Harmonix Trademarks 'Vidrhythm,' Refuses to Say What That Is

@notdrew said:

@Slaker117 said:

@OldGuy said:

@yoshimitz707 said:

@Hailinel said:

@RazielCuts

@RE_Player92 said:

@Methodis

I look forward to the next game by a company who forces a man to go unemployed and look for a job for a year because they are scared of other companies stealing their entirely original games.

Yeah I read that story too, real shady stuff.

What story are you referring to?

I am curious to know this as well.

http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-03/business/29733744_1_noncompete-video-game-harmonix-music-systems

It's a non-compete clause. Tough cookies. If he got an offer to work at, say Bungie, no worries. But he was going to work at a company that makes product that would directly compete.

Agreed. Maybe I'm just naive, but this doesn't sound like that big of a deal.

yeah, i didn't feel like this was a big deal either. I think it just sucks that he was offered a job at the competing company and wasn't allowed to take it because of the Non-Compete clause. But as much as it sucks, businesses have to protect their most valuable assets any way possible.

After the whole fall-out with Activision and losing their grip on the Guitar Hero IP, you can understand their interest in protecting themselves from any problems with staffers potentially jumping ship and taking Harmonix know-how, ideas, and potentially technology to competing developers.

Also, dude signed a contract that said he couldn't work for any company making a rhythm game for a year, and boo-hoo he is being expected to honor that contract. I think it is disgraceful that he made it into a news item to begin with.

A turn based strategy wargame would be my guess. But then again I don't make or market games.

Soooooooo...Theatrhythm and Vidrythm huh? 
What is going on? Is this some kind of insider joke that I don't get?

Vib Ribbon 2, calling it now.

As much as I like John Drake, I no longer have any respect for Harmonix. Will never consider picking up whatever this title ends up being.

@ChrisTaran: That's sort of misguided. This was about Rock Band 3 and Power Gig. Both are out. Also, we didn't bar him from "working in the games industry", the non-compete was enforced due to it being a DIRECT competitor making a similar project and this employee having worked on our unreleased game of a similar type.

It's A) 2 years old B) very much the exception. Just fwiw.

@BenderUnit22 said:

Vib Ribbon 2, calling it now.

I second that. I'll take an off-brand Vib Ribbon sequel.

@Johntdrake: Sorry, knee jerk non-thought out response on my part. It's one of those things that upsets me for like a day or two and will then be a thing of the past. I understand it's two years old for you guys, but unfortunately it's brand new and fresh for us.

Other companies have done far worse. This will blow over like most things for myself and most others.

wait... Harmonix had a noncompete clause in their employee contract?

And they enforced it, when someone who worked on Rock Band 3 tried to work on another instrument-based music/rhythm game?

n... nn...

I SEE THE LIGHT NOW, METHODIS. LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO BRING THOSE EVIL HARMONIX MOTHERFUCKERS DOWN

STAGE ONE: START A DEFAMATION CAMPAIGN IN GAMESBLOG COMMENTS FIELDS THAT PAINTS PR QUOTES AND STANDARD BUSINESS PRACTICES AS A HORRENDOUS CONSPIRACY TO MAKE MUSIC GAMES TERRIBLE FOREVER

STAGE TWO: I HAVEN'T WORKED THIS OUT YET

ONCE THEIR COMPANY IS RUBBLE, WE CAN ALL GET JUST DANCE 3 AND PLAY ONLINE TOGETHER

oh hey, there's a new game called "vidrhythm"? I'd better stay posted on this

There are a few universal truths, and constants that give me comfort at night. Like Methodis still being a cunt no matter what website he's posting on. In a world full of uncertainty, at least I can always count on his stupid bullshit.