. Most Razer products are named after predatory or venomous animals, ranging from snakes (mice), insects (mouse mats), arachnids (keyboards), marine creatures (audio), and felines (console peripherals). The exceptions to this are the Razer Blade series of laptops and Razer Edge, which are instead named after bladed objects. Razer has also released a VOIP software called Razer Comms.

The Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse is the company's most popular product by sales numbers. Razer mice are used by around 8% of professional first-person shooter gamers.[42] In 2021, Razer introduces new 8 kHz "HyperPolling" technology to power the Razer Viper 8K.[43]

Razer announced its first gaming smartphone, the Razer Phone, in November 2017, which marked the company's first steps into the smartphone business.[44]

In 2020, it launched the Razer Book, its first "mainstream" non-gaming laptop.[45] In April 2022, Razer partnered with the deep learning company Lambda to launch its first Linux oriented laptop, Tensorbook, which targeted machine learning engineers.[46]

In January 2021, Razer launched a range of high-grade designer masks as part of the company's initiative, Project Hazel, in a move to encourage more people to wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[47] The mask is designed to allow lip-reading by seeing facial cues when people talk, with LED lights to illuminate the wearer's face in dark environments.[48] Project Hazel was later launched, renamed as the Zephyr in October 2021[49] as an N95 rated mask. However, it was discovered later in that year that it wasn't N95 rated; this caused them to update the language used in the page to saying that they are not N95 certified.[50] In April 2024, a proposed settlement was announced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that would require Razer to issue over $1.1 million in refunds to customers who purchased Zephyr masks, which the FTC alleges Razer made misleading statements about and failed to have tested by either the Food and Drug Administration or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.[51]

In 2021, it also entered the gaming chair market with the Iskur, an in-house designed chair for gaming.[52] Subsequently, they introduced the Enki, a chair marketed for "all day gaming" and comfort.[53]

