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Rest In Peace: MTV Games

by Matt Helgeson on February 03, 2011 at 03:18 PM

5,666 Views

Following the sale of Harmonix to Columbus Nova, many wondered what Viacom's plans for its MTV Games division were. Sadly, there were no plans, as MTV Games has announced that it is shutting its doors.

The company's international office closed its doors last week, and the New York office is now staffing a skeleton crew to finish up some last details.

MTV Games enjoyed tremendous success with the Rock Band franchise, and had most recently released one of the best Kinect launch titles, Dance Central. However, the flagging fortunes of the music genre had become a drag on parent company Viacom, leading to some nasty disputes between it and developer Harmonix, which it eventually unloaded for a paltry $50.

Source: Video Game Writers

Email the author Matt Helgeson, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, Rock Band, mtv games, harmonix, Viacom, Dance Central, business news, shut down

Comments

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by The guy who is meh Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:03 PM

That's what they get for making Jersey Shore.
by Ultim4t3 Ninja Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:09 PM

Farewell MTV games. May you rest in piece.
by christian Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:12 PM

I think part of why the music games got so old was one because Activision decided to push the release of a bunch of different guitar hero games and two simply because people do eventually get tired of doing the same exact thing over and over again. But fair well mtv games
by predalien27 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:12 PM

That's pretty upsetting. I kept hearing news on this, but never put in my two cents until now. I really enjoyed Rock Band 1, 2, and Beatles. Getting the original Rock Band was a great decision over Guitar Hero. Thanks for the great time. (BTW is this the end of Rock Band? These guys were only the publisher, not the developer. Right?)
by GeneralChurch Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:16 PM

So who picks up Rock Band and Dance Central? They are two awesome games... don't tell me there will be no more support for content downloads?!
by Joe Padlo Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:17 PM

Another shop closes its doors...
by Miyuki Snow Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:27 PM

Well, I'm glad MTV games is gone, not happy about what happened with Harmonix though...I would love another Dance Central...
by Dean Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:33 PM

I home MTV RIP soon
by utdevildog Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:36 PM

I also wonder what will happen to the support for Dance Central. I don't play it myself, but my wife LOVES it and if they are no longer releasing DLC for it, she'll be pretty well ruined on it.
by medved626 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:41 PM

So does this mean music games are no more?
by strayequation60 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:42 PM

Only fifty dollars!!!???!!!?!

A studio with that many hit games is worth more
by LostButSeeking Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:45 PM

Kinda saw this coming. MTV is owned by Viacom, Viacom sold Harmonix to get out of the video game industry. If Viacom isn't making games, MTV Games has no reason to exist.

Still sucks for people who lost their job, though. :-(
by 7idledays Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:47 PM

of course the one company that made the good music game closes
by Koob24 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:02 PM

Can't wait for it to be MTV all together
by Leboyo56 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:10 PM

What? Is MTV Games even connected to MTV? Because I would think the corporation would lend a little help to their video-game producing side.
by TraderInTown Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:23 PM

D:
by TheBest88 Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:41 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
by Withinmyzen Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:43 PM

So does this mean that there will be no future Dance Centrals????
by candybeans Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:43 PM

Sucks. I actually played a lot of MTV Games' snowboarding title for PS back in the day.
by Thomas Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 05:56 PM

now if only it can go back to its roots in the 80s when they showed nothing but rock videos and performances BEFORE it switched to this rap sh*t they show today