Activison behind patch delay?

[Fortheloveofgod]

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

[Dissent]

Jesus this is goddamned ridiculous! This will be the second time I've gotten my hopes up for having four friends rockin' this killer game in my living room and been sorely disappointed. If this rumor is true I want a way to strike back at Activision. At some point the screwing of the consumer for extra profit has got to become viewed as heinous enough that it isn't worth it. I despise spending this kind of money on these games only to be treated like a sucker playing three card monte.

[borsdy]

http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/bloggraphics/kutcherside.jpg

[davidshek]

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

Everyone who reads that page needs go no further than the very first word of the title.

RUMOR

Take it for what it is. Not fact.

[impirius]

Hey Harmonix guys... if this is true, I'll chip in ten bucks toward your Legal Defense Fund if you go ahead and release the patch tonight! ;)

[psDragon]

If they actually block the patch, I'm going to sell my PS and GH3. It's Sony's fault for not having rigid standards.

[Dissent]

I will definitely second that Imperius! The thing I don't get is this... the patch, in my mind, can only help Activision couldn't it? I would think it would encourage people who might not have bought GH3 to go out and purchase one if only for the guitar. Am I missing something?

[phulcrum1984]

Sounds like one of those magic bullet theroys to me.

But I really don't care since I play on a 360.

[Dissent]

So you don't believe that the delay is due to Activision trying to block it? Why not? I hope you are right, but with the total lack of information and communication on this from either company it seems pretty likely to me.

[DreamCycle]

I'm a big fan of conspiracy theories, and this one, even if it's true, isn't very intriguing. It's much more fun to imagine the freemasons blocking it to promote the game selling on Microsofts console, as the masons have much more invested in that corporation than in Sony. Of course, my boss is a mason.. so I'd better watch what I post

[hmxsean]

Hey Harmonix guys... if this is true, I'll chip in ten bucks toward your Legal Defense Fund if you go ahead and release the patch tonight! ;)

Only Sony can release the patch... which has been ready and fully-tested for over a week now.

[Ridiculust]

Sean,
Thanks for the line of info. I admit that I have been really REALLY REALLY pissed off with you guys about the situation. However, I have followed you guys since the beginning, and you have redeemed yourself in my eyes. This is if the patch actually allows the les paul to work. Thanks for doing the right thing. Looks like it's out of your hands.

Thanks

[impirius]

Only Sony can release the patch... which has been ready and fully-tested for over a week now.Yeah, sorry, I was being facetious... :)

I really appreciate the quick turnaround on the patch and hate that it's getting caught up in whatever's going on.

[Dissent]

While sean is likely not allowed to give us information that his company hasn't pre-approved , I notice that he did not deny Activision being the culprit behind the hold-up on the patch. This leads me to believe this rumor even further. I have written Activision and asked them if they are blocking the patch and hopefully I will hear back from them shortly.

[davidshek]

While sean is likely not allowed to give us information that his company hasn't pre-approved , I notice that he did not deny Activision being the culprit behind the hold-up on the patch.

Haven't you ever heard the ever-tactful quote, "I can neither confirm nor deny..."?

His not denying it does not = confirming it.


I have written Activision and asked them if they are blocking the patch and hopefully I will hear back from them shortly.

Yeah good luck with that...:rolleyes:

[TheTogfather]

Hmm. Past experience has indicated to me that when HMX is willing to post in a rumor-laden thread, that rumor almost always turns out valid. Man, Activision...I just don't know anymore. This is an INSANE level of paranoia and evilness. Ya know...if true.

[Dissent]

His not denying it does not = confirming it.

Well thank you captain obvious, however it does indicate a higher probability of it being true just as the guy above me said. Evidence does not equal guilt but it is still evidence and worthy of mentioning.

As far as your wish of "Good luck" to me, thanks. I don't quite understand what makes you so skeptical as to a company replying to a customer question, especially when they have an entire website dedicated to customer communication but I will let you know what I get back.

[SoulScreme]

Word to the wise, Destructoid is not a reliable source. They are attention whores who just stopped getting traffic from sensationalizing the story about Jeff Gerstmann. I'm not saying this isn't true. I'm just saying that until a more reliable source than Destructoid picks this up, I'm not even remotely convinced.

[AVC808]

Haven't you ever heard the ever-tactful quote, "I can neither confirm nor deny..."?

His not denying it does not = confirming it.


I agree, but also in my personal experience working with the media, any time a "trusted source" is mentioned, it's usually someone that's in the know - closely tied to one of the parties involved. they usually dont grab any old rumor floating around and say "here's a rumor we heard..." Rumors dont get reported unless there's credible backing to it, or it's already discussed widespread on other channels.

Of course a good example of how sources can be wrong is the whole Les Miles is leaving LSU for Michigan fiasco...

[AVC808]

Either way, I'm glad this "rumor" has legs, because if there is any truth behind it, it pressures Activision to steer clear of filing any roadblocks because from earlier comments it appeared the companies wanted to play nice and work together.

[SoulScreme]

One more thing, does this seem like a game of pass the buck to anybody? Harmonix blames Sony, Sony blames Activision, Activision blames Jesus, Jesus blames Satan, Satan blames Harmonix.

[Dissent]

Lol! Also SoulScream, thanks for the heads up about Destructoid... good info to know.

[AVC808]

One more thing, does this seem like a game of pass the buck to anybody? Harmonix blames Sony, Sony blames Activision, Activision blames Jesus, Jesus blames Satan, Satan blames Harmonix.

Also this just adds to the conspiracy theory, but note how this thread has not been locked...

[hmxsean]

Also this just adds to the conspiracy theory, but note how this thread has not been locked...


No. No it hasn't.

[SoulScreme]

Also this just adds to the conspiracy theory, but note how this thread has not been locked...

Yeah, ironic. Well, you can't discuss the patch because that might lead to disinformation. Discussing unconfirmed rumors? That's just fine.

[TreoRock_]

Anybody has any ideas on what we can do to help HMX release this patch for us PS3 gamers?

[SoulScreme]

Nothing, except for beg them to get their legal department to clear things AHEAD of time.

[Quastor]

I'm not a PS3 owner, but by God does this suck.

When the problem first arose, I had said that I didn't think RedOctane or Activision would allow the patch to occur. I really wanted to be wrong, but I just could really see Activision caring that much about a consumer base for their competition. When Sean posted that there was a patching being released, it was great, exactly what I expected from my experiences with HMX - loyal to their fans and really want to make a great game.

If this ultimate is confirmed to be true (after being on the boards long enough to learn how HMX reacts when we find "leaked" information, I'm about 90% sure it is), I certainly hope consumers go ballistic on Activision. They really don't seem to care about anything but the money.

[Apples]

This boggles me for one reason....

Cross-compatibility would actually ENCOURAGE people to buy peripherals from Activision/Red Ocatane.

They are essentially sabotaging their own bottom line out of spite.

[SoulScreme]

I'm not a PS3 owner, but by God does this suck.

When the problem first arose, I had said that I didn't think RedOctane or Activision would allow the patch to occur. I really wanted to be wrong, but I just could really see Activision caring that much about a consumer base for their competition. When Sean posted that there was a patching being released, it was great, exactly what I expected from my experiences with HMX - loyal to their fans and really want to make a great game.

If this ultimate is confirmed to be true (after being on the boards long enough to learn how HMX reacts when we find "leaked" information, I'm about 90% sure it is), I certainly hope consumers go ballistic on Activision. They really don't seem to care about anything but the money.

Umm, trust me, no game company cares about anything but money, including Harmonix. Don't kid yourself. They are doing guitar compatibility because they don't plan on making money off of the guitars. While good for us, DLC is their cash cow. So, yeah, never get confused, they are in it for the money like everybody else.

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[MF-PO'd]

Oh my God.

If this is true, F you, Activision. Now, let me state that's a conditional F you that I fully take back if this rumour is not true.

I'm relieved that there is not a problem with the actual patch itself. Good on you, Harmonix. You guys addressed the problem from your end. Activision though... you *****s. Get your damn lawyers the hell out of here. The SAME guitar of yours works on the 360. You might as well be suing every PS3 owner because that's how you're treating us.

Someone better debunk this really quick from Activision's side because this pisses me of sooooo much.

If true, I guess so much for this:
"Hello,

Thank you for writing us.

We are aware of the issue at hand and are looking into it. It was not something purposely designed for, but a situation that has arisen since the release of RockBand. Please have patience.

Regards,

RedOctane Customer Support

www.RedOctane.com"

Unless Red Octane and Activision are not on the page.

[MF-PO'd]

Also this just adds to the conspiracy theory, but note how this thread has not been locked...

They lock because of misinformation. So I guess this isn't misinformation...

:mad:

[Ventura]

Wow.

And Activision are the ones teaming up with Blizzard??? Yeah, that's two companies that have a lot in common.... right.

Just thinking ahead, because if it's true, I'll never buy another Activision product again, which'll mean not buying another Blizzard product again either.

You just can't support this nonsense.

[DreamCycle]

You might as well be suing every PS3 owner because that's how you're treating us.


That is exactly how I see it. At the same time, its kind of sad that Sony did not protect us as Microsoft has protected their customers. Seems like the only party not even partially to blame that is involved is Harmonix.

[Quastor]

Umm, trust me, no game company cares about anything but money, including Harmonix. Don't kid yourself. They are doing guitar compatibility because they don't plan on making money off of the guitars. While good for us, DLC is their cash cow. So, yeah, never get confused, they are in it for the money like everybody else.

Oh, I will "kid" myself. Sure, any company has to make money in order to pay employees and keep the company running. Harmonix is a company full of musicians whose passion is music, and want to spread the enjoyment of making music through emulation in video games. I've seen more than one instance where Harmonix took a financial hit in order to give more to their fans.

I realize though, that Harmonix is your arch-nemesis and the only thing keeping you alive is your anger and rage towards them.

[SoulScreme]

Oh, I will "kid" myself. Sure, any company has to make money in order to pay employees and keep the company running. Harmonix is a company full of musicians whose passion is music, and want to spread the enjoyment of making music through emulation in video games. I've seen more than one instance where Harmonix took a financial hit in order to give more to their fans.

I realize though, that Harmonix is your arch-nemesis and the only thing keeping you alive is your anger and rage towards them.

No, I really like them. They are one of the better companies in the industry. They're currently jerking us around a bit, but so be it. They still top out most development houses. The bottom line is that they are in business. Any loss has been done to pave the way for greater gains in the future. They are not in the charity business, they are in the money making business. I know they love music and want to share it and all of that. However, at the end of the day, it's business. And business is ALWAYS about money.

[gamegod81]

so if this ridiculous bull**** is true, guess they'd better get workin on the patch to make the guitar hero controllers incompatible with the goddam 360 version.

this is bull****.

and it also makes me insanely frustrated that sean is sitting here reading this entire thread, yet chooses to respond to trivial posts and totally avoid the conversation. awesome customer support

[cg5686]

Only Sony can release the patch... which has been ready and fully-tested for over a week now.

Thanks Sean, very much appreciate you keeping us in the loop, even if it is cryptically. So, I guess the burning question now is whether this is Sony's fault or Activision's? It would seem weird for Sony to sit on a patch that would bring Rock Band up to speed with its competitor's version. Plus, as far as my experience has dictated, Sony is fairly good (emphasis on fairly) at releasing fixes quickly (I'm talking on a firmware level here - I believe they release a very incremental upgrade to the firmware a day or two after Warhawk saw release, but don't quote me on that one).

So, I guess that leaves Activision... and if they are, in fact, blocking it shame on them - Harmonix literally made Guitar Hero what it is today. Maybe with their new Blizzard merger they're being a bunch of $#@holes. Who knows? Like plenty of people have stated, there certainly are many a financial reason to release the patch on both Sony and Activision's side.

I'm also not the least bit surprised to found out that HMX have been sitting on the patch for a week - I was positive they would have had a patch out immediately after finding out about the problem (unfortunately, much to my chagrin, I also told that to my bassist, who asks me everyday repeatedly now where the patch is. I'm wondering if he's starting to get some sick satisfaction out of it).

Anyway, thanks again, Sean. Best of luck on getting it out - and if you want, just say the word where our hate mail should be directed and we'll get right on that.

[SoulScreme]

so if this ridiculous bull**** is true, guess they'd better get workin on the patch to make the guitar hero controllers incompatible with the goddam 360 version.

this is bull****.

and it also makes me insanely frustrated that sean is sitting here reading this entire thread, yet chooses to respond to trivial posts and totally avoid the conversation. awesome customer support

If the rumor is true, he'd be legally bound not to discuss the legal motions until they are finished. If it is not, he obligated by his job not to say anything until PR formulates an official statement. Remember, on stuff like this Sean is just the mouthpiece. No offense to Sean, but from what I've seen, he is not a decision maker. He makes statements once they are approved by management, and only then. It's his job. Blame Harmonix, not Sean specifically, if you need to blame something/one.

[MF-PO'd]

Is it time to unleash the wolves on Activision yet? I'm ready to completely blast them and rip them a new one.

:mad:

[socco6]

According to Andy McNamara (editor for Game Informer Magazine) on a local radio station last week he didn't think a patch would ever come out and said that word was that it was Sony holding it up.

[hmxsean]

Anyway, thanks again, Sean. Best of luck on getting it out - and if you want, just say the word where our hate mail should be directed and we'll get right on that.

More info tomorrow when I have that info.

[Quastor]

More info tomorrow when I have that info.

I hear the horn of war! Ready yourself men! Tomorrow we attack!

[MF-PO'd]

I hear the horn of war! Ready yourself men! Tomorrow we attack!

Oh, I'm ready. I'm re-loading right now and ready to fire when we get the word. Someone give me a target.

[Apples]

Yikes, sounds messy.

I can only imagine people seething about this sort of politicking. It's not rock, not in good faith, not in good taste. And to an extent it's a little kiniving (sp?) considering they were once partners.

