User:Stewbracken/sandbox

Plantronics GameCom
	Razer USA Ltd logotype
Industry	Consumer electronics
Founded	2004
Headquarters	Santa Cruz, California
Products	headsets
Website	www.gamecom.com

GameCom is the gaming sub-brand of Plantronics, offially trademarked as Plantronics GameCom. Though Plantronics produced gaming headsets as far back as 1999, it wasn't until 2004 that the GameCom brand was created to encompass their gaming headset family. In 2002, Plantronics GameCom partnered with Microsoft to create the first headset to be released in conjunction with Xbox Communicator to enable voice communication with Xbox Live^[1]. Since then, GameCom has released headsets compatible with both console and PC gaming.

History

After successful sales for the DPS-500 and the Xbox Communicator headsets ^[2], Plantronics created the GameCom sub-brand in 2004 to continue to be a competitor in the gaming headset market. GameCom debuted with four headsets, the GameCom X10 and GameCom X20 both for the Xbox Console, as well as two PC headsets, the GameCom 1 and GameCom Pro 1. The GameCom Pro 1 featured a Digital Signal Processing built-in sound card and connected to a PC via USB port.

1999-2003

In 1999 Plantronics entered the PC gaming headset market first releasing headsets in the .Audio line, such as the .Audio 90 analog headset, followed by a line of USB PC headsets, most notably the DPS-500.

File:Counter Strike DPS 500.jpg

Razer USA Ltd snake logo

In the following years, Plantronics teamed up with Microsoft^[3] to create the first headset that, along with the Xbox Communicator, enabls online voice chat with the new Xbox Live^[4] online gaming service. In June of 2003 Plantronics and Valve released a Counter-Strike branded headset based on the DPS-500.

2004

In 2004, Plantronics conceived the GameCom brand with the launch of four new headsets for Xbox Live and Online PC gamers: GameCom X10 & X20 for Xbox Communicator, and GameCom 1 (analog) and GameCom Pro 1 (DPS) for PC gaming^[5].

In October of 2004, Plantronics released the GameCom Halo 2 Edition-- a custom wired monaural headset built specifically for playing Halo 2 online with Xbox Live.

2005-2009

GameCom is selected as the official licensee of the Xbox Communicator and headset bundle, specifically the GameCom X10C headset, to be released for the Xbox 360 console^[6].

In 2006, Plantronics GameCom expands it's family of gaming headsets by releasing three new Xbox headsets: GameCom X10, GameCom X20, and GameCom X30 for use with the Xbox 360. The GameCom X30 received an honor in the CES 2007 Best of Innovations Electronic Gaming Category.

Plantronics continued to expand in the PC gaming headset market with the release of the GameCom 777 in 2008, a PC headset that featured virtual 5.1 Dolby Surround sound^[7]. Two other PC headsets, the GameCom 367 and GameCom 377 were released concurrently.

2010-2012

2012

The highly anticipated Project Fiona was unveiled at CES. A new mouse, the Naga Hex, is also being released. Unlike the previous Naga mice, this one has only 6 thumb buttons and is designed for use with multiplayer online battle arena games such as Dota 2, League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth. At E3 2012 Razer also unveiled another new mouse by the name of Taipan. This mouse uses two laser sensors to give it 8200 Dpi and higher accuracy.

Products

Razer's products are generally targeted at gamers. The bulk of Razer's products are PC peripherals including mice, keyboards, mousepads and gamepads. Razer has also released a laptop (the Razer Blade).

Most Razer products are named after predatory or poisonous animals, ranging from snakes (mice), insects (mouse mats), arachnids (keyboards) over marine creatures (audio) to felines (console peripherals). The Razer Blade laptop and Razer's Project Fiona tablet, announced at CES 2012, are the only exceptions.

