We won! Harmonix's Patch to Allow GH3 Guitars in Rock Band Finally Coming Out 9/11!!!

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-activision-behind-rock-band-ps3-peripheral-compatibility-patch-delay--58054.phtml

Yesterday, we brought you news of an impending PlayStation 3 Rock Band controller compatability patch, by way of Harmonix. The headline read: "PS3 Rock Band getting controller compatibility patch today." Well, yesterday's "today" has come and gone, and PlayStation 3 owners longing to finally be able to use their wireless Gibson Guitar Hero III controllers with Harmonix's game are still waiting.

A trusted source has told Destructoid that the patch has indeed been submitted to Sony for approval, and (as promised) should have been available yesterday. What's the hold up? According to our source, Activision has actively attempted to block the release of the patch, even bringing their lawyers into the fray. While the obvious plan is for the patch to be available as soon as possible (it was announced yesterday, after all), until this is all worked out behind closed doors, PS3 shredders may be waiting a little longer.

Harmonix has been very clear that they're interested in an open standard for these peripherals, an idea clearly not shared by their competition. (The Rock Band Stratocaster guitar peripheral does not work with Activision's Guitar Hero on any platform; Guitar Hero controllers currently DO work with with Rock Band on the Xbox 360, but not on the PS3). We've pinged Activision for comment, and we'll update with information as we get it. I hope this isn't true since I'd like to get GH3 soon and have my bass guitar.

Edit(12/12/07): http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164953

Remember that rumor from Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-activision-behind-rock-band-ps3-peripheral-compatibility-patch-delay--58054.phtml) suggesting Activision was preventing the release of a Rock Band (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158412) patch to enable compatibility with Guitar Hero III (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3159776)'s Les Paul peripheral? Most people laughed it off (including us), but Harmonix has issued a statement to 1UP announcing that it's actually...true. A patch enabling support for the Les Paul on PS3 was submitted (and approved) to Sony, but Activision is holding its release.

"As is the case with the Microsoft Xbox 360, we believe that Sony PLAYSTATION 3 users should be able to use the peripheral of their choice with Rock Band," says Harmonix. "We sincerely hope that Activision will reverse its decision and allow release of the compatibility patch and further, that Activision will allow Guitar Hero III to support Rock Band guitar controllers as well. We welcome all third party developers who wish to support our controllers and will provide any required support in order for them to do so."

"We believe that when consumers have choice, everyone wins. Harmonix and MTV Games hope that Activision and others in the industry will also adopt this philosophy," concludes the statement.

1UP is in the midst of contacting Activision and Red Octane as we speak. Stay tuned. Fuck!

Edit 2 (12/13/07):
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165012

Gamers want cross compatibility in their guitar games. Even Red Octane says complete compatibility is inevitable (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792), if the consumer demanded it. Consumers did demand it for Rock Band (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158413) on PlayStation 3, prompting Harmonix to develop a patch that would enable support for Guitar Hero III (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3159776)'s Les Paul controllers. The patch went through the submission process, but never made it out the door; Activision objected to its release and Sony Computer Entertainment America complied.

Our requests for comment from Red Octane and Activision have gone unanswered. But, where does Sony stand in all this? So far, the company isn't taking sides. "This is a matter that needs to be resolved between Harmonix/MTV and Activision regarding Intellectual Property," said a SCEA spokesperson to 1UP. "At SCEA, we of course want this resolved and to ensure the best possible gaming experience. We encourage MTV, Harmonix and Activision to discuss this among themselves so there can be an amicable resolution in the best interest of the consumer."


Sadly, that doesn't really provide us with any answers. Harmonix and MTV are hoping the court of public opinion will force Activision and Red Octane to give the go-ahead. We're hard pressed to find a decent reason for them to be holding objection; the patch would increase sales for Guitar Hero. At the same time, blocking it means there is no way for gamers to pick up the game-only Rock Band SKU on PS3 and do anything but karaoke; individual Rock Band instruments aren't arriving until sometime in early 2008.

From a corporate perspective, maybe this makes sense. Then again, that doesn't make it right. Sony speaks out on the situation.

Edit 3 (9/7/08):
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77842

This may be an old thread and all, but I think it's worth it just for this bit of news:

A PS3 patch will be coming out this Thursday, September 11th, which will allow RB1 song export, in addition to updating DLC to our RB2 standards (so you can continue to rock the newer content in RB1 if you so choose!) This title update will also patch for the use of the Guitar Hero III Les Paul PS3 Controller with RB1 on the PS3. We're excited to release this, as controller compatibility is something we've been working towards for a long time.
Looks like Sony's finally stepped up with their pledge for better instrument compatibility on the PS3.

[Bezerker]

Apparently they really have it out for eachother. Activision's lawyers wont even let their employees say "Guitar Hero" in interviews for fear of lawsuit.

[help1]

Apparently they really have it out for eachother. Activision's lawyers wont even let their employees say "Guitar Hero" in interviews for fear of lawsuit.

You mean "Rock Band" right?

[Furashu]

lol wtf?

[PenguinMaster]

How is Activision even able to block a patch for a game they didn't have any involvement in?

[Gentlegamer]

How is Activision even able to block a patch for a game they didn't have any involvement in?The patch adds compatibility for Activision's guitar control for use with Rock Band. Activision doesn't want its "proprietary" guitar controller to work with the competition's game.

[lanzarlaluna]

Wouldn't Activision actually make more money by Harmonix implementing this? If this patch does what it's rumored to do, I would buy GHIII to have an extra guitar, and I know lots of other people that would do the same.