[gwar2k]

there is probably just some sort of hold up at sony. im sure it will be out soon. i doubt activision would even care about the patch. they will get tons more sales. plus, i would imagine that any fan of guitar hero/rock band would get both games anyway. i know i did. thanks sean for keeping us posted

[MF-PO'd]

there is probably just some sort of hold up at sony. im sure it will be out soon. i doubt activision would even care about the patch. they will get tons more sales. plus, i would imagine that any fan of guitar hero/rock band would get both games anyway. i know i did. thanks sean for keeping us posted

Why would hmxsean not lock this thread if there's no truth to it? They've locked ALL the other threads for the reason of spreading misinformation. Why not this one?

[dorri732]

kiniving = conniving.:)

[vexvegaz]

Through our conversation with Huang, we discovered the technical reasons for the mixed state of cross-compatibility. Guitar Hero III's controller works in Rock Band on Xbox 360 because Harmonix worked with Red Octane on the previous Guitar Hero iterations; they know how Red Octane's hardware works. Rock Band's controller doesn't work in Guitar Hero III, however, because Red Octane didn't have access to the Rock Band controller prior to the game's release. Thus, no way to test it.

On PS3, neither side could run their peripherals over Bluetooth, forcing them to develop USB dongles on their own. "Red Octane was in development on Guitar Hero and Harmonix was in development on Rock Band, and we would take our guitars and our software into Sony and show them what we're going to build. They would test them and say 'fine, that works.' Harmonix would do the same with Rock Band controllers and Rock Band and Sony would test them and say 'fine, that works,'" explained Huang. "Sony's supposed to be a neutral third-party and they're not supposed to tell us what Harmonix is doing and they're not supposed to tell Harmonix what we're doing, so they can't release any information to either side that say 'well, Red Octane, you're guitars aren't working with their software.'"

source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792

is it just me or the video game politics are just getting way out of hand? sheees.

[cg5686]

More info tomorrow when I have that info.

Glad to hear it - it's always nice to have someone to be mad at, rather than just lashing out. Thanks again for keeping us in-loop.

Do you think Sony is holding up it up due to some issue with its controller technologies? That doesn't make much sense, but that's the only thing I can think of... Well, I mean, there's nothing I can really think of that makes sense for it not coming out, per se, but... you know.

It's probably those damn Underpants Gnomes - they've been quiet for too long.

[Eman311]

Yea Activision/RO can bite me. GH3 is going to get traded in shortly.

[gwar2k]

it seems like they only lock threads that r in the announcement section. maybe thats y they havent

[data]

More information from other side:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792

[vexvegaz]

Through our conversation with Huang, we discovered the technical reasons for the mixed state of cross-compatibility. Guitar Hero III's controller works in Rock Band on Xbox 360 because Harmonix worked with Red Octane on the previous Guitar Hero iterations; they know how Red Octane's hardware works. Rock Band's controller doesn't work in Guitar Hero III, however, because Red Octane didn't have access to the Rock Band controller prior to the game's release. Thus, no way to test it.

On PS3, neither side could run their peripherals over Bluetooth, forcing them to develop USB dongles on their own. "Red Octane was in development on Guitar Hero and Harmonix was in development on Rock Band, and we would take our guitars and our software into Sony and show them what we're going to build. They would test them and say 'fine, that works.' Harmonix would do the same with Rock Band controllers and Rock Band and Sony would test them and say 'fine, that works,'" explained Huang. "Sony's supposed to be a neutral third-party and they're not supposed to tell us what Harmonix is doing and they're not supposed to tell Harmonix what we're doing, so they can't release any information to either side that say 'well, Red Octane, you're guitars aren't working with their software.'"

source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792

is it just me or the video game politics are just getting way out of hand? sheees.


More information from other side:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3164792


posted...:)

[AVC808]

This boggles me for one reason....

Cross-compatibility would actually ENCOURAGE people to buy peripherals from Activision/Red Ocatane.

They are essentially sabotaging their own bottom line out of spite.

actually as i was driving home it hit me (i rarely visit the boards at home, but for this i had to come back and post), activision/red octane is playing hard ball and trying to damage harmonix/Rock Band's reputation, so in the long term activision comes out the winner. think about it...

the longer ps3 owners have rock band without a way to play the game, the more dissatisfied the consumers will be with the rock band franchise. they're not idiots, they probably visit the boards and keep up with the latest problems and ideas discussed here so they can design a better product.

for the average gamer who has a bundle with no working guitar or drums, or those that bought the disc, but cant play anything besides sing vocals, they'll remember rock band as a waste of their money and wont want anything to do with any future rock band games and stick with the guitar hero line.

[data]

ah too many pages to read..:D

[ForTheSteel]

everyone who is pissed off needs to start spamming activision right away.

[MF-PO'd]

it seems like they only lock threads that r in the announcement section. maybe thats y they havent

They've actually locked plenty of threads in this forum, all week long. Any time anyone brought up the patch... lock.

Not this one though...

[gwar2k]

yeah true. maybe they figure that we deserve at least one place to vent our anger lol.

[DesiredFX]

This boggles me for one reason....

Cross-compatibility would actually ENCOURAGE people to buy peripherals from Activision/Red Ocatane.

They are essentially sabotaging their own bottom line out of spite.

This is my take on it: make Rock Band compatible with GH3 controllers and you'll sell more GH3 controllers...not just to the people who want a unit as a bass, but even to those who don't really care for the Strat.

Since they haven't even discussed opening up GH3 to work with the Strat, allowing this patch is a one-way advantage for Activision/Red Octane that they will hold until the individual instruments are released next year.

With more than two weeks to go until Christmas and Rock Band in short supply, allowing this patch could give GH3 sales a significant boost.

[SoulScreme]

everyone who is pissed off needs to start spamming activision right away.

So, comments like this immature garbage about harassing a companu with no actual evidence they have done you any wrong is acceptable in these forums? WTF.

[balth]

A) I must defend my beloved's honor.

Destructoid rocks, and soulscreme, it's called sarcasm. The cashwhore thing was simply a commentary on the GameStop scandal. Noone made money off it, all you had to do was read any cashwhore story to figure that out ;)

B) I agree, that since this is not locked, (thanks Sean, I'm sure it must be nice to be able to paint a 'hate them, not me' target somewhere else for a change!) I can also only conclude that either Sony or Activision would be the reason behind the delay. W

With all the bonehead moves Sony has made since launch, it probably wouldn't surprise me if it ended up being partially their fault. However, it does seem to make more sense to me that they would realize the consumer wants this. Hence, here comes ActiBlizzardvision.

I also agree that them preventing the patch would lead to dissatisfaction with the RB franchise, so they'd have more to gain by not allowing it, although it REALLY sucks for us.

I am TRULY sorry that you guys couldn't say anything about submitting the patch a week ago; I think I'm going to go kill virtual things so I can relax a bit in real life.

This whole situation is f'n ridiculous.

[Everman]

Good lord. I hope that every other developer knows what Activision is up to. They may find themselves victims of a massive boycott and not even know why! The music game market is arguably one of the biggest in the world, with the launch of GH3 being Activisions largest product launch EVER.

I am on board with the hatemail stream, just say the word Sean!

[DesiredFX]

the longer ps3 owners have rock band without a way to play the game, the more dissatisfied the consumers will be with the rock band franchise. they're not idiots, they probably visit the boards and keep up with the latest problems and ideas discussed here so they can design a better product.

But, at best, it's a two-month sting on a product that a) has already sold more copies than anyone could have expected b) has people who have made a significant investment by purchasing the product and want it to work because they paid a lot they and like what they've been able to play of it and c) is designed to have prolonged shelf life thanks largely to downloadable content delivered at a rate that the GH franchise hasn't even attempted to match.

I'm on my second guitar exchange, and I still prefer Rock Band to Guitar Hero: it's all about the songs and the playability of the game. I don't care how well the hardware works for GH3--I think the game is the weakest the franchise has ever offered, and it pales in comparison to Rock Band.

Maybe I'm the exception, but I've been excited about Rock Band since May, and mostly being able to play it is enough to keep me going until all the junk is ironed out.

If anything, this situation makes me feel even more like the money I spent on GH3 is wasted. If I'm annoyed with anyone, it's Activision.

[SoulScreme]

A) I must defend my beloved's honor.

Destructoid rocks, and soulscreme, it's called sarcasm. The cashwhore thing was simply a commentary on the GameStop scandal. Noone made money off it, all you had to do was read any cashwhore story to figure that out ;)


Really? How does Destructoid make money? That's right, they sell ads. Ads that make more money the more they are viewed. So, more readers, more views, means more money. Destructoid took a story that was a rumor at best, rampant speculation at worst, and decided it was true with no evidence. Jeez, people, journalistic integrity is something you should expect from your media.

[Will-san]

I don't understand. As soon as the patch is up I go buy a copy of GHIII so I can have a bass guitar for RB. If the patch never comes out I wait till Harmonix releases stand alone controller.

I don't see and up side to blocking the patch? what would be the advantage to ruining my xmas?

Sean thanks for updates. Let us know who we should be angry at and the calls and letters will begin!

[SlivedCupWinner]

... Jeez, people, journalistic integrity is something you should expect from your media.


Yes, but it was on the interweb, so it must be true! :rolleyes:

[SoulScreme]

So, here is my question. Even if Activision is blocking this. There is some blame for Harmonix as well. I mean, it seems as if Harmonix decided to push that it would work without ever having asked Activision about it. I mean, sure, Activision are the jerks. They are the ones blocking it. But it also seems like a large oversight would have been made by Harmonix on that front.

The real question is what legal grounds would Activision have for doing this? None. I don't think Activision, now part of the largest game company in the world, would try something bound to fail. The only reason I could see is if they think that delaying it would be a boon to them.

[SoulScreme]

Yes, but it was on the interweb, so it must be true! :rolleyes:

This is why I started my own blog. So sick of the people out there who bow before the blogs that exist. They are all funded by game ads, they all have bias, and they all run sensationalist stories to increase their hits. I figured, if it's going to be opinion, write an opinion piece. These places push their opinions as fact.

[SoulScreme]

Seriously, stop moving this thread. It's late, my Les Paul appears to be a total waste, and I'm not in the friggin' mood.

[AVC808]

But, at best, it's a two-month sting on a product that a) has already sold more copies than anyone could have expected b) has people who have made a significant investment by purchasing the product and want it to work because they paid a lot they and like what they've been able to play of it and c) is designed to have prolonged shelf life thanks largely to downloadable content delivered at a rate that the GH franchise hasn't even attempted to match.

I'm on my second guitar exchange, and I still prefer Rock Band to Guitar Hero: it's all about the songs and the playability of the game. I don't care how well the hardware works for GH3--I think the game is the weakest the franchise has ever offered, and it pales in comparison to Rock Band.

Maybe I'm the exception, but I've been excited about Rock Band since May, and mostly being able to play it is enough to keep me going until all the junk is ironed out.

If anything, this situation makes me feel even more like the money I spent on GH3 is wasted. If I'm annoyed with anyone, it's Activision.


it's all about first impressions. look how pissed off people here were with the faulty instruments. to find out that there's no way to play until february when they can finally roll out separate instruments. that's a long time for something you spent $170 on. again, we're talking about average consumer here, not big fans like we are here on this site. imagine if the wii was launched with wiimotes that broke after 1 day, and they said you were out of luck for another 2 months after spending $250. and all you could do was play games with the classic controller. it defeats the whole purpose of owning a wii. nintendo would have crashed and burned with that system. of course we all know nintendo would not allow anything like that to happen. but yeah, i was just trying to whip up some random example :)

[Everman]

Really? How does Destructoid make money? That's right, they sell ads. Ads that make more money the more they are viewed. So, more readers, more views, means more money. Destructoid took a story that was a rumor at best, rampant speculation at worst, and decided it was true with no evidence. Jeez, people, journalistic integrity is something you should expect from your media.

P.S. Heres a hint. *Every* news website makes money from ads. Uh oh. We can't trust a one of them any more. Duh

[SoulScreme]

P.S. Heres a hint. *Every* news website makes money from ads. Uh oh. We can't trust a one of them any more. Duh

Actually, I totally agree. So long as game media is paid by game makers, there is a huge problem. What if the news were sponsored by political candidates?

[DesiredFX]

So, here is my question. Even if Activision is blocking this. There is some blame for Harmonix as well. I mean, it seems as if Harmonix decided to push that it would work without ever having asked Activision about it. I mean, sure, Activision are the jerks. They are the ones blocking it. But it also seems like a large oversight would have been made by Harmonix on that front.

I still don't see any blame falling to Harmonix because I have never seen a quotation from them that says the Les Paul will (or would) work with Rock Band. The statement from them--very dry and boilerplate--has always been about console standards.

If you read it closely enough, you may actually start to feel like it's warning people away from the Les Paul rather than recommending it, but I guess people got from that statement what they wanted to get from it.

The secondary layer of blame, in my eyes, lies with reviewers like GameSpot and IGN who said unreservedly that the Les Paul worked with Rock Band without ever clarifying that they had only tested it with the 360. How's that for a problem with journalistic integrity?

[AdamBomb629]

Umm, trust me, no game company cares about anything but money, including Harmonix. Don't kid yourself. They are doing guitar compatibility because they don't plan on making money off of the guitars. While good for us, DLC is their cash cow. So, yeah, never get confused, they are in it for the money like everybody else.


Wow, that's wrong. If you were actually on these forums before November, you would have seen Harmonix interacting with fans getting their ideas about what they'd like in the game. They care about the fans, not just money. You troll. :mad:

[Magnet]

RedOctane's Huang says some hilarious things in that 1UP interview. I love his response to no Strats in GH3 as "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 ... Why would you want to cause yourself the headache?"

What? Is being honest about your company's policy about not allowing third-party guitars to work in your games too difficult? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that a large hardware company doesn't want competition from other hardware companies in its own successful IP.

