Rock Band revenues increase in Q2 2010

[XTommyDonX]

I'm still very surprised with GDRB's sales, especially due to the many advertisements that I saw on TV. I love the idea of advertising DLC through VH1 and MTV that they've been implementing since RB2's release. They should definitely branch out to other networks and even magazines and websites though. To really keep their DLC sales consistent, they need a lot of sticking power with the actual game. RB3 will need to keep people occupied for a long time so that the users will keep up with any content that may be added. I feel that problems like faulty instruments which many, many people experienced with Rock Band 1 and 2 can harm that sticking power and cause people to quit playing. I really have my fingers crossed that by the third iteration of the game, the hardware design will finally be top-notch.

[Phisioni]

Then it's their own fault for not taking the time to at least read the back of the box, where it says they can buy hundreds of other songs from the Music Store.

The people who usually ask are in their 50s. Most played at a party or saw somebody play, and they're interested in it, but they've never played games before. It's not that they don't want to learn, it's that they don't even know what downloadable content means.

[cherokeesam]

You folks do understand that RB lost money again don't you?

The company’s Media Networks division, which houses its videogame business, saw quarterly revenue up six per cent year-over-year to $2.09 billion (£1.3b), while operating income rose 14 per cent to $789 million (£496m), “driven by higher affiliate and advertising revenues as well as lower losses from Rock Band”, the company said.

losing less money than Q1 = increased revenue

Also kills the theory advanced by some people on this forum that the music gaming industry is dying.

If a game that is over 2 years old is actually *increasing* its revenue, what does that tell you?

[Andyx1337]

losing less money than Q1 = increased revenue

Also kills the theory advanced by some people on this forum (hey, aren't you one of them? yeah, thought so) that the music gaming industry is dying.

If a game that is over 2 years old is actually *increasing* its revenue, what does that tell you?

It's achieving classic status or people are buying it so they can get prepared for Rock Band 3, I know I prepare for an awesome sequel if I haven't given the original a chance.

[Jerkinator]

Well if their revenue is increased...

Time for more Beatles DLC!

[Bront20]

Creative accounting means that you can never quite trust the numbers on a specific project. If RB was losing money as they say, RB3 wouldn't be coming out.

Movie Studios use creative accounting to show that movies make a fraction of the money they state they do, so they can pay out less commission and pay less in taxes. I'm guessing it's similar with Viacom and games.

[bjordan42]

It's achieving classic status or people are buying it so they can get prepared for Rock Band 3, I know I prepare for an awesome sequel if I haven't given the original a chance.

Wow, that's exactly the reason why I bought Rock Band 2. I thought I'd buy it, and then wait for Rock Band 3 to add the songs since there were "a couple" I liked. Then I actually played it, and I loved more than half the songs, and I am still playing it after two weeks.

[Ryoandr]

When you (willingly or not) cut europe from your revenues, and almost only rely on NA, you simply cannot hope to stay balanced or positive.

[ThatAuthoringGroup]

I think Rock Band Network is figuring into the increased revenue as well.

I mean almost 500 songs with no licensing or coding costs is almost 'free' money to Harmonix.

I'm happy to help the bottom line

[cherokeesam]

Creative accounting means that you can never quite trust the numbers on a specific project. If RB was losing money as they say, RB3 wouldn't be coming out.

Movie Studios use creative accounting to show that movies make a fraction of the money they state they do, so they can pay out less commission and pay less in taxes. I'm guessing it's similar with Viacom and games.

That sounds pretty much accurate about Viacom's motives, as evidenced in a separate Gamasutra article here:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/2...onix_Value.php

To be perfectly honest, it sounds like Viacom is putting the screws to HMX. I hope RB3 is so successful that it gives HMX leverage to tell Viacom to back off, or (better yet) get lost.