Tritton announced at last year’s E3 that they will be doing a co-branding line of Xbox 360 products. The first of these products in the Primer Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Headset. The Primer uses 5.8 GHz wireless frequency for uncompressed sound and no interference issues which you can have on 2.4 GHz with other products using the same band.  They also include 40mm neodymium drivers and controls to adjust separate in-game and chat levels. The packaging has both the Tritton and Microsoft Xbox 360 branding and is consider the first wireless headset for the Xbox 360. It retailing for $100.

Press Release:

Mad Catz® Announces Shipping of The Primer™ Wireless Stereo Headset for Xbox 360®
First Co-Branded Xbox 360 and TRITTON™ Wireless Stereo Headset

San Diego – January 09, 2012 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) announced today the shipping of the Primer Wireless Stereo Headset, for use with the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. stated, “The Primer is the third of our co-branded headsets to be released for the Xbox 360 and the first wireless product in the range. We are excited to bring passionate gamers high quality, wireless gaming.”

The Primer Wireless Stereo Headset uses 5.8GHz wireless technology to connect with the Xbox 360. In addition, the Primer includes precision balanced 40mm neodymium drivers and controls which allow gamers to separately adjust volume and in-game chat levels.

Additional information is available at: http://www.trittonusa.com/primer

About Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed primarily under its Mad Catz® (casual gaming), Cyborg™ (pro gaming), Tritton® (gaming audio), Saitek® (simulation), and Eclipse™ (home and office) brands. Mad Catz also develops flight simulation software through its internal ThunderHawk Studios™; operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; operates a videogame content website under its GameShark® brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. Mad Catz distributes its products through most leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com.
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This product is manufactured under license from Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft, Kinect, Xbox, Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Safe Harbor
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.

The Mad Catz Pro Circuit Gaming Controller is design to bring the high quality and customizations you find in a fight stick and bring it to a control pad. The controller has the option to switch your analog and D-Pad configurations to suit the game and style you want to play. You can set the controller up for PS3 or Xbox 360 style or have two D-pads and 1 analog stick and so on. it’s a wired controller to avoid latency but you can detach the cable for easy travel. The controller goes for $129.99 for Xbox or PS3.

Press Release:

Mad Catz® Announces Shipping of Licensed Major League Gaming® Pro Circuit Controller

Tournament Grade Controller Delivers Customization and Quality for the Competitive Gamer

San Diego– January 10, 2012 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) announced today the shipping of the licensed Major League Gaming (“MLG”) Pro Circuit Controller. The new tournament grade controller has been specifically designed for the competitive and professional gamer. Engineered to perform at the highest possible level, theMLG Pro Circuit Controller is available now for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system from Sony®.

“The MLG Pro Circuit Controller with its tournament grade components and ProModule™ system has been very well received by the pro gaming community.” said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. “We anticipate the MLG Pro Circuit Controller will be the weapon of choice for the most demanding gamer and professional player.”

Additional information is available at www.madcatz.com/mlg

About Mad Catz

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed primarily under its Mad Catz® (casual gaming), Cyborg™ (pro gaming), Tritton® (gaming audio), Saitek® (simulation), and Eclipse™ (home and office) brands. Mad Catz also develops flight simulation software through its internal ThunderHawk Studios™; operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; operates a videogame content website under its GameShark® brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. Mad Catz distributes its products through most leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com.

Since this is my first article for this site, I feel that I should explain who I am before getting into my reasoning.  I am a 26-year-old PC gamer, and have been primarily gaming on PCs since Quake 2 came out, desperately trying to connect to any server that would have me on my 56k connection.

In terms of the kind of PC gamer I am, I would say that I am “that guy.”  I will always say that a keyboard and mouse is the best controller, and will always moan and groan when you tell me you purchased the latest Call of Duty title for your Xbox or PS3.  Playing first person shooters with thumb sticks is like trying to hit a home run with a broken piece of plywood.  It just doesn’t work. That being said, I absolutely cannot wait for new consoles to come out.  Why?

