Mad Catz to Market Xploder(tm) Software and Fire Video Game
Accessories in the UK, France, Scandinavia and Australia
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 2003--
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSE: MCZ), the world's leading
third party video game enhancement and accessories manufacturer, today
announced an exclusive international distribution agreement with Fire
International, Ltd., a leading developer of game enhancement software
and video game accessories in the UK. Fire International develops the
game enhancement software that powers Mad Catz' highly acclaimed
GameShark(R) game enhancement products in North America. Under the
terms of the agreement, Mad Catz has been granted rights to market
Fire's Xploder brand game enhancer software and Blaze brand video game
accessories to retailers in the UK, France, Scandinavia and Australia.
Fire will continue to sell its products through specific catalog
accounts in the UK.
"Over the past year Mad Catz has become the leading distributor of
video game accessories in the UK, and a significant force throughout
the balance of Europe," said Darren Richardson, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Mad Catz, Inc. "The addition of the Xploder range
of game enhancement products in Europe replicates Mad Catz' North
American position as the only one-stop provider of game enhancement
software and video game accessories for retailers. This agreement will
extend our competitive advantage in those markets without adding
infrastructure costs."
"Mad Catz is the logical choice for our distribution needs of
these innovative products in these important markets. They have
emerged as the number one supplier in the UK, and our access to their
retail distribution points will prove to be valuable for consumers,
retailers as well as for Fire," commented Jason Cooper, Managing
Director, Fire International, Ltd. "This distribution agreement allows
us to focus on our development of cutting edge software products and
their related technologies."
About Fire International, LTD.
Based in Doncaster, UK and founded in 1993 by Jason Cooper, Fire
International designs, develops, manufactures and markets video game
accessories under the Blaze brand and game enhancement software under
the Xploder brand for the video game market. Fire International, Blaze
World, and their related companies have increasingly specialized in
the development of patented technology, applications and software for
the interactive entertainment industry. Areas of specialization, other
than game enhancement software, include applications for wireless
devices and educational gaming.
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., (www.madcatz.com), designs, develops,
manufactures and markets a full range of high quality, competitively
priced accessories for video game consoles and portables, including
the industry leading GameShark brand of video game enhancements. Mad
Catz is a worldwide leader of innovative peripherals in the
interactive entertainment industry, with distribution through nine of
the top ten U.S. retailers offering interactive entertainment
products. With operating headquarters in San Diego, California, Mad
Catz has offices in Canada, the U.K. and Asia, as well as distributors
in Europe and Australia.
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," "plan," "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 our current products; first party
price reductions; the ability to successfully market both new and
existing products domestically and internationally; difficulties or
delays in manufacturing; market and general economic conditions. 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.
CONTACT: Press Contact:
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Aimee Mabe
619/683-9830 X308
amabe@madcatz.com
or
Financial Contact:
Jaffoni & Collins, Inc.
Nathan Ellingson
212/835-8500
mcz@jcir.com
SOURCE: Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
