Razer is well-known for bringing out something new and unexpected at CES, and this year’s event was no different. The company showcased Project Ariana, a projector that makes use of Razer’s Chroma lighting for a more vibrant and immersive gaming experience, and Project Valerie, a laptop with three 4K screens.
Unfortunately, someone couldn’t stand the thought that these were just concepts and might never see the light of day. Razer has confirmed that two of their Project Valerie laptops have been stolen from the brand’s CES booth, and is offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who can offer information leading to identification and arrest of the thief/thieves.
The news was confirmed by Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan in a Facebook post which reads as follows:
“I’ve just been informed that two of our prototypes were stolen from our booth at CES today.
We have filed the necessary reports and are currently working with the show management as well as law enforcement to address this issue.
At Razer, we play hard and we play fair. Our teams worked months on end to conceptualize and develop these units and we pride ourselves in pushing the envelope to deliver the latest and greatest.
We treat theft/larceny, and if relevant to this case, industrial espionage, very seriously – it is cheating, and cheating doesn’t sit well with us. Penalties for such crimes are grievous and anyone who would do this clearly isn’t very smart.
If you were at the show and/or if you can provide us any information, please do reach out to us at legal@razerzone.com—all information provided will be kept in the strictest of confidence.”
Initially, Razer had referred to the stolen goods as just prototypes, until it had an official statement. They have now released their official statement:
“This note is to confirm that two Razer Project Valerie laptop prototypes were stolen from the Razer booth at CES. The product was taken from the Razer press room at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, 2017. A $25,000 reward is being offered for original information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of a criminal suspect. Razer, in its sole discretion, will decide who is entitled to a reward and in what amount. Razer may pay only a portion of the maximum reward offered. The decision will be based primarily upon law enforcement’s evaluation of the value of the information provided. When there are multiple claimants, the reward will be shared in amounts determined by Razer. Razer associates are not eligible for the reward. This reward offer is good for one year from the date it is first offered, unless extended by Razer. Information about the theft can be sent to legal@razerzone.com. Razer will not publicly disclose material that it receives or details about respondents, except to those persons with whom Razer is directly working to resolve this matter or as may be required by law.”
This is not the first time Razer has faced a theft of this kind. A few years ago in 2001, someone had broken into Razer’s offices and stolen two laptops, both of which were prototypes of the Razer Blade.
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