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Harmonix Music System Inc. is up for sale from its parent company Viacom Inc., according to Viacom’s third quarter earnings release announced this morning.
In the release, Viacom said it has already classified Cambridge-based Harmonix as a “discontinued business,” citing the fact that the losses from the continuing drop in sales of games such as Rock Band were having a negative impact on its otherwise solid numbers.
A Harmonix spokesperson said company officials were not immediately available for comment. The company did post a statement on the forums for Rock Band, which said: "This morning’s announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as we continue to support our existing franchises, Rock Band and Dance Central. As stated earlier, Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed."
A Viacom spokesperson had a slightly different statement: “As announced this morning, Viacom plans to sell Harmonix and have reclassified Harmonix to a discontinued operation. However, this announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as they continue to support Rock Band and Dance Central. Viacom’s decision to exit this business reflects our strategy of focusing entirely on what they do best: make great branded entertainment content and deliver it through a variety of platforms. Harmonix has and will continue to create terrific video games. But for us, it is about focus. Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed.”
Harmonix was founded in 1995 by CEO Alex Rigopulos and CTO Eran Egozy, who met at the MIT Media Lab. In 2006, the company sold to Viacom subsidiary MTV Networks for $175 million. The company reported about 260 employees in December of 2009, after a layoff of 39 workers.
In June, Harmonix announced that Rock Band 3, which was release earlier this month, would contain real instruments as game controllers and have a Pro feature that would help players learn how to really play music.
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