Mad Catz Global Limited (formerly Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.) is an American company that provided interactive entertainment products marketed under Mad Catz, GameShark (gaming products) and TRITTON (audio products). Mad Catz developed flight simulation software through its internal ThunderHawk Studios, developed flight simulation and chess hardware under its Saitek brand, published games under its Mad Catz brand, and distributed games and video game products for third-party partners. The company was incorporated in Canada and headquartered in San Diego, California. Mad Catz had offices in North America, Europe and Asia.
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.
Mad Catz also teamed up with Fender to make a wooden replica of the Fender Stratocaster for Harmonix's Rock Band series of games.
In 2010, MadCatz released the officially licensed instrument controllers for Rock Band 3, including keyboards, guitar controllers (both the traditional 5 button and the 102-button "pro" guitar), microphones and drum kits.
The "Cyborg" line of products includes the modular R.A.T. series of gaming mice, along with gaming keyboards, mouse pads, and the F.L.Y. 9 joystick controller.
Acquisitions
In September 2007, Mad Catz acquired Joytech for USD$3.7 million. In November 2007, Mad Catz further diversified into the video game accessory market by acquiring Europe-based peripheral manufacturer Saitek for USD$ 30 million. Mad Catz next acquired TRITTON Technologies, a California-based gaming audio headset firm, in 2010 for USD$ 1 million at closing.
Recent products
In 2008, Mad Catz was commissioned by Capcom to produce Arcade Sticks and 6 button controllers, branded as FightSticks and FightPads, for Street Fighter IV. Mad Catz later changed their plans of a limited number of buttons and continued production of turbo controllers to meet the overwhelming demand. Also, they have a line of headsets made for the Xbox 360. Features of the headset may include a microphone, a speaker to listen to the game, and adjustable volume for listening to other players and the game separately.
Controllers
In August 2009, Robert Bowling, the Community Manager of Infinity Ward, confirmed that Mad Catz was developing products for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The product was a Modern Warfare 2 themed controller for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, along with a special charging cable for the controller. They were released on November 10, 2009 alongside the game. Following that, Madcatz released an improved version of the controller for the new Call of Duty: Black Ops.
