Mad Catz

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Mad Catz Interactive
Type Public (TSXMCZ)
Genre Gaming
Founded 1989
Headquarters San Diego, California, USA
Key people Darren Richardson[1]
Industry Toys & Games
Employees 250[1]
Website www.madcatz.com

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (TSXMCZ) is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables and other human interface devices.

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[edit] Name changes

The company was founded in 1989 as Patch Ventures. In 1994 it changed its name to Legacy Storage Systems International (TSX: LEG). The name was then changed to Tecmar Technologies International in 1996 and Xencet Investments in 1998. The company was renamed Games Trader and then GTR Group in 1999, and then finally to Mad Catz Interactive in 2001[2].

[edit] Acquisitions

In September 2007, Mad Catz acquired Joytech[3] for US$3.7 million[4]. Mad Catz expects Joytech to add $10 million to its annual revenue.[5]

In November Mad Catz further diversified into the peck peripheral market by acquiring Europe-based electronics manufacturer Saitek for US$ 30 million. [6]

[edit] Recent news

In 2008 Mad Catz was commissioned by Capcom to produce FightSticks and FightPads for Street Fighter IV, released in February 2009. Most online retailers sold out through pre-orders and back orders carried into late April.The initial sales caught the attention of Mad Catz who later changed their plans of a limited release and continued production of arcade sticks to meet the then overwhelming demand. In August 2009, Robert Bowling, Community manager of Infinity Ward confirmed that Mad Catz were developing products for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. On the same month, Mad Catz revealed their gear. The gear will be released on November 10, 2009 along with the game.

[edit] References