Response to Questions about Viacom Selling Harmonix

[Shredded]

Bringing this over from the previous thread because it still makes me tee hee.

Since we're just making it up as we go, here's a funny one for you:

Suppose Activision buys it and then we get Soundgarden and RHCP back.

That would be amusing.

[babywolfman]

The implication there is that support for the business ends when the sale is completed. Think that's a sign that Viacom is keeping the IP.

Maybe I'm just a "glass half empty" guy, but that's the way I read that, too. Here's hoping we're wrong.

[jtrousd]

I may just buy every piece of DLC from here on out.

[etlikesreeses]

The implication there is that support for the business ends when the sale is completed. Think that's a sign that Viacom is keeping the IP.

Not really. All it means is that even though Viacom is looking to sell Harmonix, the studio and Rock Band will still have the company resources at their disposal until they no longer belong to Viacom. In other words, they're not kicking the studio or the IP to the curb before they're sold.

I actually get the opposite impression; the Viacom doesn't want the studio or the IP, and is just fulfilling their obligations as owners until they can sell both. I guess we'll see how it plays out.

[Electric_Zen]

3) It's rumored that next week is a Bee-Gee's pack including "Stayin' Alive." I do not think this is in any way a coincidence. HMX knew the 10-Q filing would be out around this time, and is clearly trying to send a message to us all without having any official statement made.

Unfortunately, the pack also includes the single Tragedy. Clearly the audio team planned this release to coincide with the 10-Q filing, and is intended to tell us that this announcement augments nothing but despair and ruin.

[HuckleCat]

Is it Activison, and if so, will there be an "exodus" of "main" people leaving the company? I'd hate for this all to end with a hollow shell of a name brand being bastardized by NeverSoft.

I hear the people who own Bethesda are currently into buying new devs.

[thatmarkguy]

Thikn you're misunderstanding that quote.

Someone else will support the product after the sale.

That's exactly my concern. That's exactly what I read into it. That someone else will support the product after the sale.

If the product was staying with HMX, they would continue to support it even after the sale.

If someone else will be supporting the product after the sale, the implication is that the product is not HMX property and will not be included in the sale. Viacom will probably outsource 'support' (a call center), but this would appear to be the end of support as we know it - DLC and software patches.

[Flawless]

Not sure Viacom wants to hold onto the IP considering they are leaving the video games business.

[jtrousd]

Is it Activison, and if so, will there be an "exodus" of "main" people leaving the company? I'd hate for this all to end with a hollow shell of a name brand being bastardized by NeverSoft.

I hear the people who own Bethesda are currently into buying new devs.

Man... imagine if one of the kings of RPGs bought Rock Band. I bet they could do some interesting stuff :P

[Quastor]

Unfortunately, the pack also includes the single Tragedy. Clearly the audio team planned this release to coincide with the 10-Q filing, and is intended to tell us that this announcement augments nothing but despair and ruin.

The pack also included You Should Be Dancing, which is an obvious signal that HMX is shifting from RB to focus solely on Dance Central.