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Viacom Is Selling Off Harmonix

The developers behind Rock Band and Dance Central are no longer head-banging at the house of MTV.

In a set of financial announcements released today, Viacom has announced that it plans to sell off developer Harmonix Music Systems, the team behind Rock Band, Dance Central, and the first two releases of Guitar Hero. As Viacom explains in its report, the developer has now been “reclassified… as a discontinued operation”, so any new game in either the Rock Band or Dance Central franchises is going to come from some other publisher than MTV.
 

Will we see another iteration of Dance Central? 
Will we see another iteration of Dance Central? 

Over on the Rock Band 3 forums, Harmonix is assuring fans of the franchise that Viacom and MTV will continue to support Rock Band 3 until a sale goes through. Harmonix PR Big Shot John Drake posted on the Rock Band 3 boards that several buyers had expressed interest in picking up the developer, and, in the meantime, Rock Band and Dance Central players wouldn’t need to worry about the sale having an impact on support.


This morning’s announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as we continue to support our existing franchises, Rock Band and Dance Central. As stated earlier, Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed.


 
Purchased by Viacom back in 2006 for the at-the-time whopping price of $175 million, Harmonix has since developed ten games together, including three proper Rock Band iterations, as well as two band specific s spin-offs, and several mobile titles. Despite the popularity and critical success of Harmonix’s major franchises, there have been signs that MTV and Viacom haven’t been pleased with the developer’s profit potential. Earlier this year, Viacom demanded that Harmonix refund a “substantial portion” of the devloper’s earned bonus payouts, claiming that, “We (MTV) are entitled to a refund,” leading some to speculate that the team’s writing has been on the wall for some time.
 

It's been a long road... but hopefully the road isn't over just yet.
It's been a long road... but hopefully the road isn't over just yet.

As it stands now, the partnership between Viacom and Harmonix looks like it's coming to a close. We'll see, before too long, if one of those prospective buyers decides to add Harmonix to its developer lineup.

139 Comments

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MildMolasses

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Edited By MildMolasses

Actually HMX did the first 3 Guitar Hero games. The 80s editioned sucked, but it was still them. 
 
I think MS should buy them. The RB/GH style of game may be finished, but I have no doubt that Harmonix can still create new and fun ways of gaming incorporating music
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delicious_lie

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Edited By delicious_lie

whoa

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bundle85

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Edited By bundle85

I want to blame Activision for flooding the market, but the article puts into perspective that the writing has been on the wall. Well, guess those upgrades for older DLC ain't coming.

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anbumakura

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Edited By anbumakura

I hope someone picks them up who will better appreciate the amazing work that they do. They are probably my favorite developer right now. I can't believe that with all of their DLC sales they wouldn't be making a ton of money.

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thebipsnbeeps

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Edited By thebipsnbeeps

So will I not see anymore Rock Band DLC commercials/notices or those small Beatles Rock Band-related documentaries any more on VH1 Classics? Regardless, I hope Harmonix gets someone soon. Those music games and downloadable songs can't fund for themselves!
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Shabs

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Edited By Shabs
@zoner said:
" This is bad no matter who picks them up.  Who could get music licenses as well as MTV for DLC? No one. "
We can hope that internal Harmonix reps were making these deals and that their contacts are preserved. 
 
I don't think this is as much of a problem for getting rights to music by newer artists, but the old guard will not necessarily be as inclined to jump on board with a video game company as they would have been with an old leading name in music (even if that's not what MTV is anymore).
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MysteriousBob

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Edited By MysteriousBob

I have played Guitar Hero. The first one. I didn't even know MTV owned them. Hell, I didn't even know MTV published games.

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samsaturday

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Edited By samsaturday

So who will own Rock Band and Dance Central? Harmonix, their new owners, or Viacom?

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dragonzord

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Edited By dragonzord

This is bad no matter who picks them up. 
 
Who could get music licenses as well as MTV for DLC? No one.

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NMC2008

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Edited By NMC2008

I hope Activision grabs them, oh the fun that will be had by some.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

Someones gonna pick them up no doubt.

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skrutop

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Edited By skrutop

I'm not surprised to see all of the "the sky is falling" speculation, but it's way too early to tell what will happen with the franchise.

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Edited By nintendoeats

I hope that the Rock BAnd name gained enough clout in the last few years to stand without MTV. I expect it has, especially with the power of the RBN. But this could lead to very bad things. I should probably get that RB3 guitar sooner rather than later...

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beomoose

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Edited By beomoose
@Sparky_Buzzsaw said:
"

That's too bad.  Harmonix seemed like they almost belonged under an MTV label, since they were about the only thing music related left in that brand's stable.

"
And now you know why it had to go. MTV no longer gives 2 sh_ts about music
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jonnyboy

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Edited By jonnyboy

What the fuck do MTV know about music anyway.

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Nictel

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Edited By Nictel

1: Make good music games 
2: ??? 
3: NOT ENOUGH PROFIT 
4: Yard sale!

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MooseyMcMan

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Edited By MooseyMcMan

Activision should buy them, and then make Guitar Hero better. 

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drwhat

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Edited By drwhat

I think Activision should think about it, Vivendi should be able to deliver some stuff from UMG and everyone loves music games, right? Right?
 
Buh. I don't know why they made this decision now. RB3 should sell well right up until the end of the year. It's a christmas purchase thing.

