Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix Music Systems, the company that develops the Rock Band video game, backs Rock Vibe on Kickstarter.

Harmonix Music Systems, the developer behind the Rock Band franchise, has been sold by owner Viacom Inc, to the investment firm Columbus Nova and earned an estimated $200 million in the deal, ending a failed venture in the lucrative video game business.

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) announced today that it has sold Harmonix Music Systems to Harmonix-SBE Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Columbus Nova, LLC. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Viacom is planning on selling its Harmonix video game development company, which is the creator of the Rock Band franchise.

NEW YORK, Nov.