Graphics Are All Dated

The Xbox 360 and PS3 are pretty long in the tooth as far as hardware goes, and although it’s impressive to see what developers can still do with the hardware they are still severely limited by it.  The cores in my current PC processor are taking turns napping and my video card is now in a coma because of developers holding back to make their titles multi-platform.  There have been a few exceptions recently (Skyrim, Battlefield 3), but even those 2 aren’t really pushing the envelope.

New Control Methods

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of consoles.  That being said, I’ve always wanted to use my precious keyboard and mouse and play Halo, Resistance, or whatever other console exclusive shooter is out.  Yes, I am completely aware that there are products that allow you to do this, but I really think that it should be a native thing.  Screw balance.  There are ranking systems now.  Let the people who want to play with controllers hover in the low levels while the people who want to seriously play get up to the intermediate/expert levels.  Will this ever happen?  Probably not.  But one can dream.

Consoles ARE Better for Some Things

When I want to play competitively, which is most of the time, I’ll boot up my PC.  If I want to sit back and relax and maybe take some story in, I’ll boot up my 360 or PS3.  Cinematic storylines are a better experience on a console than on a PC mainly because of my home theatre setup.  Bigger screen, bigger speakers, more to take in. While you CAN do this with a PC, it just doesn’t feel the same to me.

Although I am a PC gamer, I am realistic.  I know that consoles are the future and that they do bring in a lot more revenue than PC games.  Whether or not I will be able to keep using my keyboard and mouse for years to come will be up to the gaming industry.

Follow Ryan Chua @THEREALCHUA

We finally gets some hands-on time here at CES with the Star Wars: The Old Republic gaming lineup. They have everything from headsets with  5.1 surround sound Tai Fighter stylized headphones with LED and interchange faction plates to choose your alliance. A MMO-Optimized mouse with 17 buttons fully programmable with 5600 dpi, 1 ms response time, charging dock, interchangeable faction plates and mult-color LEDs and a mouse mat that has both factions on each side and made of performance grade surface material that’s non-slip and anti-reflective.  The main feature in the line is the Gaming Keyboard with a mult-touch LCD based on the SwitchBlade Concept. It comes with ten dynamic programmable keys, fully backlight keyboard with adjustable LEDs and 1 ms response time.  This is the set that hardcore MMO players will want especially if your going to be play a lot of The Old Republic which I believe many of you are doing now.

Razer is making their first attempt at gaming laptops with the Razer Blade. The Razer blade is 17 inches of portable gaming power with a 2.8 GHz  Core i7-2640M processor, 2 GB Nvidia GeForce GT 55M graphics chip using GDDR5 video ram,  17.3 inch LED HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, two USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port HDMI and a 60 Wh integrated battery.

These are the specs that you would expect to see on any other gaming laptop but what sets the Razer Blade apart is the LCD trackpad on the right side.  It’s based on the SwitchBlade concept we saw last year from Razer at CES  and comes with 10 customizable LCD buttons and one 480 x 800 LCD multi-touch trackpad. This allows some great gaming customization developers can use for their games to give a new experience to owners of the Razro Blade laptop and SwitchBlade UI products.

With all that packed into a laptop the machine still keeps a thin profile of 0.88 inches and relatively light for a gaming notebook at 6.97 lbs. Its expected to hit the market at a price range of $2799.99.

Press Release:

RAZER UNVEILS THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE GAMING LAPTOP

Razer launches the Razer Blade at PAX Prime featuring true portability, incredible performance, and a revolutionary user interface.

PAXPrime, Seattle – August 26th, 2011 – The PC industry today has never looked bleaker. The world’s largest PC-maker Hewlett-Packard just announced their intention to explore the separation of its PC business. With PC manufacturers increasingly abandoning design and technology in lieu of outsourcing and cost-cutting, the PC industry has seen a severe dearth of innovation in recent years. Gaming consoles have also taken advantage of this innovation slump in the PC industry to garner attention from game developers and gamers alike, to the extent that now PC versions of cross-platform games are often sub-par ports of their console counterparts.