His point about the PS3 guitar controller "open standard" statement from HMX PR being a crock is correct though. There was never any established standard set. However, HMX is now doing its best to rectify any incompatibility, and it's sad that their efforts are being roadblocked by Sony (and it's probably safe to assume it's really being blocked by Activision since that's the only reasonable explanation right now) at the moment.

I do have something to say about the original Announcement about this patch though. It reminds me very much of that leaked Welcome to the Jungle video. Both incidents so far involve the intent by HMX to do something they want in Rock Band only to be blocked by Activision. And both of them are ones that have seemed to "slip out" before they were 100%. I doubt that Harmonix really knew that the patch was going to be held up by Sony before posting that announcement, but I'm getting some deja vu. Even if this type of thing is more of a statement against the actions of Activision, they sure do know how to rile people up against Activision.

[SoulScreme]

I still don't see any blame falling to Harmonix because I have never seen a quotation from them that says the Les Paul will (or would) work with Rock Band. The statement from them--very dry and boilerplate--has always been about console standards.

If you read it closely enough, you may actually start to feel like it's warning people away from the Les Paul rather than recommending it, but I guess people got from that statement what they wanted to get from it.

The secondary layer of blame, in my eyes, lies with reviewers like GameSpot and IGN who said unreservedly that the Les Paul worked with Rock Band without ever clarifying that they had only tested it with the 360. How's that for a problem with journalistic integrity?

Dude, like I said, I run my own blog because of all of my issues with the mainstream game media. And yes, I agree with you. Far too many sites review a game on one console and copy paste that for the others. It's awful.

[SoulScreme]

Wow, that's wrong. If you were actually on these forums before November, you would have seen Harmonix interacting with fans getting their ideas about what they'd like in the game. They care about the fans, not just money. You troll. :mad:

I didn't say that they don't care about the fans. WTF. I am no troll, sorry if my opinion ruing your rosey vision. And yes, like I said, I like Harmonix. However, interacting with your customers is how you make a product they will spend lots of money on.

[AdamBomb629]

I didn't say that they don't care about the fans. WTF. I am no troll, sorry if my opinion ruing your rosey vision. And yes, like I said, I like Harmonix. However, interacting with your customers is how you make a product they will spend lots of money on.

That's right, but you talk like interacting with fans was solely driven by greed and their SOLE intent of making money. That is incorrect.

[greygoosetall]

I'm not a PS3 owner, but by God does this suck.

When the problem first arose, I had said that I didn't think RedOctane or Activision would allow the patch to occur. I really wanted to be wrong, but I just could really see Activision caring that much about a consumer base for their competition.

Remember, their fan base is shared. THe only thing that can happen is RB has a broader fan base, but Rock Band can only help GH's sales in the long run, even if not this Christmas.

Funny thing, if Activision is trying to block this, that is weird because Red Octane had to release the GH3 controller codes to Harmonix for the patch to even be made. SO maybe Red OCtane made the decision and then Activision is stepping in and trying to block it, against Red Octane's wishes. I just can't imagine that Activision wasn't in agreement before RO released the codes to SOny and Harmonix for the purposes of making this patch. Also, I can't imagine that would be so intent on stopping it when it works with the Xbox.

I think Sony is just having to jump through legal hoops before releasing it, but I don't think Activision is trying to stop it. PLus Activision has to know they will get killed b y the public if they stop this.

[DesiredFX]

it's all about first impressions. look how pissed off people here were with the faulty instruments. to find out that there's no way to play until february when they can finally roll out separate instruments. that's a long time for something you spent $170 on. again, we're talking about average consumer here, not big fans like we are here on this site.

While this is a decidedly fickle industry, it's also one with a shockingly short memory. Get people excited about something and they'll believe any sales pitch, even if it ate their shorts the last time around.

Think about the PS3 itself: it got kicked hard right out of the gates, but it has persevered and now is regaining respect. Down the line, no one's going to remember the rocky first year it had, because it will either be a big success, or will be forgotten altogether.

Obviously, if this is an intentional block by Activision, they're gambling on "forgotten altogether" for Rock Band.

But there's one really, really silly thing about that mentality: the Les Paul WORKS with the 360, and the 360 version of Rock Band is outselling the PS3 version by...what...4 to 1?

So they're trying to kill off Rock Band on the "lesser" platform...the one that they haven't even given much thought to, judging by their PS3 implementation of GH3?

[balth]

Dude, like I said, I run my own blog because of all of my issues with the mainstream game media. And yes, I agree with you. Far too many sites review a game on one console and copy paste that for the others. It's awful.

Erm, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree. If you ever *read* destructoid, you'd know that it started as a joke so the owner could get into E3. And you'd also know that the only person at destructoid that gets paid is 1-3 people, Niero, Ron Workman and I believe Colette.

The remainder of the staff (who post the front page news) are all volunteers. They do, indeed host ads on the site to keep the site running, but it is an independent community of volunteers who are passionate about games.

For someone pushing journalistic integrity/credability, research into one's stance and assertions might be a prude decision ;)

The exact same reason you put up your own blog is why I put my blog on destructoid. I'd highly recommend that you check the whole site out, instead of scremeing (cwut I did thar? *grin*) about the sky falling on the internet.

If you don't like it, no prob, that's your opinion. And the fact I like it is mine. And that's what's great about the internet.

Also, ActiBlizzardvision.

that is all.

[SoulScreme]

Remember, their fan base is shared. THe only thing that can happen is RB has a broader fan base, but Rock Band can only help GH's sales in the long run, even if not this Christmas.

Funny thing, if Activision is trying to block this, that is weird because Red Octane had to release the GH3 controller codes to Harmonix for the patch to even be made. SO maybe Red OCtane made the decision and then Activision is stepping in and trying to block it, against Red Octane's wishes. I just can't imagine that Activision wasn't in agreement before RO released the codes to SOny and Harmonix for the purposes of making this patch. Also, I can't imagine that would be so intent on stopping it when it works with the Xbox.

I think Sony is just having to jump through legal hoops before releasing it, but I don't think Activision is trying to stop it. PLus Activision has to know they will get killed b y the public if they stop this.

Not really, GH3 guitar sends normal buttons commands. Should be easy to get working without any code from RO/Activision.

[Lilia]

The only even remotely difficult thing about making a patch for this would be filtering through so it recognizes properly on the USB register for the game as a proper device ID, once that's done, they both handle the same way, since the strumbar registers as a "hat", and the frets match up to the same inputs on the PS3 (Green is X, Red is Circle, so-on).

What would make this a chore is that the PS3 device register isn't exactly... user friendly. so narrowing down the les paul's identifier seems like the only thing that would've made the patch take time.

It's also a way activision might have some feasible legal right to block the use of the Les Paul in other games, that register is part of a peripheral copyright, using such without permission is a no-no... however given that any device can read that code, such legal maneuvers aren't necessarily valid.

[DesiredFX]

Not really, GH3 guitar sends normal buttons commands. Should be easy to get working without any code from RO/Activision.

Which brings us back to the question of the other day--having RB identify it as a guitar.

Both controllers work as, essentially, a SIXAXIS when operating on the XMB.

Only the Les Paul operates as a SIXAXIS in the other company's game.

Now this is either an attempt by Neversoft/Red Octane/Activision to ignore any controllers that aren't either a SIXAXIS or the Les Paul (or, on the 360, the Xplorer), or it's an attempt by them to keep from divulging the full set of signals (including the USB ID) that come from the Les Paul.

And in the end, even if Harmonix did figure it out and patch it quickly, they still have to go through Sony to deliver it, and Sony still has to deal with any efforts Activision might make to stop the patch.

That's where this rumor gets squirrelly, to me--short of an injunction, Activision can't stop Sony from releasing this, and an injunction would have to happen publicly enough for the average Internet researcher to be able to find out about it pretty much anywhere. With no word of an injunction or a filed motion for an injunction, how does anyone know Activision is actually trying to block this?

And if the patch were released and later forced to be recalled by a lawsuit, that would be a trivial thing for Sony/Harmonix to do: just make another patch that automatically downloads the next time you start Rock Band and have it overwrite the compatibility patch.

What may be slowing it down is Sony trying to deal with ruffled feathers at Activision. They may be perfectly happy to let it release--perhaps after a certain date, or if Sony will make concessions on something else. They just don't want the wheels to roll over them: they may want input, and they may want something in return.

[SoulScreme]

Yeah, I really don't think legal maneuvering is holding this up. If anything is bureaucracy. I'm sure Activision has people whining to Sony if they don't like it, and Sony is probably trying to hear all side of the argument before deciding. But, if there were legal action taken it would be on the public record.

[Xero314]

Some of us have already chosen to boycott Activision and this move, it it turns out to be true won't really change that any. On the other hand if they actually stepped up and tried to work with EA/Harmonix on the issue it might sway us the other way, but I don't see that happening (though early on they would have liked us to believe it). Point is Activision has treated their consumers, and might I add investors (1992 bankruptcy filling et. al.), poorly for many years. It's very disappointing that the merger with Vivendi Games has not help things out, which really sucks since I have been looking forward to Starcraft 2 for many years now.

I am seriously calling for a complete Boycott of all Activision Blizzard products. A complete boycott of Vivendi products is not far behind if they allow their games division to be run by the idiots at Activision after the merger is complete. The only way for capitalism to work is through boycotts of companies that do not act in the best interests of the consumers.

The fact that Harmonix is even trying to make a patch should be considered throwing Activision a bone. Harmonix makes better music games, there are few that will argue against RB being considered the Best Music simulation game available. Guitar Hero is a soon to be dead franchise (at least that's my take on it) in this would be the last chance for Activision to scrape a little more out of the IP by selling copies of GH3 so people could have a second controller for RB.

But there is a simple solution to all this that can't be stopped by anyone on legal grounds, and something that console manufacturers should have done years ago anyway, and this is to allow custom key mappings. This would allow us to map any command from one control to any command in a game, and there for controller compatibility would be a none issue. It would even allow Xbox360 and PS3 controllers to be interchangeable, which would be a real boon for the consumer and for which ever company made the better controllers.

[SoulScreme]

Dude, the merger was announced, it didn't happen yet. These things take a while. So, Activision Blizzard doesn't exist yet.

Also, what you propose is more than key mapping. It's an IEEE standard for game controllers.

[greygoosetall]

Not really, GH3 guitar sends normal buttons commands. Should be easy to get working without any code from RO/Activision.

Look Dude, everyone here knows you are a troll and talk out of your other end.

I served you once when you flamed me about the patch in the first place. I knew I had info over a week ago that the patch was almost finished and in testing. YOU said I was stupid for believing that info. I was right. You were wrong.

So let's try again:

The GH3 guitar is a CLOSED source, being non-standard, controller. Rock Band supports an open source controller format. A third party can make a compatible guitar after a patented period of time is over. GH3's guitar has to be opened up to the public before a controller can be made. Sure, HMX might be able to crack it, but that would be illegal, so they could not. And in case you are wondering, the same person who told me the patch would be ready by the end of last week for Sony (which Sean seemed to confirm earlier), also explained the wrangling that had to be done for RO to release the codes. This person also specifcally did not involve Activision in that process. He indicated that RO, HMX, and SOny were working together and they had just received the codes from RO. As soon as they got the codes , they essentially had approval and the next morning RB made that vague press release about guitar compatibility issues being addressed.

SoulScreme, your comment is incorrect also in that they aren't just buttons all the same. Guitar Hero owns that controller format. Sony could have forced them to use the open standard, but Sony doesn't do that. And it is a fact that someone in the GH3 camp gave somebody in the RB camp what they needed to legally make this patch. We will see how this pans out. But remember, right now I still own you until you prove me wrong.

[SoulScreme]

Please read Lilia's comment as she is a developer. And also, calm the hell down brother. I haven't flamed you once. I simply said I'd need to see proof before I believed it, I did not call you stupid. Gotta learn to chill out.

Also, if they worked with RO/Activision then why would they be the ones blocking it?

[balth]

Here is my venting of frustation. Not really news, just artistic ventilation:

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/balth/dtoid-breaks-news-again-f-you-actiblizzardvision-58120.phtml

Sean tell me if you like it LOL.

[greygoosetall]

Please read Lilia's comment as she is a developer. And also, calm the hell down brother. I haven't flamed you once. I simply said I'd need to see proof before I believed it, I did not call you stupid. Gotta learn to chill out.

Also, if they worked with RO/Activision then why would they be the ones blocking it?

Go back and read. RO was working with HMX and Sony. Activision was not part of this procedure. I can't imagine Activision being in the dark about RO doing this, so therefore I don't really know if I believe Activision is trying to stop it. But maybe they are. Maybe RO feels they own the rights to the guitar format, not Activision. I am curious to know.

[SoulScreme]

Go back and read. RO was working with HMX and Sony. Activision was not part of this procedure. I can't imagine Activision being in the dark about RO doing this, so therefore I don't really know if I believe Activision is trying to stop it. But maybe they are. Maybe RO feels they own the rights to the guitar format, not Activision. I am curious to know.

Totally possible, also could have been that the guy only knew they were talking, didn't know how it was going. I admitted you were right the last time you brought it up. So top bringing it up acting like I bashed you for it. I simply said the "I talked to a guy on the phone" thing had been rampant on the forums, and it had been.

[psDragon]

IMO, Sony is to blame. They are always making poor decisions. They think that if they have a superior product, that will win the war. Look at betamax. Now they have blu-ray, still a superior format but will end up dead just like before, because porn likes hd-dvd and they dont support the masses correctly. With such success with the ps2, they think they bagged the console wars. The PS3 is a great machine but no one supporting it properly. I think its time to sell my PS3.

[greygoosetall]

Totally possible, also could have been that the guy only knew they were talking, didn't know how it was going. I admitted you were right the last time you brought it up. So top bringing it up acting like I bashed you for it. I simply said the "I talked to a guy on the phone" thing had been rampant on the forums, and it had been.

I exchanged tax advice for info LOL. Seriously we wound up in a conversation and he told me all kinds of stuff. Too detailed to be bogus. So I gave him some free tax planning tips. I charge $200 an hour for that usually!

