Harmonix retains IP rights to Rock Band, Dance Central
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Yesterday's Harmonix announcement of re-independence from global media conglomerate Viacom left questions hanging about the intellectual property rights to the studio's two main franchises. Joystiq has been informed by sources that Harmonix will "own the IP rights" to both the Rock Band and Dance Central franchises after the split, meaning it can continue to create new installments if it chooses.
We've also been informed that the developer's DLC support of both titles will continue "unaffected by the sale" and that its distribution relationships with EA and Mad Catz for the Rock Band series, and with Microsoft for Dance Central, also remain "unaffected."
What we currently understand of the situation, from sources involved, is that Viacom and MTV Games providing licensing muscle isn't as necessary as it once was -- before the music genre became established over the past few years. It appears relationships have been set that now allow Harmonix to license music for its games without the aid of Viacom.
We've also been informed that the developer's DLC support of both titles will continue "unaffected by the sale" and that its distribution relationships with EA and Mad Catz for the Rock Band series, and with Microsoft for Dance Central, also remain "unaffected."
What we currently understand of the situation, from sources involved, is that Viacom and MTV Games providing licensing muscle isn't as necessary as it once was -- before the music genre became established over the past few years. It appears relationships have been set that now allow Harmonix to license music for its games without the aid of Viacom.
Reader Comments (29)
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:36AM Billlop said
YEAH! This means more DLC :D I may be in the minority, but i love these games. If you think their boring then you obviously havnt played on anything above Medium. The game is really meant to be played on Expert.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:53AM Freddie Mercury said
@Billlop that's awfully close minded of you
I have plenty of friends and family who have been playing since guitar hero 1 and are just peachy playing on easy and medium after all these years
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I have plenty of friends and family who have been playing since guitar hero 1 and are just peachy playing on easy and medium after all these years
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 11:00AM Billlop said
@Freddie Mercury
Called out by the great Freddie Mercury, can this day GET any better!?
Anywho, i understand what your saying, but personally, i think Expert is "where its at". Harmonix have been making the difficulties harder over the years (newer songs actually have you playing orange notes one asy now) in an attempt to, i assume anyway, get people used to playing up to expert.
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Called out by the great Freddie Mercury, can this day GET any better!?
Anywho, i understand what your saying, but personally, i think Expert is "where its at". Harmonix have been making the difficulties harder over the years (newer songs actually have you playing orange notes one asy now) in an attempt to, i assume anyway, get people used to playing up to expert.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 7:04PM whymog said
@Billlop I agree that expert is way more fun and satisfying, but the game is definitely meant to be played on easy just as much as it is on expert. The more inclusive it can be to be people of various skill levels, the better the experience is for everyone, right?
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Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:26PM Crayola Q Pants ESQ said
@Billlop
I think it's meant to be played at whatever level the player is comfortable with. Sure, it can feel more rewarding when you can rock out at expert level, but then there's other times where it just feels like a chore (partially why I gravitated away from the GH franchise).
Suppose it depends if you're challenge orientated or "I just wanna rock out and enjoy some tunes" orientated though
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I think it's meant to be played at whatever level the player is comfortable with. Sure, it can feel more rewarding when you can rock out at expert level, but then there's other times where it just feels like a chore (partially why I gravitated away from the GH franchise).
Suppose it depends if you're challenge orientated or "I just wanna rock out and enjoy some tunes" orientated though
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:40AM Glossophobia said
Hurray! This is great news. :]
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 11:19AM Pulov Yuran said
@Glossophobia
The toppings contains Potassium Benzoate.
...
That's bad.
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The toppings contains Potassium Benzoate.
...
That's bad.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:48AM MrSpaceCowboy said
This is the best Christmas present I'll get this year.
This and a copy of Dance Central.
This and a copy of Dance Central.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 10:28AM Ujn Hunter said
Niiice! Now I can safely buy Rock Band 3.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 10:31AM Papa Neorev said
I'm going to turn on Dance Central and do a happy dance now
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 10:42AM maemikemae said
Huzzah!
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 11:02AM oOWallaceOo said
Snoopy Dance DLC Confirmed
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 11:31AM xreadmore said
Great news! And it's also refreshing that the split was on "good terms".
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 11:38AM Vaancor said
Oh this is fantastic! Best present I could hope for. Besides a new truck...
