Kotaku: Mad Catz

Mad Catz Making Official Street Fighter IV Controllers

Brian Crecente — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:00:00 MDT

Typically when a Mad Catz controller press release crosses my desk I don't spend much time worrying over it. But this, this is much different. Mad Catz today announced that they've secured the license to make controllers and accessories for a number of Capcom games including Bionic Commando, Resident Evil 5 and (gasp) Street Fighter IV.

That's right, Mad Catz are making the Street Fighter IV fighting sticks. I hope that makes you as nervous as that makes me. I've never been a big fan of Street Fighter on a console. Why? Because frankly it's not a game meant for console gaming. Sure you can play around with it at home, but SF is a arcade cabinet game and it always will be. Don't bother arguing with me, I will stubbornly refuse to listen and may even start making blah, blah, blah noises.

So when I started talking to the Capcom folks about Street Fighter IV (Ok, gushing), I told them how I fully expect the console version to suck. Really suck. No Brian, they told me, that's not true. Wait until you see the controllers. They're really going to be something special. Then comes the news today, Mad Catz is making them. Lies, LIES, I tell you. But after a bit of hyperventilating I touched base with some friends in the know and have been reassured (at least they tried to) that the controllers are still going to be filled with delicious awesome.

I wait, arms crossed sternly in front of chest, to be surprised.

Press Release: Mad Catz to make Street Fighter IV line of controllers

SAN DIEGO - (Business Wire) Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, to produce branded controllers and accessories based on the Street Fighter® IV, Bionic Commando® and Resident Evil® 5 videogame properties. The agreement gives Mad Catz North American and European rights to a range of accessories for all current videogame platforms, including the PC.

“We are excited to partner with Capcom to create branded controllers and accessories based on three of the videogame industry’s most popular and enduring franchises,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “We look forward to offering unique and exciting accessories to fans of these games, as we continue to grow and diversify what we believe to be the industry’s leading portfolio of branded videogame accessories.”

“This is a real collaboration between Mad Catz and Capcom,” said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom. “We are developing a broad variety of game peripherals for a wide game-playing audience — from the casual to the most loyal, core fan. These innovative peripherals will maximize the overall experience that comes from playing Capcom games.”

About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.

Mad Catz is a global leader in providing innovative peripherals for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz designs and markets accessories for videogame systems and publishes videogame software, including the industry-leading GameShark videogame enhancements, under its Mad Catz, GameShark and Joytech brands. Mad Catz also designs and markets mice, keyboards, headsets, PC gaming controllers and other PC peripherals through its Saitek brand, and develops, manufactures and markets proprietary portable earphones under its AirDrives brand. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices across Canada, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.gameshark.com, www.airdrives.com, www.saitek.com and www.joytech.net.

Raving Rabbids Controllers Coming

Brian Crecente — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:00:00 MDT

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 to Produce Rayman Raving Rabbids® Branded Console Videogame and PC Accessories

SAN DIEGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Ubisoft® to produce branded accessories based on the Rayman Raving Rabbids® series of games. The multi-year agreement gives Mad Catz North American rights to a range of accessories for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PC, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and the Wii™ home videogame system from Nintendo.

“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.”

Mad Catz Secures Petz Licenz

Mike Fahey — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:20:00 MDT

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.

Mad Catz Secures License Agreement to Produce Ubisoft’s Petz® Branded Accessories
SAN DIEGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, to produce branded accessories for the Petz® series of video games on Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ video game system platforms. The multi-year agreement allows Mad Catz to distribute products licensed under the agreement throughout the United States and Canada.

Petz is a series of games in which players adopt, raise and care for cute, furry pets chosen from many different breeds of dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, dolphins, tigers and bunnies. The series currently includes Petz Dogz®, Petz Catz®, Petz Horsez®, Petz Hamsterz Life™, Petz Bunnyz™, Petz Wild Animals: Tigerz and Petz Wild Animals: Dolphinz.

“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. “The addition of the Petz franchise 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.”

Some Third-Party Rock Band Alternatives

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:30:00 MDT

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 To Make Wired, Wireless Rock Band Gear

Brian Crecente — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:40:28 MST

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

Mike Fahey — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:20:23 MST

Finally Mad Catz can offer some decent PC peripherals, and it only cost them $30 million. The video game accessory giants have acquired flight stick masters Saitek in a deal to further establish MC as the place to go if you want to make something on a screen move without a keyboard and mouse. Saitek's employees are expected to join Mad Catz and get much more dynamic t-shirts for trade shows.

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.

I've long been a fan of Saitek's stuff, as it not only works well, but generally looks awesome as well. Here's hoping the flourish under their new rule.