[PenguinMaster]

Wouldn't Activision actually make more money by Harmonix implementing this? If this patch does what it's rumored to do, I would buy GHIII to have an extra guitar, and I know lots of other people that would do the same.

Seriously. I can see them not wanting people to use other accessories on their own games (because that means people will need to buy more of their accessories) but allowing their accessories to be used on other games ups the demand for their accessories.

[RESmonkey]

Fuck activision.

[pete5883]

Wouldn't Activision actually make more money by Harmonix implementing this? If this patch does what it's rumored to do, I would buy GHIII to have an extra guitar, and I know lots of other people that would do the same.
Seriously. Either the rumor is false or Activision is very, very stupid.

[H.Cornerstone]

Seriously. Either the rumor is false or Activision is very, very stupid.

Which is entirely possible. Either way, I can't see how Activision can block this, is there any legal precedent or law that would justify their claim?

[iamrobk]

Which is entirely possible. Either way, I can't see how Activision can block this, is there any legal precedent or law that would justify their claim?
Eh probably not.

[Mr Unoriginal]

Fuck activision.

Let's boycott! Yeah! Take that!

[crunchb3rry]

Proprietary = eat shit and die.

[evanft]

It's a rumor, and it's Destructoid.

[mykevermin]

I'm looking to see how this'll pan out. If I were SCEA, I'd tell Activision to suck my ass. Think of the software-only RB sales they're missing out on b/c there are no fucking controllers to work with the fucking thing.

I, for one, went ahead and picked it up for the 360 b/c I could use my X-plorer with it, while I've tried to be the person who would only buy exclusive titles for the 360, given its persnitcketyness and likelihood of spontaneous death.

So, with far more people (surely) buying RB for the 360, it even further solidifies the 360 as this gen's console to buy multiplatform titles on. That's not what Sony needs right now - they need a reason to get people to buy the fuckin' game.

[FriskyTanuki]

It's a rumor, and it's Destructoid.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164953
Remember that rumor from Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-activision-behind-rock-band-ps3-peripheral-compatibility-patch-delay--58054.phtml) suggesting Activision was preventing the release of a Rock Band (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158412) patch to enable compatibility with Guitar Hero III (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3159776)'s Les Paul peripheral? Most people laughed it off (including us), but Harmonix has issued a statement to 1UP announcing that it's actually...true. A patch enabling support for the Les Paul on PS3 was submitted (and approved) to Sony, but Activision is holding its release.

"As is the case with the Microsoft Xbox 360, we believe that Sony PLAYSTATION 3 users should be able to use the peripheral of their choice with Rock Band," says Harmonix. "We sincerely hope that Activision will reverse its decision and allow release of the compatibility patch and further, that Activision will allow Guitar Hero III to support Rock Band guitar controllers as well. We welcome all third party developers who wish to support our controllers and will provide any required support in order for them to do so."

"We believe that when consumers have choice, everyone wins. Harmonix and MTV Games hope that Activision and others in the industry will also adopt this philosophy," concludes the statement.

1UP is in the midst of contacting Activision and Red Octane as we speak. Stay tuned.
Fuck!

[lanzarlaluna]

Wow. Activision is teh dumb on this one.

[mykevermin]

What bastards.

[dchen5]

wow thats pretty lame. definitely a stupid decision on their part. i guess theyre a bit cocky rolling in their mountains of cash from gh3 and cod4. maybe the update will be leaked somehow

[primetime]

What a jerk move. Humans suck.

[evanft]

What the motherfucking shaq-fu?

[mykevermin]

QUICK! Boycott Guitar Hero!

:lol:

[KingBroly]

Well, doesn't this mean that 1up's rumor of Activision making a patch to block GH3 guitar support from Rock Band on 360 a bit more believable?

[evanft]

Well, doesn't this mean that 1up's rumor of Activision making a patch to block GH3 guitar support from Rock Band on 360 a bit more believable?

Because that's really possible, right? Activision can release a patch for ANOTHER COMPANY'S GAME.

Fail.

[Chris in Cali]

FUCK TEH ACTIVISION!!!!
http://www.hollywoodsuccess.com/MeanShiek.jpg

[Zoglog]

I don't see why anyone is so suprised. This was Red Octane's stance since Guitar Hero 1 by making them incompatible with Guitar Freaks.

That's why they're a pathetic company.

[Ice2Dragon]

So if its a rumor thats been confirmed..

Doesnt it make it true then?

Wonder why Rockband has bombed in sales.. like it takes a genius to figure it out.. what a commercial disappointment the game was :(

[Zoglog]

So if its a rumor thats been confirmed..

Doesnt it make it true then?

Wonder why Rockband has bombed in sales.. like it takes a genius to figure it out.. what a commercial disappointment the game was :(

Uh, from all the articles I've read, no real sales #'s have been released yet. Just because they haven't emptied all of the stock doesn't mean it's a bomb. In fact in some regions they are sold out. I was able to sell my extra 360 rockbands for $130 more markup

[Ice2Dragon]

Uh, from all the articles I've read, no real sales #'s have been released yet. Just because they haven't emptied all of the stock doesn't mean it's a bomb. In fact in some regions they are sold out. I was able to sell my extra 360 rockbands for $130 more markup

Vgchartz has it banked at around 200,000 for both ps3/360 combined from what I read.. its not even top 10 on either chart..

[hhhdx4]

Vg chartz said it, it must be true!

[Chris in Cali]

The problem is that most people don't want to pay $170 for one game, regardless of what equipment is bundled with it. It's still only one game at the end of the day. I know I personally don't want the much fake music hardware in my small gaming room, I think it's getting a little overboard now.

