Harmonix: Activision Blocked Rock Band PS3 Guitar Compatibility Patch #1

[warcrow]

12/20/07

Nice!!

Well, that solves the riddle. Activision has simply come out and said what's holding up the PS3 guitar patch that will allow Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars to work with each other. The Boston Globe quotes Activision spokeswoman: "We believe we should be compensated for the use of our technology." Well, that's blunt.

We still don't understand what Activision has to lose by making the guitars compatible with each other. With so many Rock Band players desperate for another guitar controller, we're pretty sure they'll give Activision the sweet cash they're looking for by buying the game. Isn't that free money for them?

Source:http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/...-for-ps3-guitar-patch/

_______________________________________________
12/12/07

"Two weeks ago, Harmonix created a software patch for the Sony PLAYSTATION 3 version of Rock Band that allowed for guitar compatibility and support for third party peripherals, including enabling use of Activision's Guitar Hero III controller with Rock Band," the company told Shacknews.

"Unfortunately, Activision objected to the release of the compatibility patch," the statement continues. "The patch remains with Sony, but we have been told that it will unfortunately not be released due to Activision's continued objection."

Source:http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50354


WTF Activision?! As an owner of the PS3 version of Rock Band, I'd like to give Activision a big FUCK OFF, for blocking this. What a shit thing to do.

The 360 owners get it--why not us? You're just alienating us which is really a screwing thing to do. I really thought the patch was coming. :|

 

[oznerol]

Out of curiosity, why'd you get the PS3 version?

 

[Ns1]

wow, that's pretty bastard of activision

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: ducci
Out of curiosity, why'd you get the PS3 version?

There are a couple reasons, but most noteabily, I wanted to dodge the (AC powered) USB hub on the 360.

I dont regret it one bit, it's beautful and everything works wonderfully--but this patch crap sucks indeed.

 

[Injury]

I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Harmonix sent the patch to sony for distribution and Activision sent lawyers to Sony to stop it.


I think Activision is kind of screwing themselves. They could make themselves look really good by helping. Instead they want to be douches. I don't even have the ps3 version but it made me mad enough that i'm not buying another GH.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

yea heh, that's what I was thinking too.

 

[lupi]

WTF is up with just applying to the PS3 version.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

No, because Rock Band is seen as a competitor to Guitar Hero. People see the one that costs less and they're more likely to go for it.

 

[galperi1]

Actually Activision just lost a sale. I actually prefer the LP from GH3 to the strat and was going to buy a second GH3 guitar when they were available to use for RB. Guess I don't need to waste the money anymore.

Also... a couple guys posted on the RB forum that in a EGM/1UP podcast there was mention of a patch coming down that will take away compatibility on the 360 side for the old GH controllers. in Rock Band........ this would be an even better move by Activision to piss off customers

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: lupi
WTF is up with just applying to the PS3 version.

IIRC...

Rh Guitar = open standard
Gh guitar = proprietary

MS = requires open standard
Ps3 = does not

thus

xbox = open standard Rb/GH guitar
ps3 = proprietary GH guitar, open standard Rb guitar

 

[Aikouka]

I think they're doing it because RB originally supported the GH controllers and then Red Octane came out and said, "LOLZ RB guitars are teh sux, we refuse to let them work with GH3!" Amusingly enough, my brother's rock band guitar works flawlessly... my GH3 guitar has a piece of cardboard in it or else half the frets won't register. Go go Red Octane!

 

[Schadenfroh]

Activision lost any shred of respect that they once held when they dissolved Troika and did their best to screw up Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines, fortunately, despite all that Activision did, it still turned out to be a kickass game.

Think this is an order from their future Vivendi overlords? (Activision / Blizzard merger leaves Vivendi (owners of blizzard) in control of the unified company)

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

No, because Rock Band is seen as a competitor to Guitar Hero. People see the one that costs less and they're more likely to go for it.

I disagree strongly with your conclusion.

Due to the fact that there are no individual Rock Band guitars available until 2008, right now MANY Rock Band owners on both the PS3 and 360 are inclined to pick up GH3 for the extra guitar.

The PS3 version of GH3 is oversupplied at many stores while the 360 version is almost nowhere to be found. While the user base totals may have something to do with it, the PS3's neutered compatibility is certainly not helping. How many PS3 Rock Band owners (who apparently have the money to throw down $170 on one game) are out there are annoyed that they cannot play 4-player because there is no option for getting a bass guitar other than spending another $170? Hell, Activision pulling this crap is probably causing some people with more money than brains to buy a 2nd ROCK BAND just for the guitar! Geniuses at work over at Activision.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

No, because Rock Band is seen as a competitor to Guitar Hero. People see the one that costs less and they're more likely to go for it.

I disagree strongly with your conclusion.

Due to the fact that there are no individual Rock Band guitars available until 2008, right now MANY Rock Band owners on both the PS3 and 360 are inclined to pick up GH3 for the extra guitar.

