Response to Questions about Viacom Selling Harmonix

[Andyy]

No matter what happens, if this spells the end of RB or another company buys HMX and RB over, then I'm praying you release "Don't Start A Band" - Reel Big Fish as DLC. Would be perfect.

[thatmarkguy]

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

But it doesn't preclude them from keeping it to sell it separately. Imagine them selling HMX to EA, but the Rock Band brand to Activision (shudder).

[Ralphy2009]

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.

I think you're reading too much into nothing. Viacom is going to continue to support the business until they sell that business. That's all the statement was saying. In no scenario would it make sense for Viacom to continue supporting a business after they have sold it to another entity.

[Syphus]

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.

That is one big huge logical jump there from nothing.

[DeadManDrumming]

Well that was an....Interesting read.

Too bad he's tied down and can't give out more info.

[Shredded]

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.

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

Not sure Viacom wants to keep HMX since they are leaving the video games business.

They may be sold together.

[Umpa]

Please don't let Activision buy this. We all see what happened to the GH Series.
Long Live Harmonix!

[The0ldMan]

Will you guys continue to be the most awesomest developers in the rhythm gaming industry?

That's all that matters. As long as you're making awesome games, I'll buy 'em.

[Ledgo2]

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.

You know, Bethesda would be really interesting if they were a potential buyer. They didn't do the Fallout series much harm (Hell, probably made it bigger and let the old developers back on their own game under them).

As for licensing future songs, I don't think we'll have huge issues. Hell, we'll probably gain a few more interested artist if MTV was taken off.

So far, I see Activision being the worst ending. EA probably one of the better. I seen someone mentioned Apple and that made me laugh. I am worried though. I've been following HMX since Guitar Hero 1. I would not be financially willing to follow them if they went to a new game series. I have alot invested in Rock Band right now, I wouldn't know what to do if I followed them into a new series having to buy songs twice (Or even three times if it's on GH). That, honestly, is my worst fear.

[Shredded]

Please don't let Activision buy this. We all see what happened to the GH Series.
Long Live Harmonix!

I'm not convinced a deal with Activision is as bad as everyone believes.

Product consolidation (assuming Rock Band/DLC survives), end of exclusivity, less glut of products (better release cycles) ...

It might work out ... just maybe ... maybe? :-)