Corsair
is
pursuing
an
acquisition
of
the
racing
sim
brand
Fanatec.
In
an
update
shared
on
Thursday,
Corsair
says
it’s
negotiating
with
Fanatec
to
restructure
the
troubled
company’s
around €70
million
(about
$75.4
million)
debt
and
cover
short-term
costs.
Over
the
years,
Fanatec
has
established
itself
as
one
of
the
most
popular
brands
for
racing
sim
hardware.
It
offers
a
premium
lineup
of
racing
wheels,
pedals,
shifters,
and
more,
which
virtual
racing
enthusiasts
can
hook
up
to
their
console
or
PC
when
playing
games
like
Gran
Turismo
7
and
Assetto
Corsa.
But
the
company’s
reputation
has
taken
a
hit
in
recent
months.
Fanatec
customers
have
flooded
forums
with
complaints
about
the
company’s
inability
to
fulfill
orders
on
time
and
lack
of
customer
support.
Fanatec
also
delayed
the
launch
of
its
ClubSport
DD+
racing
wheelbase
over
licensing
issues.
These
problems
have
drawn
customers
to
hardware
from
rivals
like
Simagic
or
Logitech
instead.
“This
transaction
would
solve
the
company’s
significant
debt
load
and
position
the
company
for
growth
and
continued
product
portfolio
expansion,”
Corsair
CEO
Andy
Paul
says
in
a
statement.
Regulators
in
Germany
—
where
Fanatec
is
based
—
still
have
to
approve
of
the
deal.
Corsair
isn’t
the
only
company
in
the
gaming
hardware
and
peripheral
industry
making
moves
as
of
late,
as
Turtle
Beach
acquired
the
gamepad
maker
PDP
in
March.
Original author: Emma Roth
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