The Singapore gaming billionaire, Min-Liang Tan, is preparing to redefine the future of gaming with artificial intelligence. As chairman and CEO of Razer, Tan is steering the company beyond hardware and into cutting-edge AI software designed to accelerate game development and transform how players engage with virtual worlds.
Razer’s headquarters in Singapore—a sleek, black mirrored building marked by its iconic neon-green triple-snake logo—has become the hub for this bold expansion. Inside its newly opened AI Centre of Excellence, engineers are building two tools: QA Co-AI for game developers and Game Co-AI for players.
The first tool, QA Co-AI, is focused on quality assurance. By identifying bugs faster than manual testers, it reduces costs and shortens production cycles. Early tests show the system can detect 25% more issues and cut development time nearly in half. Already in beta with 50 developers worldwide, QA Co-AI is set for global release later this year through AWS Marketplace.
Meanwhile, Game Co-AI targets players directly. Acting like a real-time coach, it guides gamers through difficult quests, puzzles, or challenges without the need to leave the game for tutorials. Instead of relying on YouTube walk-throughs, players can replay exact scenarios and receive tailored feedback. “You’ll never get stuck again,” Tan says confidently.
This pivot comes at a crucial time. Razer has long dominated the $42 billion global market for gaming peripherals, with products like the DeathAdder mouse, BlackShark headsets, and BlackWidow keyboards. Yet hardware growth has slowed under inflation, rising costs, and consumer fatigue. AI gaming, however, is projected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2023 to $28 billion by 2033. Tan is determined for Razer to lead this shift.
Investors are watching closely. Backed by European giant CVC Capital Partners and billionaire Lim Kaling, Razer was taken private in 2022 in a $3.2 billion deal. Now, with AI, they hope to increase both revenue and valuation ahead of a potential re-listing. Tan says monetization could include subscriptions and licensing agreements but stresses that demand is already strong.
Industry analysts agree that the move could transform Razer from a hardware-heavy company into a high-margin software powerhouse. But competition is fierce. U.S. companies like Unity and Keywords Studios dominate testing, while Tencent in China and Krafton in South Korea are already deploying AI in virtual worlds. Even so, Tan believes Razer’s deep ties with 55,000 developers worldwide give it an edge. “We can quickly identify gaming trends and build the tools they need,” he explains.
Razer’s AI models combine proprietary technology with systems from partners like OpenAI and Anthropic. The company plans to expand its AI workforce from 50 to 150 specialists in Singapore alone, supported by government recruitment initiatives. New hubs in Europe and the U.S. will strengthen its global presence.
For Tan, this strategy is a natural evolution. Since cofounding Razer in 2005, he has consistently pushed beyond hardware. From early innovations like Synapse cloud gaming software to ventures into fintech with Razer Gold, the company has experimented with new frontiers. Not all attempts succeeded—its e-wallet and digital bank projects fell flat—but each built foundations for today’s software-driven ambitions.
Now, as a Singapore gaming billionaire worth $1.7 billion, Tan is betting that AI will reshape every stage of game creation and play. If his vision succeeds, Razer won’t just be known for its glowing keyboards and headsets—it could be remembered as the company that brought AI into the heart of gaming.
