Harmonix Breaks Up with Mad Catz, Partners with PDP

Mad Catz has gone from shoddy in quality to high quality, but that didn't seem to change the debt woes it has been suffering for quite some time. It appears that Harmonix, the devs behind Rock Band and a few other rhythm-based games, is partnering with a new co-publisher for Rock Band, leaving behind Mad Catz. Harmonix also has teased a major feature update for Rock Back 4. But less about that and more about Harmonix, which has signed a new co-publishing agreement with Performance Designed Products, otherwise known as PDP. Basically it's a video game accessory maker, which will focus on crafting instruments and products for Rock Band 4 and Rock Band VR.

It's unfortunate that Mad Catz has been parted with, considering the two companies have gone hand in hand since 2010. Mad Catz even later published Rock Band 3 and co-published Rock Band 4. Regardless, here's Harmonix CEO Steven Janiak's statement regarding the relationship between Harmonix and PDP:

"As we look to fully achieve our goal of creating this console generation's category defining music gaming platform, we need to partner with a truly world-class manufacturer that can operate at the scale that Rock Band requires.

PDP has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, customer satisfaction, and quality. They have the logistical and technical expertise to support Harmonix ambitious plans for the future of Rock Band, with new hardware alongside a major Rock Band 4 feature update coming this Fall."

Chris Richards, CEO of PDP chimed in:

"Rock Band is the premier music platform for console players. This will be a great partnership and gaming fans should ready to experience new, innovative hardware products for Rock Band 4 and Rock Band VR."

Currently, Harmonix is attempting to bring Rock Band 4 to the PC via their Fig.co crowdfunding campaign. Still, let's hope that Mad Catz will still remain afloat.