Reception

Most Razer products are generally met with positive reviews.^{[citation needed]} However, Razer products have also been the target of heavy criticism. The Viper, Copperhead, Microsoft Habu, and to a lesser extent, the Krait, lose their tracking relatively easily when being moved at high speeds.^{[citation needed]} In the case of the Copperhead, Razer promoted the use of added weights but voided the warranties of mice that were customized this way, even though the weights were sold and manufactured by Razer itself. Almost all Razer mice except for the 3G/3.5G Laser mice have high lift-off distance. The first generation of Razer's 3G/3.5G Laser mice suffered from Z-axis tracking issues, which are still not fixed, even in the newer Razer 4G mice, including the Razer Imperator 2012. Firmware updates will most likely not alleviate the issue because the problem is inherent in the Philips Twin-Eye sensor used in Razer products.^{[citation needed]}

Ergonomics on many of Razer's ambidextrous mice are also criticized. While the thumb buttons on the Copperhead, Diamondback and Lachesis are easy to reach, the side buttons on the opposite side are extremely difficult to reach, as the user has to temporarily give up control of the mouse to press them. Razer's Starcraft 2-branded mouse, the Spectre, is marketed as an ambidextrous mouse, however the mouse has no thumb buttons on the right side of the mouse available for left-handed users. Razer products also have been known for having "low build quality" as their cords sometimes develop shorts, their buttons ghost-click, their mouse wheels make a loud squeaking noise, and glossy plastic comes off as very cheap. To combat this reputation, most of Razer's recent products have a notably higher build quality, such as the addition of braided USB cables, and the release of updated drivers and firmware.^{[citation needed]}

Razer's partnership with Microsoft has also been criticized.^{[citation needed]} Razer does not include the Microsoft Habu on their mouse comparison page, and it is even rumored that Razer gave the Microsoft Habu a laser sensor to tone down the product, knowing its tracking faults, while saving their much superior 3G infrared sensor for their DeathAdder mouse, a mouse with the same shape released only a couple months after the Microsoft Habu.^{[citation needed]}

In August 2010, Razer's newly announced Onza Xbox 360 controller was banned from competitive play in Major League Gaming's games and tournaments.^[8] The ban was met with mixed reactions from both supporters and opponents to Razer's new controller. Supporters of the Onza claimed the MLG administrators banned the controller because the Razer-rival Mad Catz was developing a MLG-branded controller at the time. However, the official reason for the ban was due to the Onza's two multi-function programmable buttons. MLG administrators also stated they had spoken to Razer engineers about the ban before the official announcement, hoping Razer would create a version of the controller without the extra programmable buttons.^{[citation needed]}

In early March 2011, Major League Gaming released new rules for the game Halo: Reach that removed the ban on the Razer Onza controller on the MLG Pro Circuit, allowing gamers to use the Razer Onza legally in competitive play. However, the MLG ban still remains for the game Call of Duty: Black Ops.^[9]