Razer, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, introduces the Razer Blade – a full aluminum chassis gaming laptop featuring true portability, incredible performance, and an all-new revolutionary user interface. With the introduction of the Razer Blade – a feat of modern-day systems engineering and technology, Razer is reinvigorating technological and design innovation for the entire PC industry, and encouraging gamers and developers to return to the PC as the primary gaming platform of choice.

Mobile systems developed for gaming today compromise on portability and form factor for game performance. While such machines run games well, they are over 2 inches thick and can weigh more than 10lbs. The Razer Blade measures 0.88 inches thin, less than half that of current mobile gaming systems, and weighs only 6.97lbs, achieving a balance between portability and performance – making it the world’s first true gaming laptop.

Developed in partnership with Intel, the Razer Blade features a fast Intel® CoreTM i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor. The hardware was designed to run the most demanding games of today without sacrificing the laptop’s portable form factor. The Razer Blade also does not compromise on screen size as it comes with an incredible LED- backlit high-definition 17″ display.

The Razer Blade features the Switchblade User Interface – Razer’s multi-award winning, highly intuitive interface technology. The interface is comprised of 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys for easier access of in-game commands, and an LCD capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information when a mouse is in use; and another mode that functions as an ultra-sensitive, multi-touch panel designed for gaming on the go.

“The Razer Blade was designed to give gamers a laptop they could truly use on the go,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “Its sleek, lightweight aluminum construction makes it the thinnest 17-inch gaming laptop available today.”

“We’re proud to co-develop this revolutionary gaming laptop with Razer,” said Mooly Eden, VP and General Manager of the PC Client Group, Intel. “Utilizing our fast Intel® CoreTM i7 processor, the Razer Blade delivers top-class gaming performance in a portable form factor.”

“Powered by an advanced NVIDIA GeForce® GPU with award winning NVIDIA® OptimusTM technology, the Razer Blade has the muscle to run cutting edge games with intense graphics while still offering amazing portability,” said Rene Haas, General Manager of Notebook Products, NVIDIA.”The Switchblade User Interface on the Razer Blade is a revolutionary innovation that truly defines the new standard for gaming experiences on a laptop,” said Min-Liang Tan. Watch the “Introducing the new Razer Blade” video at www.razerzone.com/blade

About the Razer Blade gaming laptop

The Razer Blade is a 17″ gaming laptop that delivers incredible performance and a revolutionary user interface in a sleek, portable form factor. It features a fast Intel® CoreTM i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor designed in a lightweight aluminum chassis. The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, found next to a full-size keyboard, was designed from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer’s fingertips. It features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also display in-game information. And at just 0.88 inches thin and only weighing 6.97lbs, the Razer Blade is the world’s first true gaming laptop.

Price: US$2799.99
Availability:
North America Q4 2011
Product Specifications:
- 2.8GHz Intel® CoreTM i7 2640M Processor
- 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory
- 17.3″ LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)
- NVIDIA GeForce® GT 555M with NVIDIA® OptimusTM Technology
- 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
- Built-in HD Webcam
- Integrated 60Wh Battery
- 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
- Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible
- 16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)

The SteelSeries ION Wireless Portable Gaming Controller aims to give you full game control feeling on a mobile device like a tablets, smartphones or PCs. It’s a Bluetooth Enabled controller that has a classic design and button layout similar to the PlayStation controller with dual analog buttons. The controller isn’t that big only being the side of a deck of playing cards which is good to fit in the pocket. The ION removes the need to use touchscreen controls which are in most cases difficult to use and you can’t see your game while your playing it.  Check out the video below from CES 2012.

The staff at Stabyourself.net is creating a combo that many have never though to do before. Combine  the classic fun of the original Super Mario Bros with the puzzle solving of Portal 2 and you get Mari0 (yes Mario 0).  The game is really being developed and is set for a release sometime before the end of 2011 or “whenever” according to the developers and it will be free.  Check out the demo video below to see what’s this game is all about.

