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    « Smoking - Either Ban It or Not | Main | List of Suggested Mac OS X Apps »
    Friday
    Dec312010

    An Open Letter to Madcatz

    I've been patient. I bought my copy of Rock Band 3 a couple months ago as a pre-order along with this cool contraption called the MIDI Pro-Adapter that promised to include my instrument of choice into the Rock Band world, the keyboard. And not only that, but allow me to play the actual piano/keyboard parts to the new songs with RB3. How cool was that going to be? I had been anticipating this for months since there was even rumor of keyboard parts being added to the new Rock Band.

    Then the e-mail came from Amazon. Unfortunately I wasn't going to get my accessory on 11/26/10 like originally promised. It was going to be after Christmas. Huge let down, but hey, it was only another month, and I'm gonna be kinda busy anyway. Then a little later I actually get an anticipated delivery date - 12/28/10. Cool. Felt like I was gonna have a nice little post-Christmas gift come. Then ON 12/28/10, in the middle of the night like an anti-Santa Claus I get an e-mail from Amazon saying that, in fact, they didn't have any of these magical boxes yet and they didn't know when they would get them. Would I like to keep waiting or cancel my order? I just needed to let them know in the next 30 days.

    So I scour the interwebs looking for information. I was oblivious to the fact that Madcatz miraculously shipped the PS3 and Wii versions of this unit. As a matter of fact, they had been available since the first part of December! Madcatz had made an announcement on 12/3/10 stating this fact and had said that the XBOX 360 versions would be "imminently" shipped to Best Buy ("limited quantities available"). Copy of the press release below:

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mad Catz® Announces Shipping of the Rock BandTM3 MIDI PRO-AdapterTM Official Accessory Allows Gamers to Use Rock Band 3 Squier® by Fender® Stratocaster® Guitar and Controller, MIDI Drum Kits and Keyboards When Playing Rock Band 3

    San Diego, December 03. 2010

    Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider today announced that it has begun shipping the Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter, being released under the Company’s Mad Catz casual gaming brand.

    Shipping now on PlayStation®3 and Nintendo® WiiTM video game platforms, with the Xbox 360® version expected to ship imminently to Best Buy (limited quantities available) (Emphasis added) the MIDI PRO-Adapter has been designed exclusively for use with Rock Band 3, and allows musicians to use most real MIDI keyboards and MIDI drum sets when playing the game. In addition, the MIDI PRO-Adapter will work in conjunction with the forthcoming Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller, a fully functional, full-sized, electric guitar with strings that also functions as a game controller for Rock Band 3's innovative Pro mode game play.

    Plugging directly into the console via USB, the MIDI PRO-Adapter works as an interface between the console and MIDI instrument, converting the MIDI messages into console controller data which the game translates into on-screen action. The MIDI PRO-Adapter features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. A full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons are located on the PRO-Adapter to deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. The MIDI Pro-Adapter ships with a removable clip which allows gamers to attach to a belt or rest on a table top or similar flat surface.

    Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter bridges the gap between music rhythm games and performing on real guitars, keyboards and drums. Aspiring musicians can learn to play an instrument and veterans can enjoy Rock Band 3 with actual MIDI musical instruments. When used with the Squier Guitar and Controller, MIDI keyboard or drum set, we are confident that the MIDI PRO-Adapter will prove a hit with Rock Band fans of all skill levels.”

    MSRP: $39.99

    Featuring an impressive 83-song setlist and access to more music than any other music video game, as well as innovative new gameplay modes and instruments, Rock Band 3 will change the way fans think about and play music games. Developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music videogame company, published by MTV Games, and distributed by distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band 3 is available in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, WiiTM home videogame console from Nintendo, and Nintendo DS. Rock Band 3 is compatible with all Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band peripherals, as well as most third- party instrument and microphone controllers. Mad Catz is the official peripheral manufacturer and distributor for Rock Band 3 game controllers.

    For more information on Rock Band 3 accessories, please visit www.madcatz.com. For further information please contact:

    Media Alex Verrey: Global PR & Communications Manager t. +44 (0) 1908 336 538 e. averrey@madcatz.com

    Michael Greco: Vice President of Marketing t. +1-619-321-3564 e. mgreco@madcatz.com

    Investors Allyson Vanderford: Interim Chief Financial Officer t. +1-619-321 3545 e. avanderford@madcatz.com

    Joseph Jaffoni, Norberto Aja and Jim Leahy Jaffoni and Collins Incorporated t. 212/835-8500 e. mcz@jcir.com

    For further information on Rock Band 3 please contact:

    Media Jeff Castaneda: VP of Communications (MTV Games) t. 212-846-6774 e. jeff.castaneda@mtvstaff.com

    Track Mad Catz via the following social media:

    Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/MadCatzInc

    Twitter® Page: http://twitter.com/MadCatzInc YouTube® Channel: http://www.youtube.com/MadCatzCompany

    About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.

    Mad Catz is a leading global provider of innovative products for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz develops and markets accessories for videogame systems and PCs under its Mad Catz (casual gaming), Saitek (simulation), Cyborg (pro gaming), Eclipse (home and office) and Tritton (gaming audio) brands. Mad Catz also operates e-commerce and content websites for videogame and PC products under its GameShark brand, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary earphones under its AirDrives brand, and publishes and distributes video/PC games. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.store.gameshark.com, www.saitek.com, www.cyborggaming.com, www.eclipsetouch.com, www.trittontechnologies.com, www.gameshark.com and www.airdrives.com.

