BrawlStick
Joining the BrawlPad in Mad Catz' officially licensed WWE kit.
San Diego, March 07. 2011
Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), announced today the start of shipping for the company’s range of licensed WWE® All Stars™ products for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
Produced under license from THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), the Mad Catz BrawlStick™ and BrawlPad™ accessories will bring high-octane WWE action to life and are ideal for recreating signature moves of the WWE Legends and current WWE Superstars.
To celebrate the launch of the new range, Mad Catz also announced today a new BrawlPad design depicting all-time great Hulk Hogan and WWE Superstar John Cena® with official artwork from the videogame. The new design joins the previously announced BrawlPad featuring The People’s Champion ™, The Rock ® and WWE Superstar Triple H®.
WWE All Stars will deliver one of the greatest rosters ever assembled in a WWE videogame. WWE All Stars invites players to generate fantasy matches between WWE Legends and current WWE Superstars or mix any of the two and ultimately determine the greatest competitors of all time.
Licensed products currently shipping are as follows:
· Official WWE All Stars Arcade BrawlStick – Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system
Designed to offer authentic, arcade-style play, the WWE All Stars Arcade BrawlStick features Mad Catz redesigned ball top joystick and high quality concave action buttons offering the gamer precision, control and quality engineering. Complete with official artwork depicting WWE great The Rock and WWE Superstar Triple H., the BrawlStick’s action buttons are pre-configured for WWE All Stars allowing gamers to jump into the action without the need to manually configure via the menu screen, designed to replicate the ‘instant play’ nature of a true arcade. Dual-speed Turbo functionality is independently available on each action button, complete with individual LED Indicators, allowing gamers to execute moves with impressive speed, while the eight-button arcade configuration enables larger-than-life moves and character specific combinations to be performed with precise execution. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks for maximum control flexibility, while the ergonomic slanted top panel ensures comfort during sustained play. In addition, Start and Select/Back Buttons are located on the back of the BrawlStick, minimizing the risk of accidental interruptions.
MSRP: $79.99
· Official WWE All Stars BrawlPad – Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system
Ideal for gamers favoring the portability and ergonomics of a traditional console controller without wishing to compromise on performance, the WWE All Stars BrawlPad features Mad Catz tournament grade enlarged circular eight-way floating D-Pad and fast action-arcade-style six-button configuration. The enlarged D-Pad is designed to roll smoothly with the movement of the players thumb, reacting with the precision and swiftness of a traditional arcade stick, while retaining the ergonomics of a traditional D-Pad. The classic six-button configuration feature enlarged action buttons allowing combinations and special moves to be executed with greater success and speed. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Stick mode when using the enlarged circular floating D-Pad., and combined with official artwork from WWE All Stars, gamers can grapple with the BrawlPad depicting their favorite WWE Legends and WWE Superstars! With a choice of two designs, gamers can choose between artwork depicting Hulk Hogan and John Cena or The Rock and Triple H.
MSRP: $39.99
The new Mad Catz WWE All Stars Arcade BrawlPad and WWE All Stars BrawlStick will be available from the Gameshark Online store (store.gameshark.com) and other leading video game retailers.
For further information please contact:
Media
Alex Verrey: Global PR & Communications Manager
t. +44 (0) 1908 336 538
e. averrey@madcatz.com
Michael Greco: Vice President of Marketing
t. + 1-619-321-3564
e. mgreco@madcatz.com
Investors
Allyson Vanderford : Interim Chief Financial Officer
t. +1-619-321 3545
e. avanderford@madcatz.com
Joseph Jaffoni, Norberto Aja and Jim Leahy
Jaffoni and Collins Incorporated
t. 212/835-8500
e. mcz@jcir.com
Track Mad Catz via the following social media:
Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/MadCatzInc
Twitter® Page: http://twitter.com/MadCatzInc
YouTube® Channel: http://www.youtube.com/MadCatzCompany
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a leading global provider of innovative products for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz develops and markets accessories for videogame systems and PCs under its Mad Catz (casual gaming), Saitek (simulation), Cyborg (pro gaming), Eclipse (home and office) and Tritton (gaming audio) brands. Mad Catz also operates e-commerce and content websites for videogame and PC products under its GameShark brand, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary earphones under its AirDrives brand, and publishes and distributes video/PC games. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.store.gameshark.com, www.saitek.com, www.cyborggaming.com, www.eclipsetouch.com, www.trittontechnologies.com, www.gameshark.com and www.airdrives.com.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About WWE, Inc.
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Mexico City. Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of WWE, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Mad Catz 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.
WWE Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant, including a waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends.
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ALEX VERREY
Global PR & Communications Manager
MAD CATZ, INC.
1 & 2 Shenley Pavillions
Chalkdell Drive
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK5 6LB
+44 (0) 1633 883 110 extension 2208
+44 (0) 1633 883 133 direct line
+44 (0) 7957 204 660 cell / mobile
+44 (0) 1908 336 539 facsimile
averrey@madcatz.com
www.madcatz.com