| Type | Public (TSX: MCZ) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Toys & Games |
| Genre | Gaming |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, USA |
| Key people | Darren Richardson[1] |
| Employees | 250[1] |
| Website | http://www.madcatz.com/ |
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (TSX: MCZ) is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California.[2] It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.
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The company was founded in 1989 as Patch Ventures. In 1994 it changed its name to Legacy Storage Systems International (TSX: LEG). The name was then changed to Tecmar Technologies International in 1996 and Xencet Investments in 1998. The company was renamed Games Trader and then GTR Group in 1999, and then finally to Mad Catz Interactive in 2001.[3]
In September 2007, Mad Catz acquired Joytech[4] for US$3.7 million.[5] Mad Catz expects Joytech to add $10 million to its annual revenue.[6]
In November 2007, Mad Catz further diversified into the video game accessory market by acquiring Europe-based peripheral manufacturer Saitek for US$ 30 million. [7] [8]
On June 1, 2010, Mad Catz acquired Tritton Technologies, a California-based gaming audio headset firm, for US$ 1 million at closing. Up to an additional US$ 9 million may be paid over the next five years depending on how well Tritton's products sell.[9]
In 2008 Mad Catz was commissioned by Capcom to produce Arcade Sticks and 6 button controllers, branded as FightSticks and FightPads, for Street Fighter IV.[10] Mad Catz later changed their plans of a limited number of buttons and continued production of turbo controllers to meet the overwhelming demand.
In August 2009, Robert Bowling, the Community Manager of Infinity Ward, confirmed that Mad Catz was developing products for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The product was a Modern Warfare 2 themed controller for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, along with a special charging cable for the controller. They were released on November 10, 2009 alongside the game.[11] Following that, Madcatz released an improved version of the controller for the new Call of Duty: Black Ops.
Mad Catz also teamed up with Fender to make a wooden replica of the Fender Stratocaster for Harmonix's Rock Band series of games.[12]
In 2010, MadCatz released the officially licensed instrument controllers for Rock Band 3, including keyboards, guitar controllers (both the traditional 5 button and the 102-button "pro" guitar), microphones and drum kits.
The "Cyborg" line of products includes the modular R.A.T. series of gaming mice, along with gaming keyboards, mouse pads, and the F.L.Y. 9 joystick controller.