[Zoglog]

200,000 units sold at $170 is not a bomb assuming VG charts is even accurate.....

So if its a rumor thats been confirmed..


either way that part still stands. Not surprising considering Destructoid is about as reliable as Fox News. Destructoid is the special breed that manages somehow to be even less credible than the sensationalist blogs like Kotaku or Joystiq.

[getmyrunon]

Two things.
#1) As has been said, fuck those dumb bastards at Activision who don't seem to understand that this can only make them more money (I would go out and buy GH3 for PS3 tomorrow if this patch was released).
#2) If Rockband is actually a flop, it's the best damn flop I've ever played.

[TahoeMax]

i freakin' love RockBand. I hated the Stratocaster and sold it, but luckily I have the 360 version and am thoroughly enjoying using my Xplorer on it.

[hiccupleftovers]

Uh, from all the articles I've read, no real sales #'s have been released yet. Just because they haven't emptied all of the stock doesn't mean it's a bomb. In fact in some regions they are sold out. I was able to sell my extra 360 rockbands for $130 more markup

Are you kidding me? I saw maybe three people buy Rock Band on BF, while I can't find GH3 anywhere and Gh2 is now selling out in its place. Let's not forget that the guitar for Rock Band sucks balls. Donkey balls. My friend bought Rock Band and the guitar broke within five days of purchase. It's probably the only time I'm happy somebody I know bought into those service plans. The cashier kept telling us how a ton of the Rock Bands were being exchanged since the Whammy bars, buttons, etc. were just breaking on them. If I've gone into a store that sells Rock Band, then i tell people to just not buy it.

Two things.
#1) As has been said, fuck those dumb bastards at Activision who don't seem to understand that this can only make them more money (I would go out and buy GH3 for PS3 tomorrow if this patch was released).
#2) If Rockband is actually a flop, it's the best damn flop I've ever played.

1. I agree, but I can see Activision's rational in this one. Still, they'd probably make more money buy selling their guitar/game for Rock Band, since EA can't put out a quality device/product since the guitar sucks and I didn't care much for the game when you compare it to GH.

2. I've played plenty of flops (Beyond Good and Evil comes to mind), and this is hardly the best flop I've played. Oh and Ico....

[FriskyTanuki]

Are you kidding me? I saw maybe three people buy Rock Band on BF, while I can't find GH3 anywhere and Gh2 is now selling out in its place. Let's not forget that the guitar for Rock Band sucks balls. Donkey balls. My friend bought Rock Band and the guitar broke within five days of purchase. It's probably the only time I'm happy somebody I know bought into those service plans. The cashier kept telling us how a ton of the Rock Bands were being exchanged since the Whammy bars, buttons, etc. were just breaking on them. If I've gone into a store that sells Rock Band, then i tell people to just not buy it.
Anecdotes =/= fact. When I got my copy of Rock Band during BF weekend, pretty much everyone was sold out of RB bundles. I luckily found the last bundle that Fry's had and bought that.

My guitar's working just fine and I prefer the look and feel of it to the GH guitars.

[H.Cornerstone]

Ahhh... My target was sold out of Rock Band for about the first three weeks after it came out. We just got some 360 one's in today.

And I hate activision now. They can go to hell.

And if I were sony and I would say screw acitivision and release it anyways. What's activision going to do? Release even crappier ports of their games?

[hiccupleftovers]

Anecdotes =/= fact. When I got my copy of Rock Band during BF weekend, pretty much everyone was sold out of RB bundles. I luckily found the last bundle that Fry's had and bought that.

My guitar's working just fine and I prefer the look and feel of it to the GH guitars.

I never said what I experienced was fact, but I've noticed the trend throughout my city. I don't know if my city is indicative of a national trend, but usually we seem to match up. Perhaps in certain areas Rock Band is selling out, but as I said, in my area it hardly has made a dent. This also doesn't take away from the fact that I know a lot of people who are also disappointed in the guitar/game. I actually met my buddy today at BB from awhile back while I was trying to find a decent copy of the new Futurama movie without paint (long story and will be in the Futurama thread) and we started talking about just this sort of thing and the guitar (end of speed run on sentence).

[SuppaMan]

Yeah how funny is this. The patch is there, Sony's approved but Activision is holding Sony up for all they can. If they have no legal reprocussions Sony should just allow the patch through (they've already approved it).


Sorry Activision but you are all talk (in what they'd probably say they'd do if Sony releases it if they can't take any legal action against Sony), they'd never pull their releases from the PS3 (especially big one's), they'd lose to much profit.


+1 for the GH3 Wii version class action suit, Activision is such a shitty company, all they do for the most part is pubilsh sequels that are the same thing 900 times over (some which are horrible, like Spider-Man)

[hiccupleftovers]

Sorry Activision but you are all talk (in what they'd probably say they'd do if Sony releases it if they can't take any legal action against Sony), they'd never pull their releases from the PS3 (especially big one's), they'd lose to much profit.


+1 for the GH3 Wii version class action suit, Activision is such a shitty company, all they do for the most part is pubilsh sequels that are the same thing 900 times over (some which are horrible, like Spider-Man)

Don't start talking bullshit. Spider-Man 2 was great. So was both of the Xmen Legends and the Call of Duties. They put out plenty of solid and excellent games. Activision should have changed the name of Call of Duty 4 or dropped the 4 altogether and you wouldn't be able to complain, whine, and say that it was a sequel.

[SuppaMan]

Um Activision purchased Infinity Ward into a subsidiary, and only the first, second, and fourth were any good. I like the games, but they haven't changed much. Still mostly the same thing (save for the online system in COD4).


SP2 sucked. I still can't believe I bought that retail. After the gimmick of web-swinging around a big city on the last-gen consoles wore off, it started to set in as a barely average game if not worse.


Lastly I don't care if you don't like what I said, don't be a cock, I am correct in what I said (they basically get their studios to develop 900 billion sequels that aren't really any different, and that also a large portion of the games they publish suck).

[Nephlabobo]

Didn't take Activision long to start pulling EAish stunts, did it?

[Thomas96]

I wonder if there really is legal suffiiency to block Rock band compatibility patch.

[MM3_XBOX]

Red Octane sure likes taking jabs at Harmonix on their crappy guitars.

I don't think we're too interested in having their guitars work on our game, because they're having a lot of issues with their guitars. From our standpoint, to be quite honest, if you know a competitor's product has issues, there's not a whole lot of motivation to make these problematic controllers work with your game. Why would you want to cause yourself the headache?

http://kotaku.com/gaming/rock-band/red-octane-talking-trash-over-rock-band-guitars-331082.php

It's a dick thing to do, and would do nothing but boost sells of GHIII, but this issue was bound to happen with their attitude toward the competition.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165012

Gamers want cross compatibility in their guitar games. Even Red Octane says complete compatibility is inevitable (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792), if the consumer demanded it. Consumers did demand it for Rock Band (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158413) on PlayStation 3, prompting Harmonix to develop a patch that would enable support for Guitar Hero III (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3159776)'s Les Paul controllers. The patch went through the submission process, but never made it out the door; Activision objected to its release and Sony Computer Entertainment America complied.

Our requests for comment from Red Octane and Activision have gone unanswered. But, where does Sony stand in all this? So far, the company isn't taking sides. "This is a matter that needs to be resolved between Harmonix/MTV and Activision regarding Intellectual Property," said a SCEA spokesperson to 1UP. "At SCEA, we of course want this resolved and to ensure the best possible gaming experience. We encourage MTV, Harmonix and Activision to discuss this among themselves so there can be an amicable resolution in the best interest of the consumer."


Sadly, that doesn't really provide us with any answers. Harmonix and MTV are hoping the court of public opinion will force Activision and Red Octane to give the go-ahead. We're hard pressed to find a decent reason for them to be holding objection; the patch would increase sales for Guitar Hero. At the same time, blocking it means there is no way for gamers to pick up the game-only Rock Band SKU on PS3 and do anything but karaoke; individual Rock Band instruments aren't arriving until sometime in early 2008.

From a corporate perspective, maybe this makes sense. Then again, that doesn't make it right. Sony speaks out on the situation.

[DouglasViola]

I personally had bought GHIII when my Rockband guitar broke after playing for three days straight. It didn't work so I returned it and I do not plan on buying again. Too bad Activision, you HAD a sale.

[Zoglog]

I never said what I experienced was fact,

Maybe not directly, but you're sure treating it AS a definitive fact.

either way, Rockband guitar > Guitar hero's fisher price ukulele

what I find fascinating is how some of you are blaming Activision rather than red octane

[007]

I have to assume that their stance is basically that, yes, it would increase sales of GH3, but also of RB, but with how well GH is already selling, they'd rather take the hit and screw over the competition.

I mean, that's the thing that everyone is failing to mention here. Sure, it would increase GH sales... but they don't *need* increased. GH3 for Wii and 360 (also see: GH2) are already flying off the shelves on the run up to the holiday. Activision doesn't need help here, and I think that's the point.

They keep selling well until Christmas, and RB sales are less than expected because of only being able to purchase the bundle. It's a dick move, but it's smart. Keeping people from being able to play RB is a good move for the holiday season. Remember, we know about this... Joe Public doesn't. Actually, I don't think Joe Public even understands the difference between of all of these games, but that's beside the point.

Anyway... I'm willing to bet that within a month after Christmas, once sales start flagging, Activision will let the patch through. Then, RB will have already missed the holiday shopping season, and GH gets the boost from people buying extra guitars.

A dick move, for certain, but there's no denying that it's a smart one.

[Rozz]

Don't start talking bullshit. Spider-Man 2 was great. .

If you consider one of the worst games of all time great, then yeah.

[mykevermin]

A dick move, for certain, but there's no denying that it's a smart one.

Lamentably, I agree with this. Besides, EA/Harmonix are spot the hell on with their DLC, and it's (kinda/sorta) competitively priced compared to GHIII. Cheaper and more frequent - more attention and money for EA. They're making Red Octane look like chumps so far.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6184016.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6184016

The game industry's newest feud has escalated into a full-scale open argument. Earlier this week, Harmonix laid the blame (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183944.html) squarely on Activision for the lack of compatibility between Activision's Les Paul Guitar Hero III controller for the PS3 and the recently released Rock Band. Harmonix claimed Activision had "objected" to releasing a patch which would fix the compatibility issue. But Activision has hit back, claiming it's actually Harmonix and parent company MTV Games/Viacom which haven't come to the party.

In a press statement, Activision claims that Harmonix and MTV Games had recently "declined Activision’s offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band". "We have been and remain open to discussions with Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom about the use of our technology in Rock Band. Unfortunately for Rock Band users, in this case Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom are unwilling to discuss an agreement with Activision," the statement said.

"Activision’s top priority is to provide consumers with a seamless marriage of best-in-class hardware and software. We are focusing our efforts on innovating hardware and software that are designed to work together, work flawlessly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience."

