Late last year, Viacom decided to sell the game developer Harmonix. Rumors suggested that Electronic Arts or even Activision might buy them out. Fortunately for the consumers, neither of those rumored deals was made! We all saw how Activision handled its ownership of Guitar Hero, effectively running the franchise (and possibly the music-rhythm genre, itself) into the ground by release one or two games every year! And we all also know how Electronic Arts's EA Sports brand has handled Madden NFL over the past 6 years with all competition in the pro football gaming market being effectively stamped out.
No, fortunately for us gamers, Harmonix decided to set up a holding company in order to buy themselves and once again become an independent developer.
As stated in an interview between Joystiq and Harmonix founder and current Vice President Chris Rigopolous, Harmonix has also severed ties with Viacom-owned MTV.
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Tags:Harmonix, Rock Band, Chris Rigopolous, music-rhythm, music, Activision, Guitar Hero, EA, EA Sports, Madden NFL, multiplayer, Beatles, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, The Who