Comparison of Razer mouse devices

	Date of release	Technology	Sensor	Optical resolution (DPI)	Interface	Polling rate (Hz)	Mass (g)	Dimensions (l × w × h, mm)	Buttons^[10] (top/side)	Onboard memory (KB)	Firmware upgradeable	Form factor	Illuminated
Boomslang 1000/2000	1999	Mechanical (ball)	Kärna proprietary	1000/2000	PS/2	10-200	150	140 × 60-82 × 32	3/2	No	No	Ambidextrous	No
Mystify/Razer Boomslang 2100/2500 BFG Sniper Boomslang 2100	2003	Mechanical (ball)	Kärna proprietary	2100/2500	USB	125	115	140 × 60-82 × 32	3/2	No	No	Ambidextrous	No
Viper	April 2004	Optical	Agilent A2051^[11]	1000	USB	125	78	118 × 55 × 36	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	Red
Diamondback	Late 2004	Optical	Agilent A3070/A3080^[12]	1600	USB	125	90	129 × 63 × 38.5	3/4	No	No	Ambidextrous	Red, Green, or Blue
Diamondback Plasma	Mid 2005	Optical (infrared)	Agilent A3088	1600	USB	125	90	129 × 63 × 38.5	3/4	No	No	Ambidextrous	Blue
Copperhead	Late 2005	Optical (laser)	Agilent 6018	2000	USB	1000	124	130 × 66 × 41	3/4	32	Yes	Ambidextrous	Red, Green, or Blue
Krait	Mid 2006	Optical (infrared)	Agilent A3088	1600	USB	125	78	120 × 60.5 × 37	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	Orange or Red
Microsoft Habu	Late 2006	Optical (laser)	Avago S6018	2000	USB	1000	135	129 × 68 × 43.5	5/2	32	Yes	Right-handed	Blue
DeathAdder	Late 2006	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago S3668	1800	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	Blue
DeathAdder Razer Blueprints Edition	Early 2007	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago S3668	1800	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	Blue
DeathAdder Guild Wars Edition	Late 2007	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago S3668	1800	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	Amber
Boomslang Collectors Edition (10,000 Units)	Late 2007	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago 3668	1800	USB	1000	150	139 × 82 × 35	3/2	32	Yes	Ambidextrous	Green
Diamondback 3G	Late 2007	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago 3668	1800	USB	125	100	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/4	No	Yes	Ambidextrous	Red, Green, or Blue
Lachesis	Late 2007	Optical (3G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2031	4000	USB	1000	128	129 × 71 × 40	5/4	32	Yes	Ambidextrous	White, Red or Blue
Salmosa	Mid 2008	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago 3668	1800	USB	1000	40	115 × 63 × 37	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	No
Salmosa Pro Gaming Edition	Mid 2008	Optical (3G Infrared)	Avago 3668	1800	USB	1000	40	95.9 × 54.4 × 33.3	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	No
Mamba	Feb. 2009	Optical (3.5G Laser)(NEW 4G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600/6400(NEW)	USB/Wireless	1000	108 - 129	128 × 70 × 42.5	5/2	64	Yes	Right-handed	Blue or Multi-color
Naga	Aug. 2009	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	134	116 × 69 × 41.6	5/12	64	Yes	Right-handed	Blue
Orochi	Mid 2009	Optical (3G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2031	2000 (Wireless) 4000 (Wired)	USB or Bluetooth	125 (Wireless) 1000 (Wired)	95 - 141	99 × 67.8 × 35	3/4	60	Yes	Ambidextrous	Blue
DeathAdder 3500	Late 2009	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	White or blue
Imperator	Late 2009	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	138	123 × 71 × 42	5/2	32	Yes	Right-handed	Blue
Abyssus	Late 2009	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	71	115 × 63 × 40	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	Blue
DeathAdder Left-Hand Edition	2010	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Left-handed	Blue
Abyssus Mirror	2010	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	71	115 × 63 × 40	3	No	No	Ambidextrous	Blue
Spectre	2010	Optical (Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	?	100 × 66 × 37	3/2	No	Unknown	Ambidextrous^[a]	Blue
Lachesis (ver. 2)	2010	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	128	129 × 71 × 40	5/4	60	Yes	Ambidextrous	Multi-color
Naga Molten Special Edition	2010	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	134	116 × 69 × 41	5/12	64	Yes	Right-handed	Red
Naga Epic	2010	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB/Wireless	1000	134	116 × 69 × 41	5/12	64	Yes	Right-handed	Multi-color
TRON	2010	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	124	110 × 61.3 × 33.5	3/4	No	Unknown	Ambidextrous	Blue
DeathAdder Black Edition	Early 2011	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	No
DeathAdder Dragon Age II Edition	Early 2011	Optical (3.5G Infrared)	Avago S3888	3500	USB	1000	133	128 × 70 × 42.5	3/2	No	Yes	Right-handed	Red
Naga Hex	2012	Optical (3.5G Laser)	Philips Twin Eye PLN 2032	5600	USB	1000	134	116 × 70 × 46	5/6	64	Yes	Right-handed	Green or Red
Mamba 2012	2012	Optical (4G Laser)	?	6400	USB/Wireless	1000	136	115 × 68 × 43	5/2	64	Yes	Right-handed	Multi-color
Taipan	2012	Optical (4G Laser)	?	8200	USB	1000	132	124 × 63 × 36	5/4	64	Yes	Ambidextrous	Green