[SoulScreme]

IMO, Sony is to blame. They are always making poor decisions. They think that if they have a superior product, that will win the war. Look at betamax. Now they have blu-ray, still a superior format but will end up dead just like before, because porn likes hd-dvd and they dont support the masses correctly. With such success with the ps2, they think they bagged the console wars. The PS3 is a great machine but no one supporting it properly. I think its time to sell my PS3.

Umm... well... that's interesting. Don't really know what the point was, but thanks for sharing?

[GloriosoZoso]

Although I have a 360, this gives me another reason to not purchase the next GH game. I think Neversoft put our a crappy game. GH3 was such a disappopinting rush job that had absolutely no innovations or enhancements. GH3 only sold due to the hard work that Harmonix did on GH1 and GH2. Now it's possible that Activision is trying to screw rock fans out of spite.

If Activision does not want to have an open standard I think we should boycott their weak games.

[oddroot]

IANAL, but reverse engineering something is not illegal... a compatibility patch to enable other '3rd party' music controllers shouldn't even be a grey area, it should be able to pass into public domain without lawyers getting all up in arms...

[DesiredFX]

ooo-ooo that smell...can't you smell that smell...

ooo-ooo that smell...the smell of disinformation around you...

Lots and lots of speculation going on here, people...quite a bit of it ranging significantly from the topic...

[logicalnoise]

IANAL, but reverse engineering something is not illegal... a compatibility patch to enable other '3rd party' music controllers shouldn't even be a grey area, it should be able to pass into public domain without lawyers getting all up in arms...

DMCA says no. If there is DRM features in a electronic device you can not bypass them without consent from the makers. DMCA is a POS law anyways but it's still in use.

[Asassinbug]

If? Heh. Too late.

Y'know, I agree that it's nice to have a forum where we get SOME kind of information about whatever's going on with the system we all set down good money for...but is it wrong to have high expectations for business integrity? It's wonderful that there's a patch out there, and I do realize that there are politics involved, but dammit, we were lied to! Now we're all sitting around waiting for "approved" snippets of information, all of which has been vauge or bland or both...I just want to know what the heck is going on!

Meanwhile, I'm down to two instruments as my strat is broken, I'm waiting for a replacement, and I have no bass capabilities. Here's hoping the drum set lasts the night.

[Asassinbug]

Actually, I totally agree. So long as game media is paid by game makers, there is a huge problem. What if the news were sponsored by political candidates?

oops, sorry, I'm a noob. *grin* To this I say too late. Yep. Mmm hmm. :D

[MF-PO'd]

I exchanged tax advice for info LOL. Seriously we wound up in a conversation and he told me all kinds of stuff. Too detailed to be bogus. So I gave him some free tax planning tips. I charge $200 an hour for that usually!

Any idea if you can this gentleman back on the phone for an update? I'm sure there's another tax tip you could offer him for the latest information. :)

[jimmyn28]

ooo-ooo that smell...can't you smell that smell...

ooo-ooo that smell...the smell of disinformation around you...

Lots and lots of speculation going on here, people...quite a bit of it ranging significantly from the topic...

Quite a putrid odor indeed.

[Aggressive_Perfector]

That's it!

Pitfall and River Raid are in the trash.

[sa_nick]

Jesus this is goddamned ridiculous! This will be the second time I've gotten my hopes up for having four friends rockin' this killer game in my living room and been sorely disappointed.

On an unrelated note to the patch.... Today i recieved a thing letting me know that there was a parcel to pick up from the post office. Today was the day I calculated RB would arrive if i got a copy from the latest gamestopshipment. Hopes were high, but it turned out to be a few dvd's i won from gamespot.com.

Still no RB for nick *sigh*

But yes, i want this damn patch to be released sometime. Living in Australia I get no warrenty from EA and if my strat breaks the LP is my only back up.

[Dissent]

There is something to be said for speculation (which is more or less what online forums are for) with evidence to support it. This thread has listed many pieces of very solid evidence to the premise that Activision is somehow holding up availability of the patch. Feel free to go back and read. Let me ask you this, if Activision is not holding up the patch, what do you imagine is? Sony simply relishing its second place status behind Microsoft? An evil madman at Sony in charge of what is made available on PSN? Perhaps someone important at Sony has had a loved one kidnapped and held to enforce a mysterious stranger's demand that the patch not be made available?

[nicholasbrutal]

Word to the wise, Destructoid is not a reliable source. They are attention whores who just stopped getting traffic from sensationalizing the story about Jeff Gerstmann. I'm not saying this isn't true. I'm just saying that until a more reliable source than Destructoid picks this up, I'm not even remotely convinced.

Well that's not very nice. How many legitimate stories do we have to run before we're "reliable"? I make sure my writers post at least one (or two, but no more!) legitimate stories a day. I think we're doing pretty good!

[walski]

Harmonix makes patch. Patch given to Sony for approval. Activision gets lawyers involved.

If Sony approves of the patch they can be sued along with Harmonix.

The problem is the dongle. It makes the guitar controller game specific. So the patch would be breaking the intended use of the dongle against the wishes of Activision.

That's how I see it, at least.


I haven't lost all hope of the patch being released yet. Sony makes their money from games, not consoles sold. To be 1-upped by Microsoft on a shared game is not acceptable.

[Dissent]

I haven't lost all hope of the patch being released yet. Sony makes their money from games, not consoles sold. To be 1-upped by Microsoft on a shared game is not acceptable.

A good point and I hope very much you prove to be right. Does anyone know how to contact Sony about this?

[neveroutnumbered]

On an unrelated note to the patch.... Today i recieved a thing letting me know that there was a parcel to pick up from the post office. Today was the day I calculated RB would arrive if i got a copy from the latest gamestopshipment. Hopes were high, but it turned out to be a few dvd's i won from gamespot.com.

Still no RB for nick *sigh*

But yes, i want this damn patch to be released sometime. Living in Australia I get no warrenty from EA and if my strat breaks the LP is my only back up.

i'm in the same boat buddy, having purchased the bundle but yet to be shipped, but have purchased the game on its own which i have so thats a bonous once we get the patch? if we get the patch

[Gryffindor]

As much as I hate the idea of this rumor being true, the fact that the mods have not shut down this thread I think is proof enough that this indeed the reason for the patch hold up.

Sadly, I just traded in my Wii version of GH3 towards the purchase of GH3 for the PS3 when the patch information first came out.

Why doesn't Sony simply stand up to Activision and threaten to revoke their licensing agreement to write for their platform? It's not like they're writing any other games that I'd ever buy anyways. Who's the bigger company? Sony is HUGE. Activision is not.

If Sony doesn't grow a pair I'll be ebaying my PS3, my copy of GH3 and my Rockband bundle. I think the only platformer that has their act together at all is Nintendo.

Someone needs to find a good e-mail address for Sony America so we can start a writing campaign immediately.

[SuburbanHell]

Fricken ridiculous. I don't understand why Activision would even bother to pull something like this when their periphs already work for the 360 version. Give me the use of my goddamned les paul already!

[DkKnightX]

Does anybody want to see some not so funny irony in lieu of the current situation for PS3 owners (I am one of them)? Les Paul can be interpreted as "Less Paul;" As in, there are no PS3 users able to use their Guitar Hero III controller as an extra guitar. Perhaps Activision developed "Les Palsy." A condition that has morons (like Huang) from Red Octane and Activision who cannot "confirm nor deny" they are bereft of any responsibility in rectifying this awful situation.

Why this annoying veil of secrecy too? All parties involved in this dilemma are responsible though, including Harmonix. If you want to stop the spread of disinformation, hmxsean, how about commanding some authority and keep all of us in the loop without dancing around issues. Locking a thread isn't going to help anything. Before rumors fly around on various information websites with their own agendas, why leave all of this to speculation when you can tell us outright what is going on. I honesty think this was all YOUR fault for announcing a patch that never came to light, bringing our hopes up and then reneging on it and then can't tell us why. You should have been professional enough to make the announcement as it was being released and not prior to, so this way you can save face if something went wrong. Get your facts straight, organize your thoughts/words and then inform the public. Hmxsean never even formally apologized for any of this. I'm really annoyed for being teased regardless of whose fault it is.

:mad:

[botnic]

Such an emotional roller coaster. Nope, LP guitars don't work. Maybe there will be patch. Yep, a patch is coming. Patch is late. Or maybe there won't be a patch.

Lame. Super lame.

Harmonix rocks though. I can see no reason to complain at them for anything.

[botnic]

Does anybody want to see some not so funny irony in lieu of the current situation for PS3 owners (I am one of them)? Les Paul can be interpreted as "Less Paul;" As in, there are no PS3 users able to use their Guitar Hero III controller as an extra guitar. Perhaps Activision developed "Les Palsy." A condition that has morons (like Huang) from Red Octane and Activision who cannot "confirm nor deny" they are bereft of any responsibility in rectifying this awful situation.

Why this annoying veil of secrecy too? All parties involved in this dilemma are responsible though, including Harmonix. If you want to stop the spread of disinformation, hmxsean, how about commanding some authority and keep all of us in the loop without dancing around issues. I honesty think this was all YOUR fault for announcing a patch that never came to light, bringing our hopes up and then renaging on it and then can't tell us why. You should have been professional enough to make the announcment as it was being released and not prior to, so this way you can save face if something went wrong. Get your facts straight, organize your thoughts/words and then inform the public. Hmxsean never even formally apologized for any of this. I'm really annoyed for being teased regardless of whose fault it is.

:mad:

By the way, I think this comment is incredibly insensitive an uninformed. HMXsean is not the one to be yelling at here.

[DkKnightX]

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Rock Band. It is an amazing game that absolutely CRUSHES Guitar Hero, and I mean ALL of them! I mean is sucks when I have my wife's brothers over and we're one instrument short......It ruins a whole party....Seriously! Isn't the party aspect of this supposed to be the best part and it's best selling point?

[DkKnightX]

By the way, I think this comment is incredibly insensitive an uninformed. HMXsean is not the one to be yelling at here.

If HMXSean is our only liason to what is happening with THEIR product, we have a right to know what is going on without being pissed off and uninformed.

[ezevthokie]

This situation has taken the blame off of HMX, in my opinion. They have a patch, were prepared for its released, then a bump in the road came up. If it truly is Activision holding it, then thats uncalled for on their part. I mean, sure they don't want their guitar to work for competition but they'll have ppl dropping $100 for the guitar, just like ppl dropped $170 to get another guitar that worked for RB. Simple math gets the job done. I applaud HMX for their work on this issue. After all the complaining and whatnot, its good to see someone listens to the consumer and acts promptly. Thanks!!!!

[hot_turkey_ed]

HMX seems to be making an effort to talk with their fans in the forums. I can't believe one of their team pre-announced the patch with anything but good intentions. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.

If the rumor is true -- and even it's not -- I encourage the companies involved to work together to fix this ASAP. You are screwing your fans and customers. :mad: :(

[Feigned]

As much as I hate the idea of this rumor being true, the fact that the mods have not shut down this thread I think is proof enough that this indeed the reason for the patch hold up.

Seems good in theory, however, we don't actually have access to inside info. Aside from those with the HMX titles, we're just fellow fans that happen to be have moderating privileges.

The thread has more or less stayed on topic and there hasn't been a great deal of indecent language or hate directed at other members/the HMX crew. Many threads get shut down for those reasons, or they are duplicates. So long as it doesn't get out of control, I'm not going to lock this thread, as we do like to see good healthy discussions going on.


My thoughts on the whole matter? I think Harmonix would have made sure there weren't any legal issues before even working on a patch (because no one wants to waste that much manpower) and there was a bug discovered at the last minute that prevented it from going live.

We'll all know soon enough I'm sure, so sit tight. :cool:

[DkKnightX]

Oh I'm not doubting his intentions. They have a dynamite product with amazing production values and lasting power. GH3 doesn't even come close. They replaced my faulty guitar (not as fast as advertised but they did and that's what counts), so they are on the ball for sure. You just cannot make an announcement like that unless he absolutely had the "go-ahead;" nothing barring the routine patch's release. If this was in the works for awhile, the legalities of the potential issue creating a routine patch for the LP (well not specifically but we all know what Harmonix is referring to) would have surely taken shape well before Harmonix customers (PS3 users) even thought they could potentially be issued a patch/workaround. I find it extremely convenient that this "little problem" creeps up JUST before it is unveiled. Coincidence? Why I think NOT!:mad:

[sprinter461]

Why doesn't Sony simply stand up to Activision and threaten to revoke their licensing agreement to write for their platform? It's not like they're writing any other games that I'd ever buy anyways. Who's the bigger company? Sony is HUGE. Activision is not.

NEWS FLASH

Activision is the BIGGEST 3rd party sofware company on the planet. You kill me. You REALLY think Sony wants to lose ANYBODY and ANY game titles right now? Especially Guitar Hero? You can be a Rock Band fan boy all you want, but facts are facts, Guitar Hero is THE largest rythym game franchise in history. You think Sony wants to lose that? They can hardly sell PS3's now. If they lose Guitar Hero, that just means more Xbox 360, and Wii system sales. If Sony started revoking licensing agreements, how many PS3's do you think that would help sell? :confused:

Sony owned the game console market, OWNED it, with the PS2. But they got sloppy and lazy. Now they are a distant number 3. I remember Sega being HUGE with the Genesis, and then the Dreamcast was the best console on the Market, but Sega failed in so many ways, the way Sony is failing now. The LAST thing Sony would want to do right now is lose any of the largest gaming franchises. :(

On paper the PS3 is the superior system. In practice, it's far from it. Look what happend to GTA IV. Sony had a superior product one other time in history, and was the leader in the industry for a while... The home video recording industry... Remember the BetaMAX video cassette recorder? It was superior to the VHS VCR. But Sony continually botched that product too until it vanished from the market place... :eek:

[scottcyclone]

There are a couple ways to get 2 guitars..

