Mastiff and Mad Catz Announce Pump It Up Agreement
Mad Catz will exclusively distribute hot new dance game
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 13, 2005) Video Game publisher Mastiff and Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSE: MCZ), the world's leading third party video game accessory provider, today announced that Mad Catz will be the exclusive distributor of Pump It Up: Exceed for North America. Pump It Up: Exceed is the hot dancing game storming through Latin America, the UK, France, and Korea, for the Sony PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
Pump It Up features choreographed steps for each song and a five-button mat that lets the step designers reward players for not just where they put their feet, but how their feet got there. The game features approximately 100 songs, including new music for the console version from cutting edge artists such as Grammy nominees Crystal Method and Steriogram, as well as Earth, Wind & Fire, and Sugarhill Gang. Music familiar to fans of the arcade include top K-POP (Korean pop) acts like Sechs Kies, Honey Family, Clon and Novasonic, and songs like Beethoven Virus and Pump Me Amadeus by BanYa, the Pump It Up original band. The game releases this summer for a suggested retail price of US $59.99.
"Mad Catz is committed to exploring games that feature true interactivity," says Darren Richardson President and CEO of Mad Catz. "This is another opportunity to leverage our access to the distribution channel and drive additional revenue streams."
"We're delighted to be partnered with Mad Catz," says Bill Swartz, head woof of Mastiff. "We are confident that through Mad Catz's relationships with leading retailers and their current market leadership, that Pump It Up: Exceed will be a huge success."
About Pump It Up: Exceed
While other dance games have only four-button dance pads, Pump It Up features choreographed steps for each song and a five-button mat that lets the step-designers reward players for not just where they put their feet, but how their feet got there. In addition, Pump It Up also features a freestyle setting that forces you to hit three or more mat buttons simultaneously, which can only be accomplished by using more than just your feet. Skillful players will be able to enter their scores on an internet based score board.
The console version of Pump It Up: Exceed is based on the arcade game Pump It Up: Exceed but, in addition to the new music features a wealth of exclusive features including three entirely original modes: Home, Sudden Death, and Survival as well as a practice and tutorial mode. The game can be played by one or two players, and even offers a one player/two mat mode. The Xbox version of Pump It Up: Exceed features Xbox Live® support.
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a worldwide leader of innovative peripherals in the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz designs and markets a full range of accessories for video game systems and publishes video game software, including the industry leading GameShark brand of video game enhancements. Mad Catz has distribution through most leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products. Mad Catz has its operating headquarters in San Diego, California and offices in Canada, Europe and Asia. For additional information go to www.madcatz.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.
About Mastiff
Mastiff is a publisher of interactive entertainment with offices in Tokyo, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Recent titles from Mastiff include La Pucelle: Tactics, which was recently awarded an Editor's Choice Award from leading gaming website, IGN.com, and a "Must Buy" from the top PlayStation 2 publication, PSM. Other recent releases include Gungrave: Overdose, Technic Beat and Top Gun: Combat Zones. Please visit www.mastiff-games.com for more information.
About Andamiro
Andamiro is a major developer and manufacturer of interactive coin operated entertainment equipment supplying the amusement and gaming business. Andamiro is headquartered in Seoul, Korea with a world wide sales and marketing office located in Torrance, California. For further information contact sales@andamirousa.com
Editor's Note:
The Pump It Up: Exceed game bundle will be showcased at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in the Los Angeles Convention Center (Mad Catz booth, West Hall, Room 513). To make an advance appointment contact meyerspr@earthlink.net.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Pump It Up is a registered copyright of Andamiro. Pump It Up is distributed by authorization of Andamiro.
Editorial Contact for Mastiff:
Michael Meyers
Michael Meyers Public Relations
925-551-8080
Editorial Contact for Mad Catz:
Melissa Tomlinson
(619) 683-9830