Mad Catz Enters into Multi-Year License Agreement with Harmonix as Official Global Manufacturing and Distribution Partner for Rock Band Music Game Peripherals
SAN DIEGO--Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., the leading developer of music-based games, to serve as the principal peripherals partner for the Rock Band franchise. The license agreement grants Mad Catz international rights, wherever Rock Band is sold, to produce and distribute Rock Band music videogame controllers for future iterations of Rock Band during the term of the deal, including the highly-anticipated Rock Band 3 for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ system from Nintendo.
“Serving as the principal Rock Band videogame peripherals partner on a multi-territory basis leverages the powerful product development and global marketing and distribution capabilities Mad Catz has built”
“Serving as the principal Rock Band videogame peripherals partner on a multi-territory basis leverages the powerful product development and global marketing and distribution capabilities Mad Catz has built,�?? said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “Having worked with Harmonix and MTV Games over the past two years on peripherals for Rock Band and Rock Band 2, we are thrilled to take on an even more integral role with the Rock Band franchise.�??
“We are excited to be expanding our relationship with Mad Catz to continue to bring their video game peripheral design and manufacturing expertise to the Rock Band platform,�?? stated Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix. “We look forward to partnering with Mad Catz to continue to innovate and lead the music game genre through the Rock Band franchise.�??
Published by MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks , and developed by MTV Network’s Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, Rock Band is the multi-million unit selling, genre-defining music game platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with and discover music like never before by choosing guitar, drums, vocals, or bass to start a band and rock the world. With an unparalleled music catalog featuring over 1,000 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music), the Rock Band platform continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers' voracious appetite with more than 65 million paid downloads since its launch November 20, 2007 and has set the bar for innovation by delivering groundbreaking music content and experiences through titles and initiatives such as Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, LEGO® Rock Band, and Rock Band Network.
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a 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 and Cyborg brands, and 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 across North America and Europe, and is increasing its distribution reach in Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.gameshark.com, www.airdrives.com and www.saitek.com.
About Harmonix Music Systems
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complements the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Viacom
Viacom, consisting of BET Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, is the world’s leading entertainment content company. It engages audiences on television, motion picture and digital platforms through many of the world’s best known entertainment brands, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, BET, Rock Band, AddictingGames, Atom, Neopets, Shockwave and Paramount Pictures. Viacom’s global reach includes approximately 170 channels and 430 digital media properties in more than 160 countries and territories.
For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com.
© 2010 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Guitar Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.
Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information or future events or developments. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "should," "plan," "goal," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the ability to maintain or renew the Company's licenses; competitive developments affecting the Company's current products; first party price reductions; the ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; or a downturn in the market or industry. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators.