As part of an agreement reached when MTV purchased developer Harmonix (Guitar Hero, Rock Band) - founders Alex Rigopolus and Eran Egozy were paid $150 million last quarter and will be paid more than $150 million in 2009 for exceeding expectations with Rock Band.
"We may not have anticipated the payment would be that high, but it's based on what they have achieved," Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew told Bloomberg. "If they are making more money for us and we have to give a little back, that's ok."
Now hopefully this won't mean that Harmonix will stop making great games anytime soon...