    About Harmonix Music Systems

    Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com.

    About MTV Games

    MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complements the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

    FENDER, SQUIER, STRATOCASTER and the distinctive headstock design commonly found on these guitars are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, and used herein with express written permission. All rights reserved.

    Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements: 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

    -----------------------------------------------------------

    OK, so it's 12/28/10 and you would think that maybe Amazon got shafted and maybe I needed to search out Best Buy for these things. Nope. Nothing. Best Buy never had gotten said PRO-Adapters.

    Now, again, like an anti-Santa in the middle of the night today I get and e-mail from Amamzon:

    Hello,

    We now have delivery date(s) for the order you placed on November 09 2010 (Order#):

    "Xbox 360 Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO - Adapter" Estimated arrival date: March 02 2011

    WTMFF? I'll let you figure out the extra MF there.

    So now Madcatz can point to their little disclaimer "Safe Harbor" part of that press release and tell me that the "with the Xbox 360® version expected to ship imminently to Best Buy" is their out. Why? Because of the use of the word "expected." I'm sorry, I call Bullshit. How do you use the words expected and imminently in the same sentence if you don't intend on shipping IMMINETLY?

    So I search some more today to see if I may have missed an announcement. Nothing. I go to their website. Nothing. So I decide to vent my frustration and use their contact section of the website. #FAIL. I type in my information and complaint into their form and I get this:

    Screen shot 2010-12-31 at 6.12.58 AM 12-31-10.jpg

    Really? I try a couple more times just to make sure. Same result. So now I'll post it here:

    -----------------------------

    I am beyond frustrated as I imagine all my fellow XBOX 360 musicians are too. Just got an e-mail from Amazon.com letting me know that my estimated delivery date for my MIDI adapter is 3/2/11???????????????? Really? This is over 3.5 months after the initial release date. Meanwhile those with PS3s and Wiis can blissfully play their favorite tunes in Pro mode on their PROFESSIONAL MIDI KEYBOARDS.

    Before you suggest I get the Keytar and stand, I don't need or want them, I have a pro rig and don't need either one of them. I'm sorry, but I really cannot understand how this adapter can be the white iPhone4 of XBOX accessories. Is there some mysterious and secret manufacturing method that is radically different than the Wii and PS3 versions? I can understand the slight original delay, but an additional 2.5 months?

    At this point, I'm ready to cancel my order with Amazon and hope to get some store credit at Gamestop for RB3, RB2, and RB Beatles, and hardware and just delete my profile and songs I spent money on. The only reason I bought RB3 was to play keyboard parts. Now I don't even think I want to play anymore. It's childish really. Just take my marbles and go home in a huff.

    What really gets me more than anything else is the utter lack of respect that the company has by not even saying ANYWHERE, "Sorry guys, had a bit of an issue with that adapter. Won't be out till the end of December for you XBOX people. Oh wait a minute, now the beginning of March." Not even an explanation. What? You think you guys are Apple? Again, white iPhone4 reference. And, no, I never tried to get one of those.

    Silence to your customers is the worst thing you can do. I should know, I'm in restaurants. The worst thing I can do when someone's food is severely delayed is to ignore them and just show up with their order late. If I or my server at least stops by and lets them know there's an issue most of the time I don't have to do any kind of compensation. Or at least I don't have to buy their entire meal. Very poor customer service going on here, so the only way I can feel like I can get compensated is to cancel the order and try to get some store credit for the products and hardware I do have. The PRO Keyboard songs I did buy as soon as my copy of RB3 arrived (and other songs over the couple years) can't be returned or refunded.

    Absolutely disgusted.

    Mark

    -----------------------------

    In reading the entire press release I see that there are several e-mail addresses for us to contact people. So I'll send my message to all of them too :)

    So I guess my local Gamestop will be getting a visit from me soon. At least I can also give them my original XBOX too for that extra $2 in store credit it's maybe worth.

    ------------------------------------------

    UPDATE 12/31/10 10:48 Central Time :)

    An update to all of this. I received an e-mail from the Global PR & Communications Manager, Alex Verrey. He e-mailed me very shortly after I had e-mailed him. Granted I sent the e-mail at 6AM Central time so he was probably still at his office in the UK. The bottom line from all of this, as I'm not going to post his e-mail, is that the unit was delayed obviously. And that he shares the frustration from all of this. Also the fact that the MIDI unit was designed to go with the Fender Strat guitar which won't be out until next Spring. However they wanted to have it out prior to that. I thanked him for his reply and detailed more of my frustration.

    So what am I going to do? I still haven't decided. While I want this adapter, the whole process of these delays is really turning me off to the game. Will my attitude change in a day or two? Probably. That's why I haven't rushed to cancel my order with Amazon or pile all my stuff in the car and bring it to Gamestop.

    Do I want anything out of this? No. Just the adapter. The apology e-mail is definitely great to receive and appreciated, but at this point I just want what I ordered. Just like that guest who just wants their food in a restaurant. No compensation needed, just the item.

    Reader Comments (2)

    I preordered the Rock Band 3 kit with the reglular Mad Catz keyboard on October 20, (it came out the 26th) and I didn't get it until a a day before Thanksgiving! That being said, it is a load of fun to play, and I was pretty happy when they finally got it to me. Best Buy's customer service took care of me as well, above and beyond what they had to for what was obviously Mad Catz's shipping isue.

    December 31, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMike

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