Raving Rabbids Controllers Coming

Mad Catz just landed the rights to start pumping out branded accessories based on Ubisoft's casual-game-centric Rayman Raving Rabbids franchise. The multi-year agreement gives Mad Catz the right to create a "range of accessories" for the DS Game Boy Advanced, PC, Playstation 2, Wii and Xbox 360.

“Rayman is one of the videogame world’s iconic heroes, and we look forward to bringing the mischievous fun of the game series to a new line of branded videogame accessories,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The addition of the Rayman Raving Rabbids license further strengthens and diversifies what we believe to be the video game accessory industry’s most extensive portfolio of brand licenses that already includes all of the major North American professional sports leagues and many of the most popular recent and upcoming software titles.”

No word on what bits of cute crap they'll be trying to shove down our throats, but I hope it will involve at least one Rabbid plushie with built-in motion detecting.

Mad Catz Secures Petz Licenz

Accessory manufacture Mad Catz have just announced that they've signed a licensing agreement with Ubisoft to create branded accessories for the Petz series of games for the Nintendo Wii and DS. Yes, that's right - Mad Catz is going to make accessories branded with Catz, as well as Dolphinz, Dogz, Horsez, Bunnyz, Tigerz, Hamsterz, and any other number of animals that can be pluralizes by swapping out an S for a Z. The only question is why this didn't happen sooner.

“Ubisoft develops some of the most engaging, popular video game franchises and we look forward to enhancing the Petz gaming experience by producing accessories that capture the personality and excitement of these titles,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz.

No word on what sorts of accessoriez we can expect, but I'm thinking carrying cases for the DS, maybe a custom stylus or two. May the union of the misspelled animals be a fruitful one.

Love Rock Band? Don't like the instruments included? Read. On. A bunch of officially-licensed, third-party Rock Band peripherals briefly appeared on Amazon the other day, before being quickly taken down. Luckily, RockBandMods were on the scene, ctrl+print screen button at the ready, to preserve the information. Looks like there are five new instruments in the pipeline (by Mad Catz, as expected) and - considering it's Mad Catz - some look really, really good! There's a wired mic with control pad buttons, a wired guitar with split strum button (so you can use two fingers to nail fast solos), a wired guitar licensed to look like a Fender Telecaster, a handy portable drum kit (four pads connected by cords, so you can roll it up) and, raddest of all, a "Premium Wired Drum Kit", which includes a clash cymbol and a freakin' high-hat (though it also costs $150). Looks like cow bells are still at your own expense. Like I said, the Amazon pages are down now, but expect this stuff to start appearing over the next couple of months.

Mad Catz Rock Band Instruments Releasing Next Week [RockBandMods, via Go Nintendo]

Mad Catz just announced they signed a multi-year deal with Harmonix and MTV to start cranking out peripherals and "other products" for Rock Band worldwide.

The company has the rights to manufacture, market and sell game accessories including wired and wireless bass guitars, drum percussions sets and a wired microphone. They expect their first controllers to hit by the first half of the year.

"This agreement with MTV Games represents a natural opportunity for Mad Catz to combine our core competencies of producing and distributing high-quality accessories with the entertaining experience of Rock Band's interactive controllers," said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. "Mad Catz will produce premium instruments, allowing gamers and music fans to experience music in an entirely new light while taking on the personality of their favorite music idols."

"The addition of the Rock Band license is consistent with Mad Catz' stated goal to align ourselves with the most attractive brands and highly-anticipated software releases while seeking additional accessory opportunities to further diversify and grow our revenue base. With the ability to appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers alike, Rock Band is one of the most highly acclaimed releases of the 2007 holiday season and beyond."

I have very mixed feelings right now, VERY MIXED.

Saitek Devoured By Mad Catz

Eric Winkler, Saitek's founder, commented: "Joining Saitek with Mad Catz is a truly complementary step that leverages the strengths of each side, gives the combined business a new scale, and strengthens the relationships with both suppliers and customers. I am proud of what the Saitek team has achieved in its 28 years and I thank all those who made it possible.

Mad Catz Backs Breasts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has turned our supermarkets as pink as the Toys R Us Barbie aisle. And now, Mad Catz is getting in on the pink products campaign. They have partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to give 10% of the proceeds back from Nintendo DS Lite Pink Tech Pack sales. The $19.99 accessory kit is available at Circuit City and the donations will continue...we're not exactly sure how long...but if you wanted the kit anyway, and you like pink...

Mad Catz(R) Pledges Support [via maxconsole]

Take-Two Sells Joytech

Take-Two today announced that they have sold "substantially all" of their Joytech video games accessories company to Mad Catz Interactive as part of a previously announced plan to ditch "non-core" businesses.

"The sale of the Joytech assets is consistent with one of the key goals we established in our 100 Day Plan: to develop strategic alternatives for any operations that we determined to be outside our core publishing business," said Ben Feder, Take-Two's Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased that we accomplished this goal in a manner that will allow substantially all of our Joytech employees in the U.S. and U.K. to join Mad Catz, which is a highly respected provider of video game peripherals."

They like that "substantially all" phrase don't they?

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Announces Sale of Joytech Video Game Accessories Subsidiary [Take Two]

Mad Catz Sales Down 20%, Profit Up 10%

Compared to this quarter one year ago, Mad Catz' overall sales have dropped from $18.1 million to $14.6 million. But due to better operating and a cleaner product line, they have seen their gross profit margin grow 10%.

But that sales number is stil disheartening for the company. Why the low number? I'm guessing that Microsoft's proprietary wireless technology alongside Nintendo's patented Wiimote isn't helping one bit. Where Mad Catz has undersold the slightly more polished but equivalent competition for years, they are now left unable to compete. So in many ways, the fate of Mad Catz will be tied to the PS3's success and their ability to adapt outside the controller market.

Mad Catz Q1 2008 Sees Loss Narrowed [gamedaily]

PS3 Keyboard Add-On Is "Fugly" Incarnate!

Even More Tron For XBLA?

Mad Catz Doles Out 360 Stick Lovin'

Mad Catz XBLA Arcade Stick Available for Preorder

Let Your 360 Travel In Gears of War Style

360 Arcade Stick for $50 with Free Games

Golf Game Features Tiny Club

Mad Catz to Make Xbox Exclusive Games