Quantcast


Viacom gives Rock Band guys more money than you'll ever see in one place photo

How much money is Rock Band worth? More Nazi gold than has ever been smelted, if Viacom's absurd $300 million bonus to the development studio is anything to go by. Viacom is to award Harmonix founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy more than that princely sum as part of the studio's 2006 acquisition.

For exceeding performance targets in that last quarter, Viacom awarded the Harmonix boys roughly $150 million. The second half of this meaty bonus is due to be received in 2009.

"We may not have anticipated the payment would be that high, but it's based on what they have achieved," started a Viacom rep. "If they are making more money for us and we have to give a little back, that's ok."

I love how that's put. "That's ok," as if Viacom really had to think long and hard about giving Harmonix what it earned. Still, that's a ridiculous amount of money, and it just goes to show the power that plastic instruments have in this industry. Now someone help me design a Spoons n' Harmonica game so we can be as rich as Texan land owners.








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

13 comments | showing # 1 to 13
prev next

falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:26
falinter
Damn, I knew I should have gotten drunk with those Harmonix guys so many years ago. I gave them my best ideas.
VisMortua's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:27
VisMortua
That header picture brings back way too many memories... oh yes, and that's a fuck ton of money. Still think that this genre is getting saturated.
timtheterrible's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:28
timtheterrible
"If they are making more money for us and we have to give a little back, that's ok."

This sounds very condescending, but if I were being paid $300,000,000, I guess I wouldn't complain either.
DeusPayne's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:33
DeusPayne
Now what I want to see is those 2 give a bug chunk of that money as bonuses to their development team, QA team, note charters, etc.
Angel Thanatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:36
Angel Thanatos
The kid in me giggled a little at the pic but then I saw the book 'queer money' and was like wtf.

must say though, gg Harmonix.
somesthetic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:48
somesthetic
scrooge mcduck supports prop 8.
witthaus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 11:50
witthaus
Duck Tales! A-woo-ooh!
0bshaky's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 12:39
0bshaky
WTF is that "QUEER MONEY" book about?!?! Uncle Scrooge had gay clubs or something?
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 12:46
Maurice Tan
Way to go, now can they use some of the profits to get instruments to Europe for a decent price?
Knivy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 13:14
Knivy
And here I was happy I got $50 as bonus last week. Good for Harmonix, although it could probably be better.
parrothead's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 13:15
parrothead
It is always nice to get a bonus.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 13:28
Darren Nakamura
I'm glad, Harmonix deserves it.
The Phazer's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/11/2008 14:29
The Phazer
That's sort of money is why Harmonix don't give a fuck about their international distribution being so godawful.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!