Razer Naga mouse targets online gamers with built-in keypad

In non-Logitech or Microsoft mouse news, we have to hand it to Razer for its ability to read an audience. If you've played World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online, Eve Online, or other MMOs, you've most likely felt overwhelmed by the number of hot keys required to attack, communicate, and manage your inventory.

Razer's new Naga gaming mouse targets MMO gamers by incorporating a 12-button keypad into the side of the device.

Aside from the keypad, the Naga looks like a wired version of the Razer Mamba from earlier this year. Like the Mamba, the Naga has all of the speeds and feeds common to high-end gaming mice, including a 5,600 dpi laser sensor and 1,000MHz polling rate. You won't really need those high-precision settings to master the assisted targeting and timed-attack mechanics in a MMO, but it's hard to find a gaming mouse these days without such crazy settings, so you might as well have them.

Razer also boasts in-game configuration add-ons for World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online for the Naga, which will hopefully simplify mapping the various key commands. And if the Naga is reasonably comfortable and intuitive to use, we can see how it might appeal to other gamers, digital media artists, or users of any other hot key-heavy software.

Razer lists the Naga for $79.99 on its Web site, and says it will be available online "soon."