1. buy 2 complete sets and ebay the parts you don't need

2. With the high failure rates of the guitars, you can email the support page to get a replacement guitar. One of the options they provide is to let them "hold" $125 on a credit card and they will 2 day another guitar to you. My guitar whammy bar spring broke, and I chose this option. As of now I have 2 guitars. (I can still whammy on the broken one, but it takes a little more effort) They give you 28 days (I believe) to send back the broken guitar in the box they provide) So for a month I have 2 guitars. When they get that guitar back they release the $125 hold on your credit card. If you don't send it back then you buy the broken guitar for $125. I know for some people this might not be a viable option, but it is one way around it.

Like I said, I realize this may not be an option for everyone, but it is an option.

[Nate Finch]

If Activision really is behind this, it's a hugely boneheaded move. Forget the fact that it'll actually sell more of their product. The real bone headed thing is that it's going to make them look like a bunch of uncaring bastards who don't care about the people playing their games.

All this can do is backlash on them. The fans will be pissed and it'll kill sales of GH3 as well as any other activision game. I'm not one to boycott, but it would certainly weigh heavily on my mind whenever I went to purchase a game. Maybe an activision game would get bumped to the bottom of my list and not get bought until the price dropped. Might get skipped entirely for some other game that isn't made by a bunch of bastards.

As for those speculating it might not be Activision, think about this -


Only Sony can release the patch... which has been ready and fully-tested for over a week now.

Obviously Sony wants the patch out - it gives more parity with the XBox system. Obviously Harmonix wants it out, since they were the ones that made it. That only leaves Red Octane and Activision.... and Red Octane certainly wants the patch, since it means more of their guitars will get sold. That leaves Activision..... probably pissing and moaning (with lawyers) about HMX "reverse engineering" their guitar.

Does activision have GH3 forums? I'm going to go vent on there for a while.

[scottcyclone]

Ha ha.. I remember betamax very well. It was superior to Vhs in many ways. Sony's inflexibility, and ego led to it's demise. I had to do a senior thesis on it, and microsoft seems to have learned from beta's failure. Microsoft loses money on consoles to try and make the 360 the industry standard, and then they make money on the back end. Sony tried to make people pay money to be able to license the ability to produce beta max. Most companies figured why pay to produce their property on beta when vhs is free. Second, and this one is funny, but very true.. Sony denied the porn industry to produce beta max video tapes. I don't know if anyone has checked the porn video sales over the 80's and 90's but they probably at least rival that of video game sales.

[Deeznutzs27]

Ok let me understand this.. You guys are amazed that Activision wont let the Les Paul work with RockBand?!?

RockBand is really gaining momentum by word of mouth but the only thing holding it back is the defective guitars out there. So you want a competitor ( now even a more contentious one since the merger) of EA/Harmonix to give them the fix to fill the one hole in the RockBand PS3 experience. No one wants to hear the "well Xbox does it" argument. Its that proprietary wireless system that MS runs...you know the one the PS3 fanboys bashed the MS fanboys about cause they couldn't have wireless guitars at launch. It recognizes a guitar controller regardless of manufacturer and makes it work with the system not the software. Some time the price of dealing with MS pays off for the consumer.

Harmonix isn't to blame. Activision isn't to blame. Sony is to blame. If they would have used their so called next-gen wireless Bluetooth option in the first place then none of this would be an issue. If they wouldn't have stifled either 3rd party peripherals that allow you to use PS2 guitars on the system or homebrews from the community none of this would be an issue. Sony really needs to get their S*%^ together.


And before anyone starts the im just a MS fanboy I own both and I used to be a proud owner of the PS3 but since the continuous string of bad decisions I wish I never made the purchase.

[Nate Finch]

No one wants to hear the "well Xbox does it" argument. Its that proprietary wireless system that MS runs...you know the one the PS3 fanboys bashed the MS fanboys about cause they couldn't have wireless guitars at launch. It recognizes a guitar controller regardless of manufacturer and makes it work with the system not the software. Some time the price of dealing with MS pays off for the consumer.

The wireless system has nothing to do with it. The older guitars work for the XBox because Harmonix *worked* on those guitars, so they know how they work and could just make their game compatible. RedOctane probably didn't bother changing the hardware for 360 GH3, so Harmonix got a freebie there.

However, for PS3 GH3, it was the first PS3 guitar, so Harmonix couldn't know ahead of time how they'd build it.


Harmonix isn't to blame. Activision isn't to blame. Sony is to blame. If they would have used their so called next-gen wireless Bluetooth option in the first place then none of this would be an issue. If they wouldn't have stifled either 3rd party peripherals that allow you to use PS2 guitars on the system or homebrews from the community none of this would be an issue. Sony really needs to get their S*%^ together.

Dude, that is totally laughable. Bluetooth is an *open* standard. I can hook up any bluetooth thing to my PS3 that I want - headset, keyboard, mouse, controller..... any controller that follows PS3's specs and uses bluetooth will work. The reason Harmonix didn't use it is because it wasn't quite reliable enough for a rhythm based game.

Sony is in no way to blame. Sony's not the one stopping this patch from going out, it's Activision (or so we presume). They're the only ones who have anything to gain from it.

[Nate Finch]

By the way, posted on GH Forums (which, by the way, look awful):

http://www.guitarhero.com/forums/7/forum_topics/22933

[Siberian]

Obviously Sony wants the patch out - it gives more parity with the XBox system. Obviously Harmonix wants it out, since they were the ones that made it. That only leaves Red Octane and Activision.... and Red Octane certainly wants the patch, since it means more of their guitars will get sold. That leaves Activision..... probably pissing and moaning (with lawyers) about HMX "reverse engineering" their guitar.


Red Octane = Activision.

Activision owns them.

There is no distinction between what Activision wants and what Red Octane wants, they are owned by the same people.

[Nate Finch]

Siberian - ahh, thanks, didn't realize.

[Deeznutzs27]

The wireless system has nothing to do with it. The older guitars work for the XBox because Harmonix *worked* on those guitars, so they know how they work and could just make their game compatible. RedOctane probably didn't bother changing the hardware for 360 GH3, so Harmonix got a freebie there.

However, for PS3 GH3, it was the first PS3 guitar, so Harmonix couldn't know ahead of time how they'd build it.



Dude, that is totally laughable. Bluetooth is an *open* standard. I can hook up any bluetooth thing to my PS3 that I want - headset, keyboard, mouse, controller..... any controller that follows PS3's specs and uses bluetooth will work. The reason Harmonix didn't use it is because it wasn't quite reliable enough for a rhythm based game.

Sony is in no way to blame. Sony's not the one stopping this patch from going out, it's Activision (or so we presume). They're the only ones who have anything to gain from it.

Im not going to argue with you since obviously you know everthing... Hey even HMXJohnLok said so.

Sony is in no way to blame.. im going to go use PS2 guitar with the PS3 oh sorry Sony dosent want me to.

[MF-PO'd]

Wait, I think there is a difference between Red Octane and Activision in this matter. I don't believe the two companies are on the same page.

First, Red Octane in almost all certainty provided codes to Harmonix to get the guitar to work. That would be consistent with what Red Octane told me directly (and anyone else that e-mailed them about this problem). In case anyone missed it:

-----------------------
Hello,

Thank you for writing us.

We are aware of the issue at hand and are looking into it. It was not something purposely designed for, but a situation that has arisen since the release of RockBand. Please have patience.

Regards,

RedOctane Customer Support

www.RedOctane.com
-----------------------

That clearly sounds like a company willing to not only allow a fix their guitar but to help Harmonix fix it. They even mention the competition by name. I personally think Activision was not aware and got all pissy about it.

Oh, and good morning. :) Hopefully, Sean will those contacts for us early today so we can give the responsible parties a piece of our mind.

[DoctorWho]

If this rumor is an any way confirmed, I will NEVER be buying an Activision product EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought 2 Guitar Hero 3 bundles for PS3 (to play Co-Op, nice scheme there!) and I didn't really flinch because I knew I would be getting Rock Band and be use the guitars. We all know how many people that pissed off...

RB is almost in every way a superior game to Activision's GH series. If they really are the ones causing the hold up then raise the outrage with THEM not HMX, not Sony, its not their fault!

As for those saying its Sony's fault for not making an "open" Bluetooth standard, get your facts straight. Its the developers who are getting lazy with not making TRUE bluetooth devices (I would assume more cost would be the answer). I can use 99% of my current bluetooth devices with the PS3. The dongle that Activision and HMX use proves that they are using some other standard other than Bluetooth.

This is a trajedy to the gaming community. Mods, please don't lock this thread as a lot of us have paid a LOT of money to play these products. We deserve some real answers! I hope this doesn't ruin anyone's Christmas...

[Ventura]

Red Octane = Activision.

Activision owns them.

There is no distinction between what Activision wants and what Red Octane wants, they are owned by the same people.

Uh oh. We are so screwed.

Anyone else starting to think this patch is never gonna see the light of day?

GG Activision. I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with Boycott ;)

[Nate Finch]

Sony is in no way to blame.. im going to go use PS2 guitar with the PS3 oh sorry Sony dosent want me to.

It's not Sony's controller. They're not stopping you from using it. Talk to Red Octane.

[ShadowOfEden]

If they actually block the patch, I'm going to sell my PS and GH3. It's Sony's fault for not having rigid standards.

There's pros and cons with solid standards. Like you can use any mouse and keyboard (for games that support it, but they don't need to be authorized by Sony), and it can apply to networks as well. Open standards opens the door for user mods in UT3 and user generated content in LBP. But on the other side, there's the compatibility issues with different companies...

Rock Band is fun, but I'm interested in those pros of open standards, so I wouldn't trade 3 player RB for 4 player RB if that meant losing mods in UT3 and LBP...

I'll wait for the patch. :p


Sony is in no way to blame.. im going to go use PS2 guitar with the PS3 oh sorry Sony dosent want me to.

Does Sony forbid it? NO. It's ONLY because the PS2 uses the controller ports instead of the USB. If GH2 would have been delopped using the USB of the PS2, it would work on the PS3. Find me ONE link where Sony says "You are not allowed to play GH2 on PS3" It's only incompatibility between the design of third party peripherals on two different consoles.

That issue has ALWAYS been here. Check out the NES, you couldn't use the light gun for games on the SNES using the Super Scope, while they are the same thing in mechanic. And even better, they're not third party.

It's no one fault. GH2 should have been using USB, but they had no way to guess that next-gen would be using USB, so they couldn't guess.

[Deeznutzs27]

[QUOTE=DoctorWho;177528]
As for those saying its Sony's fault for not making an "open" Bluetooth standard, get your facts straight. Its the developers who are getting lazy with not making TRUE bluetooth devices (I would assume more cost would be the answer). I can use 99% of my current bluetooth devices with the PS3. The dongle that Activision and HMX use proves that they are using some other standard other than Bluetooth.QUOTE]


The dongle proves they are not using Bluetooth?!? Really I just thought that was the new Bluetooth setup... The point is if your going to make all these big claims about next-gen wireless Bluetooth setup you might want to check in with 2 of the biggest developers of 3rd party periphrials and make sure they think its up to their standards as an input system. RedOctane and Harmonix both believe its not reliable and decided to go a dongle route. I blame Sony for the fact they seem unwilling to work with them to improve the development of devices. I would kill for Bluetooth guitars but it looks like it will never happen.

[Nate Finch]

Keep the ire pointed in the right place - Activision. Sony has no interest in stopping this patch.

Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.

[Deeznutzs27]

There's pros and cons with solid standards. Like you can use any mouse and keyboard (for games that support it, but they don't need to be authorized by Sony), and it can apply to networks as well. Open standards opens the door for user mods in UT3 and user generated content in LBP. But on the other side, there's the compatibility issues with different companies...

Rock Band is fun, but I'm interested in those pros of open standards, so I wouldn't trade 3 player RB for 4 player RB if that meant losing mods in UT3 and LBP...

I'll wait for the patch. :p



Does Sony forbid it? NO. It's ONLY because the PS2 uses the controller ports instead of the USB. If GH2 would have been delopped using the USB of the PS2, it would work on the PS3. Find me ONE link where Sony says "You are not allowed to play GH2 on PS3" It's only incompatibility between the design of third party peripherals on two different consoles.

That issue has ALWAYS been here. Check out the NES, you couldn't use the light gun for games on the SNES using the Super Scope, while they are the same thing in mechanic. And even better, they're not third party.

It's no one fault. GH2 should have been using USB, but they had no way to guess that next-gen would be using USB, so they couldn't guess.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps2/nyko-guitar-hero-adaptor-on-hold-248293.php

Read this and get back to me.. I know this was killed by Sony my uncle is on the board at NYKO. I dont care if you believe me or not but its the truth.

[FakeNBake]

Ive begun posting negative Activision comments on the GH message board because they will be able to track my post with my registration and see that I own two bundles...every little bit helps

[DoctorWho]

[QUOTE=DoctorWho;177528]
As for those saying its Sony's fault for not making an "open" Bluetooth standard, get your facts straight. Its the developers who are getting lazy with not making TRUE bluetooth devices (I would assume more cost would be the answer). I can use 99% of my current bluetooth devices with the PS3. The dongle that Activision and HMX use proves that they are using some other standard other than Bluetooth.QUOTE]


The dongle proves they are not using Bluetooth?!? Really I just thought that was the new Bluetooth setup... The point is if your going to make all these big claims about next-gen wireless Bluetooth setup you might want to check in with 2 of the biggest developers of 3rd party periphrials and make sure they think its up to their standards as an input system. RedOctane and Harmonix both believe its not reliable and decided to go a dongle route. I blame Sony for the fact they seem unwilling to work with them to improve the development of devices. I would kill for Bluetooth guitars but it looks like it will never happen.

Some users have done scans detecting the frequencies of signals being transmitted from the guitars and they are much closer to the WiFi range than they are to the Bluetooth standard.

You have to realize, to create a device with an offical "Bluetooth Standard" you have to pay licensing fees. I suspect that is the reason for HMX and RO for developing their own.

