Harmonix has zero to do with 'Hero'

Plans unclear for MTV's vidgame developer

By BEN FRITZ

Just five months after MTV bought vidgame developer Harmonix Systems for $175 million, it's becoming less clear what the cable conglom got for its money.

Harmonix rose to fame for its work producing "Guitar Hero," a successful game that lets players simulate being a rock star on a controller made to look like a guitar. Last November's sequel, also developed by Harmonix, was one of the bestselling games of the year.

However, publisher RedOctane -- part of Activision -- recently confirmed that a new developer, NeverSoft, is working on the next sequel. Neversoft, which is owned by Activision, is primarily known for making Tony Hawk brand skateboarding games.

While most observers expected that MTV had a lot in store for Harmonix, given the very high price it paid, few expected it to abandon work on "Guitar Hero."

However, Activision apparently couldn't or didn't want to work with a developer now owned by MTV. That means Harmonix is most likely working entirely on original projects for its new corporate parent, which is trying to expand its presence in the vidgame biz.

An MTV rep declined comment on plans for Harmonix. Asked in several different online interviews why Harmonix is no longer working on "Guitar Hero," RedOctane head of publishing Dusty Welsh gave identical answers: "In looking toward the future, we believe it was a natural and neutral decision for us to look at other opportunities."