It sort of feels just like the folks at Razer are taking the company’s “for gamers, by gamers” motto to heart, today unveiling a brand new customizable PC / Xbox 360 arcade stick at Tokyo Game Show that may not even hit production until the fightstick community disassembles, mods, and judges the heck out of it. The yet-to-be-named arcade controller will first make its solution to select applicants of a closed beta program, putting the rig within the hands of a few 200-plus gamers who, after having their way with it, will provide the outfit with how you can fine-tune the ultimate product.
Razer’s TGS staff gave us a temporary overview of the unit, and allow us to swap around wires, come out buttons, and fiddle with the rig’s faceplate. The prototype unit is built with Sanwa Denshi components, but Razer tells us that mod-minded gamers are free replace, modify, or otherwise tinker with any of the controller’s major parts without fear of voiding its warranty — only the stick’s control board is off limits. Beta registration is already open, and the primary test units should ship out sometime next month. Take a look at the gallery below for an eyeful, or point your peepers up top for a demo straight from the TGS show floor. Want more text? Hit the break for an official press release.
Because the company’s beginnings in ’98, Razer has continually taken pro-gamer feedback and validation in the course of the product development phase with the intention that the design for each gaming product shipped is absolutely the best for the competitive edge in tournament-grade play. But in an unprecedented move inside the gaming hardware space, Razer is now reaching out to the complete arcade stick community to assist make this yet-to-be-named product the right arcade stick on the earth. Their feedback would be a massive influencing consider the design of the ultimate product.
“Razer is for gamers, by gamers. We’ve been taking feedback from our professional players on products for years and now we wish to open it as much as the community. That’s why we would like every arcade enthusiast and modder’s input within the development of this special arcade stick,” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President, Razer USA. “On this way, it is not just our arcade stick; it is the community’s arcade stick. Together, we shall create a weapon that delivers the easiest fighting performance for each gamer and allows modding to the individual’s exact specifications. We aren’t just asking people for input at the paint job, we’re after serious hardware feedback.”
Members of the arcade community worldwide thinking about participating during this beta program are encouraged to contribute ideas at www.razerzone.com/bredtofight, together with a brief description as to why they need to be selected for prototype testing. Registrants could also nominate people to this system. As much as 200+ successful applicants worldwide will receive an arcade stick prototype delivered on to their homes.
Razer might be launching this non-retail arcade stick closed beta community program at Tokyo Game Show, the center of the pro console fighting scene. Select pro-gamers and key modders can also be approached very soon to start beta testing the prototype.
LG’s upcoming MWC lineup runs into some Italians, gets documented on video
Everything Everywhere promises ‘small-scale LTE launch’ in UK by the top of 2012