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DeadFish

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Edited By DeadFish
@EchoForge said:
" Coming November 2011, Rock Hero, published by Ubisoft.  *cringe* "
Long awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Band Hero? :P Yep, the market is already confused as fuck.
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DukeTogo

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Edited By DukeTogo

The party's over, music games are done.  I look forward to getting Rock Band 3 and the peripherals for cheap when it all goes to the bargain bin.
 
I would love it if Konami bought them, making it come full circle and they would finally have both sides of the world covered.

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Shabs

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Edited By Shabs

This is really too bad.  I hope Harmonix is able to support Rock Band 3 the same way they've supported the previous games. 
 
I know the mainsteam popularity of the genre has declined, but they've finally made something to pay off on the potential of the medium with the Pro instruments and I'd hate to see an end to that.  I was looking forward to having a fun way to pick up new songs via DLC (I already play guitar, and it seems cool to bring that exact skill straight into a game).

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EchoForge

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Edited By EchoForge

Coming November 2011, Rock Hero, published by Ubisoft. 
 
*cringe*
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metal_mills

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Edited By metal_mills
@Laketown said:
" the time is now, activision! "
I guarantee activision won't buy them. Guitar Hero sold poorly. Rock Band 3 fucking bombed. They won't buy them because they won't make a profit. Activision want new fresh games they can pump out for years, not a developer who might have one or two games left in them.
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Dingofighter

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Edited By Dingofighter

Now Activision will pick them up and they can start pumping out Guitar Hero games...

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Afroman269

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Edited By Afroman269
@Laketown said:
" the time is now, activision! "
Fuck that idea.
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TobyD81

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Edited By TobyD81

I'm kinda worried about this. I'm a bit of an Harmonix fanboy, and I want them to be in the best possible environment for their development. The calls from financial analysts that Rock Band and Guitar Hero should "merge" back into one franchise is troubling. I love where Rock Band has gone in the music game genre and I want that to keep going.

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GS_Dan

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Edited By GS_Dan

I think it was Beatles Rock Band which kind of cemented it. 
That said, who would people prefer to buy HMX? Activision? EA? ...Apple? 
As long as it isn't one of the big three- locking platforms out Isn't Cool.

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GreggD

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Edited By GreggD
@BananaKid said:
" Music games are not selling and Rock Band 3 is, for a music game, pretty inaccessible. I'm not super surprised. "
Wait, what?
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FinalDasa

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Edited By FinalDasa  Moderator

Such a horrible idea, Harmonix knows how to make a good game and they reinvented the musical game to what it is today. 
 
Seems like company bullshit to ask to bonuses back too.

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JohnDudebro

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Edited By JohnDudebro

Music games are not selling and Rock Band 3 is, for a music game, pretty inaccessible. I'm not super surprised.

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jeffk38uk

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Edited By jeffk38uk

At first i thought this was kinda weird given how successful they've been on every angle as a game and for support, but if the two have had issues internally for a while, then it makes a bit more sense. 
 
Makes you wonder who will take up the reigns over Harmonix.

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sparky_buzzsaw

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Edited By sparky_buzzsaw

That's too bad.  Harmonix seemed like they almost belonged under an MTV label, since they were about the only thing music related left in that brand's stable.

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Animasta

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Edited By Animasta

the time is now, activision!

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Spiral_Stars

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Edited By Spiral_Stars

Dumping a successful studio is Un-American.

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gmanzig

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Edited By gmanzig

oh really?  REALLY?  Is this a good thing or a GOOD thing?

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anterline

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Edited By anterline

Yeah, its good news in a way.

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snetErz

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Edited By snetErz

whoa!

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Edited By mattbodega

In a set of financial announcements released today, Viacom has announced that it plans to sell off developer Harmonix Music Systems, the team behind Rock Band, Dance Central, and the first two releases of Guitar Hero. As Viacom explains in its report, the developer has now been “reclassified… as a discontinued operation”, so any new game in either the Rock Band or Dance Central franchises is going to come from some other publisher than MTV.
 

Will we see another iteration of Dance Central? 
Will we see another iteration of Dance Central? 

Over on the Rock Band 3 forums, Harmonix is assuring fans of the franchise that Viacom and MTV will continue to support Rock Band 3 until a sale goes through. Harmonix PR Big Shot John Drake posted on the Rock Band 3 boards that several buyers had expressed interest in picking up the developer, and, in the meantime, Rock Band and Dance Central players wouldn’t need to worry about the sale having an impact on support.


This morning’s announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as we continue to support our existing franchises, Rock Band and Dance Central. As stated earlier, Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed.


 
Purchased by Viacom back in 2006 for the at-the-time whopping price of $175 million, Harmonix has since developed ten games together, including three proper Rock Band iterations, as well as two band specific s spin-offs, and several mobile titles. Despite the popularity and critical success of Harmonix’s major franchises, there have been signs that MTV and Viacom haven’t been pleased with the developer’s profit potential. Earlier this year, Viacom demanded that Harmonix refund a “substantial portion” of the devloper’s earned bonus payouts, claiming that, “We (MTV) are entitled to a refund,” leading some to speculate that the team’s writing has been on the wall for some time.
 

It's been a long road... but hopefully the road isn't over just yet.
It's been a long road... but hopefully the road isn't over just yet.

As it stands now, the partnership between Viacom and Harmonix looks like it's coming to a close. We'll see, before too long, if one of those prospective buyers decides to add Harmonix to its developer lineup.