Rock Band Dev Harmonix Sold, Goes Solo

Rock Band and Dance Central developer Harmonix has successfully been sold, former owner Viacom announced today, to itself--going privately-owned once again as an affiliate of investment firm Columbus Nova. Truly, it is a Festivus miracle!

"We're excited to be returning to our roots as an independent and privately owned studio," Harmonix wrote on its blog. "As for what it means for you, the DLC schedule marches on for Rock Band, we will continue our support of previously released titles and we're hard at work on some unannounced projects that we think you're going to be pumped about."

Rock Band 3 and Dance Central

Viacom bought the developer in 2006 for $175 million plus promises of potential future bonuses for strong sales. Last month, though, it revealed plans to sell Harmonix.

Those bonuses have also come back to haunt Viacom. It emerged earlier this week that former Harmonix shareholders, including the studio's founders, are suing Viacom for allegedly not paying all of the bonuses and underhandedly seeking to minimising them.

Viacom did not disclose how much Harmonix sold for.