Endor AG
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFormer German electronics company behind Fanatec racing-simulation hardware.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Endor AG was a German electronics company established in 1997 by Thomas Jackermeier and headquartered in Landshut, Bavaria. It operated primarily through Fanatec, a specialist brand of racing-simulation peripherals used by PC and console players, esports competitors, and professional drivers. Its product portfolio developed from early PC input devices into a broad ecosystem of steering wheels, wheel bases, pedals, shifters, handbrakes, cockpits and associated accessories. Many products were designed for use with major racing-game platforms and were also produced under licenses connected with automotive and motorsport marques such as BMW, McLaren and Porsche. Jackermeier identified a shortage of high-quality simulation hardware during the 1990s and built the business around the idea that accurate input devices could materially improve realism and competitive performance in driving games. Before Fanatec became associated primarily with sim racing, Endor sold several kinds of computer peripherals, including the Game Commander and Alpha Twin joystick products and a licensed trackball associated with the Command & Conquer franchise. The company's early racing successes included the Le Mans wheel for PC and the Speedster 2 wheel for PlayStation, which was marketed directly by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Endor subsequently developed the Speedster 3 and °G controller products. Fanatec's later strategy centered on an integrated, modular sim-racing ecosystem. Instead of selling only individual game controllers, the brand offered compatible components that could be combined into a complete driving setup, ranging from entry-level wheels and pedals to advanced direct-drive wheel bases, load-cell pedals, shifters and racing cockpits. The brand also pursued official relationships with game publishers, racing series, automobile manufacturers and esports competitions. It supplied hardware for licensed racing games and established visibility through Formula 1 Esports, the SRO Motorsports Group's GT World Challenge and the Gran Turismo World Series. Endor became a publicly traded company on June 27, 2006, with over-the-counter trading on German regional exchanges. During the 2020s, the company encountered severe financial and operational pressure. Its board removed Jackermeier as chief executive at the end of March 2024, a step described as a condition required by lending banks in connection with an extension of a standstill agreement. In May 2024, Corsair Gaming announced its intention to acquire Endor, subject to regulatory and transaction conditions. Endor filed for bankruptcy in July 2024. Corsair subsequently acquired the company's remaining business assets, including the Fanatec name, and announced in September 2024 that Endor would be wound up while the Fanatec brand would continue. Accordingly, Endor AG is defunct as a corporate entity, whereas Fanatec remains the continuing commercial brand under Corsair's ownership.
History
Endor AG was founded in October 1997 by Thomas Jackermeier in Germany. Jackermeier had been interested in PC gaming and believed that the available market for accurate, durable racing controls was underdeveloped. He used experience from a wholesale bicycle business and his business education to establish the company, initially through an earlier corporate structure that was later renamed Endor Ltd. and ultimately Endor AG. Fanatec became the company's principal consumer-facing brand. The early business was broader than racing simulation. Endor sold PC accessories including the Game Commander and Alpha Twin joystick products and a licensed trackball linked to the Command & Conquer franchise. The company gained greater visibility through racing wheels, including the Le Mans wheel for PC. It then developed the Speedster 2, described as the first officially licensed PlayStation racing wheel, which was marketed directly by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Endor continued its PlayStation relationship with the Speedster 3 wheel and the °G controller line. Over time, Fanatec concentrated on high-fidelity racing simulation. The brand expanded from standalone wheels into coordinated hardware systems consisting of wheel bases, interchangeable rims, pedals, shifters, handbrakes and cockpits. Its products targeted PC and console racing games and were frequently associated with licensed automotive brands and officially licensed racing properties. This specialization gave Fanatec a visible position among enthusiast sim racers and esports users. The company also used partnerships and sponsorships to connect the hardware brand with real-world motorsport and competitive virtual racing. In 2018, Fanatec became an official Formula 1 partner and supported the F1 Esports Series with gaming peripherals. In 2020, it was an official partner of the SRO E-Sports GT Series. In 2021, SRO Motorsports Group made Fanatec the title sponsor of the GT World Challenge. In 2023, Polyphony Digital selected Fanatec as the official steering-wheel supplier for that year's Gran Turismo World Series, while the brand also appeared in Gran Turismo 7's Brand Central. Fanatec additionally sponsored Igor Fraga in connection with his Super Formula Lights career. Endor went public on June 27, 2006, with over-the-counter trading on the Munich, Stuttgart and Hamburg stock exchanges. Its later financial difficulties led to increased pressure from lenders and a leadership change in March 2024, when Jackermeier was removed as chief executive. Corsair announced an intended acquisition in May 2024, but Endor filed for bankruptcy in July. By September 2024, Corsair had acquired the remaining assets and announced the winding-up of Endor AG. The legal company therefore ceased to continue as an independent business, while Fanatec survived as a brand within Corsair's gaming-peripherals portfolio.
