Gamertell

It seems the two towers in the cash-soaked world of rock ‘n’ roll games can’t just enjoy the good times. But at least it’s not hot enough between Rock Band developer Harmonix and Guitar Hero III publisher Activision to lug these monsters of metal into court - yet.

Harmonix has sued Activision for royalties from its old game franchise, but the suit has been withdrawn so that the two can settle something out of court, Variety reports.

How did all this come about? Well, let me tell you a tale. Once upon a time, high-end Dance Dance Revolution mat maker Red Octane got some real cool dudes (Harmonix) to build a game for a plastic axe that the kiddos could hold at home. Those kiddos, so the legend goes, would be heroes in their own living rooms. Guitar heroes, even. It took a while, but eventually everyone decided that heroing was a blast. Well, it wasn’t long before some deeper pockets (Viacom) came along to try to make lightning strike twice with drummer heroes and singing heroes, and Harmonix gave unto the world Rock Band.

But Harmonix always remembered their first child, which Activision now owns and is making bank on to the tune of $820 million dollars last year, Variety reported. And for using their great idea and technology (which is a heck of a lot like Konami’s GuitarFreaks from 1999), Harmonix would like a cool $14.5 million more than what they’ve already received. The two had agreed to two royalty rates depending on how much of Harmonix’s work was used in a Guitar Hero sequel, and Harmonix said they got the lower one when they deserved the higher one, Variety reported.

This could take a while. “Activision believes it has made sufficient payments to Harmonix and the claims otherwise do not have merit,” Variety reported General Counsel George Rose saying. Oh, how rock ‘n’ roll, Mr. Rose. But don’t expect this to stop the money hat. What other plastic instruments can I cram into my closet?

Read [GameDaily] Read Variety