In 2006, MTV parent Viacom bought Harmonix for $175 million in cash. In late 2010, it sold off the money-losing division for a substantial discount. According to the Wall Street Journal, the late December sale of the Rock Band developer to private holding company Harmonix-SBE Holdings LLC was for a price point of just $50--$10 less than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Rock Band 3.
Harmonix's cash sale price was reportedly less than that of one of its games.
Of course, the low price point isn't the whole story. The Journal reports that in addition to the $50, the deal called for the purchaser, an affiliate of New York-based investment firm Columbus Nova, to assume all of Harmonix's liabilities. Though an exact figure for said liabilities was not provided, it would include the Boston-based developer's music rights fees, as well as the value of existing Rock Band game inventory.
The deal had an apparent upside for Viacom, though, as it reportedly allowed the multimedia multinational to take a $150 million tax write-off.
For more on Harmonix's latest games, check out GameSpot's reviews of Rock Band 3 and Dance Central.
You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.
Click To Unmute
Dance Central Video Review
Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Technological Marvel
Resident Evil 4 Is A Perfect RemakeHow Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror GamesGameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerHow Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight Trailer
Share
LinkEmbed
Size:640 × 360480 × 270
Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Sign up or Sign in now!
Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
HTML5
Auto HD High Low
Report a problem
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
enter