DailyTech - Razer Launches Two Xbox 360 Gaming Accessories

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Gadgets Razer Launches Two Xbox 360 Gaming Accessories
Michael Barkoviak - January 7, 2010 1:38 AM

27 comment(s) - last by Samus.. on Jan 8 at 4:32 AM

Razer expands product line to include Xbox 360 console

As the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gets under way in Las Vegas, peripheral maker Razer announced it has made several gaming accessories for the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. The Razer Onza "professional gaming controller" for the Xbox 360 is a controller that includes adjustable tension on analog sticks, two multi-function buttons, and unique customization for gamers.

The controller is available with a $49.99 MSRP.

Razer also announced the Chimaera gaming headset which provides 5.1 Channel surround sound, comfortable, adjustable sizing, and a microphone for voice chat. Razer is promoting the headset as one of the few Xbox 360 headsets providing full stereo-grade sound, with most third-party headsets offering lower sound quality.

The Razer Chimaera headset has a $129.99 MSRP.

"Just as we did for PC gamers, we are really looking forward to revolutionizing the world of console gaming by creating a controller and gaming headset that gives console gamers the same level of quality, precision and accuracy that they know and expect in our PC products,” said Robert Krakoff, Razer President, in a statement. "This is a great opportunity for us to continue to give gamers the competitive edge by really listening and responding to their needs.”

Razer first gained recognition for gaming mice and mouse pads, but has expanded to keyboards, headsets and speakers -- Krakoff has been asked before when the company would begin offering products for consoles, but remained quiet about any product launches.

As console gaming popularity, especially with the Xbox 360, it's no surprise Razer decided now is the proper time for Xbox 360 headset and controller launches.

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Professional?

By akse on 1/7/2010 3:33:03 AM , Rating: 3

quote:
The Razer Onza "professional gaming controller" for the Xbox 360

Lol.. I like how you put it in " " :)

Is there such a thing as Professional gaming in console games? I've heard about a driving game that people play for money (not sure if it was xbox or PC actually) but that needs a wheel and pedals :)

It doesn't seem to differ much from the original Xbox 360 controller, well I guess it will get someone to think they can play better when they buy it :)

RE: Professional?

By StevoLincolnite on 1/7/2010 6:10:27 AM , Rating: 2

One of the meanings of "Professional":

quote:
following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.

The Xbox 360 despite it being a console does have Tournaments/Championships with real large sums of money. (Cyberathelete Professional League had a Halo 3 tournament with a 1 million dollar cash prize.)

Hence it can be applied as a "Profession" for some players, although it is regarded as more of an entertainment outlet for most.

****

Regarding the controller... The original Xbox 360 D-Pad controller simply... sucks.
Ever used it for a fighting platformer? It's a perpetual pain in my posterior, this controller however *should* fix that annoyance.

Otherwise the Xbox 360 controller is probably the most comfortable and easiest to use controller I have ever used, and is my favorite control method next to the venerable Keyboard and Mouse.

I'll be picking one of these up as soon as I can get my hot greasy nerdy hands on one. :)

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RE: Professional?

By Iaiken on 1/7/2010 11:41:56 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Cyberathelete

I don't think that word will ever stop making me laugh.

I play hockey, ride horses and I play PC games... which one of them is not an athletic pursuit...

According to the dictionary, we already have a word for "cyberathletes" and that word is "contestant" or perhaps "competitor".

Cyberathele is just a BS made-up marketing word used to make being a contestant on what is essentially a game show sound cool.

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RE: Professional?

By rmclean816 on 1/7/2010 12:19:45 PM , Rating: 2

maybe you become so involved in a game that it actually becomes physically strenuous.

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RE: Professional?

By Taft12 on 1/7/2010 3:40:39 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
I play hockey, ride horses and I play PC games... which one of them is not an athletic pursuit...

Riding horses.

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RE: Professional?

By Samus on 1/8/2010 4:32:58 AM , Rating: 2

Those headphones better suck me and fuck me for $130 bucks. Shit man. That's like a Monster Cable rape my wallet price.

