Editing Paramount Media Networks (section)

==== Harmonix and gaming ====
{{main|Harmonix}}
In 2006, Viacom acquired [[Harmonix]], a video game studio oriented towards [[music video game]]s and the original developer of the ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' franchise, for $175 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mtv-acquires-harmonix-for-usd-175-million|title=MTV acquires Harmonix for USD $175 million|work=GamesIndustry.biz|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en}}</ref> The two subsequently collaborated on the creation of ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-10/mf_harmonix_sb| title=A Glimpse Into Harmonix's Punk-Rock Design Process|publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|first=Chris|last=Kohler|date=September 14, 2007|access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref> That year, Viacom also acquired the gaming–oriented communications platform [[Xfire]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/viacom-to-acquire-xfire/1100-6148208/|title=Viacom to acquire Xfire|date=2006-04-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-09}}</ref>

In 2010, Harmonix was divested to an investment firm to become an independent studio,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/dec/24/rock-band-developer-sold-by-viacom | title = Viacom sells Rock Band game studio | first = Josh | last = Halliday | work = [[The Guardian]] | date = 24 December 2010 | access-date = 24 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/23/-viacom-sells-harmonix-to-columbus-nova.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101226065644/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/23/-viacom-sells-harmonix-to-columbus-nova.aspx | url-status = live | archive-date = December 26, 2010 | title = Viacom Sells Harmonix To Columbus Nova | first = Meagan | last = Marie | date =23 December 2010 | access-date = 23 December 2010 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref> and Xfire was sold.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/08/02/exclusive-titan-gaming-takes-xfire-off-viacoms-hands/|title=Exclusive: Titan Gaming Takes Xfire Off Viacom's Hands|last=Wauters|first=Robin|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en}}</ref>

In 2011, Viacom established a short–lived, in–house development studio known as 345 Games, which was dedicated primarily to developing games based on Comedy Central, MTV and Spike properties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mtv-networks-group-launches-345-176160|title=MTV Networks Group Launches 345 Games|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en}}</ref>