- 2024
Endor enters bankruptcy and its assets move to Corsair
[1]After a leadership change and an announced Corsair transaction, Endor files for bankruptcy and its remaining assets and Fanatec brand are acquired by Corsair.
- 2021
Fanatec becomes GT World Challenge title sponsor
[1]SRO Motorsports Group names Fanatec the title sponsor of the GT World Challenge.
- 2018
Formula 1 Esports partnership
[1]Fanatec becomes an official Formula 1 partner and supplies peripherals for the F1 Esports Series.
- 2006
Endor becomes publicly traded
[1]Endor begins over-the-counter trading on the Munich, Stuttgart and Hamburg stock exchanges.
- 1997
Endor is established
[1]Thomas Jackermeier establishes the German company that later becomes Endor AG and develops the Fanatec brand.
Products and positioning
A specialist, performance-oriented sim-racing hardware brand positioned between mainstream console accessories and professional or enthusiast-grade driving simulators. Fanatec emphasizes realism, modularity, platform compatibility, official automotive and motorsport licensing, and competitive esports use.
Sim-racing hardware
Fanatec racing wheels
Fanatec's core products are steering-wheel controllers for PC and console racing games. The range has included entry-level and enthusiast wheels, interchangeable rims and licensed designs associated with motorsport and automotive marques. These products are intended to provide more precise steering and stronger physical feedback than standard gamepads.
Sim-racing hardware
Fanatec wheel bases
Wheel bases form the drive and feedback unit of Fanatec's modular ecosystem. The portfolio has included belt-driven and direct-drive systems, allowing users to select a base separately from the steering rim and other controls. They serve both advanced home simulator users and competitive virtual racers.
Sim-racing hardware
Fanatec pedals
Fanatec pedal systems provide accelerator, brake and clutch inputs for racing simulations. Higher-performance versions use load-cell sensing or other construction intended to improve braking consistency and realism. Pedals can be combined with Fanatec wheel bases, shifters and cockpit mounts.
Sim-racing accessories
Fanatec shifters and handbrakes
The brand's shifters and handbrakes extend its simulator ecosystem beyond steering and pedals. They support manual, sequential and rally-style control layouts and are designed for mounting to a racing cockpit or other simulator frame.
Simulation furniture
Fanatec cockpits
Fanatec cockpits and mounting components provide a structural platform for wheels, pedals, shifters and displays. They are intended to create a stable driving position for home simulation, with configurations ranging from relatively compact setups to more dedicated enthusiast installations.
Console racing wheel
Speedster 2
The Speedster 2 was an officially licensed PlayStation racing wheel developed by Endor and marketed directly by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Its success helped establish the company's credentials in console racing hardware.
PC racing wheel
Le Mans wheel
The Le Mans wheel was an early PC racing product associated with Endor's transition toward dedicated driving controls. Its release preceded the company's officially licensed PlayStation wheel development.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Gran Turismo World Series partnership
International
Polyphony Digital partnered with Fanatec as official steering-wheel supplier for the 2023 Gran Turismo World Series. Fanatec also received visibility in Gran Turismo 7's Brand Central.
Outcome. The arrangement strengthened Fanatec's association with the Gran Turismo competitive ecosystem and with official console sim-racing competition.
- 2021Fanatec GT World Challenge title sponsorship
International · Europe · Asia · North America
SRO Motorsports Group named Fanatec the title sponsor of the GT World Challenge after the brand had supported the SRO E-Sports GT Series in 2020.
Outcome. The sponsorship gave Fanatec sustained naming and promotional presence across a major GT racing championship.
- 2018Formula 1 Esports partnership
International · Europe
Fanatec became an official Formula 1 partner and supplied gaming peripherals for the F1 Esports Series, linking the brand to a high-profile virtual racing competition.
Outcome. The partnership increased Fanatec's visibility among esports audiences and connected its products with Formula 1's official digital competition.
Brand decisions
2024
Removal of Thomas Jackermeier as chief executiveOtherBackground
Endor faced pressure from lending banks while seeking an extension of a standstill agreement.
Action taken
The board dismissed founder and chief executive Thomas Jackermeier, effective at the end of March 2024.
Aftermath
The change preceded Endor's bankruptcy filing and the subsequent transfer of its assets and Fanatec brand to Corsair.
2024
Corsair acquisition of Endor assetsM&ABackground
Corsair sought to expand its gaming-peripherals business through the acquisition of Endor and the Fanatec brand.
Action taken
Corsair announced the intended acquisition in May, and by September had acquired Endor's remaining business assets, including the Fanatec name.
Aftermath
Endor AG was wound up, while Fanatec continued as a Corsair-owned brand.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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