Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading worldwide third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, recently announced a license agreement to create a full range of Dale Earnhardt Jr. gaming accessories under license by Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports. The first products in the range are anticipated to ship across key North American retailers later this fall.
With races broadcast across more than 150 countries and in over 30 languages, NASCAR continues to be the No.1 spectator sport in the United States, claiming 17 of the top 20 highest-attended sporting events. Celebrating 61 years of high-octane fuelled entertainment in 2009, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states.
Products expected to ship as part of the range includes:
· No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Racing Wheel & Pedal System – Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 System
Delivering realistic car control and high intensity thrills to any Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 racing game, the Racing Wheel & Pedal System features four wheel-mounted paddles combined with authentic sequential shift-stick allowing for impressive degrees of racing control. A unique adjustable leg-support system allows gamers the ability to play from a desk or from their couch while the non-slip accelerator and brake pedal set transport the gamer right into the heart of the racing action. Mad Catz AccuDrive™ allows drivers to adjust the steering sensitivity on the fly to slow, medium, fast, or normal, without compromising precision and still providing full control of your racecar. When using the Xbox 360 Racing Wheel, Dual Vibration feedback passes along the experience of every jolt, jump and in-game crash directly to the player. In addition, the PlayStation®3 system version of the Racing Wheel is compatible with the PlayStation®2.
MSRP: $99.99 (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 System Racing Wheel Sold Separately)
· No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Controller Faceplate – Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 System
The highly collectible Controller Faceplate depicts a striking NASCAR themed design featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself and allows gamers to customize their official Xbox 360 wired and wireless controllers and PlayStation 3 system official controllers in their own personal style. Made of highly durable materials and replete with a high-gloss finish, the protective Controller Faceplate can be attached and removed in seconds.
MSRP: $14.99
· No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Wireless Headset Featuring Bluetooth® Technology – PlayStation 3 System
Stylish and eye-catching, the Bluetooth Headset for PlayStation 3 system features Dale’s instantly recognizable signature and allows for wire-free communication with team mates and other PlayStation Network™ (PSN™) users. Using a high quality, noise-reducing microphone, the Headset utilizes Bluetooth 2.0 technology allowing it to operate at a range of up to 30ft from the console.
MSRP: $39.99
· No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Wheel – Nintendo® Wii™
The Wii compatible Racing Wheel presents gamers with a quick and effective way to enhance their Wii racing experience. Featuring the simple ‘Click & Play’ design, users can attach their official Wii Remote to the Racing Wheel in seconds and bring arcade-style game play directly into their living rooms. Fashioned in authentic NASCAR inspired graphics, the Wii Racing Wheel comes complete with a bonus Dale Earnhardt Jr. Skin for the Wii Remote, allowing gamers to customize their entire racing experience!
MSRP: $14.99
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “We are excited at the prospect of bringing together two of the most highly recognizable names in the world of sports – NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mad Catz has a long history of effectively partnering with the world’s leading sports licensors. This new range of accessories will allow us to continue our organic growth in the licensed accessory sector as we expand our product offering across the three major video game consoles. The new range brings the excitement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NASCAR to the gaming community”.
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a global leader in providing innovative peripherals for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz designs and markets accessories for videogame systems and publishes videogame software, including the industry-leading GameShark videogame enhancements, under its Mad Catz, GameShark and Joytech brands. Mad Catz also designs and markets mice, keyboards, headsets, PC gaming controllers and other PC peripherals through its Saitek brand, and designs, manufactures and markets proprietary portable earphones under its AirDrives brand. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices across Canada, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.gameshark.com, www.airdrives.com, www.saitek.com and www.joytech.net.
About Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is a third-generation driver in a family forever connected to the sport of stock-car racing, and while his innate ability behind the wheel comes from Earnhardt DNA, his competitive driving style and keen business sense is all his own. His flare for originality and common-sense charisma has helped propel him to one of the most popular figures in sports. Race fans have selected him five times as the winner of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver award, joining Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win the award five consecutive seasons since 1956. His appeal is not limited to race fans, as he has appeared numerously on Harris Interactive’s annual polling of America’s Top 10 Favorite Athletes, frequenting lists with such names as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Brett Favre and Derek Jeter.