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Mad Catz co-branded Xbox 360 / Tritton headsets: eyes-on, ears-off
You don't nab the exclusive rights to create Xbox 360 branded headphones and not put some theoretical hutzpah into it: at E3 this week, Mad Catz is showing off a trio of co-branded Tritton / Xbox 360 cans, or at least a trio of fragile plastic facsimiles. These three mock-ups the Catz crew showed us represent the physical design of the Warhead, Devastator, and Detonator models of the co-branded line of headsets -- sporting wireless Dobly 7.1 surround sound, wireless analog, and USB connectivity, respectively. While all three models promise a slew of special sound features, the two wireless models have an exclusive shine: Xbox 360 microphone support without tethering themselves to the console's controller or using a chat dongle. Not that we got to hear for ourselves; the mock-ups were non-functional, and fragile enough that show staff wasn't feeling our enthusiasm for an ears-on demo. Still, we could dig ditching headset-to-controller leashes. Check out the gallery below to see all the bells, whistles, and switches, or hit the break for some meaty PR. %Gallery-125710%
MadCatz launching 'WarHead' and other fancy Xbox 360 headsets
Hey, Mad Catz ... maybe "WarHead" isn't the best name for something that goes on your head. We kind of don't want war on our heads. But despite the name, Mad Catz's new Xbox 360 headset range might find a receptive audience. These are the first fruits of the company's wireless headset deal. Mad Catz's audio-focused subsidiary Tritton is introducing a line of 360 headsets, including the wireless WarHead 7.1 and Devastator, and the "entry-level" wired Detonator. The WarHead has 7.1-channel Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, and Dolby Headphone audio; the other two are stereo-only. The two wireless sets include a base station that connects to the Xbox through USB and either optical or RCA audio connections. Those base stations allow audio to be shared among four headsets, if you're in the middle of a weirdly antisocial gathering. IGN notes that all three should be out before the end of the year, and none of them should exceed $300 in price. Hey, we just remembered that sometimes headphones cost more than $300! That's an even less appealing thought than putting a "WarHead" on our heads.
Mad Catz' exclusive Xbox 360 wireless headphones revealed: integrated voice chat, 5.8GHz base station
Remember how Mad Catz scored the exclusive rights to produce Xbox 360 wireless headphones? Here's the deal: these cans don't need to be tethered to your controller for voice chat or plugged into a wall to charge. According to IGN, the new Mad Catz Warhead 7.1 will get everything it needs from a base station connected to your console. String USB and optical cables directly from the Xbox 360 to that tiny tower above, and you'll reportedly get enough 5.8GHz bandwidth to deliver virtual Dolby surround sound to four pairs of headphones at once -- plus wireless Xbox LIVE audio chat thanks to some native support from Microsoft. What's more, the USB base station will also give you an on-screen battery readout, and if the Warhead runs out of juice, you'll find a second swappable battery pack sitting in the base station's charger. If that sounds too rich for your blood, the Devastator will ditch the surround sound and rechargeable batteries while retaining the same connectivity and 50mm drivers of its premium brother. How much that'll cost you is still to be determined, though Mad Catz told IGN they'll all ring up under $300 this holiday.
Flight game 'War Wings: Hell Catz' coming from ... Mad Catz
We think we can all agree that it was pretty weird (but in a strangely sensible way) when peripheral company Mad Catz announced that it had started a development studio, ThunderHawk Studios. Right? Weird? Okay, now Mad Catz has announced its first game as publisher (not counting MC Groovz), and it's not a ThunderHawk game. War Wings: Hell Catz is a flight combat game developed by Trickstar Games and planned for release next year. It'll be the first in a series of games "that will explore critical eras in aviation combat." Mad Catz did not name any platforms, nor did it show off media. We'll no doubt learn more during E3.
Mad Catz creates new studio to make flight sim MMOs
In 2012, you will know that an angry feline can fly! Or so hopes Mad Catz Interactive, which has just announced the formation of an internal studio dedicated to making MMO flight simulators. Dubbed "ThunderHawk Studios," this new team is already hard at work on a title slated for next year. Mad Catz President Darren Richardson sees this as another step on the road to gaming greatness: "The addition of flight simulation games should leverage the market share leadership and global distribution enjoyed by our flight simulation hardware products. The formation of ThunderHawk Studios is an important milestone as we pursue our longer term goal of expanding our participation in developing, publishing and distributing games." Mad Catz is well-known for developing gaming peripherals and other interface hardware for titles like Modern Warfare 2 and Street Fighter IV.
Mad Catz launches ThunderHawk Studios, gets into flight sim development
Peripheral maker Mad Catz has announced that it's moving beyond just making flight sticks -- it's actually going to make the flight simulations to use them with. Forming an internal development group called ThunderHawk Studios, the company has set its sights on creating massively multiplayer air combat games that CEO Darren Richardson says will "leverage the market share leadership and global distribution enjoyed by our flight simulation hardware products." "The formation of ThunderHawk Studios is an important milestone as we pursue our longer term goal of expanding our participation in developing, publishing and distributing games," Richardson added. The first title from ThunderHawk is slated to go wheels-up in 2012, and we'd be surprised if we didn't see it in some form at next week's E3 expo.
