No new titles planned for the next financial year as Harmonix deal nears its conclusion
Conspicuous by its absence in EA’s forward planning for the financial year ahead was any mention of the once golden franchise that is Rock Band, leading to speculation that the publisher could be looking to drop its distribution agreement for the game.
Furthermore, with the end of its current deal with developer Harmonix now in sight, EA has refused to offer a concrete commitment to extend its current distribution deal with Viacom.
In a call to investors transcribed by Seeking Alpha, Wells Fargo Securities’ analyst Jess Lubert asked: “Am I right in thinking you won’t release a new rock band title in fiscal 2011?”
COO John Schnappert responded: “Our deal with Viacom and Harmonics continues through FY ‘11 at that time.
“As you can see from our modelling, we have not included a lot of revenue for distribution next year, but we continued to have talks with them and hope that maybe there’s an opportunity to continue the relationship beyond that.”
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A Harmonix and MTV Games spokesperson added: "The previously announced Green Day: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and distributed by EA. Stay tuned for news of MTV Games' other titles soon."
Comments
shame
I was holding out for Harp Hero... Imagine it on expert!
Games
"Furthermore, with the end of its current deal with developer Harmonix now in site,"
Nice editing.
Frames
What do you want to bet Harmonix is making Guitar Hero 6 (or 7) as we speak?
Unlikely
Seeing as MTV has put a lot of resource into establishing its Rock Band brand, I think it's unlikely to have decided to let its own developer go off and work for a rival publisher.
Think. Before. Typing.
Music Genre Is Stale
I think it's fairly safe to say the music game fad has run its course. Seems like consumers in general have had enough of purchasing huge peripherals, just look at the TH: Ride sales (although this could be down to any number of reasons).
If I was EA I would stop releasing retail RB games and support DLC until it no longer became profitable (across both consoles and the iPhone version), which appears to be the non commital approach being taken. Good.
I dont think so...
Just because its not been announced yet doesn't mean one isn't coming.....
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