Razer CEO: No PS3 Accessories Because I Barely Play Mine

[Steven Bogos]

Razer CEO: No PS3 Accessories Because I Barely Play Mine

[tweet t=https://twitter.com/minliangtan/statuses/353406246411436032]
Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan says he designs stuff he actually wants as a gamer.

Razer is a videogame peripheral company that makes controllers, headphones, fight sticks, mice and keyboards for the PC and Xbox 360. Oddly enough, there are no Razer products for the Xbox's direct competitor, the PS3. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan explained over Twitter [https://twitter.com/minliangtan/statuses/353406246411436032] that "One of the big reasons why we don't make PlayStation accessories is because I don't really spend time with mine."

The exchange started when Tan said he was "dusting off his PS3" just so he could play The Last of Us. While he has enjoyed some PS3 games in the past (he claimed to have spent two straight days playing Infamous), the peripheral maker stands by his decision to not support the PS3. When he was called out as being "selfish", he replied "Why's it selfish? I design stuff I actually want as a gamer rather than sell stuff to gamers for money."

Tan went on to tell eager PlayStation gamers that if more games can hold his interest like Infamous, he might look into making PlayStation accessories. When asked if Razer would make products for the PS4, Tan said "I dunno - I had my PS3 for a long time - gathered a lot of dust. literally."

Razer's products, in particular its Xbox 360 fight sticks, are often regarded by gamers as being of very high quality and some of the best third party peripherals on the market. Razer recently expanded into the notebook sector, publishing the Razer Blade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124500-Razers-14-Blade-Gaming-Notebook-Wont-Break-the-Bank] series of gaming laptops built around Razer's "switchblade" interface.

Source: DualShockers [https://twitter.com/minliangtan]

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[NJ]

I have literally no idea if branching out onto PS3/PS4 would actually net them profit(I'm guessing it's a 'yes it would', though) but ain't it usually considered a better idea to cover all bases if there's demand, rather than shrugging off a share cause you don't have personal interest?

 

[Dark Knifer]

I have NEVER understood people like this. There is not a single damn thing the 360 has over the PS3, except for a handful of (subpar) exclusives. Even if you disagree on that part, the PS3 has everything the 360 has, but with MORE exclusives. the only real reason why I've seen people choose a 360 over a PS3 is because their friends have it. Which is arguably a testament to the 360's "stellar" online functions, but I disagree with this assessment. Instead, I think Microsoft has a MUCH MUCH better marketing campaign, especially for American audiences (and perhaps more shrewed business practices).

Speaking as an xbox owner, pretty much this.

I really don't see the big difference between the two to alienate one half of the market completely (wii is a different market in my mind).

 

[Roxas1359]

I have NEVER understood people like this. There is not a single damn thing the 360 has over the PS3, except for a handful of (subpar) exclusives. Even if you disagree on that part, the PS3 has everything the 360 has, but with MORE exclusives. the only real reason why I've seen people choose a 360 over a PS3 is because their friends have it. Which is arguably a testament to the 360's "stellar" online functions, but I disagree with this assessment. Instead, I think Microsoft has a MUCH MUCH better marketing campaign, especially for American audiences (and perhaps more shrewed business practices).

Took the words right out of my mouth.
Heck if it's anything I didn't even know anything about this guy's company or what they made until this article.
I mean sure your personal preferences are nice, but basing your entire marketing style and company decisions on those isn't really good business. I mean the PS3 and the 360 aren't that different really, I own both, and the PS3 is way more popular in Japan and Europe then the 360 so this makes no sense at all.

Edit: Just checked his Twitter and it seems like he's getting crap for his comment on it. Then one of his other Tweets was about how much he loves TLoU.

 

[Gizen]

I find it ironic the article mentions fight sticks for the 360 especially, considering fighting games are the one game type amongst all others that I have never met anyone who felt the 360 wasn't just awful for in comparison to PS3. Similarly, the majority of whatever good games the 360 has are not exclusive, so there's no logical reason why he doesn't want to make accessories for the PS3 because it supposedly has only a handful of games, when mostly both systems have the SAME damned games.

 

[Agayek]

I have NEVER understood people like this. There is not a single damn thing the 360 has over the PS3, except for a handful of (subpar) exclusives. Even if you disagree on that part, the PS3 has everything the 360 has, but with MORE exclusives. the only real reason why I've seen people choose a 360 over a PS3 is because their friends have it. Which is arguably a testament to the 360's "stellar" online functions, but I disagree with this assessment. Instead, I think Microsoft has a MUCH MUCH better marketing campaign, especially for American audiences (and perhaps more shrewed business practices).

