AUG. 10, 2011 • MadCatz Interactive, Inc. signed a deal with Harmonix Music Systems to bundle the previously released Rock Band 3 with the former’s Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard, Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar, and Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controllers during the holidays.

Impact: Gamers quickly soured on being encouraged to buy a new set of music peripherals with every new iteration of Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Music games are not dead, however. Kinect dance titles are doing very well. Rather than fold its band peripheral tent, MadCatz has chosen to support its product investment instead. We are curious to see if MadCatz can attract a new set of players to band music games now that the dust has settled a bit.