Mad Catz to Lead Global Sales, Promotion and Distribution for the Highly Anticipated Next Generation Installment of the Legendary Music Franchise

SAN DIEGO -- (Business Wire)

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX:MCZ) announced today an extension of their agreement with Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. (“Harmonix”) to co-publish Rock Band 4, the next generation of the award-winning social and interactive music-gaming platform.

Due for release in 2015 for the PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Mad Catz will handle global retail sales, promotion and distribution of the Rock Band 4 game and hardware bundles, while Harmonix will handle all digital sales and content. In addition to co-publishing the game, Mad Catz is developing a new generation of Rock Band 4 wireless music game controllers that will give players the chance to rock as the biggest guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers of all time.

Announced in March 2015, Rock Band 4 has been welcomed with universal excitement from gamers and music fans worldwide. Featuring an unrivalled and diverse collection of music across the spectrum of rock, Rock Band 4 will provide gamers with access to over 2,000 compatible tracks via DLC, as well as integrate much of the music they may already own through previous interactions of the franchise*. Already one of the year’s most anticipated games, Rock Band 4 features a host of cutting-edge social and gameplay innovations, as well as a new generation of music game controllers designed to deliver the most authentic band experience ever brought to console.

“Since the announcement of Rock Band 4, we’ve been thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response of passionate fans and gamers worldwide. The time is right to re-introduce the franchise to the new generation of consoles and our co-publishing agreement is a natural extension of the excellent relationship both companies share in realizing that vision,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “We’re excited to extend our agreement with Harmonix, and are confident that Mad Catz’ global sales force, distribution channels and retail marketing expertise will deliver the retail success we believe Rock Band 4 will achieve in 2015 and beyond.”

Daniel Sussman, Product Manager for Harmonix commented, “We’ve been thrilled by the positive response to our announcement earlier this past March. Its proof of what we’ve known all along: music games are alive and well and there’s a huge appetite for a game that can deliver a great experience on guitar, bass, drums and vocals, either solo or as a band. We couldn’t be happier to be working closely with Mad Catz to deliver Rock Band 4 on Xbox One and PlayStation^®4 to a worldwide audience this year.”

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/games/rock-band/

* The number of DLC tracks available at launch and the timing of release of “legacy” DLC on next-generation consoles is to be determined and may be subject to change. “Legacy” DLC will be downloadable and playable in Rock Band 4 only after the DLC is released on next-generation consoles.

About Mad Catz

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX:MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed under its Mad Catz® (gaming), Tritton® (audio), and Saitek® (simulation) brands. Mad Catz products cater to passionate gamers across multiple platforms including in-home gaming consoles, handheld gaming consoles, Windows PC and Mac® computers, smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Mad Catz distributes its products through its online store as well as distribution via many leading retailers around the globe. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Mad Catz maintains offices in Europe and Asia. For additional information about Mad Catz and its products, please visit the Company’s website at www.madcatz.com

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Information in this press release that involves the Company's expectations business prospects, plans, intentions or strategies regarding its future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of 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 the Company’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include the following: the ability to maintain or renew the Company's licenses; competitive developments affecting the Company's current products; first-party price reductions; availability of capital under our credit facility; commercial acceptance of new in-home gaming consoles; the ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; unanticipated product delays; or a downturn in the market or industry. A further list and description of these and other factors, risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the Company's most recent annual report, and any subsequent quarterly reports, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of the Company and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Mad Catz and the Mad Catz logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., its affiliates and/or subsidiary companies. All other marks are the property of their owners.

© 2015 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band 4, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Rock Band 4 and other related products and services developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All other marks are the property of their owners.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Contacts:

Mad Catz Communications:
Alex Verrey, +44 (0) 1633 883 133
Global PR and Communications Director
averrey@madcatz.com
or
Karen McGinnis, +1 858-790-5008
Chief Financial Officer
kmcginnis@madcatz.com
or
Investor Relations:
JCIR
Joseph Jaffoni, Norberto Aja, Jim Leahy, +1 212-835-8500
mcz@jcir.com
or
Harmonix Communications:
Nick Chester
PR and Communications Lead
nick.chester@harmonixmusic.com

Source: Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.