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Forums - Gaming - Rock Band earns Harmonix a $208.7 million bonus

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33706

Performance-based pay out part of 2006 acquisition

Viacom has paid Rock Band developer Harmonix an additional USD 208.7 million under terms of the company's acquisition.

MTV Games, a Viacom subsidiary, acquired Harmonix back in 2006 for USD 175 million. Viacom's Form 10-K statement, released last week, indicates that the company offered a financial incentive as part of the acquisition.

"In addition, to the extent financial results exceed specific contractual targets against a defined gross profit metric through 2008, former Harmonix shareholders will be eligible for incremental earn-out payments with respect to the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008," the form read.

Viacom has reported paying USD 208.7 million to Harmonix last year under the terms of this contractual agreement, and expects to have a final payment due in 2009 for performance through calendar 2008.

The company referred to the launch of Rock Band as "an unqualified success, setting the foundation for another valuable franchise."



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Nice!

Atleast EA is treating Harmonix good with a big fat paycheck. I wonder how much RB actually cost to make?



Back from the dead, I'm afraid.

They definitely deserve it. Rock Band is pretty unique.



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mrstickball said:
Nice!

Atleast EA is treating Harmonix good with a big fat paycheck. I wonder how much RB actually cost to make?

 Not EA though. Viacom/MTV own Harmonix and they the one's writing the check. EA is just the publisher and  they do not own the Rockband IP. Anywa, I'm happy for Harmonix, they deserve everything good that can happen to them.



PSN ID: krik

Optimistic predictions for 2008 (Feb 5 2008): Wii = 20M, PS3 = 14M, X360 = 9.5M

 

Good to know :) They deserve it , the game is pretty unique :)



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^^I wouldn't say it's unique--it's pretty much an expansion of Guitar Hero. It is a fantastic idea, though.

That's great for Harmonix!



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Well deserved.



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thekitchensink said:
^^I wouldn't say it's unique--it's pretty much an expansion of Guitar Hero. It is a fantastic idea, though.

That's great for Harmonix!

 Well, Guitar Hero was also created by Harmonix... Harmonix rocks :)



PSN ID: krik

Optimistic predictions for 2008 (Feb 5 2008): Wii = 20M, PS3 = 14M, X360 = 9.5M