In 2024, Razer introduced a new Razer Blade gaming laptop, which is the first gaming laptop to use Thunderbolt 5, an interface faster than its predecessor, Thunderbolt 4.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Razer Inc.: Private Company Information . www.bloomberg.com . 9 July 2018 . 9 July 2018 . 9 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170909205250/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=37560521 . live .
  2. Web site: Jamshed . Zahra . 2019-03-14 . How eSports became a big business for Razer . live . 2023-12-13 . . en.
  3. Web site: Jennings . Ralph . April 27, 2021 . Why Gaming Gear Company Razer Launched A $50 Million Fund For Green Startups . 2023-12-13 . . en.
  4. Web site: Wee . Stacey . Sep 16, 2020 . Gaming company Razer thrives throughout the pandemic by focusing on digital innovations and shifting its supply chain to fulfill the demand for masks . 2023-12-13 . . en-US.
  5. Web site: About Razer - Company History and Brand Identity Razer Singapore . 2023-11-08 . . en-SG.
  6. Web site: About Razer. www.razer.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162621/https://www.razerzone.com/about-razer/. 18 April 2017.
  7. News: Sterling Wong and Yoojung Lee . 31 October 2017 . Razer CEO to Become a Billionaire With Li Ka-shing Backing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613190208/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-31/razer-ceo-to-become-a-billionaire-with-backing-from-li-ka-shing . 13 June 2018 . 7 September 2018 . . en.
  8. Web site: About Razer: History . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162621/https://www.razerzone.com/about-razer/ . 18 April 2017 . 2 May 2017 . Razer Inc..
  9. Web site: Sam Machkovech . 27 July 2015 . So long, Ouya! Razer acquires microconsole’s storefront, technical team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150729010300/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/07/so-long-ouya-razer-acquires-microconsoles-storefront-technical-team/ . 29 July 2015 . 27 July 2015 . Ars Technica.
  10. Web site: Ingrid Lunden . 27 July 2015 . Razer Confirms Acquisition Of Ouya's Software, Tech And Dev Teams In All-Cash Deal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150728135647/http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/27/razer-confirms-ouya-acquisition/ . 28 July 2015 . 27 July 2015 . . AOL.
  11. Web site: Razer Forge TV RZ16-0128x Support . 2022-10-05 . mysupport.razer.com.
  12. Web site: Razer Forge TV - Android™ Gaming in Your Living Room. Razer. 22 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151023101128/http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-forge-tv. 23 October 2015. dead.
  13. Web site: Harish Jonnalagadda . 31 July 2015 . Razer CEO talks OUYA, Forge TV and upcoming game streaming service in AMA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016090052/http://www.androidcentral.com/razer-ceo-talks-ouya-forge-tv-and-upcoming-game-streaming-service-ama . 16 October 2015 . 22 October 2015 . Android Central.
  14. Web site: This is why Razer bought Ouya (Hint: China). Brian Crecente. Polygon. 27 July 2015 . 22 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151021015700/http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/7/27/9046895/razer-ouya-android-why. 21 October 2015. live.
  15. Web site: Razer Acquires OUYA Software Assets . 2022-10-05 . . en.
  16. Ty Ahmad-Taylor (October 18, 2016). "A New Beginning for THX: Why I Sold My Company in My First Year" at Medium. Archived at 7 November, 2017.
  17. Web site: Razer acquires Nextbit, the startup behind the Robin smartphone . Lunden . Ingrid . 31 January 2017 . TechCrunch.com . 31 January 2017 . 2 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171202031519/https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/razer-acquires-nextbit-the-startup-behind-the-robin-smartphone/ . live .
  18. Web site: Segarra . Lisa Marie . 2017-11-29 . What Reviewers Say About the Razer Phone, a Smartphone for Gamers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201181603/http://time.com/5041321/razer-phone-reviews-specs/ . 2017-12-01 . 2024-07-15 . TIME . en.
  19. Web site: Jon Russell Ingrid Lunden . 1 July 2017 . Gaming firm Razer seeks to raise over $600M in Hong Kong IPO . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021951/https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/01/razer-hong-kong-ipo/ . 12 November 2017 . 11 November 2017 . TechCrunch.
  20. Web site: Jon Russell . 31 October 2017 . Gaming accessories firm Razer to raise up to $550M in Hong Kong IPO . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171110032024/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/razer-looks-to-raise-up-to-550m/ . 10 November 2017 . 11 November 2017 . TechCrunch.
  21. Web site: Chan. Melissa. Razer Is Officially A Public Company, And You Can Now Buy More Than Just A Mouse. Vulcan Post. 13 November 2017 . 13 November 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040458/https://vulcanpost.com/625589/razer-shares-public/. 14 November 2017.
  22. News: Yoolim Lee . November 13, 2017 . Razer rises in debut after raising 530 million in Hong Kong IPO . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033451/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-13/razer-rises-in-debut-after-raising-530-million-in-hong-kong-ipo . 1 December 2017 . . en.
  23. Web site: 25 Apr 2018 . Razer to buy out e-payments platform MOL for S$81m . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064102/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/razer-acquire-mol-global-gaming-virtual-credits-10173018 . 2 May 2018 . 1 May 2018 . Channel NewsAsia .
  24. News: Stephanie Luo . 5 July 2018 . Razer Pay launches in Malaysia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103939/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/razer-pay-launches-in-malaysia . 26 July 2018 . 26 July 2018 . . en.
  25. Web site: Razer Phone 2 – Flagship // Gaming . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191853/https://press.razer.com/press-releases/razer-announces-the-razer-phone-2/ . 28 February 2019 . 28 February 2019 . Razer Inc. . en.
  26. Web site: Razer plans new S-E Asia HQ at one-north in Singapore . The Straits Times . 30 December 2021 . 22 December 2018 . 30 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230114256/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/razer-plans-new-s-e-asia-hq-at-one-north-in-spore . live .
  27. Web site: 22 February 2019 . Remarks by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Razer Southeast Asia's New Headquarters, on Fri 22 February 2019, 10.00am, at one-north . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230111822/https://www.sgpc.gov.sg/sgpcmedia/media_releases/mof/speech/S-20190222-2/attachment/razer%20speech%20final.pdf . 30 December 2021 . 30 December 2021 . MOF.