Mad Catz Acquires Saitek™, a Leading Worldwide PC Games Peripheral Provider, for $30 Million
Strategic Diversification Complements Mad Catz' Leadership in Console Game Peripherals and Further Expands International Footprint

SAN DIEGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that consistent with its strategy to further diversify its products and geographic distribution capabilities, it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of the private holding company that owns Saitek's worldwide operations. Saitek is a leading worldwide provider of PC games accessories, PC input devices, multimedia audio products, chess and intelligent games. In particular, Saitek enjoys a leadership position in flight simulation controllers and has established a strong position in keyboards for PC games. In its latest fiscal year ended February 28, 2007, Saitek generated over $43 million of net sales and its gross margins exceeded those generated by Mad Catz in its latest twelve months. Mad Catz expects the acquisition to be accretive to its fiscal 2008 earnings and cash flow.

Under the terms of the agreement, the $30 million purchase consideration is subject to working capital adjustment and is comprised of $15.5 million in cash from Mad Catz' cash on hand and borrowings under the Company's existing credit facility, as well as the issuance to the seller by Mad Catz of $14.5 million of convertible notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.5% payable at maturity and are convertible at the seller's option into common shares of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. at $1.42 per share. The conversion price represents a 15% premium to the average closing share price of MCZ shares over the last 15 trading days. $4.5 million of the notes mature in two years and $10 million of the notes mature in three years.

Saitek's product lines include PC games accessories, PC input devices, multimedia audio products, chess and intelligent games. In addition to representing a strategically complementary product line to Mad Catz' broad range of console videogame offerings, Saitek's comprehensive range of PC peripherals allows Mad Catz to further strengthen its retail distribution network, particularly in Europe, where Saitek generates more than fifty percent of its revenues. Saitek's 120 employees in product development, sales and marketing, distribution and finance/administration are expected to join Mad Catz. Saitek has offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, United Sates, Hong Kong and the Peoples Republic of China.

Commenting on the transaction, Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz, said, "PC games peripherals is a category closely adjacent to our core console business and we are thrilled to be adding one of the world's leading providers to the Mad Catz family. Saitek significantly enhances Mad Catz' position as one of the world's leading games peripherals companies and provides us an entrée into the businesses of PC mice, keyboards and speakers and electronic chess and intelligent games.

Saitek has world-class product development and sales teams, one of the best brands among consumers in the industry and a diversified portfolio of highly-successful products. Its outstanding vendor operations personnel in China and administrative personnel throughout the company will not only help us grow Saitek's PC businesses, but will also support Mad Catz' continuing growth initiatives on a global basis."

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. We look forward with confidence to the success of the combined team in the years ahead, and wish them the best of good fortune."

Mr. Richardson added, "Although we expect to achieve operational efficiencies due to the scale of the combined entity, we believe that the upside is inherent in the future growth potential and not on a cost cutting basis. We intend to identify opportunities to apply Saitek's brands, intellectual property, products and skills in the console market as well as identify opportunities to apply Mad Catz' brands, intellectual property, products and skills in the PC market.

Just two months after our acquisition of the assets of Joytech, joining forces with Saitek is another example of how we are executing on our strategic plan to grow our business accretively, with the mission of increasing shareholder value by leveraging our core competencies in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of interactive entertainment accessories and products."

Mad Catz Backs Breasts

Mark Wilson — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:40:07 MDT

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

Brian Crecente — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:20:28 MDT

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%

Mark Wilson — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:00:49 MDT

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!

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:00:55 MDT

Mad Catz released have released a shudder-inducing QWERTY keyboard add-on for the SIXAXIS. This US $30 keyboard is above the controller, which Mad Catz claims is ergonomically designed for comfort. But, really, can you imagine typing on that monster? Humanity can't! Brian Ashcraft

Mad Catz Keyboard [Official Site via Oh Gizmo]

Even More Tron For XBLA?

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:20:20 MDT

Remember last week's reveal of Discs of Tron for the Xbox 360, likely candidate for an Xbox Live Arcade release? Well, the ESRB has revealed another potential downloadable journey for the Electronic Gladiator by rating the original Tron for the 360, giving the game an E rating for Mild Fantasy Violence.

With the 25th anniversary of Disney's computer generated "classic" right around the corner, it looks like Buena Vista Games is looking to cash in with another Bally Midway retro game. Looks like a perfect fit for Mad Catz's Arcade GameStick.

