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."
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a global leader in providing innovative peripherals
for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz designs and
markets accessories for video game systems and publishes video game
software, including the industry-leading GameShark video game
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 brand, and
recently began manufacturing and marketing proprietary portable
earphones under its AirDrives brand. Mad Catz distributes its products
through most of the leading retailers offering interactive
entertainment products and has offices across Canada, Europe and Asia.
For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as
www.gameshark.com, www.airdrives.com, www.saitek.com and
www.joytech.net.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA,
VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and
content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels
worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming
services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK
at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1
CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV
NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks
trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences
through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200
interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband,
wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing
agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its
programming services can be seen worldwide.
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 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
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.
SOURCE: Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer
Stewart Halpern, 800-831-1442
or
Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated
Joseph Jaffoni or David Jacoby, 212-835-8500
mcz@jcir.com