Via: In-Game

Source: Stabyourself.net

At Pepcom’s  media event we got some hand-on time with PDP Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Collector’s Edition PS3 Controller. Announced at the end of last month the PDP Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Controller is designed with Modern Warfare 3 graphic artwork and  comes with a nice soft touch coating and firm grip with the left analog stick and D-Pad changing positions similar to the PS3 Afterglow Controller we reviewed. The controller is exclusive to the PS3  and will be available November 8th for $49.99 at PDP.com
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From PDP Gaming:

PERFORMANCE DESIGNED PRODUCTS PREPARES FOR GLOBAL CONFLICT WITH LIMITED EDITION GAME HARDWARE FOR

CALL OF DUTY®: MODERN WARFARE® 3

Branded Controller and Headset Available in October for the Most Anticipated Title of the Year

LOS ANGELES, CA – xx – Performance Designed Products LLC (“PDP”), a worldwide leader in the videogame accessory market, today announced that it will be producing limited edition hardware for Activision Publishing Inc.,’s upcoming, Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3. PDP is readying the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for the PlayStation® 3 as well as theCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Chat Headset for Wii™.  These limited edition accessories will be available just in time for the worldwide launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on November 8^th.  TheCall of Duty®: MW3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for PlayStation® 3 will be available at retail and on PDP.com for a suggested retail price of $49.99, while the Call of Duty: MW3 Chat Headset for Wii™ will have a suggested retail price of $24.99.

“The Call of Duty® community is among the most passionate in the world and deserve  the highest-quality gaming accessories to take Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to the next level this November,” said Bill Otte, SVP of Marketing and Sales for Performance Designed Products. “We have designed the ultimate game accessories for PlayStation® 3 and Wii™ to make gameplay even more authentic, surrounding players into the middle of the action.”

Call of Duty: MW3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for PlayStation® 3 allows players the freedom to experience the high intensity action of the blockbuster game without cords getting in the way.  The military gun-metal and carbon-fiber details, along with the satin finish on the handles and bottom of the controller, improve a player’s grip for hours of continuous gameplay.   The controller’s night-vision style power button illuminates nighttime sessions and features gamer-preferred concave analog stick caps for improved accuracy with a full-cross D-pad.

The Call of Duty: MW3 Chat Headset for Wii™ provides crystal-clear sound and high-quality voice input with a noise-cancelling microphone, giving players the multiplayer experience the way it’s meant to be played.  Licensed by Nintendo and also compatible with Call of Duty®: Black Ops for the Wii™, the headset sports an authentic tactical look and includes a 10’ cord and matte ear-loop with rubberized grip for a secure fit.

To learn more about Performance Designed Products line of video game controllers and accessories, please visit http://www.pdp.com

###

About PDP
Performance Designed Products LLC, a Lynn Tilton company, is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing products for all major video game platforms including the Sony PS2, PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS and Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360, as well as a line of accessories for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and Android-based phones. The company has been supplying video game accessories to the U.S. market for more than a decade. PDP sells products under a variety of brands, with sales in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe and Australia & New Zealand. PDP is a trademark of Performance Designed Products LLC.  © 2011 Performance Designed Products LLC.  For more information on PDP and its products, visit www.pdp.com.

About Patriarch Partners

Patriarch is a vertically-integrated private equity firm with robust in-house operational turn-around expertise. Founded in 2000, Patriarch was built upon a patented financial model designed to manage and monetize the distressed portfolios of financial institutions. Patriarch has since evolved into a global investment firm that concentrates on direct investments in and the transformation of complexbusinesses, building integrated industry platforms. Patriarch manages funds with over $7 billion of equity and secured loan assets, with equity investments in more than 70 companies and controlling interests in approximately two-thirds of these. For more information, please visit www.patriarchpartners.com.

Activision, Call of Duty and Modern Warfare are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

.

Microsoft has announced a new Limited Edition Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Xbox 360 Console. The new console will be available on November 8th and will include a fully customized console and control with graphics from the game, two wireless controllers, 320 GB hard drive and a copy of the game itself. The system will also include custom sounds when the system turns on and when the disc tray opens which you can hear and Major Nelson’s Blog.  The new console package will retail for $399 MSRP.
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Also coming from Microsoft is a Modern Warfare 3 Bluetooth headset that will work with Xbox live, PC and cell phones and will go for $69.99 and if you already have a Xbox 360 but want the Modern Warfare 3 controller you can snag that standalone for $59.99 and they include the transforming D-Pad like the controller we reviewed before. Both of these items will be available earlier than the console on October 11th.

