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Turtle Beach To Manufacture Headsets For Xbox One
Today, video game peripheral company Turtle Beach that it will be releasing a line of gaming headsets for Microsoft’s Xbox One console.
“In Turtle Beach we have a partner that can help Microsoft deliver world class gaming audio experiences to our customers,” said Turtle Beach’s director of strategic alliances Branden Powell. “Turtle Beach has consistently innovated in wireless, surround sound, and other features and we are looking forward to working with them.”
This is significant in a couple of ways. One, we’ve received confirmation from Microsoft that the company will not be packing in a Communicator headset in with the Xbox One, as it did with the Xbox 360 (this is presumably because the unit comes with a next-generation Kinect sensor bar in the box). So, any Xbox One owners who want a headset for online multiplayer will have to be out shopping for an aftermarket headset -- making this a potentially much more lucrative market for Turtle Beach than the 360 was.
Secondly, Microsoft told Game Informer that the new Xbox controller features a “high speed data port” which will allow for new peripherals to be used -- including stereo headsets -- through the controller. Let’s hope Turtle Beach is looking at that functionality.
Full press release on next page
VALHALLA, N.Y. - May 23, 2013 -Turtle Beach is excited to announce that they are working with Microsoft to develop market-leading audio solutions for Xbox One. The two companies will leverage their proprietary technology and experience in gaming to bring advanced audio solutions to consumers.
Earlier this week Microsoft announced the powerful new Xbox One. Under the agreement Turtle Beach will be among the first to market with Microsoft-licensed gaming headsets for the Xbox One.
Turtle Beach designs and markets wireless and wired headsets for video game, personal computer and mobile platforms. The companies wide range of headsets, which combine quality with audio innovations, are popular with consumers because they make gaming more immersive and provide a competitive advantage. Turtle Beach manufactured 9 of the top 10 best-selling gaming headsets in 2012 when ranked in dollar sales, and 4 of the top 5 best-selling gaming headsets ever, according to the NPD Group. The Ear Force X12 wired headset for the Xbox is the No. 1 best-selling third-party gaming headset ever made.
"In Turtle Beach we have a partner that can help Microsoft deliver world class gaming audio experiences to our customers," said Branden Powell Director of Strategic Alliances Xbox Hardware Group. "Turtle Beach has consistently innovated in wireless, surround sound, and other features and we are looking forward to working with them."
Turtle Beach is largely responsible for the growth of the gaming headset category. The company quickly grew sales through a combination of product innovation, distribution, and marketing prowess and now owns more than 50% market share in the U.S. As a result, in less than five years gaming headsets have grown from only 3 percent to 21 percent of all U.S. gaming accessory sales, and now rank second only to gamepads based on NPD sales data.
"Turtle Beach is dedicated to creating audio products that improve players overall game experience," said Bob Picunko, Chief Marketing Officer at Turtle Beach. "We are very excited about the opportunity to work with the XBOX team to develop new products that support the advanced XBOX platform.
Official products, pricing and release information to be revealed in the coming weeks.
About Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach (http://www.turtlebeach.com) designs and markets premium audio peripherals for video game, personal computer, and mobile platforms, including its acclaimed line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets crafted for Xbox 360 and PS3 game consoles and PC games. Turtle Beach's limited edition, Ear Force Tango wireless headset was recognized as an honoree by the 2013 International CES Innovations Awards. According to the NPD Group, Turtle Beach manufactures the top five best-selling third-party gaming headsets of all time when ranked in dollar sales. The Ear Force X12 wired headset is the No. 1 best-selling third-party gaming headset of all time.
Turtle Beach, headquartered in Valhalla, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today's PC audio industry.
Turtle Beach and Ear Force are registered trademarks of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.
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