[DoctorWho]

Ive begun posting negative Activision comments on the GH message board because they will be able to track my post with my registration and see that I own two bundles...every little bit helps

Yeah I did the same! Join forces and flood the GH boards until we get an answer from SOMEONE!

[ShadowOfEden]

Yeah I did the same! Join forces and flood the GH boards until we get an answer from SOMEONE!

link please! :P

[ShadowOfEden]

But there's one thind that I don't understand.

The Fender doesn't work with GH3, so people wanting to play GH3 would need a LP. But, many many RB owners would like to play 4 players, and would prefer to buy GH3 than buying a 130$ Fender on ebay. So all that it would do is increase the sales of GH3! Where the hell is the problem?

[Deeznutzs27]

[QUOTE=Deeznutzs27;177546]

Some users have done scans detecting the frequencies of signals being transmitted from the guitars and they are much closer to the WiFi range than they are to the Bluetooth standard.

You have to realize, to create a device with an offical "Bluetooth Standard" you have to pay licensing fees. I suspect that is the reason for HMX and RO for developing their own.

I do realize that completly. You have to pay proprietary wireless fees to MS as well. Didnt seem to stop RO ... HMX is but not until after the first of the year.

In respect to the people who are having real issues .. ie not being able to use other controllers and enjoy this amazing game.. I am bowing out of this argument as we are getting off track and its becoming a Bluetooth debate..

I really hope those waiting for answers get them cause we all deserve to be gamers not pawns used by developers to wage a personal wars against franchises.

Peace

[SoulScreme]

I don't understand this mentality. Anybody who gets angry at Harmonix is a troll and a flamer. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable to "flood" the GH3 boards with crap about a rumor confirmed by nobody? This community is ridiculous.

[Nate Finch]

My post on GH boards:
http://www.guitarhero.com/forums/7/forum_topics/22933?page=1#forumposts-165960

I do not condone "flooding" their boards, however, they will never know how upset we are if we only post here. Posting on their own boards about their own actions is perfectly reasonable.

[Tarzanman]

THIS IS HYPOTHETICAL SPECULATION.... think of it as a thought exercise.

The problem is this: The platform provider has not set forth a perhiperal specification that explicity states a requirement or lack thereof for compatibility with other titles.

Let us assume There is Game 'A' and Game 'B'

If Game B allows their game to have wider compatibility then it will give game 'B' a slight advantage in that customers who already have Game 'A' will now have a choice as to whether they would like to purchase Game 'B' at a lower price (without having to purchase a more-expensive, and possibly cost-prohibitive, bundle).

Naturally, this makes the owners of Game 'A' worried because this will lead to increased competition down the line when Game 'A-2' comes out and has to compete against Game 'B' or 'B-2' since the peripheral for Game 'A' will now be cross compatible. The owners of Game 'A' might be particularly nervous if their product was demonstrably inferior (or rather, outdated and recycled) compared to Game 'B'. The crux of Game 'A's worries is that they don't want their customers to have an unfettered choice because they are likely to gravitate to a superior product.

Where might an embattled 3rd party platform provider weigh in? Noone can be sure without all available information, but you would think that a platform provider provide a solution which would make them the most revenue in the long run. In practice, this would probably be whatever decision allowed users to purchase more copies of games A or B. Other secondary concerns include alienating vendors or distributors, and setting a bad precedent for the next game with a bundled peripheral that a different company might want to take advantage of.

The real question is wow this would play out in real life? My hunches are that one of two end results would be most likely (hypothetically):

1. Game 'A' would require a licensing fee from Game 'B' in order to use their peripheral. This is similar in spirit to the licensing fees for platform-provided technologies like wireless, cameras, microphones, etc.

-or-

2. The platform provider would compromise by only allowing/enforcing a platform-wide, cross-compatible standard *after* a long enough period of time to allow Game 'A' to build up their customer bases based upon their intended initial, non-compatible business model. The length of time would be arbitrary, but probably based on Game 'A's speculations about timing a sequel.

What is less likely, IMO, is that any platform standard/decree mandating open compatibility would be immediately enforced. A platform provider might get worried about their clients starting to snipe one another's titles or use the precedent as justification for infringing on other types of IP.

..but I could be wrong.

[FakeNBake]

their board could use the traffic...

HMXSean you know that is funny

[ShadowOfEden]

http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps2/nyko-guitar-hero-adaptor-on-hold-248293.php

Read this and get back to me.. I know this was killed by Sony my uncle is on the board at NYKO. I dont care if you believe me or not but its the truth.

"due to a Red Octane rep telling me Guitar Hero would never work on the PS3."

Yes, Sony is behind the "limitations in the PlayStation 3 hardware", but that was most probably unintentionnal. Sometimes, projects are killed because there's bumps that are just too big or not worth it on the way.

[Ventura]

I don't understand this mentality. Anybody who gets angry at Harmonix is a troll and a flamer. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable to "flood" the GH3 boards with crap about a rumor confirmed by nobody? This community is ridiculous.

Granted, his notion about flooding the GH3 forums is immature and wouldn't achieve anything except to make us all look like children.

As far as the rumour though, we know precious little information, and in the absence of fact most people will believe anything they can. We even have word from a Harmonix employee in this very thread that the patch has been ready to go and full tested for at least a week.

It may just be a rumour, yeah, but it does make a lot of sense, and it would account for this patch's unexplained delay.

[DoctorWho]

I don't understand this mentality. Anybody who gets angry at Harmonix is a troll and a flamer. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable to "flood" the GH3 boards with crap about a rumor confirmed by nobody? This community is ridiculous.

No, it is NOT rediculous. You need to look at this from the player/consumer's perspective (which is US!!)

We want some ANSWERS, and we're running out of patience. 3 days ago the post about "the patch is here! come and get it!" was out and after people found out it had NOT yet been released, there was a vague answer given as to why.

I don't care what you say, $170 for many is a LOT to spend on 1 game. Calculate GH3 bundles ($200 if you own two!) and thats as much as a console. To have all of this and not even be able to play it AS ADVERTISED will cause an uproar. And the more vague answers we get the more people will speculate. If flooding the boards gets us an answer faster, then I'm all for it. We as consumers deserve to know. Even if sadly the answer will be 'It's not gonna happen', we would still appreciate the answer.

Remember when this issue first came up on launch and people that sent e-mails to tech support got vague answers? Well a few days and a few thousand e-mails more, we got a better answer. I hope we see the same and I for one am losing my patience!

[Deeznutzs27]

"due to a Red Octane rep telling me Guitar Hero would never work on the PS3."

Yes, Sony is behind the "limitations in the PlayStation 3 hardware", but that was most probably unintentionnal. Sometimes, projects are killed because there's bumps that are just too big or not worth it on the way.


Red Octane rep said that since he knew that Sony was pressuring them to use Bluetooth at the time and wanted to squeeze them by not allowing their older equipment to function on the new system. Later followed up by a patch that closed the program that was allowing Nyko to use this product. I know why it was killed. I was told first hand.. Being a hardcore GH fan at the time I was angered by this news and went out and bought my 360.

[Bakkster]

I don't understand this mentality. Anybody who gets angry at Harmonix is a troll and a flamer. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable to "flood" the GH3 boards with crap about a rumor confirmed by nobody? This community is ridiculous.

I don't like it either. Assuming this is true, I'll lose the last bit of respect I had for RO/Activision. I don't think we're there yet. It was clearly posted as a rumor, and that it will stay as. I think it's stupid to post this anywhere else under any other heading than "Rumor...". I think people on the GH forums will be interested in this, but I'm also not one to go spreading FUD.

I remember back when the community was awesome here. It still is, it's just hidden under the flamers, trollers, and people making threats. :(


Well that's not very nice. How many legitimate stories do we have to run before we're "reliable"? I make sure my writers post at least one (or two, but no more!) legitimate stories a day. I think we're doing pretty good!

Ditto. The story was very clearly stated as rumor, and it would have been stupid NOT to post. Good work!

[ShadowOfEden]

I don't understand this mentality. Anybody who gets angry at Harmonix is a troll and a flamer. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable to "flood" the GH3 boards with crap about a rumor confirmed by nobody? This community is ridiculous.

Depends on what he means by "flooding". You and I came here for the same reason : To bring LP compatibility to RB on PS3. We can easily let our opinion be known without posting 12 topics "You suck!". That the rumor is true or not is not really a problem, if it's not, they'll say it, it it's true, then you have more chances to get it fixed. They would sell more GH3 if they do, I don't know where the hold up is.

[Dissent]

Ok, so here is my response from Activision's tech support...


Thank you for contacting Activision�s Technical Support. I'm sorry
to hear about your problem. Unfortunately at Tech Support, I do not
know the answer to your question.

I am now sending a follow up question to the bastards asking where I should direct this question. Anger rising.

[ShadowOfEden]

Red Octane rep said that since he knew that Sony was pressuring them to use Bluetooth at the time and wanted to squeeze them by not allowing their older equipment to function on the new system. Later followed up by a patch that closed the program that was allowing Nyko to use this product. I know why it was killed. I was told first hand.. Being a hardcore GH fan at the time I was angered by this news and went out and bought my 360.

Blue-tooth as never been a must. From launch, the PS3 supported countless USB devices, like wireless wi-fi keyboards. GH3 and RB don't even use Blue-tooth signals.

[Makomachine]

Wow - this board has bigtime crybaby syndrome. I've really enjoyed a lot of the posts and tips, and being an owner of the PS3 version, have also highly anticipated either the standalone guitar release or compatibility patch for the GH3 guitar. That said, all of this 'demanding' and 'we deserve' BS is adolescent at best. It is almost entertainment in and of itself to read about threatening never to buy another Harmonix game, class action lawsuits, returning PS3's, etc. - which are either EXTREMELY empty threats or farewells to a lot of you. I vote the former considering you are still posting again and again on these boards.

Grow up, give them a chance to work the issue and go play some drums on one of the most entertaining games I've personally bought in a while...

[FakeNBake]

here is the SOny board's thread if anyone wants to post anything

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=music&thread.id=267110&jump=true

it could use the traffic too! LOLOLOLOL

[Bakkster]

Ok, so here is my response from Activision's tech support...

I am now sending a follow up question to the bastards asking where I should direct this question. Anger rising.

1) Tech Support usually doesn't know the answers to these questions. They know how to troubleshoot, and they get necessary information passed on to them. Things like if their parent company is blocking another companies patch isn't something they'd know.

2) This guy totally isn't the reason for the delay. Even if Activision is blocking this, the Tech Support guys have nothing to do with it. They're hardly bastards. Just cut them some slack and show them a bit of respect. No sense yelling at some guy for something he neither has information on, nor can do anything about.

[FakeNBake]

now the GH board says it is shut down for maintenance?

maybe we crashed it...:D

[MF-PO'd]

Wow - this board has bigtime crybaby syndrome. I've really enjoyed a lot of the posts and tips, and being an owner of the PS3 version, have also highly anticipated either the standalone guitar release or compatibility patch for the GH3 guitar. That said, all of this 'demanding' and 'we deserve' BS is adolescent at best. It is almost entertainment in and of itself to read about threatening never to buy another Harmonix game, class action lawsuits, returning PS3's, etc. - which are either EXTREMELY empty threats or farewells to a lot of you. I vote the former considering you are still posting again and again on these boards.

Grow up, give them a chance to work the issue and go play some drums on one of the most entertaining games I've personally bought in a while...

You're DEAD wrong. We have a right to ask for this product to function as was advertised. Harmonix and EA have done their part. Now, Red Octane and/or Activison are preventing us from enjoying this game with their legal nonsense. As a standalone PS3 game owner, I do not have the option to 'go play some drums', and dare I say, I don't want to either. I bought this game to play guitar, and I cannot do that. I have a right to do anything within my means get this situation fixed, and I have a right to be frustrated.

If you're happy with your game the way it is then fine. That's great. Don't read this thread. Go enjoy your drums.

[mookie25]

Holy sh** I just got the patch!!! The game started up, and it told me to update to V1.5, I updated and immediately connected the LP and it works! Finally! A problem has finally been solved with this game! It's about damn time.

[Dissent]

Grow up, give them a chance to work the issue and go play some drums on one of the most entertaining games I've personally bought in a while...

Thanks dad. But if you'll take a minute to think rather than to post you might realize that boycotts and even class action suits are what us "grown ups" do when we are misdirected and screwed over by a company. We don't, however, leap to those actions immediately. First we try communication of our problems and about our problems with the company in question which is we are posting here and on other forums. This is the first step for a lied-to consumer to right what has been wrong. Thanks for your brilliant contribution though.

[gamegod81]

Someone Confirm This Now

[Deeznutzs27]

Blue-tooth as never been a must. From launch, the PS3 supported countless USB devices, like wireless wi-fi keyboards. GH3 and RB don't even use Blue-tooth signals.

Ok you lost me.. I never said Bluetooth was ever a must. I said they were pressuring them to use it. We know GH3 and RB don't use it, the decided to go with the dongle since it was more reliable for rhythm games.

[Ventura]

That said, all of this 'demanding' and 'we deserve' BS is adolescent at best.


So you believe consumer anger and adolescent behaviour go hand in hand then, is that right?

I don't think so. Doing things like flooding the Guitar Hero forums, yeah that'd be demonstrating adolescent behaviour, but how is expressing frustration in one thread because of this situation the same as that?

It's how you deal with the frustration you're feeling which determines whether you're behaving childishly or not, but to be honest, I'm not seeing very much of that here.

[MrMet2087]

notice how this thread has NOT been locked like the other ones that spread misinformation, meaning this is probably true. More reason to HATE neversoft and actvision.

[mookie25]

I know you guys are going to hate me, but I'm only kidding. I figured it would be nice to try to take the attention off of arguing with eachother to enjoy a simple, but effective prank. The patch WILL come sooner than later, I just hope I didn't inconvenience anyone too much. Sorry, but I just had to do it. Now stop arguing and just be patient.

