Razer Raises $50 Million to Design Cutting-Edge Products for Hardcore Gamers

Razer may have raised some serious money, but don’t take it the wrong way– it is still focused on making fun stuff for the hardcore gaming market.

The Carlsbad, Calif.-based company has raised $50 million in a first round of capital led by by IDG-Accel China Capital Fund.

Despite raising that large chunk of cash, the founders are working hard to keep their playful image intact.

In a press release, co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan joked that Razer knew IDG-Accel was the right partner when they didn’t “freak out” after Razer disappeared for a week in the middle of the deal, for the launch of the Skyrim game.

Razer also showed a sense of humor when it came to explaining how it would spend the money.

In addition to funding technology and innovation, it said it was also going to blow the cash on “the video gaming habits of the management and staff.”

They may kid around, but Razer is designing some pretty serious equipment the most hardcore gamers.

For example, the sleek curves of the company’s computer mice have been replaced with tough-looking sharp angles and a modern design. On the more practical side of things, some of the mice feature a 12-digit numeric keypad on the side for single-handed gaming. Likewise, Razer’s keyboards look nearly robotic, with special features like na LCD track-panel and slim keys for shorter travel distances.

Special editions have been released for Star Wars: The Old Republic and Battlefield 3.

Why take the money now?

CEO Tan had a smart response for that, too:

“We’ve been having fun and kicking ass while being funded by our internal operations these couple of years — now imagine the kind of badass products we’ll be designing with the resources that IDG-Accel will bring to the table,” he said. “I just hope that IDG-Accel is aware that our board meetings generally start with a game of Counterstrike, and the losers have to buy coffee.”