The PS3 version of GH3 is oversupplied at many stores while the 360 version is almost nowhere to be found. While the user base totals may have something to do with it, the PS3's neutered compatibility is certainly not helping. How many PS3 Rock Band owners (who apparently have the money to throw down $170 on one game) are out there are annoyed that they cannot play 4-player because there is no option for getting a bass guitar other than spending another $170? Hell, Activision pulling this crap is probably causing some people with more money than brains to buy a 2nd ROCK BAND just for the guitar! Geniuses at work over at Activision.

Your logic is flawed.

You are saying everyone is buying Rock Band, and because of this, they will buy Guitar Hero.

There is no 1-1 correlation of PS3 owners and Rock Band owners, in fact I would assume it's not even close.

In the holiday season, many people only buy 1 item - and the $99 price tag of GH3 looks more appealing than the $170 entry cost of Rock Band.

Really, having the GH guitars work with RB would be more of a gift from Activision - but why would they encourage sales of a competitor's product - especially one which is arguably superior?

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

No, because Rock Band is seen as a competitor to Guitar Hero. People see the one that costs less and they're more likely to go for it.

People would just buy GH3 to play the guitar with Rock Band because they like the guitar better. It would be more sales for GH3. Also Rock Band costs more so do you even know what you are talking about.



Anyways, I'm not boycotting Activision....COD4 is too good but I'm now not buying another GH product or DLC until they change their mind.

 

[BD2003]

Well, if it makes anyone feel better, now theyre getting sued over the mono sound in the Wii version.

 

[oznerol]

I'm also actually a big fan of the Rock Band guitar. It looks incredible, and it feels very nice. It took some getting used to - especially after being an expert with the X-plorer guitar - but I'm now just as good with the Rock Band Strat as I was with the X-plorer. Now when I use any GH guitar, it just feels like a children's toy.

And this whole guitar controversy aside - I can honestly say that after buying Rock Band, I have no intention of ever purchasing another Guitar Hero game. I don't see why people rag on the RB single player - it's as much fun as GH ever was and I can actually beat it on expert (except for Green Grass and High Tides).

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: ducci
I'm also actually a big fan of the Rock Band guitar. It looks incredible, and it feels very nice. It took some getting used to - especially after being an expert with the X-plorer guitar - but I'm now just as good with the Rock Band Strat as I was with the X-plorer. Now when I use any GH guitar, it just feels like a children's toy.

Seriously. Its night and day. The RB guitar is so much closer to a real guitar. Its bigger, it weighs more, the strum bar is silent and feels far more like a string than a button, and more than anything else, the fret buttons are flush, which is a huger deal than it really sounds like if you've ever touched a real guitar. I'd never, ever, ever, ever use a GH guitar if I could help it.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Injury
I can tell you EXACTLY why they did it.

Go to any game store. See how they have plenty of copies of the GH3 Bundle for PS3 but none for the other systems? They need to move them.

Having their guitar work with Rockband would help them move them.....

No, because Rock Band is seen as a competitor to Guitar Hero. People see the one that costs less and they're more likely to go for it.

I disagree strongly with your conclusion.

Due to the fact that there are no individual Rock Band guitars available until 2008, right now MANY Rock Band owners on both the PS3 and 360 are inclined to pick up GH3 for the extra guitar.

The PS3 version of GH3 is oversupplied at many stores while the 360 version is almost nowhere to be found. While the user base totals may have something to do with it, the PS3's neutered compatibility is certainly not helping. How many PS3 Rock Band owners (who apparently have the money to throw down $170 on one game) are out there are annoyed that they cannot play 4-player because there is no option for getting a bass guitar other than spending another $170? Hell, Activision pulling this crap is probably causing some people with more money than brains to buy a 2nd ROCK BAND just for the guitar! Geniuses at work over at Activision.

Pretty much my sentiments right here. I know of two people who own Rock Band for the 360 and went out and purchased a GHIII guitar so they could have a bass player in their band.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: ducci
In the holiday season, many people only buy 1 item - and the $99 price tag of GH3 looks more appealing than the $170 entry cost of Rock Band.

How do you know "many" people only buy one item during the holidays? Where did you get that, because that doesnt make sense to me? Also, I see where you're going with the price comparison, but I honestly dont think people are not going to be buying Rock Band over GH because of price--but it's going to be because of availability.

Rock Band is going to be very difficult to find this holiday season, so I dont see price being a factor at all--it's availability that's the issue.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: ducci
In the holiday season, many people only buy 1 item - and the $99 price tag of GH3 looks more appealing than the $170 entry cost of Rock Band.

How do you know "many" people only buy one item during the holidays? Where did you get that, because that doesnt make sense to me? Also, I see where you're going with the price comparison, but I honestly dont think people are not going to be buying Rock Band over GH because of price--but it's going to be because of availability.

Rock Band is going to be very difficult to find this holiday season, so I dont see price being a factor at all--it's availability that's the issue.

GH3 has outsold Rock Band.

GH2 is one of (if not the) best-selling games of the year.

I do not have hard evidence to prove people buy 1 item - though I do not mean that in a literal sense - I more so meant one "rhythm game" item - similar to people only buying one console. I do not know of many parents who buy their kids both a Wii and a 360 for Christmas. Then again, I don't know many wealthy parents.