[Dissent]

This guy totally isn't the reason for the delay. Even if Activision is blocking this, the Tech Support guys have nothing to do with it. They're hardly bastards. Just cut them some slack and show them a bit of respect. No sense yelling at some guy for something he neither has information on, nor can do anything about.

I hear you, but understand I didn't yell at tech support even though most tech support personnel knows to forward a question to someone who would know or at least give me an email where I might have more luck.

Wait... did that guy just say he got the patch? <flies off to check this out>

[gamegod81]

Holy sh** I just got the patch!!! The game started up, and it told me to update to V1.5, I updated and immediately connected the LP and it works! Finally! A problem has finally been solved with this game! It's about damn time.


has no one else seen this post?? go try ittttttt
this guy only has one post so im assuming its not true but im in class right now and cant do anything to test this!

[mookie25]

......as everyone turns their PS3's on.......

[MaximusDM]

has no one else seen this post?? go try ittttttt
this guy only has one post so im assuming its not true but im in class right now and cant do anything to test this!

I just tried it, nothing prompted a patch.
I go to Online Band Quickplay and my dongle registers it as a mic.
There is no patch.

[MF-PO'd]

I know you guys are going to hate me, but I'm only kidding. I figured it would be nice to try to take the attention off of arguing with eachother to enjoy a simple, but effective prank. The patch WILL come sooner than later, I just hope I didn't inconvenience anyone too much. Sorry, but I just had to do it. Now stop arguing and just be patient.

Actually, it was a complete waste of time, and I doubt anyone believed it anyway.

Patience is out the window when you have freaking lawyers involved stopping something. I'm not waiting for that. I'll wait for something to be developed and tested, but I'm NOT waiting while some A-hole company has their A-hole lawyers out causing frustration for us all. Screw patience.

[Bakkster]

notice how this thread has NOT been locked like the other ones that spread misinformation, meaning this is probably true. More reason to HATE neversoft and actvision.

Not necessarily. This is basically the same response that has been given to to song speculation, true or not.


I hear you, but understand I didn't yell at tech support even though most tech support personnel knows to forward a question to someone who would know or at least give me an email where I might have more luck.

Wait... did that guy just say he got the patch? <flies off to check this out>

Wasn't sure. I agree that asking Tech Support who to contact instead is a good idea, just worried that you calling them "bastards" meant you were pissed at the poor support guy.

Yeah, I'd be interested to see if it's out. Is so, we should get a reason for the delay.

[Dissent]

Not to call anyone a liar or anything but I just tried to play some Rockband and no patch whatsoever. :(

[gamegod81]

dick thing to do man

[Ventura]

has no one else seen this post?? go try ittttttt
this guy only has one post so im assuming its not true but im in class right now and cant do anything to test this!

He already followed up with an additional post saying he was just kidding around.

Yeah, probably not the best time. There are a lot of frustrated gamers out there mookie, there are those with standalone copies literally waiting for this fix so that they can *start* playing the game.

Next time you wanna try and be funny mate, just tell a joke or something :D

[Kess]

now the GH board says it is shut down for maintenance?

maybe we crashed it...:D

It's not the board that's down...just the ONE post about the rumour! All the other posts open just fine. Activision is getting scared already!!!!

[mookie25]

It was a JOKE. Calm down, and remember it's a VIDEO GAME. The problems will be solved. I'm in the same boat as everyone else and I didn't necessarily enjoy spending $180 on faulty equipment and not being able to use my LP with RB but at this point, what can I do? What can you do? We can wait, be patient, and hope for resolution(s). This has been a pretty awful experience, I understand, but let's not take it out on eachother.

Patience is a virtue.

[TheTogfather]

Wow, this has turned into quite the thread. VERY surprised it's still alive, definately makes me lean in the directly of it turning out true.

And Mookie25...you're a moron.

[SoulScreme]

It was a [B]joke[B]. Calm down, and remember it's a VIDEO GAME. The problems will be solved. I'm in the same boat as everyone else and I didn't necessarily enjoy spending $180 in faulty equipment and not being able to use my LP with RB but at this point, what can I do? What can you do? We can wait, be patient, and hope for resolution(s). This has been a pretty awful experience, I understand, but let's not take it out on eachother.

Patience is a virtue.

Yes, and being a jerk-off is a vice.

[Kess]

Again, it's just the one post that's down on the GH board. Someone wanna start a new one???? :p

[SoulScreme]

I was on the GH forums for a while. A single thread going down for no reason is not new. It's probably not a conspiracy, their site just suck my left testicle.

[Nate Finch]

It's not the board that's down...just the ONE post about the rumour! All the other posts open just fine. Activision is getting scared already!!!!

It's working fine now. I'm sure it was completely unrelated.

[mookie25]

Not. Even. Worth. It.

[Kess]

I was on the GH forums for a while. A single thread going down for no reason is not new. It's probably not a conspiracy, their site just suck my left testicle.

It might not be a conspiracy, but it still does look awfully suspicious. And Nate, it's still not opening for me...when all the other posts are.

***edit***
Ok, it is working again...had to refresh a few extra times.

[Abaddon]

Harmonix isn't to blame. Activision isn't to blame. Sony is to blame. [...] Sony really needs to get their S*%^ together.You are SO RIGHT. Fact is, if that damn Sony hadn't made the PS3, I would not have bought one, and I would have a 360 instead, and then I could be using the Les Paul with my Rock Band!!!! It >IS< all Sony's fault.

LOL

[Dissent]

See, the problem with the internet is you can't have some dickhead kid like Mookie pulled away by his parents or tard-sitter when they start interfering in a conversation like this.

Has anyone tried contacting Sony about this issue? If so what was the response? I will try calling them right now and see if I can find out anything.

[FakeNBake]

this thread on these various boards have consumed my first 2 and 1/2 hours at work:D

[SoulScreme]

Wait, I'm immature? You came onto a forum of people already upset by this issue and decided to incite more bad vibes by making an out and out false statement. Then, when people call you on being an A-hole, you say it was a joke. What are you 12? 13 maybe. Joke or not, it was a jerk thing to do. You come in, get peoples hopes up, and then they are just left pissed.

[mookie25]

I was on the GH forums for a while. A single thread going down for no reason is not new. It's probably not a conspiracy, their site just suck my left testicle.

Perplexing statement, considering you have no balls. Or a sense of humor for that matter.

[TreoRock_]

Is it time now to start sending emails out to Activision and Sony? or are we still waiting on Sean?

[SoulScreme]

Perplexing statement, considering you have no balls. Or a sense of humor for that matter.

Everybody welcome the new flamer.

[mookie25]

Wait, I'm immature? You came onto a forum of people already upset by this issue and decided to incite more bad vibes by making an out and out false statement. Then, when people call you on being an A-hole, you say it was a joke. What are you 12? 13 maybe. Joke or not, it was a jerk thing to do. You come in, get peoples hopes up, and then they are just left pissed.


Joke or not? Wait, so if the patch REALLY was up and I informed everyone of it, it would still be the "jerk" thing to do?

[mookie25]

THE PATCH WILL BE RELEASED. It isn't the end of the world. I completely support everyone's efforts to contact various companies, looking for answers, but at the same time we have to realize that it is out of our hands at the moment.

[FakeNBake]

I need this patch for this weekend or all of my friends will go to my buddies house who has it for the other console even though I have 56" of high def and my dolby surround...

COMMENCE THE BOMBING!

[Gryffindor]

NEWS FLASH

Activision is the BIGGEST 3rd party sofware company on the planet. You kill me. You REALLY think Sony wants to lose ANYBODY and ANY game titles right now? Especially Guitar Hero? You can be a Rock Band fan boy all you want, but facts are facts, Guitar Hero is THE largest rythym game franchise in history. You think Sony wants to lose that? They can hardly sell PS3's now. If they lose Guitar Hero, that just means more Xbox 360, and Wii system sales. If Sony started revoking licensing agreements, how many PS3's do you think that would help sell? :confused:



So Activision is bigger than Sony? Give me a break. They pale in comparison. If Sony really wanted to relase this patch they would have already. They haven't due to possible legal issues.

This is where the LARGER, MORE POWERFUL company needs to flex their muscles a bit to slap down what is essentially just a subcontractor. If Activision doesn't want to play nice now, what makes you think that they'll play nice in the future? Do you think that Sony would want to risk even more wrath due to a 2nd party's failure to listen to the customer base?

[Ventura]

You are SO RIGHT. Fact is, if that damn Sony hadn't made the PS3, I would not have bought one, and I would have a 360 instead, and then I could be using the Les Paul with my Rock Band!!!! It >IS< all Sony's fault.

LOL

Well, that wouldn't do me much good.

If Sony hadn't made the PS3, the 360 would be the only option. Only, 360 games aren't region free. So it's thanks to Sony that I've actually been able to play atall for the last week or so. I'd be waiting until something like February of next year otherwise.

In and of itself, Sony not forcing a set controller standard isn't a problem. The problem is that if the companies making the same types of games that are going to be using the same types of controllers don't much feel like working together (gg Activision), they don't have to.

If Sony are to blame, it's because they left it up to the children that work at Activision, which explains why we're so screwed now.

[FakeNBake]

THE PATCH WILL BE RELEASED. It isn't the end of the world. I completely support everyone's efforts to contact various companies, looking for answers, but at the same time we have to realize that it is out of our hands at the moment.

you sound like a jaded voter who does not think things can change in Washington...WE ARE THE CONSUMER AND WE ARE THE ONLY REASON THEY MAKE MONEY!

[SoulScreme]

Joke or not? Wait, so if the patch REALLY was up and I informed everyone of it, it would still be the "jerk" thing to do?

No, you are misunderstanding. Lying to people is what I consider being a jerk. You included nothing to make it seems like a joke, until you got called out.


THE PATCH WILL BE RELEASED. It isn't the end of the world. I completely support everyone's efforts to contact various companies, looking for answers, but at the same time we have to realize that it is out of our hands at the moment.

How do you even know this? If Activision takes legal action to block it then it may never come out.

[mookie25]

you sound like a jaded voter who does not think things can change in Washington...WE ARE THE CONSUMER AND WE ARE THE ONLY REASON THEY MAKE MONEY!

Not quite. All I'm saying is that there is no "movement". We have to realize that it isn't in our hands right now. Whether it's legal issues or they found something wrong at the last minute, or Activision is blocking the release, we can't do anything about it right now. And when was the last time someone from HMX even posted a (vague at best) update of the situation. It's ridiculous, I totally understand but what can WE do at THIS point.

[Bakkster]

Is it time now to start sending emails out to Activision and Sony? or are we still waiting on Sean?

If you want to inquire with either company, go ahead. Just be nice about it, don't imply they are to blame or expect them to admit they effed up. If it turns out they lie to you, then you could use that response against them. Otherwise, we might get a bit more info.


So Activision is bigger than Sony? Give me a break. They pale in comparison. If Sony really wanted to relase this patch they would have already. They haven't due to possible legal issues.

This is where the LARGER, MORE POWERFUL company needs to flex their muscles a bit to slap down what is essentially just a subcontractor. If Activision doesn't want to play nice now, what makes you think that they'll play nice in the future? Do you think that Sony would want to risk even more wrath due to a 2nd party's failure to listen to the customer base?

If all Activision games suddenly went 360 only, then Sony effectively shot themselves in the foot. Everyone still has to play nice, like it or not.

Just remember: Sony depends on Activision, Activision could do just fine without Sony.

[jaxxs81]

how can activision block the release of the patch if the xbox 360 version worked with gh3 guitar from the get go, they would have to send a patch to xbox 360 users to disable the gh3 guitar to work to make it fair on both platforms

[Kess]

Come on guys....enough with the stupid personal Sh!t already! Got a newflash for you: Nobody cares. Focus on the issue!

[Nate Finch]

Enough with the flaming, guys. It's behavior like that which gets threads locked. Let's try to behave like adults and keep things on topic and low key.

[Deeznutzs27]

You are SO RIGHT. Fact is, if that damn Sony hadn't made the PS3, I would not have bought one, and I would have a 360 instead, and then I could be using the Les Paul with my Rock Band!!!! It >IS< all Sony's fault.

LOL


Your SO right. I guess if you just take that line without any of the facts to back it up. I sound like such a wacko sorry ....

Geesh and I thought the Xbox fanboys were the ones who were blind.

[Dissent]

Well calling Sony didn't really work too well so I emailed my question to "Consumer Support". Hopefully I'll eventually get some information.

I hear you FakenBake! My weekend is largely dependent on the patch too lol!

[mookie25]

SONY > Activision. As someone mentioned before, I think we know who the bigger company is. The release shouldn't have been a problem. I'm leaning more toward this being a rumor. Perhaps no one from HMX has even checked these boards thoroughly lately to lock this thread. And plus, we're all just speculating anyway.

[MF-PO'd]

this thread on these various boards have consumed my first 2 and 1/2 hours at work:D

LOL. Damn it, me too. I have a lot of work to do, but I can't get out of this thread...

[mookie25]

When was the last time Sean updated us? Page 3?

[Ryder35]

See, the problem with the internet is you can't have some dickhead kid like Mookie pulled away by his parents or tard-sitter when they start interfering in a conversation like this.

Has anyone tried contacting Sony about this issue? If so what was the response? I will try calling them right now and see if I can find out anything.

Yep,

I contacted them and they said they could not do anything about Mookie either ;)

[Ventura]

When was the last time Sean updated us? Page 3?

I don't think there's really anything more Harmonix can say about this, except to post whatever the resolution to this issue ends up being.

They've done their bit, it's out of their hands now.

[mookie25]

Yep,

I contacted them and they said they could not do anything about Mookie either ;)

Very clever.

[Gryffindor]

I e-mailed Activision and here's the reply I received:

Response (Jon An) - 12/07/2007 07:52 AM
Hi,

Thanks for contacting customer support.

Unfortunately, we cannot comment on any unreleased updates nor do we have this information. Keep checking our website and various game messageboards for information on any game patches or updates.

