Razer launches new pwnage tool – Naga 17 button gaming mouse

Aug 20, 2009 by Dan Taylor    32 Comments    Posted under: Games, Technology

As a gamer, of course I’m aware of Razer’s line of products, but sadly, they’re still serving the winblows world, and only offer one mac supported mouse. It’s white and cute, but feels more like a laptop, on the go business type mouse, rather than something substantial under hand. And while Razer’s still sticking with the Redmond crowd, they have recently announced that they’ve started shipping an industry first: and MMO specific mouse.

Dubbed the Naga, Razer bills this new input device as the next level in gaming mice for MMO players. Tested in combination with leading MMO gamers and community sites, including the number one MMO addon go to, curse.com.

“Gaming interfaces have been growing but there’s a gap in providing gamers a true experience of control in the virtual world,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president, Razer. “Razer’s engineering team addresses this issue with the Razer Naga, designed to be unique and innovative by offering MMO players more customization and balance in-game. “

If you’re not familiar with the typical MMO setup, the quick and dirty looks like this: Most have an action bar at the bottom of the screen that corresponds to the number keys 1-12 (1-0 plus the – and = key). This action bar allows you to press a number that corresponds to the action that you want to take, while leaving your mouse hand free to target, move, etc. Personally, I’ve developed what I consider a great skill in being able to run forward (the W key) while still being able to click on the 2 or 3 key (depending on which spell I need) to cast while on the move. What the Razer Naga seeks to address here is freeing up the left hand from having to turn/twist into unnatural key combinations (think photoshop ‘save for web’ keyboard shortcut – or the PSclaw as I’ve heard it referred to). This industry first 12 button thumb grid allows players to map the 1-12 keyboard commands to the mouse, and access them via a thumb click. Optimally, I could see this remapping allowing for a full 1-12 action bar full of macros or modifier keys.

Razer has already lined up a number of supported titles (can you have a guess which one tops the list? WoW, I knew you could do it!) and includes add-on software that will allow players to save an unlimited number of profiles. These profiles allow for thousands of in-game commands for each individual character, thereby eliminating the need to re-map every time a player re-specs a character.

Again, I’m a mac gamer, and won’t be able to test this one out in person, but admittedly, the concept is intriguing. I guess the only thing that I’d worry about is mis-clicking. Heck, I’ve been known to have a click fail now and again, and that’s with a full sized keyboard. Trying to touch feel 12 buttons under thumb might be quite a challenge. Having said that, I’m sure the average 14 year old would have it mastered in just under half an hour, and 12 additional ‘don’t click – push the button’ macros could be quite handy.

Razer Naga Stats:

COST: US: $79.99, Europe: euro 79.99

AVAILABILITY: Worldwide

Technical Specifications:

• 5600dpi Razer Precision 3.5G Laser Sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling(TM) / 1ms response time
• 200 inches per second max tracking speed
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick(TM) Teflon feet
• 17 MMO-optimized buttons (including 12 button thumb grid)
• Optional MMO-specific software AddOns
• Unlimited character profiles with AddOns
• Approximate size: 116L x 69W x 41.6H (in mm)

China cracks down on Gold Farming

Jun 30, 2009 by Dan Taylor    4 Comments    Posted under: Games, News, Technology

It’s official.  The Chinese government has now outlawed trading virtual currency for real world goods and/or services.  In this joint statement released by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Commerce, the government clearly defines virtual currency, including ‘prepaid cards of cyber-games’.

“The virtual currency, which is converted into real money at a certain exchange rate, will only be allowed to trade in virtual goods and services provided by its issuer, not real goods and services,” the Ministries said.

The process of exchanging real world goods, services, or currency for in-game virtual currencies in MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) is often referred to Gold Farming, and has afflicted a number of titles including the perhaps most popular example, the worldwide hit World of Warcraft.

The Chinese government has estimated the virtual currency trade at over several billion Yuan last year.  To put that in perspective, 1 billion Yuan is roughly $146 million USD.  The government also claims that the practice has been gaining popularity, and has an annual growth rate of about 20%.  With over 300 million internet users, China has the largest online population in the world.  This new ruling is likely to affect many of these users, as well as other countries involved in virtual currency trading, a number of whom rely on, or utilize in part or whole, the Chinese system.  According to a 2008 study conducted by Richard Heeks at the University of Manchester, the virtual currency trade employs hundreds of thousands of people around the world, 80-85 percent based in China, and generates between $200 million and $1 billion annually.  Well, at least the Chinese governments in the right ballpark with their numbers.

One of China’s most popular online destinations, Tencent.com, with approximately 220 million users, about the same as facebook, is quoted in the release as “resolutely” supporting the new measures (well of course…what else are they supposed to say?).  Given Tencent’s sheer size and numbers, their virtual currency “QQ Coins”, is one of the most popular forms of virtual currency in China.  They also added that they are strongly opposed to the black market trading of virtual currencies, as they may be used to enable online theft and fraud.

According to the release, using virtual money for gambling will by punished by public security authorities, and minors may not purchase virtual money.

Whoa.  Let’s reiterate that: Minors may not purchase virtual money.

According to a report in the English version of China Daily (sorry, I can barely speak English, much less Chinese), in-game items and gear are NOT considered virtual currency, so this format may or may not be allowed to continue.  But for now, it’s all in the hands of Chinese government officials.