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RE: Professional?

By 4wardtristan on 1/7/2010 5:04:45 PM , Rating: 2

CPL,WCG,WSVG are just a few trounaments to name that have, as well as leagues for pc games, leagues for console games.

(pretty sure cpl went backrupt, oh well)

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RE: Professional?

By zonkie on 1/7/2010 8:21:12 PM , Rating: 2

As one of the thousands of people with Muscular Dystrophy that have limited finger strength, having a controller that lets me adjust the tension is awesome. You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy a good design.

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Controller not wireless

By chedrz on 1/7/2010 11:08:58 AM , Rating: 2

As per Razerzone.com:

"With a 15 foot super long light weight braided cable and a gold plated USB connector..."

I know there's an ongoing debate over amount of lag added by making a controller wireless, but really, this controller should be wireless. That wire probably just killed a couple sales.

RE: Controller not wireless

By peterstorm on 1/7/2010 2:08:55 PM , Rating: 2

They don't have a choice - Microsoft have not released encryption/pairing information to 3rd party manufacturers.

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RE: Controller not wireless

By Taft12 on 1/7/2010 3:42:03 PM , Rating: 3

No points to award, but you nailed it. Why do 3rd parties even bother producing these things when they have to play by MS's anti-competitive rules?

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RE: Controller not wireless

By Totally on 1/7/2010 7:04:09 PM , Rating: 2

"a gold plated USB connector"

...lolz...

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use on pc?

By Visual on 1/7/2010 3:53:27 AM , Rating: 2

is the controller or the headset wireless?
is it possible to use that headset with a pc?
does the headset (or its receiver, if it is wireless and needs one) plug into the xbox or into the controller?

RE: use on pc?

By StevoLincolnite on 1/7/2010 6:13:28 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
is it possible to use that headset with a pc?

Regardless if it uses Wireless or USB (They might sell both versions for all I know), Microsoft sells a "Special" hub, which allows Xbox 360 controllers to work on the PC, thus this controller should be fully compatible with said hub.

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RE: use on pc?

By Visual on 1/7/2010 6:31:09 AM , Rating: 2

i know that controllers will work, i have the pc dongle
but i'm asking about the headset

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RE: use on pc?

By MATA1986 on 1/7/10, Rating: -1

RE: use on pc?

By 4wardtristan on 1/7/2010 5:06:01 PM , Rating: 1

tell you what, you pay me to take some of that stuff and we can start talking.

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Lycosa

By jajig on 1/7/2010 4:33:44 AM , Rating: 1

If the controller is anything like my Razer keyboard the buttons will constantly lock up requiring you to turn it off and on again :(

RE: Lycosa

By Hiawa23 on 1/7/2010 8:45:56 AM , Rating: 2

I am still baffled why MS did not release some dongle to connect the original Spad from the Xbox1 to the 360. Controller looks nice & I would definitely be interested if they made a wired version. Tired of battery swapping with my wireless controller, less lag with a wired controller & since I sit right in front of the console, really don't need wireless at all. As far as the headset, for the life of me I can't see sitting infront of my PS3 360 or Wii with headsets on when I have a nice 5.1 sound system, plus I want to be able to hear my surrounding just in case something bad is about to happen.

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RE: Lycosa

By G2cool on 1/7/2010 2:32:43 PM , Rating: 2

Microsoft sells a wired controller for the Xbox 360 http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360contro... . Although I do enjoy surround sound, this headset will provide a way for me to experience immersive sound while chatting without disturbing roommates or neighbors.

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D Pad

By excelsium on 1/7/2010 5:00:18 AM , Rating: 2

The D-pad on the official microsoft controller is terrible, if this is any better I'll definitely pick one up.

Literally had to shave off plastic with a knife around the official D-pad to make it work better.

Dear Razor...

By Golgatha on 1/7/2010 9:22:32 AM , Rating: 2

Please make a SF4 like controller with a D-pad that doesn't completely suck. Also, give the controller some weight, don't add the stupid ground effects lighting, and slim it down a bit. I'll buy two if you can manage this.