^ The Spectre's two side buttons, typically pressed by the user's thumb, are located on the left side of the mouse, making it difficult for a left-handed user to employ the use of these buttons.

Comparison of Razer keyboards

	Date of release	Interface	Polling rate (Hz)	Dimensions (l × w × h, mm)	Color	Detachable wristpad	Onboard memory (KB)	Cable management	Special ports	Special keys	Audio ports	USB ports	Key type	Backlit keys
Tarantula	2006	USB	1000 Hz	469 × 221 × 15	Black	No	32	No	Battledock	10 Macro, media center, profile	Headphone, microphone	2	Dome	Macro keys only - blue
Microsoft Reclusa	2006	USB	1000 Hz	551 × 236 × 61	Black	Yes	N/A	Yes	No	6 Macro, 4 bumper buttons, 2 - 360 deg. jog dials	No	2	Dome	All - blue
Lycosa	Late 2007	USB	1000 Hz	522 × 220 × 33	Black	Yes	N/A	No	No	Media center	Headphone, microphone	1	Dome	All / WASD / off - blue
Lycosa Mirror Special Edition	Late 2008	USB	1000 Hz	470 × 222 × 20	Black	Yes	N/A	No	No	Media center	Headphone, microphone	1	Dome	All / WASD / off - blue
Arctosa	2009	USB	1000 Hz	470 × 222 × 20	Black on black or silver on black	Yes	N/A	No	No	Media center	No	No	Dome	No
Marauder	2010	USB	1000 Hz	400 × 182 × 32	Grey	No	N/A	No	No	Media, Gaming Mode	No	No	Dome	Customizable
BlackWidow Ultimate	2010	USB	1000 Hz	475 × 171 × 30	Black	No	N/A	No	No	5 Macro, Media, Gaming Mode	Yes	1	Mechanical - Cherry MX Blue	Blue
BlackWidow	Late 2010	USB	1000 Hz	475 × 171 × 30	Black	No	N/A	No	No	5 Macro, Media, Gaming Mode	No	No	Mechanical - Cherry MX Blue	No
BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth	2011	USB	1000 Hz	475 × 171 × 30	Black	No	N/A	No	No	5 Macro, Media, Gaming Mode	Yes	1	Mechanical - Cherry MX Brown	Blue
Anansi	Late 2010	USB	1000 Hz	515 × 190 × 22	Black	No	N/A	No	No	7 thumb modifier, 5 Macro, Media, Gaming Mode	No	No	Dome	Customizable
TRON	Late 2010	USB	1000 Hz	577.5 × 168.25 × 31	Black	No	N/A	No	Detachable Keypad	Media, Gaming Mode	No	No	Chiclet^[13]	Blue
BlackWidow Ultimate Dragon Age II Edition	Early 2011	USB	1000 Hz	475 × 171 × 30	Black	No	N/A	No	No	5 Macro, Media, Gaming Mode	Yes	1	Mechanical (Cherry MX Blue)	Red

