MTVN Buys Game Developer Harmonix

Anthony Crupi
MTV购买Harmonix游戏开发公司

MTV Networks announced Friday that it will acquire gaming developer Harmonix Music Systems for $175 million in cash in a deal that is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Harmonix, which specializes in creating music-themed titles for Sony’s PlayStation 2 console, is perhaps best known for developing Guitar Hero, a game that simulates the experience of playing the electric guitar.

Since late 2005, Guitar Hero has been regularly featured on MTVN’s digital platforms, as part of a deal between the MTV Games unit and Harmonix. Once integration is complete, visitors to MTVN Web sites will enjoy a much more dynamic and interactive connection to their favorite music, said MTV president Christina Norman.

“The acquisition ... will deepen MTV’s connection to its audience via on-line, mobile and console music gaming, and expand the relationship with both labels and artists,” Norman said.

Guitar Hero was named the #1 console game of 2003 by Time magazine. A sequel, Guitar Hero 2, is slated for an autumn release.

MTVN said that Harmonix senior executives, including CEO Alex Rigopulos, will remain on board following the close of the sale. At that point, Harmonix will be folded into MTVN’s Music and Logo Enterprises unit, which is spearheaded by executive vp Jeff Yapp.