MTV acquires Harmonix

By GamesIndustry International Published 25 September, 2006

You're my wife now!

MTV Networks has strengthened it position in the gaming market by acquiring Guitar Hero developer Harmonix for USD $175 million (137 million euro).

"The acquisition of Harmonix will deepen MTV's connection to its audience via online, mobile and console music gaming, and expand the relationship with both labels and artists through the creation of games based on classic songs as well as future album releases," said Christina Norman, president of MTV.

MTV Games' previously worked with Harmonix's Guitar Hero franchise across original programming, creative promotions and competitions for a number of MTV's multi-platform properties.

"The acquisition of Harmonix advances MTV Networks' strategy of connecting with target audiences by creating immersive, multi-platform environments that extend to every device they use," said Judy McGrath, chairman and CEO, MTV Networks.

"Harmonix is an innovator in giving audiences new and dynamic ways to interact with music, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome the company into MTV Networks' strong portfolio of multi-platform brands," she added.

"We are very excited to combine our unique assets in the music and gaming space with one of the most recognised brands in the music world," said Alex Rigopulos, Harmonix's CEO.

"We look forward to continuing to create innovative ways for people to enjoy music."

MTV has recently acquired other companies in the gaming sector, including Xfire and GameTrailers.com.

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Comments (25) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Carlo #1 6 years ago

    Err wtf?

  • reflux #2 6 years ago

    -Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

    And WTF does MTV know about rock anyway, it's all hipety-hop-crap and horrible "reality"-shows nowadays.

  • trav #3 6 years ago

    Don't let MTV pimp this ride

  • PlugMonkey #4 6 years ago

    Dear god. I can't see how this is possibly a good thing for Guitar Hero.

    I'm guessing I can expect a lot of faux punk whining emo crap in GH3 then. :(

  • AcidSnake #5 6 years ago

    And I was so looking forward to the next gen guitar hero games...

    Now we'll have to lay down the riffs to britney spears songs...
    And indeed 'hippety-hop-crap'...

    Bad thing IMO...

  • mingster #6 6 years ago

    The League of Gentleman subhead is the best bit of this news...

    the body copy makes me sad.

  • kangarootoo #7 6 years ago

    Hmmmm, I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand it could open GH up to a wider music library (not necessarily a good thing though if the wider library is all bobbins). On the other hand GH could end up losing its unique visual style and get all made over MTV stylee, which would be a tradgedy (goodbye excellent hand drawn concept art, hello 3D Madonna figurine).

    "We are very excited to combine our unique assets in the music and gaming space with one of the most recognised brands in the music world,"

    Shortly to be followed by,

    "I am very excited to combine my butt with the seat of the brand new Porshe I just bought"

    but frankly, in all honesty, who can blame him. Harmonix produced a great product, and it performed really well in the marketplace 'because' of that quality (as opposed to some great marketing drive disguising an inferior game). If the guys behind it can make a sack of extra cash for their efforts I won't begrudge them.

  • lambtron #8 6 years ago

    Its all probably going to end up terribly Urban. You know 4 da kids.

  • gerald #9 6 years ago

    Welcome to the world of strategies, assets, portfolios, multi-platform enviroments, expanding relationships, target audiences and brands. Let MTV deepen the connection to you...

    Send BS001 to get the "Rock is dead" ringtone - only on your mobile (Order options vary per country. Prices are displayed on all order forms).

  • Markusdragon #10 6 years ago

    Oof, crap. There goes the proverbial neighbourhood.

  • kangarootoo #11 6 years ago

    I wonder if my inability to spell the genre names will affect my ability to play along to them. I've still got the scars (mental and physical) from when numetal came along.

    Oh how the cool kids laughed at me, standing there with my extra letter w, like someone who doesn't know that the game of "pin the tail on the donkey" ended 10 mins ago and everyone else has moved into the kitchen for jelly.

  • SpeedyThing #12 6 years ago

    $175 million!?!?!?!?

    Is Harmonix really worth that much? I know Guitar Hero is a great game but it sales weren't as strong as may have been hoped. It's only a small company too with only a small number of employees.

    That's not taking anything away from their products. It just seems like an overinflated price.

  • teamonkey #13 6 years ago

    JUDAS!

  • kangarootoo #14 6 years ago

    @SpeedyThing

    Companies aren't just valued on their current assets and sales. They are also valued on the perceived future earnings from any IP they posses. MTV and Harmonix obviously see a big future in the Guitar Hero brand, so they are basing their costings on that prediction.

  • kangarootoo #15 6 years ago

    It seems a bit late in the day for big changes to GH2. Perhaps it will just get MTV badges added to the game. I doubt the platform list will change, MTV don't have any exclusivity deals that I am aware of. The track list "could" be adjusted I guess, but I'm just speculating.

  • masterson #16 6 years ago

    Oh....shit....

  • Nobuo #17 6 years ago

    'MTV Games.'

    This World really is a rubbish, rubbish place.

  • JSD124 #18 6 years ago

    I think we'll see something more along the lines of MTV 2 (their 'alternative' channel).

    Modern middle class indie and emo FTW!!

    Who needs rock classics when you have Bloc Party?!

  • DavidA #19 6 years ago

    Harmonix don't own the IP to Guitar Hero, Activision does. I don't even think Harmonix have the development contracts for Guitar Hero signed up past Guitar Hero 2.

    My guess is that MTV have different projects in mind for Harmonix. It'll be interesting to see.

  • Eraysor #20 6 years ago

    Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • NegativeZero #21 6 years ago

    Guitar Hero is going to suck without any music in it. :V

  • Zomoniac #22 6 years ago

    DavidA, Harmonix own the code, Activision own the name. Apparently Harmonix also have a patent on the upscrolling fretboard interface, so if Activision use the name to make another GH, they'll need a completely different interface. It's just like the whole SI/Eidos ChampMan malarky.

  • jimbob101 #23 6 years ago

    So Activision bought Red Octane who published the game and made the guitar?

  • DavidA #24 6 years ago

    @Zomoniac
    Interesting. Didn't know that. Sounds like they have some smart legal people working with them at Harmonix.

    @Jimbob101
    Yes. Activision bought Red Octane for $100M, primarily to own the Guitar Hero name.

  • JSD124 #25 6 years ago

    ^Does Urge use DRM? If not then that would be great, but otherwise I wouldn't bother, I only listen to music on my iPod.