GH3 will unquestionably outsell Rock Band - price is a big selling point, but history also plays into the mix. Rock Band is a new, expensive, unfamiliar IP. Guitar Hero has sold millions, and is cheaper.

So like I said, having the GH guitars work with RB would be nice, but it is not a necessity from Activision's perspective. Supporting the growth of a competitor is typically not good business practice. Then again, neither is pissing off a fraction of your own install-base in the process. But again, it's just that - a fraction. I would guess 80% of Guitar Hero owners do not own Rock Band - possibly even more on the PS3.

But again, that's all speculation on my part.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: ducci
In the holiday season, many people only buy 1 item - and the $99 price tag of GH3 looks more appealing than the $170 entry cost of Rock Band.

How do you know "many" people only buy one item during the holidays? Where did you get that, because that doesnt make sense to me? Also, I see where you're going with the price comparison, but I honestly dont think people are not going to be buying Rock Band over GH because of price--but it's going to be because of availability.

Rock Band is going to be very difficult to find this holiday season, so I dont see price being a factor at all--it's availability that's the issue.

GH3 has outsold Rock Band.

GH2 is one of (if not the) best-selling games of the year.

I do not have hard evidence to prove people buy 1 item - though I do not mean that in a literal sense - I more so meant one "rhythm game" item - similar to people only buying one console. I do not know of many parents who buy their kids both a Wii and a 360 for Christmas. Then again, I don't know many wealthy parents.

GH3 will unquestionably outsell Rock Band - price is a big selling point, but history also plays into the mix. Rock Band is a new, expensive, unfamiliar IP. Guitar Hero has sold millions, and is cheaper.

So like I said, having the GH guitars work with RB would be nice, but it is not a necessity from Activision's perspective. Supporting the growth of a competitor is typically not good business practice. Then again, neither is pissing off a fraction of your own install-base in the process. But again, it's just that - a fraction. I would guess 80% of Guitar Hero owners do not own Rock Band - possibly even more on the PS3.

But again, that's all speculation on my part.

I have to say, if Rockband was available in mass quantities like any other game, price would come into play. If you could walk into any CC/BB and there were pallet loads of RB and GH3's, then the $99 price tag would look instantly better to most parents and gamers than $170. Unless someone is looking to buy RB in particular, I agree with ducci that price does make a difference. Why do you think the Wii is selling so well compared to the 360/PS3? It's inferior hardware wise, game wise, features wise, graphics wise, etc. But it's blowing away both MS and Sony's system with ease, and would be doing so at an even higher rate if it weren't in such limited supply.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: ducci
In the holiday season, many people only buy 1 item - and the $99 price tag of GH3 looks more appealing than the $170 entry cost of Rock Band.

How do you know "many" people only buy one item during the holidays? Where did you get that, because that doesnt make sense to me? Also, I see where you're going with the price comparison, but I honestly dont think people are not going to be buying Rock Band over GH because of price--but it's going to be because of availability.

Rock Band is going to be very difficult to find this holiday season, so I dont see price being a factor at all--it's availability that's the issue.

GH3 has outsold Rock Band.

GH2 is one of (if not the) best-selling games of the year.

I do not have hard evidence to prove people buy 1 item - though I do not mean that in a literal sense - I more so meant one "rhythm game" item - similar to people only buying one console. I do not know of many parents who buy their kids both a Wii and a 360 for Christmas. Then again, I don't know many wealthy parents.

GH3 will unquestionably outsell Rock Band - price is a big selling point, but history also plays into the mix. Rock Band is a new, expensive, unfamiliar IP. Guitar Hero has sold millions, and is cheaper.

So like I said, having the GH guitars work with RB would be nice, but it is not a necessity from Activision's perspective. Supporting the growth of a competitor is typically not good business practice. Then again, neither is pissing off a fraction of your own install-base in the process. But again, it's just that - a fraction. I would guess 80% of Guitar Hero owners do not own Rock Band - possibly even more on the PS3.

But again, that's all speculation on my part.

I have to say, if Rockband was available in mass quantities like any other game, price would come into play. If you could walk into any CC/BB and there were pallet loads of RB and GH3's, then the $99 price tag would look instantly better to most parents and gamers than $170. Unless someone is looking to buy RB in particular, I agree with ducci that price does make a difference. Why do you think the Wii is selling so well compared to the 360/PS3? It's inferior hardware wise, game wise, features wise, graphics wise, etc. But it's blowing away both MS and Sony's system with ease, and would be doing so at an even higher rate if it weren't in such limited supply.

Wii Sports! All the alpha moms/soccer moms love it!

The Wii is not selling phenominally well just because of the price. It's certainly one of the major reasons, sure, but not the only reason for it's success.

But, I think ducci is right about consumers purchasing one rythm game. I think the people who're interested in one are going to gravitate towards RB more and more, not GH. It might take 6-12 months for the word to get out and fror production to ramp up, but I think it's going to happen. Come Q1 2008, you will be able to buy RB a la cart, and that's going to spawn even more business for Harmonix/EA/MTV.

Plus, as a side note, I think the RB playlist is the best of the bunch.