We suppose if there are folks who’d prefer a gaming laptop as their primary PC, then there must also be a market for portable gaming mice. But would you pay $115 for one?
With the next-generation Xbox and PlayStation nearing their release dates, third-party peripheral makers are now working full force to launch gaming products that can be used alongside the new consoles. Mad Catz, for one, has already shown us its Arcade Fightstick, and now we can add the Force Feedback Racing Wheel to the company’s lineup of Xbox One add-ons. The newly announced driving rig comes with twin Force Feedback motors, a replaceable wheel face and an adjustable pedal set, making it easy for gamers to fine-tune it to make it as comfortable as possible — because you need to feel extra cozy during Forza Motorsport 5 time. Pricing and availability for the Force Feedback Racing Wheel are still unknown, but surely we’ll find out those details as we get closer to the holiday season.%Gallery-slideshow73259%
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Source: Mad Catz
In keeping with its propensity toward acronymed products, Mad Catz today showed off its F.R.E.Q. 4D headphones. The peripherals are notable for a couple of reasons: first is that the company dumped the line’s mic arm for an internal version — without, the company promises, sacrificing sound quality. Even more notable are the included ViviTouch actuators, which bring rumbling feedback directly to your ears, so you can feel those explosions where it really counts.
We tried the headphones on, and while they were pretty comfortable, we can’t say that we were particularly impressed with the promised rumbling delivered via a bass test. Perhaps it was the sound being used — or that the headphones are still in beta — but ultimately we didn’t feel all that much. We’re sure Mad Catz will have that figured out for the final version — if not, however, they may just serve as cool-looking head massagers.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment
The M.O.J.O. may be Mad Catz’s star of this year’s E3, but the peripheral-maker’s pretty darn excited to show of its latest massive gamepad, if for no other reason than the fact that the controller made a rare appearance at Microsoft’s press conference, the other day — in fact, during our time in the company’s booth, a Redmond rep popped by and gave it a thumbs up (and casually mentioned that Mad Catz happens to be the only company other than his own that happens to have the Xbox One it its booth).
The controller, as you can no doubt tell in the above image, is a bit of a beast — you may well need both hands to onto it. Along the top, you find six buttons in two rows and a joystick, as well a mystery panel on the top — something Mad Catz apparently isn’t ready to talk about. The controller has a detachable cord on the back and will open up use a button on the front, making it easier to change artwork on the thing. Between the buttons and the sides, there’s a lot glowing space on the FightStick. Check out a video of that and more, after the break.
Filed under: Peripherals, Microsoft
We shoved our way through the floor-opening scrum and made a bee-line to Mad Catz’s booth at E3 this morning, after catching word of the peripheral maker’s new M.O.J.O. Android gaming console, a box the company promises will be the most powerful in its class when it arrives this holiday season. The rep we spoke with wouldn’t talk specific specs on the thing — in fact, the company assures of that those are still in the works, and while it doesn’t actually know itself, it promises to blow the competition (*cough* OUYA) out of the water. While everything’s still in beta at the moment, things seem to be working all right. We played a quick round of Riptide, and things went swimmingly (well, save for the fact that we’re not all that great at Riptide).
Also a bragging point is the relative openness of it all, eschewing the walled-garden approach to give users direct access to the Google Play and Amazon app stores, so you’re good to go with the games you’ve already purchased, and while Mad Catz may not be working directly with most of the game makers, it’s promising compatibility via open standards. As for the box itself, it’s not a bad looking object. It’s palm-sized and extremely light, with a bit of an angular, beveled appearance and the company’s scratch-marked logo along the top in red (as well as a few accidental scuffs on it shiny surface).
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson may have already let slip about the forthcoming Android M.O.J.O. console, but now it’s been made official. The firm stopped short of giving us all the specifications, but we can tell you that it supports Bluetooth 4.0, and will ship with the company’s GameSmart C.T.R.L.R. wireless GamePad. Thanks to the images, we also get a clue at some of the connectivity, which includes two regular USB ports, one micro-USB, an HDMI out, headphone connector and microSD slot. The wedge-like device is out there in the wild at E3, so we’ll be sure to give it the full hands-on once it’s spotted in its natural habitat.
Gallery: Mad Catz M.O.J.O.
