Last week, Robert “Razer Guy” Krakoff, a pioneer in the gaming industry who co-founded Razer and created the Razer Boomslang gaming mouse to start a revolution in gaming peripherals, has passed away. He was 81 years old.
This news was shared by Razer via Twitter and the Razer website. The statement states: “We are saddened by the death of co-founder and Honorary Chairman Robert Krakoff, who we all know as Razer Guy. Robert’s unwavering motivation and passion for games continues to inspire us all. I am.
“Thank you Rob, you miss me.”
We are saddened by the death of co-founder and Honorary Chairman Robert Krakov (everyone known as Razer Guy). Robert’s unwavering motivation and passion for games continue to live and inspire us all. Thanks to Rob. You will miss you. pic.twitter.com/2HKNcFaOj2April 28, 2022
Krakoff created the world’s first gaming mouse, the Razer Boomslang, in 1999. This paved the way for gaming-only devices beyond simple joysticks and handheld controllers, solidifying the Razer brand’s reputation for PC gamers.
Krakov himself was well known and respected by the wider community, if not loved. As a note for PC GamerThe news of his death encountered sadness from a veteran in the gaming industry who knew Krakov personally. Many met him when he first started in a completely unknown industry.
“No one talks to us. No one,” writes Jerry Paxton, founder and editor-in-chief. Gaming Shogun.. “As a young gamer, I still had a boomslang gaming mouse, so I thought I’d reach out to Razer. I thought it was a long shot, but I seized the opportunity.
“After so many people rejected us and many didn’t talk to us, I received a personal email from Robert’Razor Guy’Krakov himself. He called us. It took me a while to get to know and sent me a product to review. It’s on the company’s press release list. “
Krakov is surviving by his wife, two children, and five grandchildren.
Opinion: I’ve never met Razer Guy, but I’m really happy to have met many others
While in the tech industry, I’ve ignored countless PR requests. When I attended the first CES as a freelance reporter, I made the newcomer’s mistake of signing up for Media Credentials CTA using my personal email, but my inbox recovered. did not do it.
I still see an ever-growing number of unread emails, like the debt clock at Union Square in New York City. I know that in my life I can never read some of the things that have been left unread. please forget about it. Everything else will come tomorrow and every day thereafter.
But Paxton’s story sticks to me. In 2005, Razer was on the way. Competitors have captured the scent of new markets and flooded the zone with new products. TechMedia was mature enough that Razer was completely flooded with work, media demands, and one-sided resumes.
Co-founders of this booming tech company sent email that would have been indistinguishable from spam in 2005 (this was years before inbox filters became commonplace). We may not know why we took the time to open and actually respond. It’s incredible that he reacted to Paxton at all. Not because it wasn’t important enough for Paxton to speak, but few people, including myself, remember that newcomers like Paxton are like Paxton. that is Important enough to speak.
Many talk about Krakov’s posthumous tenderness, which is a rare feature for the founders of the tech industry. Sure, they’re giving charity a lot of money, but you can’t cancel giving someone a break in the industry. I personally credit Krakoff For their career.
All of us have people who have made our start in our career. I remember me. Too often we forget that person for someone else. And above all, I hope it is a lesson learned from Razer Guy’s death. RIP to the real thing.