Thanks and contact us again.

I wrote them back with the fact that it wasn't THEIR patch, it's Harmonix and that THEIR company is apparently blocking it's implementation through Sony.

If we truly want to get anything done the writing campaigns need to take place TODAY as it is Friday. Pressure needs to be brought across the board to make patch go through quickly. I highly recommend contacting: Activision, Red Octane and of course Sony and lodge complaints TODAY.

[Ryder35]

Very clever.


Why thank you young sir! It is good to see they still teach manners in US high schools :)

[saunderse4]

NEWS FLASH

Activision is the BIGGEST 3rd party sofware company on the planet. You kill me. You REALLY think Sony wants to lose ANYBODY and ANY game titles right now? Especially Guitar Hero? You can be a Rock Band fan boy all you want, but facts are facts, Guitar Hero is THE largest rythym game franchise in history. You think Sony wants to lose that? They can hardly sell PS3's now. If they lose Guitar Hero, that just means more Xbox 360, and Wii system sales. If Sony started revoking licensing agreements, how many PS3's do you think that would help sell? :confused:

Sony owned the game console market, OWNED it, with the PS2. But they got sloppy and lazy. Now they are a distant number 3. I remember Sega being HUGE with the Genesis, and then the Dreamcast was the best console on the Market, but Sega failed in so many ways, the way Sony is failing now. The LAST thing Sony would want to do right now is lose any of the largest gaming franchises. :(

On paper the PS3 is the superior system. In practice, it's far from it. Look what happend to GTA IV. Sony had a superior product one other time in history, and was the leader in the industry for a while... The home video recording industry... Remember the BetaMAX video cassette recorder? It was superior to the VHS VCR. But Sony continually botched that product too until it vanished from the market place... :eek:

Sorry to say but EA is the largest 3rd party company in the world not Activision.

[mookie25]

Why thank you young sir! It is good to see they still teach manners in US high schools :)

I wouldn't know. I lived in an orphanage for most of my life. I didn't attend a "real" school until I went away to college.

[Feigned]

For those of you still thinking that the fact that this thread hasn't been locked is because the conspiracy theory is correct, I encourage you to read my post back on page 13.

Unfortunately, this thread has gotten way off track since that post. We don't condone or encourage you to troll other forums, or attack other companies. For all we know, it was just a small bug that prevented it from getting released. Either way, we have no solid facts, so there's no need to inappropriate threads on someone else's site.

Also, there has been an increase in posts attacking other users, this is not tolerated on our forums. Since this thread has gotten out of hand, and off-course, I'm going to have to lock it up. Just remember, I don't have any more knowledge of the situation than you do, so this isn't part of some huge conspiracy to keep the (PS3-owning) man down.

Just have patience guys, and try to stay civilized. The patch will come soon, I'm sure.

[Nate Finch]

Honestly, I think locking this thread is for the best. Hopefully we'll get more info soon.

[HMXJohnlok]

We don't condone or encourage you to troll other forums, or attack other companies.

This is absolutely the case. Keep all of your comments about the issue in this thread though; reopening.

[Bakkster]

Sorry to say but EA is the largest 3rd party company in the world not Activision.

Not quite right. EA used to be the #1 3rd-part company. When Activision bought RO, the Guitar Hero franchise pushed them past EA into the top spot.

[SoulScreme]

This is absolutely the case. Keep all of your comments about the issue in this thread though; reopening.

So, why? I mean, this thread has turned into a mob of people who are angry about this issue and all they want to do is bash another company. You guys want to stem the tide of speculation, this thread would be ground zero for proving you mean that. All of the other threads of speculation have been closed, yet you refuse to stop a thread that has begun to breed nothing but visceral and juvenile retaliatory tactics.

[Kess]

Interesting! Furthering all conspiracy theorists everywhere, a thread has been unlocked and reopened! I've been a part of message boards a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen a thread unlocked before. Me thinks this is another indirect way of Harmonix outing out Activision. In which case: Bravo!

[MF-PO'd]

This is absolutely the case. Keep all of your comments about the issue in this thread though; reopening.

Thank you.

I agree people need to stay on topic: Discussing Activision getting their panties in a bunch over the guitar compatibility.

Plus, Sean told us last night he'd provide us contacts today where we can send our complaints.

[Abaddon]

So, why? I mean, this thread has turned into a mob of people who are angry about this issue and all they want to do is bash another company. You guys want to stem the tide of speculation, this thread would be ground zero for proving you mean that. All of the other threads of speculation have been closed, yet you refuse to stop a thread that has begun to breed nothing but visceral and juvenile retaliatory tactics.Maybe because it keeps it all in one place and (at least somewhat) contained? Can you imagine how many threads would sprout up in the place of this one if they did lock it? Better to keep it in one place so it can be easily ignored by people that aren't interested or have lost patience with the thread.

[MF-PO'd]

Interesting! Furthering all conspiracy theorists everywhere, a thread has been unlocked and reopened! I've been a part of message boards a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen a thread unlocked before. Me thinks this is another indirect way of Harmonix outing out Activision. In which case: Bravo!

Yep, that's my interpretation too. Harmonix knows what's going on behind the scenes here. That may not want to directly point the finger, so they can let us handle that for them.

<points at Activision>

[Dissent]

There is nothing juvenile or retaliatory about writing the other companies involved and working to get some answers. Someone somewhere, I'm guessing a whole group of people, know exactly why the patch isn't available and simply don't feel that the consumer needs to know. It's disrespectful and I feel, bad business. This thread is a great way for other consumers feeling the expensive sting of this whole issue to collaborate and keep each other informed.

[bacchus]

I tried to post this here a little while ago, but the thread was locked so I created a new thread for it. Now that it's unlocked again, I'll post it here, too.

One thing we can do to draw more attention to this issue is to push the story to the front of digg.com. I didn't post the article there, but you can vote for it here:

http://digg.com/playstation/Is_Activ..._delay_for_PS3

At least this is a little more pro-active than complaining amongst ourselves and makes more people aware of the "potential" issue..

[ScaryHead]

See my post...

http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=14101

[SoulScreme]

There is nothing juvenile or retaliatory about writing the other companies involved and working to get some answers. Someone somewhere, I'm guessing a whole group of people, know exactly why the patch isn't available and simply don't feel that the consumer needs to know. It's disrespectful and I feel, bad business. This thread is a great way for other consumers feeling the expensive sting of this whole issue to collaborate and keep each other informed.

Yeah, and some of those people work for Harmonix.

[Dissent]

Yeah, and some of those people work for Harmonix.

Sadly, I agree that that is probably true.

[Feigned]

Maybe because it keeps it all in one place and (at least somewhat) contained? Can you imagine how many threads would sprout up in the place of this one if they did lock it? Better to keep it in one place so it can be easily ignored by people that aren't interested or have lost patience with the thread.

That's exactly why John decided to re-open the thread. Better to keep all the discussion in one place.

[Bakkster]

Interesting! Furthering all conspiracy theorists everywhere, a thread has been unlocked and reopened! I've been a part of message boards a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen a thread unlocked before. Me thinks this is another indirect way of Harmonix outing out Activision. In which case: Bravo!

Actually, that's happened before on these boards. Usually due to a mod temporarily locking the thread to stop the hate, then being reopened once it was decided to give the thread a second chance. If the thread goes back to personal attacks or wildly off topic it will probably be closed again. I doubt this has anything to do with the actual issue.

As far as if HMX knows what is going on, I think there are two likely possibilities:
Sony never released the patch, and have not told HMX why.
HMX knows why it was not released, but can't publicly announce it, for legal or other reasons.

[Kess]

Interesting! Furthering all conspiracy theorists everywhere, a thread has been unlocked and reopened! I've been a part of message boards a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen a thread unlocked before. Me thinks this is another indirect way of Harmonix outing out Activision. In which case: Bravo!


Yep, that's my interpretation too. Harmonix knows what's going on behind the scenes here. That may not want to directly point the finger, so they can let us handle that for them.

<points at Activision>

As this is not Harmonix's issue by the sound of it, they pretty much have to be a little carefully....indirect. Activision, on the other hand, has nothing to gain by letting this rumour fester. Like I said on the GH board, in this day and age of instant messaging from practically anywhere in the world, there's absolutely no reason why someone from the company can't go onto their own message board and deny something that's not true, if it isn't. They could solve this matter in about one minute if they wanted to. How hard is it to say, "The rumour isn't true"? That they're not doing that, makes them look guilty by default. Verrrrrrrry guilty.

[Nate Finch]

BTW, I'd like to state for the record that the reason I created the thread on the Guitar Hero forum was not to troll their forums or attack the company, it was purely so that our concerns could be brought before the people who can theoretically do something about it. Activision doesn't read the Rock Band forums (ok, they probably do, but I doubt they follow them carefully). And if we expect our concerns to be heard by Activision, we have to take our complaints to a place where they'll see them.

I think you'll find the thread on the guitar hero forums is very civilized and simply expresses a concern. It's even titled as a rumor, since we do not have any kind of confirmation.

[SoulScreme]

Actually, that's happened before on these boards. Usually due to a mod temporarily locking the thread to stop the hate, then being reopened once it was decided to give the thread a second chance. If the thread goes back to personal attacks or wildly off topic it will probably be closed again. I doubt this has anything to do with the actual issue.

As far as if HMX knows what is going on, I think there are two likely possibilities:
Sony never released the patch, and have not told HMX why.
HMX knows why it was not released, but can't publicly announce it, for legal or other reasons.

I'd buy number 2 far more than number 1.

[bmore007]

If this rumor is true.

I think Activision has to realize that right now they're only losing more potential customers for their game. People would be more inclined now to pick up GH3 if they have Rock Band and want another guitar. That wont always be the case when Harmonix starts selling guitars on their own. Also can't they come to some sort of compromise like letting Activision patch gh3 so the strat will work with it? I think if the two companies just get along they'd both make more money.

[SoulScreme]

If this rumor is true.

I think Activision has to realize that right now they're only losing more potential customers for their game. People would be more inclined now to pick up GH3 if they have Rock Band and want another guitar. That wont always be the case when Harmonix starts selling guitars on their own. Also can't they come to some sort of compromise like letting Activision patch gh3 so the strat will work with it? I think if the two companies just get along they'd both make more money.

Dude, I'd buy a Les Paul even after the Strats are sold seperately. I can't stand the strat.

[DkKnightX]

I'd buy number 2 far more than number 1.

I do #02 more than #01 :p

Oh COME ON! That was a great joke dammit! =)

Kidding around guys.....Relax. I'm not hatin' anymore.

I guess we have no choice but to hurry up and wait. Just hope Sony can find a loophole or something and get that patch released, if they are indeed holding up the works (of course Activision is involved as well).

[Kess]

Actually, that's happened before on these boards. Usually due to a mod temporarily locking the thread to stop the hate, then being reopened once it was decided to give the thread a second chance. If the thread goes back to personal attacks or wildly off topic it will probably be closed again. I doubt this has anything to do with the actual issue.

As far as if HMX knows what is going on, I think there are two likely possibilities:
Sony never released the patch, and have not told HMX why.
HMX knows why it was not released, but can't publicly announce it, for legal or other reasons.

What normally happens on 99.9% of all message boards is that the offending parties are given suspensions, and the thread continues on its merry way without them. Or if everyone's being stupid, or talking about something irrelevant to the board, the thread gets locked. I maintain that it's very rare to see a thread unlocked. It's all just very suspicious (and not in Activision's favour) is all I was saying...especially considering how all the threads about Harmonix's perceived part in the patch's delay were all locked....and stayed locked.

[SoulScreme]

What normally happens on 99.9% of all message boards is that the offending parties are given suspensions, and the thread continues on its merry way without them. Or if everyone's being stupid, or talking about something irrelevant to the board, the thread gets locked. I maintain that it's very rare to see a thread unlocked. It's all just very suspicious (and not in Activision's favour) is all I was saying...especially considering how all the threads about Harmonix's perceived part in the patch's delay were all locked....and stayed locked.

Could be that Activision is the culprit. Could be something more devious, like locking those threads to keep negative attention away from Harmonix and re-opening this to give the public a scape goat. I doubt that's the case, but I've got my tin foil hat just in case.

[nicko68]

Activision really sucks. Are they that afraid that their game won't sell if their guitars work with RB?

Does anyone know if Nintendo will insist that peripherals have to be open, like Microsoft does? (assuming that RB will indeed come to the Wii at some point)

[rgardjr]

If you don't believe Harmonix supports open standards and Activision wants to keep it's IP Proprietary please see the Back of any GH3 Box vs the back of the RB box.

Rock Band:
"Rock Band is compatible with most music game controllers"

Guitar Hero 3:
"Activision Authorizes use of this Guitar Hero game only in combination with the Guitar Hero Controllers provided by activision or standard gamepad controllers provided with the game console. Activision also authorizes us of the Guitar Hero controller only with a Guitar Hero Game Product or other Activision Branded Product. ANY OTHER USE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. No Other License, Express or implied, is granted"

I saw this in another thread on the forum and thought it went straight to the heart of any legal issues surrounding the release of this patch. I don't see the patch getting released until some sort of agreement is reached with Activision ...

[SoulScreme]

I saw this in another thread on the forum and thought it went straight to the heart of any legal issues surrounding the release of this patch. I don't see the patch getting released until some sort of agreement is reached with Activision ...

Like I said before, seems like Harmonix didn't bother to ask anybody at Activision about this. Which is pretty bad when you label the box with a whimsical assumption.

[MF-PO'd]

Like I said before, seems like Harmonix didn't bother to ask anybody at Activision about this. Which is pretty bad when you label the box with a whimsical assumption.

While it's hard to be certain, I think personally that Red Octane provided codes to Harmonix to fix this. We would probably need Harmonix to confirm for sure. It sounded like Red Octane was willing to work with them to fix it though.

[hmxsean]

Locking this thread until I can make a formal statement. Formal statements will appear in Announcements.