Razer’s ‘Project Fiona’ merges game controller with tablet

Game hardware company Razer showed off a chimeric blend of a PC media tablet, game machine and controller dubbed “Project Fiona” at CES this week. Does it look a little familiar? The design is part Wii U controller, part tablet and part PlayStation Move but with PC-style guts – a purposeful combination, said Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.

Boasting a multi-touch screen, HD graphics, console-style controls and motion sensing accelerometers, Razer’s Project Fiona is unquestionably aimed at serious PC gamers. The company cemented that belief by revealing its price tag: $999.

Tan and co. feel that the price is fair considering what it is: a souped-up gaming rig in a portable tablet.

“While multi-touch screens have become the de facto user interface for tablets, they are not the right interface for serious PC gaming,” explained Tan. “The user interface we have designed for Project Fiona allows all existing PC games to be played right out of the box and also provides game developers new opportunities as they develop next-gen games on a highly-intuitive platform.”

PC gaming diehards can rest easy knowing Fiona will indeed have the horsepower to handle even the most resource-intensive titles. Powered by a third generation Intel Core i7 processor, Tan demonstrated the concept design by playing “Warhammer 40K: Space Marine.” This is no product for someone who just wants to play “Angry Birds,” he quipped. It also features keyboard and mouse support for traditionalists.

Tan was noncommittal when asked whether the device would feature Windows 7 or Windows 8.

A solid release date for the code-named product wasn’t announced, but the company hopes to ship it later this year. (via GameSpot)