CORSAIR is Set to Acquire Fanatec Sim Racing

[btarunr]

Corsair is delighted to announce that they have signed a definitive agreement with Endor AG to acquire the Fanatec Sim Racing product line. This includes the existing employees at Endor who manage and operate the Fanatec product line. The headquarters will remain in Landshut and continue to develop future Fanatec Sim Racing products. The transaction is expected to close imminently.

Fanatec is widely celebrated for bringing the thrilling world of Sim Racing into many homes and racing centres, building a huge following of loyal and passionate enthusiasts. Known for its high-quality hardware and innovations in the Sim Racing industry, Fanatec has set the benchmark for immersive racing experiences. Its dedicated Sim Racing products include force-feedback steering wheels, pedals, shifters, and complete cockpits for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC-based racing simulators.



Andy Paul, CEO of Corsair, shared his enthusiasm about this event: "We have long admired the Fanatec brand and are excited to bring these incredible products to an even wider audience. We are fully committed to further develop and expand Fanatec's product lines, improving customer service, and embracing the needs of the Sim Racing community. Racing enthusiasts can look forward to an even more intense and realistic Sim Racing experience."

Andres Ruff, CEO of Endor AG, added: "Corsair shares Fanatec's passion for innovation, quality, and continuous development. Corsair will open up new opportunities for Fanatec to further extend its portfolio and work even more closely with the growing Sim Racing community."

Corsair plans to make significant investments in the Fanatec brand, its products, and increasing worldwide availability through our channels. All current and future Fanatec customers will benefit from the world-class support from Corsair, including warranty and software updates going forward.

Corsair and Fanatec share the immediate goal of ensuring prompt delivery of all orders during this transition of ownership and maintaining customer support and satisfaction.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[robert3892]

What was not mentioned in the article was the fact that Corsair acquired Fanatec due to the insolvency of its parent company.

 

[Dragokar]

They basically acquired the assets and rights in a special form in insolvency sale. They did not buy the HQ building and some other stuff, but all employee that were still within the company.

 

[JasBC]

Corsair is devouring these companies like a slime suffering from gigantism living by the roadside of a caravan path.

 

[claylomax]

You know what this means, RGB all over the wheels and compulsory iCUE installation.

 

[rv8000]

Another line of products to be ruined by corsair. I can already feel the cheapness of the plastic and other materials!

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

Awesome, if there's anything we're lacking under late stage capitalism, it's definitely consolidation of industry

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Guess it's time to switch to Moza.

 

[KrazyT]

Corsair is like Microsoft for the hardware part

 

[bonehead123]

You know what this means, RGB all over the wheels and compulsory iCUE installation.

^^THIS^^

Just what we need....MORE circus-pukerfester BSOD-inducing gargaggio gamr tois for da gamr bois/gurls....

I'm soooo excited, I just had my AI buyer-bot thingy buy up all of their existing and future inventory for the next 5 years, so the rest of humanity will be spared this catastrophey......you're welcome !

n.O.t... /s

 

[AusWolf]

You know what this means, RGB all over the wheels and compulsory iCUE installation.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Niceumemu]

Everyone saying that fanatec quality will go down from this has clearly never used a fanatec product. It was a dying brand for anybody that was smart enough to do any research as MOZA, SIMAGIC, and Simucube, if you're willing to pay more for real quality, are far better options.

The only plus Fanatec had going for it was the feature set for their cheaper wheels, namely the formula rim, but it used cheap shit plastic that easily broke. Hopefully Corsair can clean up Fanatec's trash and make the products actually competitive again.

 

[employee24601]

iCUE is bloatware at best, so let's hope they spare Fanatec from it.

 

[Kyan]

If they manage it like Elgato, it will just fix all bad aspect about fanatec, logistic and support.

 

[Chaitanya]

iCUE is bloatware at best, so let's hope they spare Fanatec from it.

Atleast Icue isnt a malware like Armory crate which is automatically shoved down users thanks to backdoors in firmware.

 

[Bet0n]

Everyone saying that fanatec quality will go down from this has clearly never used a fanatec product. It was a dying brand for anybody that was smart enough to do any research as MOZA, SIMAGIC, and Simucube, if you're willing to pay more for real quality, are far better options.

The only plus Fanatec had going for it was the feature set for their cheaper wheels, namely the formula rim, but it used cheap shit plastic that easily broke. Hopefully Corsair can clean up Fanatec's trash and make the products actually competitive again.

Well...
Fanatec is/was a luxury sim racing brand with a wider appeal among the core audience. At least until 2020 (and covid) they charged a lot of money for their stuff because they were better than the Logitech and Thrustmaster bought by casuals and so they didn't have any serious contender in that marketplace.
But with covid a bunch of smaller brands emerged and they sold/still sell comparable products for cheaper than Fanatec.
And Fanatec didn't notice this that's why they are in trouble.
They lowered their prices but are still overpriced. I think their quality is good but their prices are not.
I don't touch Corsair things other than memories.