The Who-autographed Rock Band guitar controllers auctioned for Teenage Cancer Trust
Prolific peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz has again teamed with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey to support the Teenage Cancer Trust -- and this time they've gotten Pete Townshend to leave his mark on this unique charity event. Both legendary rock gods have signed a pair of Mad Catz's Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster controllers (no strings attached) for Xbox 360 versions of Rock Band. These cherry red rarities are up for auction on eBay -- one here and the other here -- until 9PM ET on Sunday, April 3. All proceeds will go to the UK-based Teenage Cancer Trust. Okay, now can we get a YEEEEEEAAAHHH?!
Mad Catz posts record sales, income up 70% in fiscal Q3
Mad Catz has posted record sales for its fiscal third quarter, which ended December 31. Net sales of $92.9 million have been reported by the company, up from $48.7 million during the same period last year. The company reported net income (i.e. profit) of $9.69 million, up from $5.59 million during the same period last year, an increase of over 70 percent. The report does note, however, that gross profit margin -- an expression of how much money is earned versus how much is spent -- is slightly down over last year. The primary reason for the decreased margin is attributed to "a shift in the Company's sales mix which included higher levels of licensed products." In other words, all those popular game licenses aren't cheap. Still, this marks the second quarter in a row that Mad Catz has posted record results, so we doubt anyone is too broken up about it.
Mad Catz making replacement FightStick panel for Mortal Kombat
The Mortal Kombat Tournament Edition arcade stick is great for Mortal Kombat, but isn't really usable for other games, due to the unique layout. During a Level|Up Live event, Mad Catz's Mark "MarkMan" Julio unveiled Mad Catz's novel Mortal Kombat solution: a replacement panel for current Tournament Edition FightSticks, allowing you to have arcade-perfect controls for multiple games with the same stick. The Mortal Kombat "Kombat Fight Stick Ultimate Edition Panel" allows users to replace the button layout of the edition Tournament Edition FightStick with one that approximates the classic Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 arcade panel, which is also used in the new Mortal Kombat. The buttons are a little closer together in this version for the sake of ergonomics. No price or release date was announced, but the panel will be available from Mad Catz's online store.
Mad Catz snatches up exclusive rights to Xbox 360 wireless headphones
The crazy kitties over at Mad Catz have signed yet another licensing agreement to further sink their claws into the world of gaming peripherals -- they've just sealed a deal with Microsoft to be the exclusive supplier of Xbox 360 wireless headphones, as well as non-exclusive rights for wired 360 headphones. All products under the agreement will bear the Xbox logo, as well as the signature "T" from Mad Catz's recently acquired Tritton series, but don't go out looking for them anytime soon -- these cats won't mark their territory until Christmas 2011.
Mad Catz to produce wireless 360 headphones for Microsoft
Mad Catz has announced that it's partnering with Microsoft to produce the first "wireless, licensed and co-branded headphones" for the Xbox 360. The headphones will be manufactured under the Tritton brand and will come in both stereo and Dolby 5.1 varieties. They should hit the shelves in time for the 2011 holiday season. The press release is short on other details, though hopefully the headphones will pack Microsoft's proprietary wireless tech, allowing them to circumvent the cumbersome setup required by Tritton's current 360 compatible headsets. Like, if the new headsets don't have two AC adapters, that would be great.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 FightSticks shipping in time for the game
Chances are, a lot of people will be looking to buy an arcade stick with Marvel vs. Capcom 3 next week. Mad Catz, anticipating this obvious interest, is producing one just for such an occasion. The "Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition" keeps the hardware design and Sanwa Denshi brand arcade components from previous Street Fighter IV Tournament Edition FightSticks and adds new, surprisingly restrained Marvel vs. Capcom 3 artwork to the top panel of the stick. Like the most recent iterations of the FightStick, it also includes a locking mechanism to prevent accidental use of the turbo switches. 5,000 MvC3 FightSticks are being produced and will be available from Mad Catz's online store. No price has been named, but previous Tournament Edition sticks have retailed for around $150.%Gallery-115490%
Mad Catz to produce Gears of War 3 accessories for Xbox 360
Mad Catz has announced an agreement with Epic Games allowing the peripheral company to produce Gears of War 3 branded accessories for Xbox 360. Gear of Gears of War, if you will. The accessories, planned for release this holiday season alongside the game, include "specialty controllers, headphones" and other unspecified peripherals. Unfortunately, the company has yet to release images, so for now you'll just have to imagine, like, a totally manly headset, and an Xbox controller from which Marcus Fenix's face grimaces at you. Mad Catz and Epic previously partnered on carrying cases and "skinz" for Gears of War and Gears of War 2.
