So the Rumor was right... PS3 patch

[glacier985]

Saw this at 1up.com, looks like Activision is the one stopping the release.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?Dispatch=Display&cId=3164953

[Apples]

As an extreme example, what would happen if every game publisher locked in their game to work with a specific controller? I'd have 50+ D-pad controllers by now.

Situation stinks, but at least people can lay off a little bit and direct their rage toward the appropriate source.

[AVC808]

:thumbdown
i never bought gh3 and never planned to, but i know this has screwed so much people.

[Huskie]

um ... wow. It was true after all.

I really do hope Activision changes their stance on this and just let the RB PS3 users enjoy the game.

Any chance of the topic title being changed to include something more meaningful?
Could only help the prevention of similar topics and inform those seeking answers a place to look.

ETA: Topic title changed since this post.

[Bakkster]

OH SNAP! And I was starting to think this was just a Sony delay...

Hopefully people will man up to anything angry they may have said now that we know what's up.

[AVC808]

im really interested in hearing the response 1up gets from activision/red octane. still believe activision is doing this to taint rock band's name. so many people (ps3 users anyway) will be frustrated with the rock band franchise theyll stick with GH.

[powdrdmilkman]

As long as the X360 controllers from GH2 still work, I'm happy.

But that is kind of a lame move on Activisions part.

[MF-PO'd]

Damn them to hell. :mad:

As I just posted in another thread, Red Octane is pointing people to Activision. It doesn't look like they want any involvement in this mess:

Hello,

Unfortunately, We are unable to answer any questions regarding the PS3 patch. Please contact Activision for more information as they might be able to answer this specific question.


Regards,

RedOctane Customer Support
www.RedOctane.com

[Quastor]

Let the ****storm begin.

As I said in the original Activision thread.

The horn of war is blowing! Ready yourself for battle men!

[pntbllrspdr]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm emailing Activision right now..

[MF-PO'd]

Indeed. SWARM! SWARM!

Activision, you lousy, short-sighted bastards. You will be getting nasty e-mails daily from me until you back off.

[TheTogfather]

this is so ****ing ridiculous. Well done on calling them out HMX...

[boboette]

I'm interested in what activision has to say, or if they'd say anything at all. I find it hard to believe that they hold it because they don't want RB to be compatible with Les Paul, why would they if it's already the case with XBOX? And anyone with a 3-digit IQ knows many RB fans will get Les Paul as an extra guitar.

Let's give them benefit of the doubt. Maybe the lawyers hijacked it because of some fine points in the licensing agreement. At least that's what attorneys in my company do.

[defmonkey]

Activision is scared because Rock Band is kicking their ass.

That Cash Cow that they have right now, won't be as cashy next year. I almost bet it.

[glacier985]

im really interested in hearing the response 1up gets from activision/red octane. still believe activision is doing this to taint rock band's name. so many people (ps3 users anyway) will be frustrated with the rock band franchise theyll stick with GH.

I don't really agree with you here, Rockband plays like it was made to play on a next gen system. No lag at all while GH3 on the other hand is terrible. I get more lag then playing GH2 with my PS2 on my HDTV. To me it seems like Harmonix is more commited to the Fanbase where Activision thinks they can take a crap, slap the Guitar Hero name on it and sell it.


I know if this isn't resolved, as hard as it will be for me, I will not buy another Guitar Hero game or Activision game (not that I have many anyway).

[TheTogfather]

I'm interested in what activision has to say, or if they'd say anything at all. I find it hard to believe that they hold it because they don't want RB to be compatible with Les Paul, why would they if it's already the case with XBOX? And anyone with a 3-digit IQ knows many RB fans will get Les Paul as an extra guitar.

Let's give them benefit of the doubt. Maybe the lawyers hijacked it because of some fine points in the licensing agreement. At least that's what attorneys in my company do.

A buddy of mine said he was listening to the 1up yours podcast yesterday and someone mentioned that activision was exploring the possibilities of releasing a patch on teh 360 that would make the Les Paul incompatible w/ Rock Band. He, and I, thought that they were joking. Now I am not sure.

[DoctorWho]

GH 4 is now considered an ULTIMATE failure. I hope HMX continues to release innovative games that will lure the Guitar Hero fans away!.

**BEWARE XBOX 360 OWNERS**

I know this screws all of us with the PS3 but don't think you 360 owners are in the clear. The new patch coming for Rock Band on the 360 will disable the use of Guitar Hero controllers as stated by Activision.

I don't understand how a company can be THIS STUPID!

[DesiredFX]

Hello,

Unfortunately, We are unable to answer any questions regarding the PS3 patch. Please contact Activision for more information as they might be able to answer this specific question.


Regards,

RedOctane Customer Support
www.RedOctane.com

Whango!

(That's seriously the only word I can come up with that sums up my reaction to that.)

Activision's behavior is clearly being disavowed by one of their own subsidiaries. Never a good sign.

