Yesterday's surprise news that Activision would be canceling any future "Guitar Hero" projects didn't exactly bode well for the already-flagging rhythm game genre. In terms of competition, it seems the only major player still standing in the genre is Harmonix, the developer behind the "Rock Band" franchise (which was formally owned by MTV parent company, Viacom). The news has certainly made people wonder whether "Rock Band" was destined for the same star-crossed fate. The company released a statement today to clarify where things stand.
In addition to expressing regret over the discontinuation of "Guitar Hero," Harmonix admitted that "retail sales of 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' titles have slowed with time." The statement went on to say that, as a means of supplementing that lost income, Harmonix developed "a robust digital platform for music gaming and have recently crested 2,500 songs available for play within 'Rock Band 3.'"
The statement also reminds fans of "Guitar Hero" that "Rock Band" isn't going anywhere and that most "Guitar Hero" controllers will work with "Rock Band 3."
As for the future of "Rock Band 3," Harmonix is focusing on the release of the Fender Squier Stratocaster Guitar Controller, which can act as both a real electric guitar and a game controller. They are also planning on relaunching the Rock Band Network, which allows indie bands to upload their own songs into the game. Those songs can than be purchased by other players, with the proceeds split between Harmonix and the band.
In closing, Harmonix had kind words for its former competitor: "It's been a wild battle of the bands since 2007, but we respect and appreciate all of the hard work and innovation of our peers who have shared the music gaming space with us, and we look forward to rocking in the future."