Official Street Fighter IV FightSticks & FightPad Thread (More on the way!)

READ BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS!!!

Mad Catz official response regarding the Arcade FightStick (standard edition)...

ADDED 02/18/09

Hi there,

My name is Alex Verrey, Global PR & Communications Manager for Mad Catz.

In recent days, there have been reports of quality issues surrounding our Street Fighter IV range of products, largely focused on our standard edition Arcade FightStick.

Mad Catz is committed to providing quality products and we fully stand behind our product warranty. We are very proud of this range which has been met with overwhelming critical enthusiasm. We also wish to be honest and transparent with the gaming community. We are here to help and will not shy away from our responsibility thus, after investigating the issues mentioned on blogs, websites and forums, we would like to take this opportunity to relay our official position:

1. Some customers have reported issues with their standard edition Arcade FightStick. A very small amount of users have experience problems with the sticks responsiveness. Please note that this issue does NOT happen on each Arcade FightStick and has been reported on a small number of units. The issue is due to a metal washer shifting out of place and is easily rectified. The issue and the resulting fix have been extensively documented on several forums. However, to avoid voiding your warranty, we recommend contacting Mad Catz technical support who will be happy to assist. Mad Catz is committed to fixing all sticks that exhibit this issue. Our contact information lies below.

2. Some customers have reported scratches on the top of their Tournament Edition. This could have occurred during the pack-out portion of the manufacturing process. It is not the result of recycling old or used parts or the result of any kind of rushed manufacturing process. Mad Catz would never do such a thing. Mad Catz will replace tops with serious scratches caused by the manufacturing pack-out process. Again, in the highly unlikely occurrence of your Tournament Edition Arcade FightStick exhibiting serious scratches, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Mad Catz recognizes the enormous trust the Street Fighter community has placed in us. We want to make you aware of the known issues and our plans to remedy the situation. For all of the issues listed above, we encourage you to contact Mad Catz customer support by phone or email (see below). Your local retailer will not be able to repair or provide replacement parts. We have asked our retailers to direct you back to us for warranty repair and service. We would like to stress again that we believe this is a limited and isolated issue that may affect a small number of sticks.

When you call, Mad Catz support agents will diagnose the problem over the phone and based on their diagnosis, they will work with you to solve the problem including providing free shipping and repair. Please note all support agents are based in California (USA) or in Bristol (UK) and are die hard gamers that want to help you. Our contact info is as follows:

USA:
Tech Phone: 1-619-683-9830 ext. 3799
Toll Free (USA): 1-800-659-2287
Email: techsupport@madcatz.com

Web: www.madcatz.com (select support menu option)
Support Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm (PST)
Closed Saturday, Sunday and most major US holidays

UK/Europe:
Europe Support Number 01454 451900 (UK Only 0845 050 8428)
E-Mail Address mczsupport@saitek.com
Support Hours 9 - 4.30pm Monday - Friday

Last, the Standard Edition and Tournament Edition Arcade FightSticks feature a Turbo function which we specifically tested on beta/pre-release versions of Street Fighter IV and the retail release.

They perform as documented in the user guide and there are no known issues. If however, you should identify a game not compatible with our Turbo function, please email tech support (techsupport@madcatz.com) and we will investigate the issue. Currently, we are investigating reports of an issue with the Turbo function on the PS3 versions of both the standard and Tournament Edition Arcade FightSticks when playing Street Fighter HD Remix. As we learn more, we will post more information in an FAQ on our support site.

