MIDI PRO-Adapter
Gets Rock Band 3 working with MIDI keyboards and drum kits.
San Diego, December 03. 2010
Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider today announced that it has begun shipping the Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter, being released under the Company’s Mad Catz casual gaming brand.
Shipping now on PlayStation®3 and Nintendo® Wii™ video game platforms, with the Xbox 360® version expected to ship imminently to Best Buy (limited quantities available) the MIDI PRO-Adapter has been designed exclusively for use with Rock Band 3, and allows musicians to use most real MIDI keyboards and MIDI drum sets when playing the game. In addition, the MIDI PRO-Adapter will work in conjunction with the forthcoming Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller, a fully functional, full-sized, electric guitar with strings that also functions as a game controller for Rock Band 3's innovative Pro mode game play.
Plugging directly into the console via USB, the MIDI PRO-Adapter works as an interface between the console and MIDI instrument, converting the MIDI messages into console controller data which the game translates into on-screen action. The MIDI PRO-Adapter features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. A full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons are located on the PRO-Adapter to deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. The MIDI Pro-Adapter ships with a removable clip which allows gamers to attach to a belt or rest on a table top or similar flat surface.
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter bridges the gap between music rhythm games and performing on real guitars, keyboards and drums. Aspiring musicians can learn to play an instrument and veterans can enjoy Rock Band 3 with actual MIDI musical instruments. When used with the Squier Guitar and Controller, MIDI keyboard or drum set, we are confident that the MIDI PRO-Adapter will prove a hit with Rock Band fans of all skill levels.”
MSRP: $39.99
Featuring an impressive 83-song setlist and access to more music than any other music video game, as well as innovative new gameplay modes and instruments, Rock Band 3 will change the way fans think about and play music games. Developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music videogame company, published by MTV Games, and distributed by distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band 3 is available in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo, and Nintendo DS. Rock Band 3 is compatible with all Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band peripherals, as well as most third-party instrument and microphone controllers. Mad Catz is the official peripheral manufacturer and distributor for Rock Band 3 game controllers.
For more information on Rock Band 3 accessories, please visit www.madcatz.com .
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
For further information on Rock Band 3 please contact:
Media
Jeff Castaneda: VP of Communications (MTV Games)
t. 212-846-6774
e. jeff.castaneda@mtvstaff.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 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.
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.
FENDER, SQUIER, STRATOCASTER and the distinctive headstock design commonly found on these guitars are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, and used herein with express written permission. All rights reserved.
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
###