Filed under: Gaming
Having announced its Android-based Project M.O.J.O. gaming console, Mad Catz is now turning to peripherals: it just unveiled a couple of universal headsets, a PC gaming keyboard and two other PC and Mac headsets. Kicking things off, the TRITTON Kunai Universal and F.R.E.Q. 4D stereo headsets (coming summer and fall 2013, respectively) follow the earlier GameSmart initiative by working with gaming consoles like the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U along with PCs, Macs and handheld devices. PC gamers get the S.T.R.I.K.E 3 gaming keyboard with mechanical keys, adjustable backlighting and programmable macro keys sometime in the fall.
For PC and Mac users, the TRITTON Pro+ headset (based on the console version) brings 5.1 surround sound via a built-in decoder, while the TRITTON Kunai for PC and Mac offers an inline remote and breakaway cable for use with handheld devices. The latter two models will arrive this summer, but there’s no word yet on pricing for any of the bunch. Head after the jump for the PR and galleries.
Gallery: Mad Catz Freq 4D Gaming Headset
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
So, what with E3 just over the horizon, we’re expecting a bunch of gaming news. But a new contestant in the Android gaming market? From an established gaming hardware maker? Well, apparently so, according to Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson who announced “Project M.O.J.O” in a recent earnings call. Calling it an Android “micro console,” Richardson claims it’s like a supercharged smartphone, without a display, that you plug into a flatscreen TV. Richardson was also keen to stress that it’s all about hardware performance, and will be open platform (rather than selling content). There are no details about specification at this stage, but M.O.J.O is likely to be the fruit of a recent NVIDIA partnership, and will be the centerpiece of Mad Catz’s own GameSmart products, which ensures a slew of peripherals and controller options. This partnership also likely means Tegra Zone compatibility, and therefore games from launch. For now we’ll have to sit and wait, but it looks like Android gaming is about to step up a gear.
Filed under: Gaming
Via: Things Micro
Mad Catz launched the F.R.E.Q. 5 gaming headset just over a year ago, and it’s already skipping two model numbers ahead to the F.R.E.Q. 7. What justifies the out-of-order sequencing? The Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing, mostly. The pseudo-surround effect widens stereo and 5.1-channel signals to 7.1 channels for gamers who want the greater audio precision. Appropriately enough for its name, the F.R.E.Q. 7 also brings software-driven EQ to emphasize voice or music in computer games, as well as separate volume adjustment for chat and the main action. Pre-orders for the USB- and 3.5mm-friendly headset are available in red, white and two styles of black at $200, although you’ll have to wait until the start of Mad Catz’s fiscal 2014 — after March, for non-accountants — before it reaches your door.
Mad Catz(R) Announces the F.R.E.Q.7 Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Windows(R) PC and Smart Devices
GameSmart[TM] Headset Features Dolby(R) Headphone 7.1 Surround Sound and Multiple EQ Settings
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT: MCZ) announced that the F.R.E.Q.7 Surround Sound Gaming Headset featuring Dolby(R) Headphone Technology is now available for pre-order. Part of the Company’s range of GameSmart products, the F.R.E.Q.7is compatible with a wide variety of devices and is expected to ship in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
Ideal for use with gaming, movies, music and more, the F.R.E.Q.7 features Dolby Headphone Technology and Dolby(R) Pro Logic(R) IIx technology, expanding stereo and 5.1 audio to rich 7.1 surround sound, perfect for empowering gamers with a competitive edge. In addition, PC gamers can instantly toggle between surround sound and stereo to ensure they have the right audio for their game or music.
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. stated, “Part of our GameSmart initiative, we believe the F.R.E.Q.7 offers uncompromising levels of performance and versatility which will resonate with the passionate gamer.”
The F.R.E.Q.7 features software driven EQ, providing multiple settings for gaming, voice and music as well as the ability to separately adjust chat and game volume levels. The detachable in-line cable allows for easy conversion from USB to 3.5mm to support stereo audio on iPhone(R), tablets and most Smart Devices.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Source: GameShark Store
You’ve already learned all about Mad Catz’s latest line of gaming peripherals — part of its new GameSmart crossplatform Bluetooth initiative — but now you can get an up-close and personal eyes-on as well. Not only do we have the gallery below, but also a lengthy hands-on video just beyond the break with Mad Catz’s own Alex “Big Boy Barry” Verrey. Beware that the gamepad-style controller and the F.R.E.Q. headphones are both prototypes, so if you see some off marks, know that they’ll likely be sorted by final production.
Continue reading Eyes-on with Mad Catz’ GameSmart cross-platform gaming peripherals
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