Response to Questions about Viacom Selling Harmonix

[CyberMaxX]

I'm thinking Mad Catz might scoop them up <ha! pun not intended>. They pretty much have a whole product line of hardware for RB might as well own the software as well.

[bootz0rs]

Good news?

http://kotaku.com/5687486/rock-band-...rmonix-is-sold

As announced this morning, Viacom plans to sell Harmonix and have reclassified Harmonix to a discontinued operation. However, this announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as they continue to support Rock Band and Dance Central. Viacom's decision to exit this business reflects our strategy of focusing entirely on what they do best: make great branded entertainment content and deliver it through a variety of platforms. Harmonix has and will continue to create terrific video games. But for us, it is about focus. Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed.

Unless this is old.

[DesiredFX]

Because the CEO said that he wished they hadn't sold it off in the first place.

They never "sold it off." GH was a Red Octane franchise that they contracted HMX to develop. When Activision purchased Red Octane and the GH IP, they elected to contract with Neversoft for the software rather than continuing with HMX.

Can't sell off what you don't own.

[HuckleCat]

Okay, tell me that not one of you doom and gloomers panicked when the site went down and thought that Harmonix was shut down and the employees were being escorted out.

I know some of you had that thought :-)

Fess up!

Only those who remember what happened to Dynamix.

Seriously though, would Activision really want HMX at this point? Hear me out here...

One poorly selling music game + another poorly selling music game = 2 poorly selling music games. It's not like a re-branding would help anything. If adding what HMX did to RB3 did not work to revitalize the music game genre, nothing will.

What would Activision to do make the purchase worth it? Call of Rock Duty Hero?

[Pearl White]

As a PS3 owner, it saddens me to think that Microsoft is a likely buyer. However, I think HMX is a good fit with them and they do have a working relationship with MS. My concern is that if MS does buy them, then the RB line may continue as an XBOX exclusive.

I do hope not as would miss Rockband if was unique to Xbox that would be a major kick in the goolies if the game became xbox only

[princeofcups]

As a PS3 owner, it saddens me to think that Microsoft is a likely buyer. However, I think HMX is a good fit with them and they do have a working relationship with MS. My concern is that if MS does buy them, then the RB line may continue as an XBOX exclusive.

I hate to break it to you, but they pretty much have been since the beginning.

[HyeJinx1984]

Because the CEO said that he wished they hadn't sold it off in the first place.

Kotick admitting he was wrong about something?? Wow, ok. The biggest fear I'd have about Activision buying them would be that he'd buy them just to destroy them. He'd buy Harmonix and make them produce "Barbie's Fantasy Adventure" just to embarrass them. He's probably sadomasochistic like that.

[Coolbutlame]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/113/1133586p1.html

specifically this quote:

"As announced this morning, Viacom plans to sell Harmonix and have reclassified Harmonix to a discontinued operation.

However, this announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as they continue to support Rock Band and Dance Central. Viacom's decision to exit this business reflects our strategy of focusing entirely on what they do best: make great branded entertainment content and deliver it through a variety of platforms."

i think everyone might be getting too concerned here. if we see a stop in dlc (or if friday's dlc announcement doesn't come) then there will be some worry, but i think we should stay calm for now.

[Pearl White]

PLease dont let RB end up like realtime worlds as there MMO apb closed rather rapidly , even tho is a rumor its coming back as free to play. But thats a slightly diffrent topic, and RB appeals to a much wider range of folks then shooter mmos do

[odd-props]

When the music's over
Turn out the lights