I'll beat this dead horse one more time: why doesn't Sega get their ass in gear and make with the arcade ports? Everyone else is doing it. Michael McWhertor

ESRB Game Ratings

Mad Catz Doles Out 360 Stick Lovin'

Mike Fahey — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:40:33 MST

Mad Catz officially announced today that its Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick will be arriving at retailers nationwide just in time for Christmas. When I first heard about it I was thinking it would be your standard ball on a metal pole joystick, but as you can see it looks like a 360 controller and a 2600 controller had sloppy peripheral sex, resulting in this baby here. A 2960, or would you multiply in this case? 936,000? Either way, I must have it.

The controller comes packed with full Xbox Live versions of Frogger, Timepilot, and Astropop, as well as a free trial membership of Xbox Live Gold. Thanks to MS not letting anyone else do 360 wireless, it's also a Windows compatible USB device. Hooray! Should be available everywhere by December 19th. Michael Fahey

Xbox 360 ARCADE GameSTICK Product Page
Mad Catz Press Release

Mad Catz XBLA Arcade Stick Available for Preorder

kotaku.com — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 13:40:49 MDT

How many buttons do you really need to play that XBLA port of an early-80's coin-op game? The correct answer is "one." But this Mad Catz XBLA arcade stick somehow manages to shove almost all of the 360 controller buttons on there anyway.

Right now, the Mad Catz Arcade Stick is up for pre-order on Gamestop's site for a whopping $59.99. Release date is December 1st... just in time for Christmas! At least it looks pretty swank, like the 360 controller's rape-child with the Atari 2600. Florian Eckhardt

Mad Catz Xbox Live Arcade Retro Stick [Gamestop]

Let Your 360 Travel In Gears of War Style

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:22:58 MDT

For those who take their Xbox 360's out of the house, or even leave the house, here's a Gears of War Xbox 360 System Case. Perfect for going to LAN parties! It'll set you back around $60 this November when it ships. Kinda pricey, but well, it beats a garbage bag. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Xbox Collector]

360 Arcade Stick for $50 with Free Games

Brian Crecente — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:00:56 MDT

After we posted about the Mad Catz Retro Arcade Stick that EB Games had listed on their site, the company promptly took the page down. Good thing, because it was wrong.

According to one of our sources the stick is actually going to sell for $50 and include several full Live Games. Mad Catz hasn't decided which ones yet, which is why they haven't officially announced the stick. Details for the stick are expected to be officially announced closer to the end of this month.

I sure hope the stick can handle games like Street Fighter and won't just be for Pac-Man, Frogger and such. Brian Crecente

Golf Game Features Tiny Club

Brian Crecente — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 08:47:07 MDT

Mad Catz keeps expanding and expanding. First it was controllers, then it was a DDR knock-off, now they're making a PS2 golf game that features what looks to be a mini put put golf club. You wave the club over some weird little thingie on the ground and it can track your swing.

Looks.... interesting?

Fun pics after the jump.

Game Features

Real World Golf is the first and only game on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox that lets you actually swing a club to hit a golf ball. Immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality where all the realism and subtlety of real golf fully comes to life in your living room. Adjust your swing to pitch, fade, draw, slice or spin the ball as Gametrak closely tracks your movement in real time and lets you play in the game! Improve your grip, stance and swing, and play across 10 stunning 18-hole golf courses and driving ranges. The game includes career mode, championship play, 4-player tournament challenges and more.

Customize your profile with your actual height, arm length, and primary swinging hand for maximum accuracy.
Ten stunning 18-hole golf courses, driving range, pitching and putting areas, party games and more!
Career mode, championship play and 4-player tournament challenges Improve your grip, stance and swing with in-depth video tutorial and training games.
Pixel-perfect accuracy makes Real World Golf the most realistic golf game on the market.
Form-fitting fingerless gloves attached to the controller unit to track height, speed and direction of player's hands.
Has all the realism and subtlety of real golf: players adjust their swing to pitch, draw, fade, hook, slice or spin.
Features ten stunning 18-hole courses.
Six in-depth video tutorials, driving range and putting greens help players improve their game.
Quick play, match play, championship and party game modes.
Offers multiplayer fun for 1-4 players.
Extra gloves available for sale online at www.madcatzstore.com.

Read World Golf

Mad Catz to Make Xbox Exclusive Games

Brian Crecente — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 11:00:18 MST

This is odd, Mad Catz has signed a deal with Microsoft to make them an exclusive game developer for the company's consoles. Mad Catz games? The only one I can think of is their DDR clone MC Dance Groove. I'm guessing this will be more clones and the occasional Live Arcade title.

Mad Catz Now Microsoft Exclusive [Games Are Fun]