… they forgot to mention that it can make you rich - very rich - like $300 million rich!
When Viacom’s MTV acquired Harmonix for $175 million back in 2006, founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy set up an impressive bonus structure, which ultimately led to the pair getting a bonus of $150 million this year, based on the solid sales performance of Rock Band.
Better yet, however, for Rigopulos and Egozy, Viacom has revealed that the pair is going to receive another bonus in 2009 – a final payment “expected to exceed this year’s payment.” Ultimately, that means that the founders at Harmonix will receive over $300 million combined – how much more is not known right now.
“We may not have anticipated the payment would be that high, but it’s based on what they have achieved,” Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew commented to Bloomberg. “If they are making more money for us and we have to give a little back, that’s OK.”
Rock Band has sold seven million copies in 13 countries and 26 million music downloads, and Viacom couldn’t be happier to be in the music game space. Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman said, “We have a tiger by the tail with Rock Band and our growing games business.”
(story via gamedaily.com)