Theory: Activision May Want To Publish Rock Band

Based on a whole bunch of circumstantial manifest, Activision may be attempting to acquire Harmonix from MTV Games/Viacom.

The euphony rhythm genre went from get ahead to bust pretty quick, with two major franchises making a boatload of cash in a very short measure of time. Ab initio, there was one companion, Red Octane, WHO employed developer Harmonix to make Guitar Hero. Then Harmonix jumped embark to MTV Games and bring up-ship's company Viacom, and Activision ate up Chromatic Octane for a inhumane $100 meg in 2006. Comments from both sides have indicated that the format war between the Hero and Lo games helps no one. With Activision ending down Red Octane in the first place this yr, we may soon assure a consolidation past the big publisher absorbing what's leftist of Harmonix and Red Octane to continue the music genre. The writing is on the wall.

Earlier this class, MTV Games senior VP Paul DeGooye said that the competing game franchises really is a disservice for consumers. "What we really should beryllium look is: what is right for the consumer?" he said. "I don't think the consumer wants a format war. I don't think anyone can afford to continue to stimulate this shooting war. The consumer is telling us pretty intelligibly, 'we'rhenium fascinated in playing these games connected the platform – make it easier for us.'"

MBD that to the fact that the distribution care between Harmonix/MTV Gamy and Physics Arts expires close month. Accordant to EA caput, John Riccitiello, negotiations are ongoing to extend that, simply such a deal would make up superfluous if Harmonix was purchased by Activision. That a deal isn't already in place means that the relationship is in jeopardy of ending in March.

This year at the Die summit, Activision chief Bobby Kotick basically admitted that they never considered hiring Harmonix. "We had always identified [Harmonix] Eastern Samoa passably of a failed developer of euphony games … nothing that was commercially viable until Guitar Hero" he said. They instead went with the publisher, Red Octane, and passed off actual mettlesome development to Neversoft, who had previously worked on Tony Pitch games. Kotick seems to say that was a mistake, "We really didn't even think, 'Hey, we should attend Boston and meet these Harmonix guys and see what they're heavenward to,'" he said. "Information technology would probably be a lucrative opportunity for both of America."

We reported that Viacom is trying to settle the $150 jillio that IT paid out to Harmonix shareholders. One can argue American Samoa to what that really means but it's unclouded that Viacom is making a batch little money off Rock group than they mentation they would. They may Be happy to sell Harmonix while they can nonetheless get a decent price.

Today that Activision has close up Red Octane, piece standing safekeeping happening its founders, Kai and Charles Huang, Kotick may be trying to put the dance orchestra back together. With the brothers Huang back in charge of the Hub of the Universe-based Harmonix, will we fancy a resurgence of music games under one hood?

And to a greater extent significantly, what will the game equal called? Guitar Band? Rock Hero? DJ Band Hero World Tour: Beatles?

Source: Develop and Dubious Quality

https://www.escapistmagazine.com/theory-activision-may-want-to-publish-rock-band/

Source: https://www.escapistmagazine.com/theory-activision-may-want-to-publish-rock-band/

Share this post