CES 2015: Razer supports VR and big-screen video games

Video game tech company Razer has a new, two-pronged strategy to transform games: fuel the development of virtual reality games and transport your current PC games to your big-screen TV.

Its new Open-Source Virtual Reality Hacker development kit ($199, out in June) aims to set a new VR standard that is compatible with current head-mounted displays such as the Oculus Rift. Its programming supports all major 3-D and VR devices and game development software "engines" such as Unreal 4 and Unity 3D.

When it comes to VR development, "everybody is kind of doing their own thing," said Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. "Our focus is really to push VR ahead so that anyone will be able to work with all the industry leaders."

For those games already available on PCs, Razer is bringing to market the Forge TV, a high-performance Android TV micro-console that brings Android games from the Google Play store and hard-core PC gaming to the living room.

The device ($99, due in 2015's first quarter), connects to your big-screen TV and, using Razer's Cortex: Stream software on your gaming PC, will zap your game to your TV. "No lag and no latency. It's full HD resolution from your bedroom gaming system to your Forge TV," Tan said. "You'll be able to stream your entire PC library right to your living room."

You can play on the couch using two new Bluetooth game peripherals: the Razer Serval game controller ($79.99, due out by the end of March) and the Razer Turret ($129.99, second quarter of 2015), a keyboard and mouse that "brings the power of a fully fledged PC gaming keyboard and mouse in a sleek and ultra-thin form factor that has been designed to fit perfectly on your lap," he said.

The Forge supports up to four controllers. Beyond games, the Forge TV also works as an Android TV device to let you access movies, music and apps from Google Play.

If someone wants to watch a movie while you are gaming on the big screen, you can clip your mobile phone onto the Serval game controller. They can start the movie and you "continue your game on the mobile phone," Tan said.