2010–2017: Rock band products, success and downfall
In 2010, Mad Catz released officially licensed controllers for Rock Band 3, including a keyboard controller, a microphone controller, drum kits, and two guitar controllers (both the familiar five-button and the Fender Mustang "Pro" 102-button guitar).[12] That same year, Mad Catz acquired TRITTON Technologies, a San Diego–based gaming audio headset firm, in May 2010 for US$1 million at closing.[13] In June 2010, Mad Catz announced an agreement with Major League Gaming (MLG) to produce the MLG Pro Circuit Controller for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Mad Catz sponsored MLG Pro Circuit Competitions.[14]
In 2011, Mad Catz's Cyborg-branded R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse was named "Best PC Accessory of 2010" by IGN.[15] The company returned to software distribution by publishing Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII (a World War II flight simulation game with a custom joystick), and Rock Band 3. Mad Catz acquired certain assets of V Max Simulation Corporation, which designs, constructs, integrates and operates flight simulation equipment and develops flight simulation software.[14]
Mad Catz has continued its focus on peripherals and accessories, such as the range of R.A.T. gaming mice and TRITTON-branded gaming headsets. In January 2013, Mad Catz announced its "GameSmart" initiative, a range of products using the Bluetooth Smart stack featuring game and hardware independence, simplified setup, longer battery life and universal compatibility. Announced products include the R.A.T.M Wireless Mobile Gaming Mouse, the F.R.E.Q.M Mobile Stereo Headset, M.O.U.S.9 Wireless Mouse, and the C.T.R.L.R Mobile Gamepad.[14]
In June 2013, Mad Catz announced the M.O.J.O. Android Micro Console, described as "a supercharged smart phone with no screen that plugs into your flat screen TV to bring the living room experience to mobile gaming."[14] M.O.J.O. is designed to interact seamlessly with Mad Catz's GameSmart controllers, mice, keyboards, headsets, and the rest of its gaming peripherals.[14] In 2013, Mad Catz produced the Killer Instinct Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2, the first fighting game controller available for the Xbox One, the then-latest Microsoft gaming console, that started shipping in late November 2013.[14]
In April 2015, Mad Catz announced that it would co-publish Rock Band 4 along with Harmonix, in addition to making the controllers for the game. Under the terms of the agreement, Mad Catz was responsible for worldwide retail sales, promotion, and distribution for the Rock Band 4 game and its hardware bundles. Harmonix handled Rock Band 4 digital sales and content.[16] Rock Band 4 was launched on 6 October 2015.
In August 2015, Mad Catz announced that it will work with Cloud Imperium Games to create licensed simulation products for its space simulation game Star Citizen.[17] These products, produced under Mad Catz's Saitek brand, were first unveiled at Gamescom 2015[18] and were detailed further at CitizenCon that same year.[19]
On 9 February 2016, Mad Catz announced that it would lay off 37 percent of its workforce and stated that "Rock Band sell-through was lower than originally forecast resulting in higher inventory balances as well as lower margins due to increased promotional activity with retailers."[20] This followed the resignations of company president and CEO Darren Richardson, senior VP of business affairs Whitney Peterson, and company chairman Thomas Brown the day prior.[21] As of that year, the company had US$134.1 million revenue.[22]
On 15 September 2016, Logitech acquired Saitek, Mad Catz's simulation brand specializing in computer joysticks for $13 million.[23]
In March 2017, the New York Stock Exchange reported to the company that it was in the stages of delisting the company from the Exchange due to "abnormally low" stock value, which Mad Catz did not plan to appeal.[24]
