Legendary Music Franchise Returns with New Features, New Music and All-New Music Game Controller Hardware
SAN DIEGO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 5, 2015 — Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX: MCZ) announced today an agreement with Harmonix Music Systems™, Inc. (“Harmonix”) to launch Rock Band 4, the next generation of the award-winning social and interactive music-gaming platform, later this year for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.
Mad Catz will develop and manufacture a new generation of wireless Rock Band 4 music game controllers. The launch products include:
- Band-in-a-Box Bundle, which includes the Rock Band 4 game, a Wireless Fender™ Stratocaster™ Guitar Controller, a Wireless Drum Kit Controller and a Microphone.
- Guitar Bundle, which includes the Rock Band 4 game and a Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller.
For more information on the Rock Band 4 bundles, visit: http://madcatz.com/rock-band-is-back/
To celebrate the announcement of Rock Band 4, Harmonix are offering a special edition, Wireless Stratocaster Guitar Controller, featuring custom artwork of “Gabe” from the immensely popular Penny Arcade webcomic. This limited-edition collectible is only available for on-site pre-orders at the Harmonix booth during the PAX East video game festival.
“We are very excited to bring the band back together, and re-team with Harmonix to deliver the next installment of the legendary Rock Band™ franchise to a new generation of consoles,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “Harmonix understands music gaming better than anyone, and we are confident that the unrivalled music selection and next generation features will prove incredibly enticing to passionate gamers and music fans alike.”
Daniel Sussman, Product Manager for Harmonix commented, “The creative energy and excitement at the studio right now is at an all-time high. We’re thrilled to have Mad Catz as an important partner as we move the franchise to a new generation of consoles, and we can’t wait to show our fans how we’re evolving the gameplay they love.”
Rock Band 4 brings the critically-acclaimed franchise to a new generation of consoles, focusing on the features and gameplay that people love, and expanding the franchise in innovative ways informed by how fans play and what they want. In addition to a killer on-disc soundtrack, Rock Band 4 will support the over 2000 tracks released since the 2007 debut of the original Rock Band, accounting for more than 500 of rock music’s most legendary artists.
In addition, players who have purchased or downloaded music on last-generation consoles will be able to download and play those tracks on their new platforms at no additional charge*. Hundreds of tracks will be available at launch, with more back catalog music – and new tracks – added regularly after launch.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems, visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/games/rock-band/
* The timing of release of “legacy” DLC on next-generation consoles is to be determined and may be subject to change. “Legacy” DLC will be downloadable and playable in Rock Band 4 only after the DLC is released on next-generation consoles.
About Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX: MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed under its Mad Catz® (gaming), Tritton® (audio), and Saitek® (simulation) brands. Mad Catz products cater to passionate gamers across multiple platforms including in-home gaming consoles, handheld gaming consoles, Windows PC and Mac® computers, smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Mad Catz distributes its products through its online store as well as distribution via many leading retailers around the globe. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Mad Catz maintains offices in Europe and Asia. For additional information about Mad Catz and its products, please visit the Company’s website at www.madcatz.com
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