Harmonix parts with Mad Catz, signs new co-publisher for Rock Band

Rock Band developer Harmonix has signed a new co-publishing agreement with Performance Designed Products — the video game accessory maker more commonly known as PDP — for future Rock Band 4 and Rock Band VR products.

Harmonix was previously working with financially beleaguered accessory maker Mad Catz. Harmonix and Mad Catz had worked together since 2010, when the accessory maker produced the 102-button, six-string pro guitar controller for Rock Band 3. Mad Catz later served as publisher of Rock Band 3 and was co-publisher of Rock Band 4.

In a statement, Harmonix said PDP will help create new hardware for a "major Rock Band 4 feature update" later this year.

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

"Rock Band is the premier music platform for console players," said Chris Richards, CEO of PDP, in a release. "This will be a great partnership and gaming fans should get ready to experience new, innovative hardware products for Rock Band 4 and Rock Band VR."

Harmonix is currently working to bring Rock Band 4 to Windows PC. For more on the console versions of Rock Band 4, read Polygon's review.