Described as “The Next Evolution of AI Companions,” Project AVA was one of the most eye-catching reveals at this year’s CES. Project AVA has already been established as the name of Razer’s game companion AI. It can coach you while you game, providing advice and information where it sees fit, actively analyzing your gameplay, and even providing audio commentary. Previously a backseat gamer restricted to the bounds of the screen, Razer is now making it physical by launching an AI Desk Companion.

Project AVA has evolved into an AI avatar in a jar, and Razer has revealed a bunch of companions shipping later this year. The AI Desk Companion isn’t limited to gaming either – Razer advertises it as a “24/7 AI companion” which you can use for daily planning, or as your wellness & routine coach. The animated 5.5″ 3D hologram adds a little personality to the device.

Project AVA release date window & how to reserve

Razer says the device is expected to ship in the second half of 2026; in other words, anywhere between July 1 and December 31. No specific date has been given at this time, so we’ll have to wait and see how this develops as we work our way through 2026. You can already book a demo of Razer’s game companion on its website here if you want to see how it works.

The esports AI coach was presented as a concept by Razer last year, and now the product is more fleshed out and making its way to customers via the physical Project AVA device, with a choice of five different hologram companions at launch, including League of Legends pro Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok.

How to reserve Project AVA

The first thing to mention is that Project AVA is only currently available for reservation in the United States. If that’s not a problem, reserving your AVA is easy – all you have to do is head on over to the reservation page, add it to your cart, and pay the $20 reservation fee. Razer ID is required to order, and the $20 deposit will contribute to the final price of the product.

Project AVA price – what we know so far

All we know so far is that you can spend $20 on reserving Project AVA, but no final price has been announced by Razer at the time of writing. The $20 deposit does contribute to whatever the final price may be. It’s difficult to judge just how much Razer will price the AI companion. It’s not often (never) that we come across such a product.

We’ve already seen Microsoft create its own Copilot AI gaming coach, free of charge, so we don’t expect the software itself to contribute much, if at all, to the final cost. At the same time, the novelty of an AI hologram in a jar may prove to be more expensive than you’d think – we’ll just have to wait and see.

Project AVA specs

Much of the magic comes from the software, rather than the hardware. However, there are still some important features of the ‘jar’ itself. It comes with a swappable 5.5″ holographic display, which renders your AI companion in real-time. Dual far-field array microphones and a down-firing full-range driver (speaker) handle the audio; volume controls are located on the top of the device, including a power/mute button. A wired USB-C connection is required for data and power delivery.

On the AI side of things, xAI’s Grok engine currently powers Project AVA’s voice and personality. However, while this is true at the moment, Razer says AVA is built with an open architecture intended to support other leading AI platforms. This includes a dedicated Razer AI. Through its wired connection, Project AVA makes use of “PC Vision Mode” to analyze the data on your screen and provide context-aware help.

How many Project AVA companions are there?

Razer has announced five unique companions, and it’s not clear whether more will be available at a later date. In any case, the first five companions consist of AVA itself (which is essentially a ball of energy with the Razer logo), and then four more human alternatives with a little more character.

• AVA
• Kira
• Zane
• Faker
• SAO (Saori Araki)

Razer says the stylized 3D avatars were developed in partnership with Animation Inc., rendering in real-time on a 5.5″ holographic display. They feature “high-fidelity motion, eye-tracking, and facial expressions to create an engaging, personal interaction”. Assuming Razer continues to work with Animation Inc., we could see many more companions coming in the future. Razer does state that “Avatar selection and animations” are still under development and not final.

Are there any system requirements for Project AVA?

Project AVA is exclusive to Windows users. As such, you’ll need a Windows PC to use the device. It should be noted that a wired USB-C connection is required, too. Razer says the wired connection is a necessity to ensure high-bandwidth data transfer as part of the “PC Vision Mode” technology to analyze your screen content with minimal latency between local hardware and Windows.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.