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 12:19PM Tradio said
We got to see some MAJOR inovation if this genre and series wants to survive. They've got to make the game come out and be a full blown tutorial on real instruments, pro mode is a good first step but it make a real simulation. Incorporate kinect somehow...connect students with teachers and provide lessons on camera or something. I dont doubt that Harmonix has something cooking down the line, its time pour le revolution.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 6:07PM wcarnation said
@Tradio ...or RB3 at all? Or are you just being an armchair analyst?
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Posted: Dec 24th 2010 12:34PM berzirk said
You do have to wonder what's the deal with the Harmonix guys though. This is the second time they've split off from larger compaines that either gave them a start, or helped elevate their status significantly. At some point it's not everybody else who is the asshole.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 1:51PM Linkb8s XBL Tenku no Link said
@berzirk
Are you talking about Activision and Viacom? Because if so you really don't seem to understand what happened with either partnership.
For Activision: After GH2, Harmonix came to Activision with an idea for a Band style music game (Rock Band) instead of simply guitars. Activision didn't believe it would sell and wouldn't support it. Harmonix was still under a 3 game contract with 1 to go so they quickly made GH:Rock the 80's and then split to Viacom who would actually support them (at the time) to innovate the music games genre and make Rock Band while Activision stayed with just Guitar Hero (which 1 iteration later would start to mimic Rock Band).
For Viacom...um...Viacom was withholding money they owed Harmonix as well as were trying to sell Harmonix...so I don't quite see where Harmonix has done anything wrong here either. They were going to be gone from Viacom one way or the other since Viacom didn't want them anymore.
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Are you talking about Activision and Viacom? Because if so you really don't seem to understand what happened with either partnership.
For Activision: After GH2, Harmonix came to Activision with an idea for a Band style music game (Rock Band) instead of simply guitars. Activision didn't believe it would sell and wouldn't support it. Harmonix was still under a 3 game contract with 1 to go so they quickly made GH:Rock the 80's and then split to Viacom who would actually support them (at the time) to innovate the music games genre and make Rock Band while Activision stayed with just Guitar Hero (which 1 iteration later would start to mimic Rock Band).
For Viacom...um...Viacom was withholding money they owed Harmonix as well as were trying to sell Harmonix...so I don't quite see where Harmonix has done anything wrong here either. They were going to be gone from Viacom one way or the other since Viacom didn't want them anymore.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 2:30PM berzirk said
@Linkb8s XBL Tenku no Link Oh most definitely I don't know/care about many of the details. I'm just equating it to the friend we all have that can't seem to figure out why "drama" always follows them around. I'm sure there are ways to justify them being at the center of controversy, but I do think that eventually if they are always in the middle of it, we need to start wondering if they are the pain in the ass, or if it is indeed everybody else's fault.
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Posted: Dec 24th 2010 6:01PM Burritoclock said
@berzirk except this is business and not a person. It's far more complicated then "X is wrong Y is right" in both cases neither party was really "at fault" these were just business decisions
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Posted: Dec 24th 2010 9:28PM Crayola Q Pants ESQ said
@berzirk
Aside from the fact that Viacom was looking to sell them off anyway (rhythm game genre isn't exactly what it used to be). So their "independence" isn't exactly earth shattering, nor all their decision.
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Aside from the fact that Viacom was looking to sell them off anyway (rhythm game genre isn't exactly what it used to be). So their "independence" isn't exactly earth shattering, nor all their decision.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 2:53PM Schlecht said
At least Viacom won't own it. Otherwise it'd only be a matter of time until you'd YouTube a track and it'd say VIACOM BAW'ED AND IS CLAIMING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ON A SONG THEY DON'T OWN BAAAAAAW.
^because that's exactly what Viacom does.
^because that's exactly what Viacom does.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 3:19PM onlysublime said
Viacom is a big chunk of the music industry. Hopefully Harmonix can still get good rates for these songs. Otherwise, we'll be paying even more for the DLC.
Posted: Dec 24th 2010 7:29PM Dao Jones said
Now they can combine both games into one? YES! :D :D :D
Posted: Dec 27th 2010 5:05AM theultimate13x said
tHIS is great nbews for gamers indeed.
Posted: Dec 27th 2010 10:28AM Flakk said
"It appears relationships have been set that now allow Harmonix to license music for its games without the aid of Viacom."
I'm glad to hear that. I found bitter irony in "Rock Band" being published by MTV Games. I mean, honestly, when was the last time that MTV even played a music video? Let MTV Games publish "The Real World - The Videogame" instead.
I'm glad to hear that. I found bitter irony in "Rock Band" being published by MTV Games. I mean, honestly, when was the last time that MTV even played a music video? Let MTV Games publish "The Real World - The Videogame" instead.








