Is Project Fiona a miss for WoW?
by Michael Gray 
Jan 12th 2012 at 8:00PM
While the Razer website still cautions that Project Fiona is a conceptual device and thus the final product specs may vary, the hybrid will run Windows 8, boast Intel Core i7, and communicate with Bluetooth 3.0. That means the tablet could, theoretically, run WoW just fine, maybe pairing with a wireless keyboard to enable typing and social interaction.
Right now, Project Fiona is expected to work with game delivery systems like Steam and GameFly, but the tablet seems like a natural fit to take WoW with you on the road. The hybrid uses side-mounted controllers for many game actions, and if the tablet is configurable, you should be able to fit most in-game actions on the buttons fairly easily.
Of course, the question is whether Project Fiona makes sense as a WoW gaming system. If the hybrid does come in under $1,000, then it would be a very attractive alternative, mobile platform. The form factor feels a little weird for an MMO, but the 10" screen definitely lends itself to a casual, on-the-go experience. It probably wouldn't replace a full-featured PC as a raiding computer, but Project Fiona is definitely tempting as a second, mobile gaming computer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TonyMcS Jan 12th 2012 8:13PM
Largest console controller ever ;-)
A laptop is cheaper, more powerful, bigger screen, higher res and allows you to use all WoW spells and abilities with a keyboard and the benefit of a precise mouse. This looks like a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. It's similar to spending a lot of money to make an iPad pretend it's almost a laptop.
lazymangaka Jan 12th 2012 8:35PM
They're trying to fill the niche that the current tablet market leaves for hardcore gamers. Most tablet gaming is aimed at the super-casual since hardcore games really don't lend themselves well to being played sans-controller. Razer is trying to tap that market by providing a more full-featured experience. I really get the feeling that this isn't aimed at MMOs in the slightest, but rather at console-style gaming, hence the controller.
Pyromelter Jan 12th 2012 9:34PM
Hardcore gamers would never go for a half-assed solution like this though. Someone down there mentioned wii u, I think that'll flop too as I remember similar attempts were made with sega dreamcast.
You're either a tablet or a laptop, trying a hybrid is doomed to fail as it wont capture any part of a market that doesn't exist.
lazymangaka Jan 12th 2012 9:40PM
I think I'd rather have a Wii U than this. At least the Wii U would have Nintendo games designed with the hardware in mind.
Vitos Jan 12th 2012 11:57PM
This looks perfect for something like league of legends. You only need 8ish buttons and a cursor.
This looks excellent. Also, if you just want to do something like arch this is perfect.
Drakkenfyre Jan 12th 2012 8:15PM
I own a Razer product, so I don't say this from a hater point of view, but Razer is really good at coming up with concept pieces, hyping the hell out of them, and either they never come out, or they do, and it's insanely overpriced, and flops.
Mice and keyboards are essentially what the company does. The headphones and other minor accessories help. But things like this? Will never find a market.
You can get a gaming laptop for $1000. This thing will come right out at that price point, and be limited in it's scope and use.
Winwinchindin Jan 12th 2012 8:34PM
There's only two things that come to mind when it comes to WoW:
- WoW Armory / AH (like what's on smart phones currently)
- Pet Battle System (Pokemon Stadium style)
Imnick Jan 12th 2012 8:30PM
Honestly this looks like a useless product
I can't help but think they saw a Wii U and decided to make a laptop version
It seems incredibly unwieldy, not particularly portable and doesn't really fill any function a laptop couldn't do in a superior fashion
Why would you buy one of these?
You couldn't use it to play WoW because there's only eight buttons, unless you plugged in a mouse and keyboard, in which case why not just use a laptop?
lazymangaka Jan 12th 2012 8:32PM
For WoW on the go I'd definitely just purchase a laptop--they're light, powerful, and have a built-in keyboard. All you need is a mouse and you're good to go while you're on the go.
Gendou Jan 12th 2012 8:53PM
Ars Technica's hands-on with Fiona ( http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2012/01/hands-on-with-project-fiona-the-sub-1000-gaming-pc-tablet.ars ) brings up the big problem with this toy: It's heavy as hell, and if you use it as advertised, you have to support that weight while you play. And if you're going to be using it at a desk or somewhere where it can sit in your lap, why not use a more powerful, more versatile, less expensive gaming laptop?
Levi Jan 12th 2012 9:02PM
I have enough trouble playing WoW when I go to my in-laws - the last time, I had to have Blizzard unlock my account three times, because apparently it's physically impossible to tote a laptop 60 miles, so I must be an unauthorized user. Full fledged WoW on a mobile device is nice, but I can't really see it working well at this point. Maybe once we have ubiquitous wi-fi available publicly to all (not talking about cell-phone hot spots here)........
Tolkfan Jan 12th 2012 10:23PM
That thing has 8 buttons... how would you play a hotkey based game like WoW on it?
kaminari Jan 13th 2012 9:59AM
it's a tablet so I'd use the touch screen
In A World (XBL) Jan 13th 2012 6:16PM
So does the Xbox controller but I'm able to use tons of abilities via button combos. After a while it becomes muscle memory, like playing a fighting game. For all the naysayers, I am achieving top dps in LFR and tanking heavy-movement fights (like Shannox) with this method.
Core abilities (11)
A, B, X, Y, Back, Start, LB
U, D, L, R
Secondary abilities (11)
RB + A, RB + B, RB + X, RB + Y, RB + Back, RB + Start
RB + U, RB + D, RB + L, RB + R
WASD: Left analog
Jump: Left stick click
Mouse turning: Right analog
Tab target: Right stick click
-------------
Since these Fiona controllers don't appear to have as many FACE buttons you could just add one more button combo, for example: A, RB + A, LB + A.... that would be 3 x 8 face buttons = 24 abilities mapped.
Pyromelter Jan 14th 2012 5:27AM
IAW(XBL), that seems like an awful lot of work for something that is very simply done with a keyboard.
Not to mention that in wow people type stuff in in-game chat all the time too, so unless you're going to forgo that aspect of it... and then I have to wonder how you would do things like put items on the AH.
In A World (XBL) Jan 15th 2012 6:29AM
It's not like I don't have a keyboard right there in front of me, constantly using it as well for all the usual things. Let me put it to you this way... would you rather play Mario 64 with a controller or with a keyboard and mouse? THAT is what it's like playing my character. I am able to move him around with perfect precision. No it's not complicated at all. The concept is difficult to grasp but in practice it actually makes the game easier to play. Go look up Xpadder on youtube.
cmichaelcooper Jan 12th 2012 10:25PM
I would buy this to use as a portable console emulator arcade. You could pack a ton of old 8bit and 16bit games, and it's probably just portable enough that it could be considered convenient.
I'm only half kidding. I know it's silly to spend that kind of money just to play old (S)NES games, but since I can't do it conveniently on my iPad, it is somewhat tempting.
Titusx Jan 12th 2012 11:03PM
This is the 2nd "conceptual" portable gaming laptop thingy Razer has made. It looks great but I can't help but think how much will it cost and what will deliver.
Looks like a cool gadget but for how much? 1000 dollars? nah. 500 or less and I dont think it'll deliver. Its a tricky niche device if you ask me.
Drakkenfyre Jan 12th 2012 11:58PM
Third, actually.
The "gaming" netbook, the laptop with the same keyboard as the netbook, now this.
Minos Jan 12th 2012 11:03PM
Maybe that's as in Fiona Glenanne? That would fit with their other product names.