The statement provided no other details on exactly what sort of agreement Activision was seeking from the makers of Rock Band.
Surprisingly, Activision's blaming Harmonix for the blocked patch.

[mykevermin]

]The statement provided no other details on exactly what sort of agreement Activision was seeking from the makers of Rock Band.

If you can't figure out what kind of "agreement" Activision is looking for, you're the thickest person in the world. Not you, Frisky, but anyone reading that paragraph who may think "I wonder what Activision wants in return?"

[RedvsBlue]

If you can't figure out what kind of "agreement" Activision is looking for, you're the thickest person in the world. Not you, Frisky, but anyone reading that paragraph who may think "I wonder what Activision wants in return?"

Hmm, call me crazy but I think they want lots and lots of these-$

[SuppaMan]

Haha is Activision that stupid to think even idiots can't see through their terrible marketing scheme in that press release? Even morons can figure out hey, there's a patch ready, but we'll block it until Harmonix/MTV Games pays us a shit load of cash.

[pete5883]

I like how Activision makes this statement to defuse the situation, but it just makes them look like bigger dicks.

[TimPV3]

I laughed when I read Activision's comments. Blaming Harmonix for not paying them is hilarious.

[H.Cornerstone]

Just because I just saw Superbad I have to say this:

"Activision just cock blocked HARMONIX!'

[mykevermin]

Activision spokeswoman Maryanne Lataif said her company was willing to work with Harmonix to make the various game controllers fully compatible with one another. "Unfortunately for Rock Band users, Harmonix has been unwilling to discuss an agreement that will allow us to provide that option in a manner that maintains the high standards people have come to expect from Activision," Lataif said.

She added that any agreement will involve someone at Harmonix writing a check. "We believe we should be compensated for the use of our technology," said Lataif.

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/12/20/standoff_hits_a_sour_chord_with_gamers/?page=1

Fuckin' A, man! Demanding compensation for someone else's work?!?!?!?! I know it's Sony Europe's dumbass slogan, but *THIS* is living!

"yeah, well, we're so fuckin' balls deep in cash and you guys sold...70K? hmm. wow. So, anyway, I know you patched the game and all but...yeah. No go until you fork over the money."

[Zoglog]

With that mentality, everyone should be paying royalties to Konami. BS

[Thomas96]

I wish they could just "leak" the patch somewhere online!

[trq]

Eh. Considering the Harmonix "Contractual obligation album" that was Guitar Hero: Rocks the '80s, I can't imagine this isn't some kind of payback for half-assing that title.

[mykevermin]

Hmm. Could very well be a receipt, trq. A valid point. But one that assumes Activision is concerned with being looked upon as a "roster update" developer (which may or may not be correct) - and one that assumes Activision is willing to forsake its goodwill and penalize consumers for what a developer presumably did.

Well, there's little "presumable" about RT80s being a piping hot disc of disappointment, but at the same time it is quite possible that Activision said "QUICKLY WITH THE NEW GAME!" and insisted upon a genuine "roster update" title to get on shelves.

Either way, I'm still steamed, free hesher version of "We Three Kings" or no free hesher version of "We Three Kings."

[Vanigan]

Activision is scared, simply put, EA outdid Activision in almost every way with Rock Band.

Of course, now that Activision is now Activision Blizzard, things'll get very interesting with these two publisher mega corporations competing with one another. Previously there was no big competitor to EA, just smaller publishers that EA was trying to swallow up (Ubisoft).

[rmb]

I wish they could just "leak" the patch somewhere online!

This is really hush hush but a little birdie told me speedy is working on this!

[KingBroly]

I'm suprised Activision doesn't sue already since the 360 version works with their controller. And without them receiving payment too.

[Inf^Shini]

I'm suprised Activision doesn't sue already since the 360 version works with their controller. And without them receiving payment too. THIS is the mind-boggling thing. They block it for the PS3 yet have no words for the 360 compatability >.>
It's actually the only thing that keeps me from buying GH3

Sooo, where do we go complain? :mrgreen:
I'll probably call from a payphone, curse at them until they hang up, then do it again, just for everyone's sake :-P

[The Mana Knight]

THIS is the mind-boggling thing. They block it for the PS3 yet have no words for the 360 compatability >.>
It's actually the only thing that keeps me from buying GH3

Sooo, where do we go complain? :mrgreen:
I'll probably call from a payphone, curse at them until they hang up, then do it again, just for everyone's sake :-PNyko is making a guitar that works with GH3 AND Rock Band, while the two companies fight.

[mykevermin]

If it works w/ PS2 GH games on the PS3, I'll buy it - even if it is a Nyko product.

[Thomas96]

periphreals working w/ the PS3 is something that Sony should have worked out a long time ago. It sucks that no 3rd party periphreals work with the PS3. no taiko drum, no beatmania, none of the gh controllers.

Activision is blocking rock band cause they don't want them to sale any copies of the 59.99 game that was released for the PS3. IF this patch is never released, then there's absolutely no market for game only versions of rock band on PS3

[FriskyTanuki]

If it works w/ PS2 GH games on the PS3, I'll buy it - even if it is a Nyko product.
You might want to reconsider after seeing the guitar (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165316) itself. Mad Catz will be making official RB guitars, but that means it probably won't work with GHIII either, so you'll have very limited options for now.

[lanzarlaluna]

You might want to reconsider after seeing the guitar (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165316) itself. Mad Catz will be making official RB guitars, but that means it probably won't work with GHIII either, so you'll have very limited options for now.I'm assuming you're not a fan of the Gibson Explorer body style.

