Mad Catz signs multi-year Rock Band peripheral deal with Harmonix/MTV Games

1:14 PM on 01.04.2008   |   Nick Chester

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Mad Catz Interactive, third-party peripheral manufacturer extraordinarie, has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Harmonix and MTV games which will allow them to produce and distribute Rock Band peripherals in North America and beyond. 

What this means: Mad Catz will be manufacturing, marketing, and selling both wired and wireless versions of guitars, drums (with "professional quality" wooden drum sticks), and a wired microphone. There's no word regarding platform specifics, but it's safe to assume the instruments will be available for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 (and subsequently, the PS2).

For those who are concerned with instrument quality (as if they aren't already), Mad Catz president and CEO is confident in their products.

"Mad Catz will produce premium instruments," he says, "allowing gamers and music fans to experience music in an entirely new light while talking on the personality of their favorite music idols."

Mad Catz Enters into Multi-Year License Agreement with Harmonix and MTV Games to Produce Products for Rock Band(TM)
SAN DIEGO, Jan 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 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 MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), whereby Mad Catz has secured the North American and other worldwide territory rights to produce and distribute game peripherals and other products for the critically acclaimed Rock Band(TM) game.

Published by MTV Games and developed by MTV Network's Harmonix Music Systems, Rock Band is a new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music, challenging users to master the lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals as solo artists or cooperatively as part of their own band. Built on deals with the world's biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band spans all genres of rock and includes many master recordings from the greatest songs and artists of all time. Rock Band is currently available on the Xbox 360(TM), PlayStation(R) 3 and PlayStation(R) 2 consoles in North America.

Pursuant to the agreement, Mad Catz has secured the rights to manufacture, market and sell game accessories, including both wired and wireless bass guitars, a drum percussion set bundled with professional quality wooden drum sticks, and a wired microphone. Mad Catz expects its initial offerings under this license agreement to be available in the first half of 2008.

"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."