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.
 

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.

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.
 

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.

whoa!

Yeah, its good news in a way.

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

Dumping a successful studio is Un-American.

the time is now, activision!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

" the time is now, activision! "

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

" the time is now, activision! "

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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

What the fuck do MTV know about music anyway.

"

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.

"

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...

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.

Someones gonna pick them up no doubt.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

whoa

Well that kinda sucks. I'm guessing that new DLC for Dance Central doesn't fall under the category of "continued support". I was kinda looking forward to some more songs.

Harmonix is by far my favorite developer. I felt they were completely hitting their stride with Rock Band 3 as well! As mentioned before, perhaps Microsoft would be a good place for them to land. Let's all hope this ends well!

Does anyone bother to read the articles?

"so any new game in either the Rock Band or Dance Central franchises is going to come from some other publisher than MTV. "

" @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? "

GET ON IT, EA. 
Now is your chance.

Why do i feel like DLC rights will be harder to aquire if you dont have MTV behind you. 
 
Also F Activision for their saturation of the market with low quality everything. Harmonix are producing 10/10 games to a market that is full of ridiculous copies, so people are like durr another rythmn gaem? BUT I ALREADY PLAY GUITAR HERO??!?.

As I mentioned in this morning's thread on this,  
 
 From GameInformer: 
 

 Given Viacom's sale of Harmonix so closely after the release of these games, it would appear that the timing on Viacom's part was planned all along. However, the sale also brings up questions about the state of Harmonix itself. Would Viacom cut the developer loose if it was doing well? Does Viacom believe that music games are on the decline and wants to get as much money for Harmonix while the getting's still good? Or maybe someone offered Viacom a deal so great it couldn't refuse.    

They should go open source somewhat and try to provide a platform of shoehorning the rhythmic gameplay interface on user created or licensed music acquired elsewhere, similar to what audiosurf did. Of course lawsuits will be pending by circumventing the license agreements. 
 
Or just venture into iPad / smartphone territory to see if there is any interest in rhythm games on those smaller platforms.