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This seems so odd... Why is Harmonix always being sold off?
Do Publishers hire them only to build the framework for a game and a DLC machine and then sell them off?
Do Publishers hire them only to build the framework for a game and a DLC machine and then sell them off?
I think Microsoft is gonna buy them. It's a scary thought but it makes a lot of sense. MS has a big stake in HMX, they've always advertised their stuff heavily on Live, RBN runs on XNA which is great publicity, Sony already has their hands pretty deep into music games with SingStar while Lips hasn't gained much steam, and Dance Central really is the premiere title for Kinect right now.
It sucks but my money is totally on Microsoft buying Harmonix. Which is scary not just because that abandons a lot of people but because Microsoft can either manage REALLY well or REALLY bad.
It sucks but my money is totally on Microsoft buying Harmonix. Which is scary not just because that abandons a lot of people but because Microsoft can either manage REALLY well or REALLY bad.
LOL! Wouldn't it be ironic if Activions bought them? They can certainly afford to buy them, seeing as how COD: Black Ops first day sales would probably be enough money to fit the bill!
i can only hope is that this doesn't affect those who have spent hundreds of dollars on DLC and Exports.
i'm also hoping that microsoft does NOT buy HMX, as rumored, as that would mean bad news for PS3 users (including myself).
i'm also hoping that microsoft does NOT buy HMX, as rumored, as that would mean bad news for PS3 users (including myself).
I could be way off on this one but isn't their connection with MTV a big part of them being able to license songs for their DLC so easily? That's the only thing I could see as a problem. Well, that and if they don't get to keep the Rock Band brand.
IF Microsoft did buy HMX, it would be stupid of them to make the game exclusive. Maybe for next-generation it would make a lot of sense (which hopefully isn't too soon) but as it is, people who own Rock Band would have a pretty high investment for the game on their console. They couldn't just expect Wii and PS3 owners to sell their instruments and forget their DLC to just spend even more money on buying a 360, new Rock Band bundle and more DLC. They'd make more money continuing to keep it multiplatform for the rest of the generation.
As it is, Rock Band is almost its own console.
As it is, Rock Band is almost its own console.
You guys realize that Harmonix has been losing money for Viacom for a long time, right?
I'm not really sure who buys Harmonix; they're a rather hard sell (did I mention they lose quite a bit of money?), and I don't really know what will happen for future DLC without the MTV name to help licensing (and the synergy to allow them to lose money advertising for bands), but it'll be interesting.
I do think this, right now, is probably the pinnacle of rock band, and given the legacy DLC decisions (lol rebuy) and the fact that they'll need to return to profitability, we'll see some serious changes coming down the pipe.
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from one of the business sites I read:
"Harmonix has been a drag on Viacom's financials since the purchase and a much-hyped introduction last fall of a Beatles version of Rock Band could not revive its performance.
Viacom said Thursday it is taking a $299 million impairment charge on Harmonix in the quarter ending Sept. 30 and is treating the unit as a discontinued operation. Executives said Harmonix posted a $65 million operating loss in the quarter."
I'm not really sure who buys Harmonix; they're a rather hard sell (did I mention they lose quite a bit of money?), and I don't really know what will happen for future DLC without the MTV name to help licensing (and the synergy to allow them to lose money advertising for bands), but it'll be interesting.
I do think this, right now, is probably the pinnacle of rock band, and given the legacy DLC decisions (lol rebuy) and the fact that they'll need to return to profitability, we'll see some serious changes coming down the pipe.
------------------------------------
from one of the business sites I read:
"Harmonix has been a drag on Viacom's financials since the purchase and a much-hyped introduction last fall of a Beatles version of Rock Band could not revive its performance.
Viacom said Thursday it is taking a $299 million impairment charge on Harmonix in the quarter ending Sept. 30 and is treating the unit as a discontinued operation. Executives said Harmonix posted a $65 million operating loss in the quarter."
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