[FriskyTanuki]

I'm assuming you're not a fan of the Gibson Explorer body style.
If it's meant to look that crappy, then maybe I am. The official one that came with GHII on the 360 looks 100 times better than the Nyko guitars.

[mykevermin]

I hate to sound whiny, but I fuckin' dig everything about the Les Paul controller so bloody much, and I don't use the effects or solo buttons on the Fender on Rock Band.

So fuck you very much, Activision, for not letting me use your controller on Rock Band. I know which game I'll be supporting more, and that I'll be damned sure to buy any future GH game used so as to deprive you of any royalties you would derive from a new one. I know I'm just one person, but I'm not giving them a fuckin' dime for a new product.

[ryanbph]

THIS is the mind-boggling thing. They block it for the PS3 yet have no words for the 360 compatability >.>


it has something to do with the fact that on the 360, it is reconized as a controller, and not something tied to a game...not sure the exact reason behind it as I have heard it talked about on 1up and allgames podcasts....shane bettenhause alleged that red octane was working on a patch that would block it on the 360 as well...granted that was about a month ago

[Inf^Shini]

I hate to sound whiny, but I fuckin' dig everything about the Les Paul controller so bloody much, and I don't use the effects or solo buttons on the Fender on Rock Band.

So fuck you very much, Activision, for not letting me use your controller on Rock Band. I know which game I'll be supporting more, and that I'll be damned sure to buy any future GH game used so as to deprive you of any royalties you would derive from a new one. I know I'm just one person, but I'm not giving them a fuckin' dime for a new product.

Same here, I won't pick up any of their stuff until they get their shit together. Do they have any idea how many sales they are depriving themselves of just because they have hard heads?

it has something to do with the fact that on the 360, it is reconized as a controller, and not something tied to a game...not sure the exact reason behind it as I have heard it talked about on 1up and allgames podcasts....shane bettenhause alleged that red octane was working on a patch that would block it on the 360 as well...granted that was about a month ago You know what, even though I have a relative who has it on the 360 and we all play together once in a while when we meet up, I believe they should release a patch to block it on the 360 just to get the point across. Once you have PS3 AND 360 owners "up-in-arms" about compatability issues, then maybe Activision will get their "Act" together because this is annoying >.>

[mykevermin]

I'm angry with Activision for doing what they do.
I'm angry with SCEA for their hands-off approach to this matter (which is just further reinforcing the idea that the 360 is the go-to platform for multiplatform titles this gen).
I'm angry with EA/RO for not pushing the matter harder.

Same here, I won't pick up any of their stuff until they get their shit together. Do they have any idea how many sales they are depriving themselves of just because they have hard heads?

6 at the most. Gamers are pretty well known for feigning outrage and following up with resigned passive acceptance (see also: Madden sales post NFL 2K5, Guitar Hero DLC, Xbox 360 hardware). So they'll bitch, but not follow through. I may buy an Activision game, but I'll be damned sure to buy it used. I'm a savvy dude, and the boxes have the publisher on the box pretty bloody big, so I won't be making any errors.

[seanr1221]

I can't imagine how annoying this must be for you PS3 RB guys. The whole situation is truly mind boggling.

[mykevermin]

It's mildly annoying, because I can still use the Fender - but I'd *prefer* to use the Les Paul. On the plus side, I could sell the Fender for a mint on eBay because of all the poor bastards who have software-only copies of the game. Poor kids.

[ryanbph]

From shane bettenhause, it wasn't so much activision as red octane and there disgust with harmonix...while most of the dirty laundry from the breakup hasn't come out...harmonix has mentioned something along the lines that red octane just made the guitar...I remeber red octane being really pissed about that (around e3) as they claim to not only help out with the game as well as making the guitar....kinda funny that harmonix guitars quality sucks after there comments this summer

[The Mana Knight]

I'm angry with Activision for doing what they do.
I'm angry with SCEA for their hands-off approach to this matter (which is just further reinforcing the idea that the 360 is the go-to platform for multiplatform titles this gen).
I'm angry with EA/RO for not pushing the matter harder.The truth of the matter is, I do put most of the blame on EA/Harmonix for no PS3 4 player Rock Band. If the game is made for 4 players, it should come with two guitars (and Rock Band bundles aren't even scarce, so I know there's enough out there). Although it's true Activision is being rude over this matter, they shouldn't be liable for no 4 players in Rock Band, because it isn't even their game or their problem (only EA/Harmonix's problem).

As for SCEA, what can they do? EA and Activision are two publishers you do not want to piss off. Their games are important to any PS3 success (PS3 needs Madden, CoD series, etc.).

[mykevermin]

The truth of the matter is, I do put most of the blame on EA/Harmonix for no PS3 4 player Rock Band. If the game is made for 4 players, it should come with two guitars (and Rock Band bundles aren't even scarce, so I know there's enough out there). Although it's true Activision is being rude over this matter, they shouldn't be liable for no 4 players in Rock Band, because it isn't even their game or their problem (only EA/Harmonix's problem).

Your understanding of events is confused. Harmonix made the patch, making "4 player Rock Band" a reality. Would have happened, too...except Activision stepped in the way and said "no way, Jose."

As for SCEA, what can they do? EA and Activision are two publishers you do not want to piss off. Their games are important to any PS3 success (PS3 needs Madden, CoD series, etc.).

Call their bluff, because they rely on the sales of those games to make a profit - and there's not a chance in hell they would drop support for the PS3.