[boboette]

A buddy of mine said he was listening to the 1up yours podcast yesterday and someone mentioned that activision was exploring the possibilities of releasing a patch on teh 360 that would make the Les Paul incompatible w/ Rock Band. He, and I, thought that they were joking. Now I am not sure.

Whoa, that's the dumbest thing i've ever heard. Were these people (i meant activision) born in the 18th century? Do they work for RIAA as well? unbelievable.

[rgardjr]

Let the ****storm begin.

As I said in the original Activision thread.

The horn of war is blowing! Ready yourself for battle men!

A couple of phone numbers for those interested:

Corporate Headquarters:
310-255-2000

Support:
310-255-2050

You know the old sayin' "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

[Magnet]

This was the full statement provided to Joystiq (looks like 1up only posted snippets in their article).

Full Harmonix statement regarding the PS3 patch delay...


"As we have said in the past, Harmonix and MTV Games believe in an open standard philosophy of hardware and game compatibility. We think that there should be interoperability between music instrument controllers across all music games. This is clearly in the best interest of consumers, game developers and console manufacturers and will only help to grow the music game genre as well as inspire innovation and creativity.

Two weeks ago, Harmonix created a software patch for the Sony PLAYSTATION 3 version of Rock Band that allowed for guitar compatibility and support for third party peripherals, including enabling use of Activision's Guitar Hero III controller with Rock Band. The compatibility patch was submitted, approved and had been scheduled for release by Sony on Tuesday, December 4. Unfortunately, Activision objected to the release of the compatibility patch. The patch remains with Sony, but we have been told that it will unfortunately not be released due to Activision's continued objection.

As is the case with the Microsoft Xbox360, we believe that Sony PLAYSTATION 3 users should be able to use the peripheral of their choice with Rock Band. We sincerely hope that Activision will reverse its decision and allow release of the compatibility patch and further, that Activision will allow Guitar Hero III to support Rock Band guitar controllers as well. We welcome all third party developers who wish to support our controllers and will provide any required support in order for them to do so.

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

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/harmonix-blame-activision-for-ps3-rock-band-guitar-issues/

[dfjdejulio]

i never bought gh3 and never planned to
I did. For the XBox 360, where this isn't an issue.

I'm still ... furious might be the right word.

I'm not going to buy any GH3 DLC. And I am going to try to talk my friends who own Windows, MacOS, and the Wii out of buying GH3, even though they can't get RB.

I am not going to sell or trade in my copy of GH3, because then it might end up in the hands of someone who will buy DLC for it. It's going into cold storage instead, until this is resolved.

[TheTogfather]

GH 4 is now considered an ULTIMATE failure. I hope HMX continues to release innovative games that will lure the Guitar Hero fans away!.

**BEWARE XBOX 360 OWNERS**

I know this screws all of us with the PS3 but don't think you 360 owners are in the clear. The new patch coming for Rock Band on the 360 will disable the use of Guitar Hero controllers as stated by Activision.

I don't understand how a company can be THIS STUPID!


Where'd you hear this? The 1up Yours podcast? I can't even begin to fathom that this might be possible.

[TreoRock_]

Any comments on this HMX????

[Dissent]

Unbelievable disregard for the customer base being displayed here. Activision deserves some major losses for this. Any future Activision release should be met with extreme skepticism after this show of contempt for the fan base. I don't believe I'll be buying any more Activision products if they don't turn around and make this right.

If any of you feel the need to contact Activision as I do, here is their contact information:

Gameplay: (900) 680-4468 US
(900) 451-4849 Canada
Consumer Services: (310) 255-2050
Web: http://www.activision.com

EDIT: Sorry for the double post... I thought I was editing my first post

[Electric_Zen]

Where'd you hear this? The 1up Yours podcast? I can't even begin to fathom that this might be possible.

Yeah, Shane said this, but I think he's full of crap. Activision isn't going to be able to patch Rock Band.

Also, in this article:

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

Charles Huang says, "Long term, you can't go against what the consumer wants."

Translation: if enough people ***** about this, we will be forced to buckle.

Gentlemen, start your *****in'.

[Micker]

What the hell. I was going to buy GHIII for my PS3 when they fixed it so that I could use that guitar wtih rockband. I figured i'd get a controller and game out of it. Anyone who uses the GHIII guitar, already bought GHIII or will have to buy it to use it. Seems kinda stupid on activisions part.

[Monkeychow01]

You do realize that their answer will probably be, "It's not our game, we don't have to make it work, and we own the rights to the GH guitars, and other people should not profit from it" (yes I know they would make money if people bought it for RB, but you get my point)

It's sad but true...it's going to end up being the Big Business mentality once again on Activision's part. Just like when they promised "tons of DLC" for GH2.

[snobrder218]

Hey Activision. You're the only other compatible guitar for Rock Band, you will make more sales. God I'm pissed.

[pntbllrspdr]

We need this stickied!!!!!!!!

