14 DAY TRIAL // Razer is known for having invented a great many gaming peripherals and it appears that its latest invention doesn't exactly qualify as a keyboard, mouse, steering wheel or anything of the sort.
Users with basic knowledge of the gaming and PC industry will know of those things called motion controllers.
Nintendo's Wii console is famous for those rod-shaped devices that use wireless connectivity, and Sony also developed the PlayStation Move for its own gaming machines.
All the while, the PC has been left without something similar, or at least nothing known to have gained traction, marketing-wise, meaning that all gaming titles for them rely on the keyboard and mouse.
Granted, said keyboards and mice come even in forms with many special-purpose buttons and with shapes and designs intended for ergonomic value and comfort.
Razer decided to try and do something about this situation, so it teamed up with Sixense and created the Hydra.
“We are excited to finally bring full motion control to the PC,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer.
“Gamers will be blown away by the pinpoint tracking precision that mirrors every move in-game. They’ll also enjoy the exclusive new Portal 2 content created specifically for the Razer Hydra, giving them more bang for their buck.”
Armed with a non-slip satin grip surface, the product has four Hyperesponse buttons, a rapid-fire trigger, an analog stick and an anti-tangle braided cable.
As for the sensor that picked up the magnetic motion tracking signals (1mm and 1 degree tracks are supported), it is part of a bundled base station. June is when sales will start, although pre-orders will be possible in May, for $140 / €140 (bundled with Portal 2).
“By working with Razer and Valve, we have established the PC as the best platform for motion gaming,” says Amir Rubin, CEO, Sixense.
“We developed and optimized 6 Sixense TrueMotion levels for Portal 2 to allow gamers to fully experience the possibilities of motion gaming. Definitely an exciting time to be a PC gamer.”
