Performance
When I read about Razer's goal of appealing to the speed gamer, two things initially concerned me when I got my hands on our test sample: the stitched frame, and the graphic on the surface. While both aid in the overall appearance of the mat, as well as its longevity, they could potentially slow down and hinder movement.
The stitched border looked as though it may create some resistance on the arm while moving, especially since fast FPS gamers tend to use the entirety of the surface while gaming. If that stitching was too thick, it could not only slow gamers down but also cause irritation on the skin. I was pleased to find that the frame was not noticeable, even when using a variety of grip styles.
My second concern was quickly dismissed as well when I learned the art graphic is not printed on the surface but rather in the cloth itself. A screen print would have eventually begun to peel and break, destroying the appearance and leaving behind the adhesive residue that would have directly opposed Razer's intentions. The Goliathus however has been engineered to look good without sacrificing any performance.