[The Mana Knight]

Your understanding of events is confused. Harmonix made the patch, making "4 player Rock Band" a reality. Would have happened, too...except Activision stepped in the way and said "no way, Jose."What I'm trying to say is that Harmonix tried to use a GH controller to solve their solution to allow for 4 player Rock Band. IF Rock Band was suppose to be made for 4 people, then it should have come will all controllers to allow for four player Rock Band. I know this would have made Rock Band more expensive, but that's the way I see it. Although, allowing a competitors guitar to work sounds like an excellent idea, but 4 player Rock Band on PS3 should be solved before using other accessories. This is kind of like me wanting to play a 4 player PS3 game with several people (and let's say I have 3 controller), and me expecting someone else to bring me a controller (when it would be nice for them to do it, but since I didn't have 3 controllers of my own, it's my fault there's no 4 player multi-player, not the people who didn't bring a controller).

Call their bluff, because they rely on the sales of those games to make a profit - and there's not a chance in hell they would drop support for the PS3.GH3 sold the least on PS3, and if Sony did upset them, I could see Activision pulling the plug on the 4th, when Sony really needs the series on their platform.

Anyway, I'm 100% behind Sony's open policy on accessories using the USB ports. It has nothing to do with the Rock Band situation, but one other accessories. An example being I'm a big DDR fan. The pads made by Konami, Mad Catz, and other 3rd parties are terrible. On the 360 right now, due to the closed policy MS has, my only choices are Konami and Mad Catz, so I can't exactly have a good DDR experience due to no metal pad or no good ignition pad (Mad Catz tried to make one, but the quality is pretty bad and it's priced way too high). Since they PS3 has an open policy, there has been small companies making good quality Ignition dance pads that can work on PS3, so I can use them on PS2 DDR games. This is one (http://www.ddrgame.com/ps3pad.html) example. And like the PS2 situation, almost anyone can make a dance pad, giving us DDR fans many choices and not having to stick with two of the worst dance pad makers.
I can't imagine how annoying this must be for you PS3 RB guys. The whole situation is truly mind boggling.I'm going to buy the game on PS3, but I only plan to play it online when I play others (most I may ever have in one room is 2).

[MrBrando]

I know because of this I have bought no DLC for GH3, it also helps that there's barely any and what they do have is pretty lame. I have been buying alot of RB DLC though. I have to say, I don't even play GH3 that much cause it was a fun party game for me and my roomates but I have no way of getting a guitar besides buying the game again. the only reason I'm keeping it is because I'm hoping theyll release the patch soon so I don't have to buy yet another guitar. I don't need 6 fake guitars in my apartment, the ladies don't find them as cool as real ones.

[FriskyTanuki]

This may be an old thread and all, but I think it's worth it just for this bit of news:

A PS3 patch will be coming out this Thursday, September 11th, which will allow RB1 song export, in addition to updating DLC to our RB2 standards (so you can continue to rock the newer content in RB1 if you so choose!) This title update will also patch for the use of the Guitar Hero III Les Paul PS3 Controller with RB1 on the PS3. We're excited to release this, as controller compatibility is something we've been working towards for a long time.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77842

Looks like Sony's finally stepped up with their pledge for better instrument compatibility on the PS3.

[The Mana Knight]

Yeah, I saw the news and I'm very glad. :D

[Purkeynator]

I am curious. Does the Guitar Hero 3 controller work with Guitar Hero 1 and 2 when played on a backwards compatible PS3? If so this would allow two controllers to work with all Guitar games with a minimum of expense.

[The Mana Knight]

I am curious. Does the Guitar Hero 3 controller work with Guitar Hero 1 and 2 when played on a backwards compatible PS3? If so this would allow two controllers to work with all Guitar games with a minimum of expense.Nope. It shuts off when you play a PS2 game.

[freakyzeeky]

Thank you Sony, thank you EA/Harmonix.... Thank you! :')

[FriskyTanuki]

Don't thank Activision since they caused this nine month delay for the release of the patch.

I think the only way to get the new guitars to work with GH1, GH2, and GH80's would be driver updates for the PS3's firmware so that the dongle would be recognized by the games as controllers.

[FrankTheFrowner]

So does this mean that the GH: Aerosmith guitar would work also?

[xeex]

So does this mean that the GH: Aerosmith guitar would work also?

Yes. The GH Aerosmith guitar is just a Les Paul with a different face plate.

One thing that hasn't been reported as much is that GH Aerosmith now works with the Rock Band Stratocaster after a recent patch. (GH3 still does not.)

[FriskyTanuki]

Yes. The GH Aerosmith guitar is just a Les Paul with a different face plate.

One thing that hasn't been reported as much is that GH Aerosmith now works with the Rock Band Stratocaster after a recent patch. (GH3 still does not.)
Link? I only recall it being 360-only.

[xeex]

Link? I only recall it being 360-only.

Sorry, don't have a link. I'm just reporting my own experience after renting the game this weekend. A patch (version 1.10) was released on Friday or Saturday that suddenly let me use the Strat in the game.

Maybe someone else could verify that.

[KingBroly]

So will this patch fix those downloadable songs that they messed up last week?

[FriskyTanuki]

PAX PACK
This leads us to the PAX pack which was released yesterday on the PlayStation Store. Due to technical issues with the submission of "Livin on the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe" by MC Frontalot, users who downloaded that track or the entire pack found that they were not able to play this content in the game. Furthermore, downloading the pack meant that all 3 songs in the pack failed to load.

