Leading video game accessory producer Mad Catz Interactive Inc. (AMEX: MCZ) announced that it entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with video game publisher Ubisoft earlier today, sparking investor interest and sending the company’s share prices up 11.11 percent.According to a recent Mad Catz press release, the company will produce a new line of customized controllers and other related accessories for the launches of the much-anticipated Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction video games.
“This agreement with Ubisoft is an excellent opportunity to align Mad Catz’s proven ability to produce innovative licensed products and accessories with the highly-anticipated launched of the initial title of the Assassin’s Creed franchise as well as the newest game in the best-selling Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series,” Mad Catz President and CEO Darren Richardson said. “Ubisoft has a track record of developing engaging, strong-selling video game brands and we look forward to video game brands and we look forward to enhancing the gaming experience by producing controllers and accessories that capture the intensity and excitement of both these titles.”
And both these titles will be “intense and exciting,” according to the press release. In Assassin’s Creed, the player is an assassin in the Holy Land, 1191 A.D., on an epic quest to suppress the bloody conflicts of the Third Crusade. As the assassin Altair, the character will vault from stunning arabesques, scale buildings, and hide amongst crowds all to eliminate their target. As for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, the game drops the player into the role of agent Sam Fisher, former U.S. operative and fugitive from the law, as he tries to escape from prison, and eventually America, using his top-secret stealth training.
In response to the news, share prices for Mad Catz rose 15 cents, from $1.45 to $1.59, by mid-afternoon.