Fanatec
German sim racing peripheral brand, now owned by Corsair Gaming.
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Fanatec is a brand of gaming peripherals specializing in racing simulators, owned and marketed by Endor AG. The brand is notable for its high-quality racing wheels, shifters, pedals, and cockpits, often produced under license from automakers such as BMW, McLaren, and Porsche. Fanatec peripherals are compatible with most racing games, including officially licensed titles based on the World Rally Championship, Formula 1, and NASCAR.
Background
Endor AG was established in October 1997 by Thomas Jackermeier, who recognized the importance of input devices for PC gaming performance and realism. After selling his wholesale biking store, he acquired AB-Union, which was later renamed Endor Ltd. and eventually Endor AG, and launched the Fanatec brand.
Initially, Endor sold various PC peripherals, including the Game Commander/Alpha Twin joystick and a licensed trackball for Command & Conquer. The company gained traction with the Le Mans wheel for PC and later developed the Speedster 2, the first officially licensed wheel for the PlayStation system, marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE). This success led to further collaboration on the Speedster 3 wheel and °G game controllers.
Endor AG went public on June 27, 2006, trading over-the-counter on the Munich, Stuttgart, and Hamburg stock exchanges. In March 2024, the board dismissed CEO Thomas Jackermeier to meet conditions set by lending banks for a standstill agreement. By May 2024, Corsair Gaming intended to acquire Endor AG and the Fanatec brand, pending German regulatory approval. The acquisition was completed by September 23, 2024, after which Corsair wound up Endor AG, retaining the Fanatec brand name and preserving all jobs.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Endor AG (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Currency conversion: European Central Bank euro reference rates, rates of 4 November 2026.
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