With the offerings from Microsoft and the recent accessory announcements from PDP you’ll be able to get as much of Call Of Duty MW3 as you want.

Via: Neowin

Source: Major Nelson’s Blog

PDP prepares for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with new Collector’s Edition accessories. The PlayStation 3 will get an exclusive Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller with full-cross D-Pad and nigh-vision styling. The Wii will get a special edition Call of Duty: MW3 Chat Headset. The headset is officially licensed by Nintendo and we review the previous Wii Chat Headset for Call Of Duty Black Ops before. Both are expected to be released in October with the PS3 controller going for $49.99 and the Wii headset for $24.99.

PERFORMANCE DESIGNED PRODUCTS PREPARES FOR GLOBAL CONFLICT WITH LIMITED EDITION GAME HARDWARE FOR

CALL OF DUTY®: MODERN WARFARE® 3

 

Branded Controller and Headset Available in October for the Most Anticipated Title of the Year

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – xx – Performance Designed Products LLC (“PDP”), a worldwide leader in the videogame accessory market, today announced that it will be producing limited edition hardware for Activision Publishing Inc.,’s upcoming, Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3. PDP is readying the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for the PlayStation® 3 as well as the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Chat Headset for Wii™.  These limited edition accessories will be available just in time for the worldwide launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on November 8^th.  The Call of Duty®: MW3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for PlayStation® 3 will be available at retail and on PDP.com for a suggested retail price of $49.99, while the Call of Duty: MW3 Chat Headset for Wii™ will have a suggested retail price of $24.99.

 

“The Call of Duty® community is among the most passionate in the world and deserve  the highest-quality gaming accessories to take Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to the next level this November,” said Bill Otte, SVP of Marketing and Sales for Performance Designed Products. “We have designed the ultimate game accessories for PlayStation® 3 and Wii™ to make gameplay even more authentic, surrounding players into the middle of the action.”

 

Call of Duty: MW3 Collector’s Edition Wireless Controller for PlayStation® 3 allows players the freedom to experience the high intensity action of the blockbuster game without cords getting in the way.  The military gun-metal and carbon-fiber details, along with the satin finish on the handles and bottom of the controller, improve a player’s grip for hours of continuous gameplay.   The controller’s night-vision style power button illuminates nighttime sessions and features gamer-preferred concave analog stick caps for improved accuracy with a full-cross D-pad.

 

The Call of Duty: MW3 Chat Headset for Wii™ provides crystal-clear sound and high-quality voice input with a noise-cancelling microphone, giving players the multiplayer experience the way it’s meant to be played.  Licensed by Nintendo and also compatible with Call of Duty®: Black Ops for the Wii™, the headset sports an authentic tactical look and includes a 10’ cord and matte ear-loop with rubberized grip for a secure fit.

To learn more about Performance Designed Products line of video game controllers and accessories, please visit http://www.pdp.com

 

###

 

About PDP
Performance Designed Products LLC, a Lynn Tilton company, is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing products for all major video game platforms including the Sony PS2, PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS and Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360, as well as a line of accessories for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and Android-based phones. The company has been supplying video game accessories to the U.S. market for more than a decade. PDP sells products under a variety of brands, with sales in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe and Australia & New Zealand. PDP is a trademark of Performance Designed Products LLC.  © 2011 Performance Designed Products LLC.  For more information on PDP and its products, visit www.pdp.com.

 

About Patriarch Partners

Patriarch is a vertically-integrated private equity firm with robust in-house operational turn-around expertise. Founded in 2000, Patriarch was built upon a patented financial model designed to manage and monetize the distressed portfolios of financial institutions. Patriarch has since evolved into a global investment firm that concentrates on direct investments in and the transformation of complex businesses, building integrated industry platforms. Patriarch manages funds with over $7 billion of equity and secured loan assets, with equity investments in more than 70 companies and controlling interests in approximately two-thirds of these. For more information, please visit www.patriarchpartners.com.

 

Activision, Call of Duty and Modern Warfare are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.