Mad Catz welcomes all constructive feedback and comments. Your feedback will help us make better products and identify unknown issues. For those of you that do not have any problem, enjoy the sticks. Those that have issues, call us. We want to fix the problem. Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Verrey
Global PR & Communications Manager
Mads Catz Inc.
averry@madcatz.com

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Capcom(R), a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, to produce branded controllers and accessories based on the Street Fighter(R) IV, Bionic Commando(R) and Resident Evil(R) 5 videogame properties. The agreement gives Mad Catz North American and European rights to a range of accessories for all current videogame platforms, including the PC.
"We are excited to partner with Capcom to create branded controllers and accessories based on three of the videogame industry's most popular and enduring franchises," said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. "We look forward to offering unique and exciting accessories to fans of these games, as we continue to grow and diversify what we believe to be the industry's leading portfolio of branded videogame accessories."
"This is a real collaboration between Mad Catz and Capcom," said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom. "We are developing a broad variety of game peripherals for a wide game-playing audience -- from the casual to the most loyal, core fan. These innovative peripherals will maximize the overall experience that comes from playing Capcom games."

FAQ

NOTE: Opening either stick voids the Warranty which is 90 days U.S. and 2 years in Europe.

If you experience any issues with your FightStick or Pad please call Madcatz tech support @ 1.800.659.2287 8 AM PST - 4 PM PST

Q: So I take it that the Japanese stick comment means that it uses a square gate? If I were to pick up one of these would it be easy to mod it to an American style stick?
A: Comes with square gate. American buttons? Maybe. Joystick? No.

Q: Also I've never been able to find a good answer as to the difference between the TE and regular stick.
A: Standard stick has standard parts, not Sanwa. Standard is smaller, lighter, cheaper, etc.

Q: Are these joysticks PC Compatible?
A: YES. YES. YES.
At most you might need to download drivers from Microsoft's site for the 360 versions.

Q: Are these joysticks wired?
A: Yes, USB for both 360 and PS3.

Q: How Much do these things cost?
A: The regular Fightstick is 70 for the PS3 and 80 for the 360. The Tournament edition is 150 bucks.

Q: Why is the 360 one ten dollars more?
A: Because Microsoft has higher licensing fees for accessories than Sony.

Q: When are these going to be available?
A: Around the same time as Street Fighter 4 is released. (2/11/09)

Q: Where can I get one of these?
A: Update: Most places are sold out of pre orders. There are some vendors online selling them but there are major questions about actual availability

Q:Can I walk in on that day and pick one up?
A: Very unlikely. Stores will only stock the Tournament edition if you pre-order, and while some of the more popular Gamestops might have a few of the regular edition in stock, it would be best to pre-order to make sure you get one. Supplies will be limited.

Q: What about those of us outside of the United States?
A: The sticks WILL be available in the UK, but details are still scare. Other than than not much has been said.

Q: Will there be a territorial lockout on the sticks?
A: No, they'll work on any region system.

Q: Why does the Tournament edition cost twice as much?
A: All the reasons have not been revealed yet, but what we've heard so far:
-Genuine Sanwa arcade joysticks and buttons, the same ones found on official Street fighter 4 arcade cabinets in Japan
-Larger and heavier base (heavier than an HRAP)
-Other neat things like a compartment in the back for storing the cable, a switch which disables the pause and guide buttons

Q: Does that mean the regular edition is crap?
A: No. According to those who are in the know, it's a better stick out of the box than Hori's Fighting stick ex2 or Fighting stick 3. In addition it is easily moddable, as in replacing the joystick and buttons (wired up using a 5 pin connector and quick disconnects, just like the Tournament edition).

Q: Do the 360 joysticks have headset ports?
A: Yes.

Q: Does the older 360 headset work with both sticks?
A: Yes, they will include an adapter

Q: Are the sticks four-way or eight way?
A: They have square gates, which are the norm for Japanese sticks. (By the way, that's still eight way, but you can feel the corners.) If you so choose you could replace the gate with a Octagonal Restrictor Plate to make it feel more round.

Q: What model stick is in the TE edition?
A: JLF-TP-8YT-SK-W

Q: Uh, I hate square gates
A: Put a Sanwa GT-Y Octagonal Restrictor Plate in there

Q: Can I put a Happ american style stick in there?
A: No, not without major modding however a Sanwa LB-30-N Joystick Bat Top &
Sanwa Joystick Adapter in there with an octagonal gate and that should get you close

Q: Is the top panel (the artwork) of the Tournament edition still replaceable?
A: Yes, however opening the stick will void the warranty

Q: Will there be templates available for artwork?
A: Yes! You can find them here. Right click and save as:
SE: http://shoryuken.com/FightStick_Template_MadCatz.psd
TE: http://shoryuken.com/Tournament_FightStick_Template_MadCatz.psd

Templates and FightStick Mockups can be found in The Official Street Fighter IV TE/SE Fighstick Template Thread DO NOT POST ART WORK IN THIS THREAD!

