Hong Kong RazerStore fans queue for opening

More than 1000 fans waited in heavy rain for the official opening of the Hong Kong RazerStore on Saturday.

Razer, which designs and builds integrated hardware and software platforms for gamers, has more than 35 million users. Since its inception in 2005, it has been growing in “double-digit figures” and gathering a cult-like following internationally.

Hong Kong RazerStore 1

Hong Kong fans of the brand were able to try out the company’s latest gadgets, including its Razer Blade laptops, at the causeway Bay store.

With an eye on expanding in China, the US-headquartered global gaming lifestyle brand is aiming to develop new mobile devices for gamers.

Singaporean co-founder/CEO Tan Min-Liang says China offers far more potential for growth. “We already have a store in Shanghai, and we’re exploring possibilities for the future.”

Hong Kong RazerStore fans 1

Meanwhile, the e-sports brand’s Hong Kong concept store is its sixth worldwide, the others being in Bangkok, Manila, San Francisco, Shanghai and Taipei.

“We have not done much in Hong Kong yet,” says Tan, but the Causeway Bay outlet is a “big step” for Razer “at just the right time”.

“Gaming has become the biggest segment in entertainment – it’s bigger than movies, it’s bigger than music, it’s a $100 billion industry.”

Tan says there are more than 2 billion gamers throughout the world, with many of them in Hong Kong.

Cult-like following

Its signature products include high-performance PC and console peripherals, gaming laptops, software services and a virtual currency and payment engine for gamers, zGold.

In October 2014, the San Francisco-based company was valued at US$1.5 billion, according to data from researcher CB Insights, with its backers including Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, Intel Capital and Temasek Holdings’ Heliconia Capital Management.

Three Group, the mobile telecommunications arm of Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison, has partnered with Razer for the Hong Kong RazerStore, which will offer mobile devices and tariff plans specifically designed for the gaming community.

Hong Kong RazerStore

Tan says the company’s partnership with Three Group is strategic… “We will be exploring new devices together – new devices for gamers, and we’re really focused on the mobile industry.”

He says the company has shipped more than US$1 billion in hardware over the past three years, “and we haven’t even gotten started on the mobile gaming market yet”.

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.