Razer and Tencent form Switchblade partnership

Chinese publisher Tencent has announced a business partnership with Razer, revealing that the company will be optimising its games for use on the new Razer Switchblade mobile PC platform.

The Switchblade is a portable mini-PC with an adaptive keyboard which uses an LCD display to change the design on its keys to match their functions in-game. MMO hotkeys, for example, will interface with software and display the on-screen icons on appropriate keys. A multi-touch screen sits above the keyboard with an Intel processor powering the device.

Currently, the Switchblade is very much a concept rather than a reality, but the deal with Tencent does offer some hope that it will eventually see the light of day.

A paragraph on the device's website reads: "The Razer Switchblade is a concept design (think of it like a concept car) and will not be made available for purchase - yet. Razer will be working with selected partners to design and launch products based off the Razer Switchblade concept design. We will be announcing more information shortly so sign up on the registration page to get the news first."

This year, Tencent saw its yearly profits rise to over $1 billion, alongside a push into Western markets assisted by the worldwide release of games such as Dungeon and Fighter and the purchase of western studio Riot Games, which created League of Legends.

"This is the first time three of the biggest technology brands in China have come together," said Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan. "We're united by a common goal to deliver the best portable gaming experience to as many gamers as possible. With the Razer Switchblade's adaptive tactile keyboard, Intel's range of processors, and Tencent's popular games, this is no lofty goal - it's happening right now."