Your average cat may be inclined towards killing and eating mice and rats, but not the cats (catz?) at Mad Catz Interactive; the gaming company produces them. Today Mad Catz announced the release of the R.A.T.1, a new PC gaming mouse that has already won awards for its innovative design.
“We didn’t just rip up the Mouse Design rule book, we stomped on it and threw it over a cliff,” the Mad Catz team proudly declares.
Personalized gaming mice have been all the rage recently, with 3D printing allowing gamers to create their own mice as individualized as a warrior’s sword. The R.A.T.1 has a unique modular design which is based around three major components: a tripod chassis, sensor module and adjustable palm rest, which can be tweaked and customized according to the user’s desires. The adjustable 3500DPI optical Pixart PMW3320 sensor module can be left in the sturdy chassis to be used as a desktop mouse, or it can be removed and used on its own as a portable laptop mouse.
The really cool component is the palm rest, which has the distinction, according to Mad Catz, of being the world’s first 3D printable palm rest for gaming mice.
The CAD files for the rest will shortly be made available on the company’s website, at which point the user can download and print them to their own specifications. The company states that additional options for customization will also be available in the future. New sensor models, colors and 3D modeling files will enable the user to continuously update and personalize the mouse.
“With a gaming DNA derived from the award-winning R.A.T. PRO Series, the R.A.T.1 re-envisions what a gaming mouse could be with its innovative modular design and unique customization options,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The R.A.T.1 sets a new standard in design and personalization, appealing to both passionate gamers and casual users alike – allowing us to broaden the appeal of our R.A.T., range and drive our PC business into 2016 and beyond.”
The R.A.T.1 has already received a nod from the 2016 CES Innovation Awards, which will take place in Las Vegas from January 6-9 2016. Named as an honoree in the Gaming Hardware and Accessories category, the R.A.T.1 will be featured as part of the Innovation Awards Showcase. The mouse’s specifications include:
- DPI Range: 250 – 3500
- USB Report Rate: Adjustable
- Cable Length: 6ft/1.8m
- Programmable Buttons: 6
- Weight: 60g(2.1oz) (without cable)
The R.A.T.1 can also be used by either right-handed or left-handed gamers, a characteristic that few gaming mice possess. So if you’re ambidextrous, or a generous righty who wants to allow your lefty friend to use your gaming equipment, there’s no need to switch mice. The company is taking pre-orders now, retailing at $29.99, with shipment expected in December.
So, gamers, fire up your 3D printers, and, if you don’t have a printer, find someone who does. Mouse or rat, the latest offering from Mad Catz is pretty cool. Have you had a chance to test out this new mouse? Let us know your thoughts in the 3D Printed Mad Catz Mouse forum thread on 3DPB.com.