Mad Catz's WWE All Stars 'BrawlStick' and 'BrawlPad' revealed
We were baffled by the announcement that Mad Catz would make premium controllers for WWE All Stars. Mad Catz just sent us the first images of the new "BrawlStick" and "BrawlPad" accessories, and we don't know if it's just because we've had months to get used to the idea, but they aren't too shocking! Okay, so these are Standard Edition FightSticks and FightPads with exaggerated cartoon pictures of The Rock and Triple H on them. For some reason, we expected to be a lot more weirded out by that sight. They'll be available on PS3 and Xbox 360 alongside the game, with the sticks priced at $79.99 and the pads at $39.99.%Gallery-114775%
Mad Catz rolls out Mac-compatible Tritton See2 series USB video cards, See2 Xtreme for Windows
It's been quite a while since Tritton last cropped up on our radar, but the company was acquired by Mad Catz last summer, and it's now announced a new range of Mac-compatible, 720p-supporting external video cards. That includes updated versions of its existing SEE2 UV150 external VGA video card and SEE2 XD300 Xpress Docking Station (with VGA, Ethernet, four USB ports, and mic and speaker ports), along with the all new SEE2 Xtreme UV250 external video card, which packs both VGA and DVI ports and supports resolutions up to 1920 x 1200, but is apparently only compatible with Windows. Look for it to be available in April for $100, while two Mac-compatible devices will be available next month for $60 and $100. Full press release is after the break.
Mad Catz announces 3DS accessory line, new Wii controllers
Seeing accessories designed for 3DS is almost as cool as seeing the 3DS, right? We hope so, because we've got images of new 3DS accessories by Mad Catz. For CES, the company has revealed a line of accessories for the glasses-free 3D handheld including the lunchbox-like, $20 Traveller Bag, designed to hold a system, two styli, and up to 21 games, and the $13 Microsuede Slipcase, a smaller, plush case for the device. Other 3DS accessories not pictured include screen protectors and styli, about which you can find more details after the break. The manufacturer also unveiled new Wii controllers: the $35 Reactor and $30 Reactor Plus are new takes on the Wiimote, with the Reactor Plus including MotionPlus built-in. Both will also be available in "Micro" versions for the same price. a "Reflex" Nunchuk-alike will also be available.%Gallery-113063%
Mad Catz releases Sonic-branded inductive Wiimote charger
Do you need to re-energize the power cores of your Wii Remotes in the raddest, most attitude-fueled way imaginable? The latest product from Mad Catz (PDF) is right up your alley: It's a Wiimote induction charger featuring Sonic the Hedgehog. At $49.99, it's probably not the most cost efficient way to refuel your gaming peripherals, but it is the ... um, bluest. What's great about the charger's Sonic-centricity is that it not only possesses form, but also has quite a bit of function. See his hand, there? That's not a peace sign -- that's him telling you how many controllers the charger can hold. He's such a helpful little devil, isn't he?
Sonic the Hedgehog will charge your Wiimote inductively, but he won't like it
He may be flashing a peace sign, but you can tell from the look in his eyes that Sonic isn't exactly thrilled to be doing anything to support Nintendo. This is the cat that made blast processing a reality, whose addiction for gold rings is legendary, and who hasn't starred in a truly great game since, well, since Sega stopped making hardware, now reduced to this. Look at him, perched atop a mock floating platform, brown and tan checkerboard base with a green top where you can set your Wiimotes for charging without stripping them of their prophylactics. Though the press release makes no mention of this, we were led to believe that this is not actually powered by your AC outlet, instead by the spirits of fuzzy little squirrels and rabbits trapped within, making this $49.99 figurine from Mad Catz all the more nefarious.
Mad Catz ships Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro adapter, gives your keyboard and drum set new life
Talk about just in time. With merely weeks to go before Mr. Claus makes his wintry journey 'round the globe, Mad Catz has decided to finally ship a peripheral that was introduced way back in June. Without a doubt, the MIDI Pro adapter is one of the more intriguing music game accessories to hit the open market, enabling Rock Band 3 owners to use most MIDI keyboards and drum sets with the title. The box is shipping as we speak for Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Wii, and the Xbox 360 variant should be headed to Best Buy in the coming hours. If you'll recall, this guy's also designed to work with the forthcoming Rock Band 3 Squier guitar / controller, and it even features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. At $39.99, it's a no-brainer for those who already own a MIDI instrument or two, but we just might be more excited about the hacking possibilities than anything else. DIYers, get at it! %Gallery-108753%
Mad Catz: Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro Adapter shipping
Ready to turn your totally sweet keytar into a totally sweet game controller? Mad Catz announced that the PS3 and Wii versions of the Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro Adapter, which allow use of MIDI keyboards, drum kits, and, eventually, the Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster, are headed to retail now. The Xbox 360 version, according to the announcement, is expected to ship "imminently" in limited quantities, to Best Buy stores. However, Amazon still shows the release date for all three versions as December 26, and Best Buy shows only the PS3 version in stock. We've asked Mad Catz to help clear it all up for us, but it's likely most of you won't need one of these until the March release of the Stratocaster controller anyway. Update: Mad Catz tells us that the release date confusion is just part of the nature of accessories: retailers obtain stock at different times, unlike the hard release dates software has. And Best Buy will stock the 360 adapter first simply because it'll be the first retailer to receive its shipments.