Q: What does the stock art consist of?
A: As a heads up, the artwork on the TE is a decal fused on the bottom of an acrylic sheet

Q: What about the regular fightstick artwork?
A: For the regular FightStick, it is a decal on a METAL plate. It will be harder to swap out art here. You will have to figure out your own thing

Q: Why don't these joysticks work with both systems (like the anniversary stick)?
A: Because Microsoft won't allow it, security chips needed to have a controller work on a 360, Etc...

Q: Do these sticks work with BC games?
A: Yes on the 360, NO on the PS3. This may be changed via update so email Sony.

Q: What if I want to mod the joystick to work with both 360 and PS3?
A: You should probably get the 360 one.

Q: Are the PCBs in the sticks Common Ground?
A: Yes.

Q: Are there Six or Eight buttons?
A: Eight.

Q: What kind of Button layout is it?
A: a layout identical to a Vewlix Cabinet Street Fighter IV cabinet.

Q: Are these the same measurements as the real Vewlix
A: Yes

Q: What is the case made out of?
A: Plastic with metal panels on the top and bottom.

Q: Are the buttons Screw ins or Snap ins?
A: Snaps.

Q: What size are the stock buttons?
A: 30mm - top buttons 24mm - start/select

Q: Does it have Turbo controls?
A: Yes, both stick have independent Turbo controls for each button.

Q: Can I put a Seimitsu Stick in either version?
A: Yes.

Q: Are these joysticks PC Compatible?
A: Yes.

Q: How long is the cord?
A: 4 meters

Q: Are the cords on the stick breakaway's?
A: On the 360 version yes, it is a Microsoft spec.

Q: Can I use screw in buttons?
A: As a heads up Sanwa screw in nuts will not fit in easily around the X (PS3) / A (360) button due to the stick bracket blocking the way. However a Seimitsu yellow screw in nut will fasten a screw in button just fine.

Just a heads up. This is due to the Vewlix panel not having a universal mounting plate to support an LS32. It is something we added on our own. We didn't want to sacrifice the spacing/layout of the stick/buttons.

I reccommend you use snap in buttons, but if you wanna screw, take note!

Final TE stick:

Inside pics, Too large to post
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.media/ars_stick1.jpg
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.media/ars_stick2.jpg

Stats:

WEIGHT COMPARISON
1) Official Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition

* 6.5 lbs; 2.95 kg

2) Hori Real Arcade PRO

* 5.7 lbs; 2.59 kg

3) Virtua Stick High Grade

* 6.5 lbs; 2.95 kg

MEASUREMENT COMPARISON
HEIGHT (measuring from bottom of base to tallest point on panel)
1) Official Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition

* 2.75 inches; 69.85 mm
* Including Joystick: 5.0 inches; 127 mm

2) Hori Real Arcade PRO

* 2.75 inches; 69.85
* Including Joystick: 5.0 inches; 127 mm

3) Virtua Stick High Grade

* 2.25 inches; 57.15 mm
* Including Joystick: 4.5 inches; 114.30 mm

VERTICAL LENGTH

1) Official Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition

* 10 inches; 254 mm

2) Hori Real Arcade PRO

* 9.0 inches; 228.60 mm

3) Virtua Stick High Grade

* 9.5 inches; 241.30 mm

HORIZONTAL LENGTH
1) Official Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition

* 16 inches; 406.40 mm

2) Hori Real Arcade PRO

* 15.75 inches; 400.05 mm

3) Virtua Stick High Grade

* 13.75 inches; 349.25 mm

Here are pics to help you visualize it better (pic measurements shown in inches only):