The point he's trying to make isn't "The PS3 is worse, therefore we don't make peripherals for it".

It's "I don't use my PS3, therefore I have no need for peripherals for it, therefore we don't make peripherals for it".

It's not exactly the most business savvy statement I've ever heard, but there's a certain selfish/careless logic to it that makes perfect sense. He's approaching his business from the mindset of "What would I like to have for my gaming?" rather than "What would my customers like to have for gaming?".

It doesn't really bother me either way, mostly because I got sick of my Razer products crapping out on me after 6 months and so I don't buy any of their stuff anymore, but the man isn't exactly wrong with what he's saying. Just not very customer friendly.

 

[zerragonoss]

The response kinda amuse me so far. Response to Normal article about a companies business decision "they made carp by just caring about what would sell without caring about the product." This guy says he only wants to make products he wants to use "that's carpy business and he insulted the ps3 so I will lambaste him". I agree that he may not be making the best decision for his business, but cant we just be happy that the ceo of a company only wants to make products they care about, and are not in some mad rush to expand to every possible market to make more money.

 

[MrHide-Patten]

Well if he doesn't want my money ill keep it to myself, possibly spend it controllers that will last.
Maybe he'll change his tune next gen, considering the Xbox community has probably been halfed by this point.

 

[sethisjimmy]

It's not really selfish, he doesn't owe it to gamers to make peripherals for all systems.

But from a business perspective, it's foolish to ignore all demographics and markets that don't have your exact personal tastes. If there is demand for a certain system's peripherals, why ignore that in favor of your own contrarian opinions.

And I agree with what's been said in the comments so far. As a former 360 owner, PS3 has plenty more appeal to me than 360. Way more exclusives and original titles including niche titles, free online with no advertisements, plenty of deals, blu-ray discs and more out of the box hard drive space, way better relationships with indie developers, etc.

 

[J Tyran]

I have NEVER understood people like this. There is not a single damn thing the 360 has over the PS3, except for a handful of (subpar) exclusives. Even if you disagree on that part, the PS3 has everything the 360 has, but with MORE exclusives. the only real reason why I've seen people choose a 360 over a PS3 is because their friends have it. Which is arguably a testament to the 360's "stellar" online functions, but I disagree with this assessment. Instead, I think Microsoft has a MUCH MUCH better marketing campaign, especially for American audiences (and perhaps more shrewed business practices).

The point he's trying to make isn't "The PS3 is worse, therefore we don't make peripherals for it".

It's "I don't use my PS3, therefore I have no need for peripherals for it, therefore we don't make peripherals for it".

He is actually saying "I play more Xbox than PS3, I am only comfortable making products for stuff I have more experience with and/or passion for" which should earn him respect. Razer could make PS3 stuff and probably get bags more profit, instead he wants to make products he likes himself not products that make the most money. The main argument in this thread so far seems to be "teh PS3 is teh awesome and it hurts he likes teh xbox /sadface" which is a poor argument.

Quality of Razer stuff notwithstanding of course, its a bunch of overpriced junk among the ocean of other overpriced junk.

 

[UltimatheChosen]

I have NEVER understood people like this. There is not a single damn thing the 360 has over the PS3, except for a handful of (subpar) exclusives.

The reverse is also true, though. Since the two consoles share the vast majority of games, so only reason to have more than one of them hooked up to your TV is if the other has an exclusive you want to play. At all other times, it's easier to just play everything on one console.

It's one of the reasons why console wars are painfully stupid. When the main selling point of your product is that you've bribed other game companies to only release their software for it, you have a problem.

 

[MorphingDragon]

It's funny because in the PC gaming world Razer is overpriced junk.

For the price of their cheapest Keyboards you could easily get a mechanical keyboard from a company like coolermaster. At least that's the case in NZ.

 

[Caiphus]

Whatever. It's his company; he can do what he wants. I suppose it's refreshing to see a CEO make a daft decision for reasons that aren't to do with making as much money as possible.

 

[Revolutionary]

Makes sense to me, He doesn't have experience with PS3's so he doesn't try and do shit in an area where he he's clueless.
Also ITT: so many butthurt sony fanboys.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Oh hey look at that, an asshole being an asshole on twitter. and so unabashedly. I mean cripes, its one thing ot be self centered but you run a damn company. I'd look to expand as much as possible to bring in profit (though after this statement he probably turned off some decent percentage of sony users).

Oh well, guess I have a reason not to buy his stuff. well, aside from bad anecdotes from my PC playing friends who felt it wasnt worth the money.