We're aware of this issue and are taking multiple steps to fix it. We are resubmitting the tracks to Sony today and hope to have fixed content up on the PlayStation store as soon as possible. Users will then be able to replace the broken tracks by re-downloading this content for no additional charge. If you don’t feel like re-downloading this content and can wait a week, the title update that is launching on 9/11 will fix it automatically. We appreciate your patience.
.

[mykevermin]

Well, that's good news.

About fucking time. Glad Sony's balls finally dropped.

[bigl523]

Too little too late for Activision. I would have bought GH3 with the les paul LAST YEAR. Instead I just got another RB strat. It didn't help that I did buy GH3 last year only to have the guitar crap out on me within an hour of playing. It immediately went back to the store and left a very bad taste in my mouth. Anywho, looking forward to RB2 :D

[FriskyTanuki]

Sorry, don't have a link. I'm just reporting my own experience after renting the game this weekend. A patch (version 1.10) was released on Friday or Saturday that suddenly let me use the Strat in the game.

Maybe someone else could verify that.
If that's true, then that's good news. I'm still waiting on GH3 to get RB support so I can just stick with game-only versions of GH games and not have any more guitars in here.

[mykevermin]

No kidding. At this point, not having to buy more giant plastic instruments is as important as a solid songlist.

[FriskyTanuki]

I think I only require one more guitar purchase to complete my set, which will probably be the RB2 guitar for the sweet design and the auto-calibration camera in it that should make that whole process easy as hell.

[pete5883]

Well, that's good news.

About fucking time. Glad Sony's balls finally dropped.
I doubt Sony did anything ballsy. MTV and Activision obviously came to an "agreement" $$$$ recently, since RB2 and GH4 instruments are so compatible.

[FriskyTanuki]

I doubt Sony did anything ballsy. MTV and Activision obviously came to an "agreement" $$$$ recently, since RB2 and GH4 instruments are so compatible.
I kind of doubt that Harmonix decided to finally cave after nine months of having the patch blocked, especially after Sony said that they'd be working on getting compatibility going between Rock Band and GH3/Aerosmith:

We’re still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/08/18/ps3-music-peripheral-compatibility-update/

[Trakan]

You guys had to play with the Strat for the past like year?

Man, I kinda feel bad.

[The Mana Knight]

You guys had to play with the Strat for the past like year?

Man, I kinda feel bad.Shockingly, I got use to the Strat and I'm probably better with it (compared to the GH3 controllers). The only problem I have with the Strat is build quality.

[The Mana Knight]

Patch 1.05 is now out. I just downloaded it.

[mykevermin]

Works like a dream, too.

[aznguyen316]

nuts if only I had faith this would finally be released. I would've picked up a PS3 Les Paul for cheap from amazon several times. =( ah well I already got a Nyko Guitar I like.

[reiji]

When you try to export songs, it gives a message saying you need to purchase the export key from the PS Store. Is it me, or is that export key not available yet?

I preordered RB2, so I thought I'd just export everything and get ready for it.

[FriskyTanuki]

They're saying that the PSN end of the export process won't be ready until tomorrow on the RB forums.

[thespamofpower]

the GH3 guitar works perfectly now, which is great, but I think it's gonna be strictly used for bass duty for me. I just can't shift around on the gh3 guitar as well.

[snakelda]

At what time?

[QiG]

GH3 guitar works with RB1? I know what I'll be doing after work now :D

[Thomas96]

damnnnnn now I have 3 guitars! wait, does this patch now mean that rock band guitars can be used with GH3?

[FriskyTanuki]

No. Activision would have to release a patch for GH3 to do that.

[mick16]

I tried it out. The GH3 controller works perfectly with Rock Band.

Doesn't work the other way around though - can't use the Rock Band Guitar with GH3. If Sony is truly mandating that there needs to be a common controller functionality between these games, then hopefully some sort of patch will be coming out for GH3 to allow us to use the Rock Band guitar on that game too.

Anybody heard anything with respect to using Rock Band Guitars on either GH3 or GH Aerosmith?

[FriskyTanuki]

The RB guitars are supposed to work with GH Aerosmith, as of the latest patch for that game, though the demo doesn't offer that same support. I'm not sure Activision's so willing to go back and patch GH3 on their own, so I'm not sure if there's something Sony could do itself with the drivers for both games' dongles that would allow to happen natively on the PS3. Or maybe that last sentence is really gibberish, I'm not sure.

[QiG]

Played a few RB songs with my GH3 guitar... made me realize I'm so much more of a drum guy than a guitar guy. But that's cool, my fiance can jam on guitar while I bang the drums on RB

[Jest]

I think I heard this was true prior to E3... Rockband 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour instruments are compatible right? What about Rockband 1 instruments to Rockband 2 and GH:WT?

[FriskyTanuki]

Yes on both parts.

[Purkeynator]

So the GH3 guitars now work on Rockband. Does the PS3 Aerosmith Guitar work on Rockband too? I would imagine it does but does anyone know for sure?

[bornrunnin31]

So the GH3 guitars now work on Rockband. Does the PS3 Aerosmith Guitar work on Rockband too? I would imagine it does but does anyone know for sure?

Yes, its the exact same guitar as the one that came with GH3, only with a different faceplate.

[m_d_amore]

even the React one for Gh3 i picked up today from GS worked with rockband .
theres no solo buton on this or the les paul so i guess noSolos in RB

[minqqq]

Any word if the world tour peripherals will be compatible with RB?

[The Mana Knight]

Any word if the world tour peripherals will be compatible with RB?They are. I believe the drum changes to just 4 in GH3: WT.

[MorPhiend]

Is there any word on whether the RB Strat will ever be compatible with GH III?