  28. Web site: Razer Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Southeast Asia HQ in Singapore . Razer . 30 December 2021 . 22 February 2019 . 30 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230120643/https://press.razer.com/product-news/razer-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-new-southeast-asia-hw-in-singapore/ . live .
  29. Web site: Ng . Jun Sen . Ng . Huiwen . Tech-focused real estate start-up Echo Base backed by Razer CEO Tan Min-Liang announced . The Straits Times . 30 December 2021 . 22 February 2019 . 30 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230120642/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/tech-focused-real-estate-start-up-echo-base-backed-by-razer-ceo-tan-min-liang . live .
  30. News: Razer Game Store (gamestore.razer.com) will cease operations. 1 February 2019. Razer Game Store. 1 February 2019. en. 18 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190218085316/https://gamestore.razer.com/lp/closure. dead.
  31. Web site: Welch. Chris. 22 May 2019. Ouya will be shut down for good on June 25th. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190522183916/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/22/18635800/razer-ouya-kickstarter-gaming-service-shutting-down-june-25. 22 May 2019. 22 May 2019. The Verge.
  32. Web site: May 12, 2020 . Razer sponsors masks for all Singaporean adults and residents via a network of mask vending machines . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124080553/https://press.razer.com/company-news/razer-sponsors-masks-for-all-singaporean-adults-and-residents-via-network-of-mask-vending-machines/ . 24 January 2022 . 2022-01-24 . Razer Inc. . en.
  33. Web site: Lyles. Taylor. 2020-10-06. Of course Razer made a light-up prepaid credit card. 2020-11-21. The Verge. en. 29 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201129050253/https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/10/6/21504004/razer-light-up-prepaid-card-rgb-lighting-rewards. live.
  34. Web site: Razer to launch prepaid debit card for youth in January.. 2020-11-21. BEAMSTART - Business Community, Resources, & Opportunities. en. 31 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031183020/https://beamstart.com/content/127893/razer-pay-card-launch-singapore. live.
  35. Web site: Tariq. Qishin. 2021-08-09. Razer Pay (Beta) shutting down on Sept 30 in Malaysia and Singapore. 2021-08-12. The Star. en-US. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810023632/https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2021/08/09/razor-pay-beta-shutting-down-on-sept-30-in-malaysia-and-singapore. live.
  36. Web site: Anne . Melissa . February 2021 . Razer to open new headquarters in Singapore in Q2 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415041740/https://megplay.com/razer-new-headquarters-singapore/ . 15 April 2021 . 2021-02-02 . MEGPlay . en-US.
  37. Web site: Salim. Zafirah. 2021-02-01. Razer To Hire About 1,000 Roles For New SEA HQ In S'pore, Which Is Set To Open In Q2 2021. 2021-02-02. Vulcan Post. en-US. 2 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210202073015/https://vulcanpost.com/732417/razer-hiring-about-1000-roles-sea-hq-singapore/. live.
  38. Web site: Lakeisha . Leo . Gaming firm Razer opens new Southeast Asia headquarters in one-north . CNA . 28 October 2021 . en . 27 October 2021 . 27 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211027091427/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/gaming-firm-razer-opens-new-southeast-asia-headquarters-one-north-cafe-store-2270501 . live .
  39. Web site: Shutler . Ali . 3 May 2022 . Razer co-founder Robert 'RazerGuy' Krakoff has died . 28 July 2022 . NME.
  40. 1519584686149976066. Razer. We are saddened by the passing of Co-Founder and President Emeritus, Robert Krakoff, known by everyone as RazerGuy.…. 28 April 2022.
  41. Web site: Felicia Tan . 27 April 2022 . Razer to delist in May after getting shareholders' approval to go private . live . 2022-10-14 . Yahoo Finance . en-SG.
  42. Web site: Nathan Hamilton . 2023-01-06 . Best Razer Mouse In 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530183729/https://www.setup.gg/reviews/mouse/best-razer/ . 2023-05-30 . 2024-07-16 . SETUP.GG . en-US.
  43. Web site: Malin Stelzner . January 28, 2021 . Razer introduces HyperPolling Technology to power the world's fastest gaming mouse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124080543/https://press.razer.com/product-news/razer-introduces-hyperpolling-technology-to-power-the-worlds-fastest-gaming-mouse/ . 24 January 2022 . 2022-01-24 . . en.
  44. Web site: Savov . Vlad . 2017-11-01 . Razer Phone announced with huge bezels, no headphone jack, and dubious gamer cred . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171102025901/https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/1/16519692/razer-phone-android-gaming-specs-release-date-price-photos . 2 November 2017 . 2020-08-12 . . en.
  45. Web site: Cherlynn Low . 2020-11-09 . Razer's first mainstream laptop still has an RGB keyboard . live . 2023-11-08 . . en-US.
  46. Web site: Hollister . Sean . 2022-04-14 . Razer's first Linux laptop is here, but it's not for gamers . 2022-04-15 . . en.
  47. Web site: Princess Joy Malinao . 18 January 2021 . Project Hazel; Razer creates the smartest mask with RGB & voice projection . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118223019/https://newsasiatoday.com/project-hazel-razer-creates-a-cool-n95-mask-with-rgb-voice-projection/ . 2023-11-18 . 2021-01-30 . News Asia Today . en-US.
  48. Web site: Faulkner. Cameron. 2021-01-12. Razer has created a concept N95 mask with RGB and voice projection. 2021-01-30. The Verge. en. 28 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128111601/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22221344/razer-project-hazel-n95-respirator-mask-coronavirus-chroma-rgb-concept. live.
  49. Web site: Faulkner . Cameron . 2021-10-21 . Razer's futuristic Zephyr mask is available today, starting at $99.99 . 2023-04-30 . . en-US.
  50. Web site: Faulkner . Cameron . 2022-01-10 . Razer no longer claims its Zephyr mask uses "N95-grade" filters . 2023-04-30 . The Verge . en-US.
  51. Web site: Roth . Emma . 2024-04-29 . Razer made a million dollars selling a mask with RGB, and the FTC is not pleased . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429174202/https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/29/24144425/razer-zephyr-face-mask-covid-n95-ftc-settlement . 2024-04-29 . 2024-04-29 . . en.
  52. McLoughlin . Aleksha . 7 July 2021 . Razer Iskur X review: same looks, but lacks the X-factor of the original . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719035423/https://www.gamesradar.com/razer-iskur-x-review/ . 19 July 2021 . 19 July 2021 . Games Radar.
  53. Web site: 2021-10-21 . Razer’s $399 Enki is better than most office chairs, period . 2023-11-27 . Engadget . en-US.

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