References

^ "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
^ "Plantronics Ships More Than 1 Million Xbox Live Headsets". Plantronics. August 5, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
^ "Plantronic Strategic Voice Partners". Plantronics. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
^ "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
^ "Plantronics Launches New Headsets for Xbox Live and Online PC Gamers". Plantronics. August 19, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
^ "Microsoft Selects Plantronics as Official Licensee of Xbox® Communicator and Headset Bundle". Plantronics. November 8, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
^ "Plantronics Teams with Dolby to Deliver Enhanced PC Game Play". Plantronics. August 29, 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
^ http://www.tomshardware.com/news/MLG-Xbox-360-controller-Mad-Catz-onza,11143.html
^ http://forums.majorleaguegaming.com/topic/225333-can-i-use-this-controller-at-mlg/
^ All Razer mouse devices have a scroll wheel acting as one of the top buttons.
^ Razer used a lens with a magnification factor greater than that recommended by Agilent to obtain an effective 1000 DPI resolution from the 800 DPI A2051 sensor, giving a lower maximum tracking speed. As a result, users who preferred a lower sensitivity setting (requiring greater/faster physical movement of the mouse) found the Viper unusable.
^ Depending on date of manufacture. The A3070 sensor suffered from an issue known as pixel jitter compensation; one units worth (a single pixel in the context of a GUI desktop with a 1:1 mouse input/output ratio) of accurate movement was lost immediately after reversing the physical direction of travel of the Diamondback, resulting in the 'skipping' of the mouse pointer. This issue only occurred at high sensitivity settings, and could be largely negated with the use of a software fix (programmed by a helpful Razer user going by the name of "Atalan"), made available as a patch and in Razers drivers. Later runs of the Diamondback used the A3080 sensor which did not suffer from this issue.
^ http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.221640400/parentCategoryID.43736600/categoryId.53428800

External links

Razer — official website
Razer Pro|Solutions — official website targeted at creative professionals
Razer Blueprints — Razer community website
European Razerzone — official European website
Optical Mouse technology review — Overview of optical mouse technology by Richard L. Owens

[13] The Spectre's two side buttons, typically pressed by the user's thumb, are located on the left side of the mouse, making it difficult for a left-handed user to employ the use of these buttons.

[1] "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.

[2] "Plantronics Ships More Than 1 Million Xbox Live Headsets". Plantronics. August 5, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-24.

[3] "Plantronic Strategic Voice Partners". Plantronics. Retrieved 2012-08-27.

[4] "Plantronics Ships Advanced Headset for Microsoft Xbox Communicator". Plantronics. November 25, 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-24.

[5] "Plantronics Launches New Headsets for Xbox Live and Online PC Gamers". Plantronics. August 19, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-27.

[6] "Microsoft Selects Plantronics as Official Licensee of Xbox® Communicator and Headset Bundle". Plantronics. November 8, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-27.

[7] "Plantronics Teams with Dolby to Deliver Enhanced PC Game Play". Plantronics. August 29, 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-27.

[8] ttp://www.tomshardware.com/news/MLG-Xbox-360-controller-Mad-Catz-onza,11143.html

[9] ttp://forums.majorleaguegaming.com/topic/225333-can-i-use-this-controller-at-mlg/

[10] All Razer mouse devices have a scroll wheel acting as one of the top buttons.

[11] Razer used a lens with a magnification factor greater than that recommended by Agilent to obtain an effective 1000 DPI resolution from the 800 DPI A2051 sensor, giving a lower maximum tracking speed. As a result, users who preferred a lower sensitivity setting (requiring greater/faster physical movement of the mouse) found the Viper unusable.

[12] Depending on date of manufacture. The A3070 sensor suffered from an issue known as pixel jitter compensation; one units worth (a single pixel in the context of a GUI desktop with a 1:1 mouse input/output ratio) of accurate movement was lost immediately after reversing the physical direction of travel of the Diamondback, resulting in the 'skipping' of the mouse pointer. This issue only occurred at high sensitivity settings, and could be largely negated with the use of a software fix (programmed by a helpful Razer user going by the name of "Atalan"), made available as a patch and in Razers drivers. Later runs of the Diamondback used the A3080 sensor which did not suffer from this issue.

[14] ttp://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.221640400/parentCategoryID.43736600/categoryId.53428800

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