 

[Draconis]

When did Corsair go downhill?

I have had quite a few Corsair products over the years and chose them for no other reason that met my requirements at the time and they always performed well. I currently have a 7 year old mechanical keyboard, 3 year old RAM kit and just replaced a 4 year old worn out M65 mouse with another M65 mouse and they are all solid. Should I expect the new M65 mouse to fail prematurely or gives issues?

 

[JKIN]

When did Corsair go downhill?

I have had quite a few Corsair products over the years and chose them for no other reason that met my requirements at the time and they always performed well. I currently have a 7 year old mechanical keyboard, 3 year old RAM kit and just replaced a 4 year old worn out M65 mouse with another M65 mouse and they are all solid. Should I expect the new M65 mouse to fail prematurely or gives issues?

When they lost over half of their market share this year.

Nothing that directly translates to Corsair's product quality, but it's quite a track record to keep in mind for the consumer company you're buying from.

 

[DeeJay1001]

Fanatec and Corsair both make overpriced subpar products with horrible software, support, and warranties. They are perfect for each other.

 

[BlaezaLite]

Never used anything by Fanatec, but Corsair I've got a pair of HS55's that I broke falling asleep wearing them and Recently got Corsair Void's for £80 that just want to fall off my massive head on the smallest setting. So EPOS Sennheiser only for me from now on.

 

[AusWolf]

When did Corsair go downhill?

I have had quite a few Corsair products over the years and chose them for no other reason that met my requirements at the time and they always performed well. I currently have a 7 year old mechanical keyboard, 3 year old RAM kit and just replaced a 4 year old worn out M65 mouse with another M65 mouse and they are all solid. Should I expect the new M65 mouse to fail prematurely or gives issues?

Imo, the moment they decided that everything should use their crappy iCUE software, proprietary cables, and that case design is more important than airflow. I mean, their RGB-free LP RAM and SSDs are still ok, but I wouldn't touch any other Corsair product with a pole.

 

[Draconis]

Imo, the moment they decided that everything should use their crappy iCUE software, proprietary cables, and that case design is more important than airflow. I mean, their RGB-free LP RAM and SSDs are still ok, but I wouldn't touch any other Corsair product with a pole.

Interesting, thanks for the reply. Must admit RGB is not my thing either. The only item (including the non Corsair kit) that has it is the mouse but I don't think that it's available without RGB. I've been using this particular model mouse since the M60 from around 2011 and have not had issues with any of them. They last about 4 years, same as the Logitech G5x series mice I used before that. Will see how this one goes, maybe it's time to look for a replacement if I have issues.

 

[AusWolf]

Interesting, thanks for the reply. Must admit RGB is not my thing either. The only item (including the non Corsair kit) that has it is the mouse but I don't think that it's available without RGB. I've been using this particular model mouse since the M60 from around 2011 and have not had issues with any of them. They last about 4 years, same as the Logitech G5x series mice I used before that. Will see how this one goes, maybe it's time to look for a replacement if I have issues.

Don't get me wrong, I mostly don't have issues with Corsair quality. Their AIO liquid coolers are pretty decent. I just don't like any kind of software control. Give me the good old 4-pin fan header and call it a day.

My Crystal 280X case, on the other hand, was way overpriced, had nearly zero airflow even with the best fans, and its paint chipped around the screw holes from day one. A pretty case, but a pretty bad experience.

As for RGB, I actually don't mind it within certain limits (as a single solid colour, for example), but I hate the fact most of the time, it connects with a bazillion cables and controllers. The cable mess it creates defeats the purpose of having a good-looking PC, and I swap parts far too often (not as upgrades, just for fun) to be bothered to tie everything down. And again, the software control which I hate...

 

[Draconis]

Had a look at your case, I see your point. I also get the RGB, cabling and software. I only use iCUE to map keyboard keys to the mouse for games.

I got a Fractal Define 7 XL for the airflow. It was one of the few cases I could find with 3 x 140 intake fans, 1 x 140 exhaust fan and optical drive support (Purchased Blu Ray rips, stand alone Blu Ray players are not available for purchase where I live anymore other than a Play Station). Whisper quiet and cool under heavy load.

Edit: Spelling

 

[AusWolf]

Had a look at your case, I see your point. I also get the RGB, cabling and software. I only use iCUE to map keyboard keys to the mouse for games.

I got a Fractal Define 7 XL for the airflow. It was one of the few cases I could find with 3 x 140 intake fans, 1 x 140 exhaust fan and optical drive support (Purchased Blu Ray rips, stand alone Blu Ray players are not available for purchase where I live anymore other than a Play Station). Whisper quiet and cool under heavy load.

Edit: Spelling

I still don't want iCUE to be installed on my PC. It uses too much background resource (CPU+RAM). It's basically bloatware. But fair enough.