[SoKGiX]

unbelievable. F U ACTIVISION.

hell i'm a 360 owner and that completely enfuriates me.

pisses me off too all the people comin on here *****in about HMX when they were doing what THEY needed to be doing the whole time.

complete sh!t... i'll be writing them for your ps3 guys right now.

[snobrder218]

GO **** YOURSELVES ACTIVISION!:mad:

[animeheron]

ok now im pissed off activisoin will be getting hourly angrey emails from me and daily phone calls (im on hold atm) this is just disrespect for the consumers i cannot belive that they can be so dumb ,they are gunna lose so much money .
my sister got Gh3(or the game that shall not be named) for her birthday and i have taken it away and will never play agian (and she agrees)

- one pissed off customer

[pntbllrspdr]

I'm automatically NOT buying gh4 gh5 gh6 gh7 or any ghs, depending on how long they try to milk a dead cow! Sticky this!!

[surgesnugs]

I just really don't understand the logic. I would think allowing the patch would bring them MORE customers. People WANT to be able to use the guitar they sell. I don't own GH3, but would consider it if the guitar worked with Rock Band as well. Now, I have no reason to buy GH3 whatsoever, especially considering their stance on compatibility.

To me, denying the patch isn't going to keep anyone that wants Rock Band from getting it, but offering the patch would surely provide additional sales of GH3.

[undertow]

Im a 360 owner as well, but if I could give GH3 back and make Activision eat the costs, I'd do it in a second.

I feel bad for any PS3/GH3 owner. Whatever us 360 owners can do, let us know!

[King_Nuthin]

Wow. While I play Rock Band on my 360 I do own a PS3 and it is tied to Guitar Hero which sadly has never been played on the system. My PS2 died on GH2 launch day. I wound up buying a PS3 2 weeks later figuring that it would work. It never did. So I had to borrow a PS2 from somebody to play their games. Then they finally release their own game and controllers for PS3 but can't arrange any backwards compatability for the new controllers and the old games. Now as the ultimate FU they pull this?

I am sure that next year they'll come up with a new gameplay element that forces all their customers to buy a new controller or some kind of controller upgrade.

[animeheron]

Im a 360 owner as well, but if I could give GH3 back and make Activision eat the costs, I'd do it in a second.

I feel bad for any PS3/GH3 owner. Whatever us 360 owners can do, let us know!
just complain to them for us as much as you can.
call, email, leave bags of flameing dog $hi% on there door step do what ever it take because
*quotes 300*
TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!!!

[rgardjr]

Looks like G4 picked up the story pretty quickly and hopefully it will receive some air time:

http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/681508/Activision_Halts_PS3_Rock_Band_Patch.html

[ManOwaR]

Please contact activision on their website it only takes a few moments.

Lets let the consumer be heard for the first time in this disgraceful scenario.

[SoKGiX]

anyone have a direct link to a customer relations/comment-type activision email?

best i've found is: http://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/activision.cfg/php/enduser/home.php?p_sid=YauOA2Ti


STICKY!

[DesiredFX]

Presenting: my grumpy email, which I posted to Activision using this link (https://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/activision.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=gLv4w2Ti&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=). Be aware that they expect you to create an account with them, but all you have to provide is an email address, a password, and the country you're posting from.


Less of a question, more of an objection. Surely not the first one you've heard on the subject nor nearly the last.

Please allow Sony to release the Harmonix Rock Band patch that allows the Guitar Hero III Les Paul controller to work with Rock Band.

I shelled out money for the PS3 version of Guitar Hero III because of word I had heard of controller compatibility between the two systems. If not for that information--which turned out to be more incomplete than misleading--I would not have purchased your product at all.

Please be patient while I repeat that: if not for information regarding compatibility between the Guitar Hero III Les Paul controller and Rock Band, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT YOUR PRODUCT AT ALL.

With the news that your company is now standing in the way of making that compatibility a reality, I feel phenomenally cheated by your product relative to Rock Band: there are fewer songs that I like, fewer master tracks in the main game, worse online support, more trouble with guitar lag, song charts that seem designed more to be difficult than to be musical, problems with frame rate that actually impact gameplay...

(Wow...this is quite a list...until I stopped and thought about it, I hadn't realized just how much I detest the Guitar Hero III product as released for the PS3...)

...inferior graphics, poor redesign of Guitar Hero characters, no improvements in gameplay (Boss battles in a guitar game? What?), and no dedication to improving the game experience--just a rehash of what we've already seen in two games and an expansion pack.

But come to think of it, I don't know why I should expect Activision to support the compatibility of their controller with another game on the PS3 when it seems you've barely made an effort to support compatibility with your own game.

Please stand aside in your efforts to hamper PS3 users from using your product with a game that's worthy of the engineering efforts that went into it.

[Xero314]

Do not complain, but instead educate others and begin a complete boycott of Activision Blizzard games old, current and new. Yes this means canceling your WoW account and not purchasing StarCraft 3 when it is released. Sell your copies of Guitar Hero, all of them, and hope it is enough to flood the market so that new copies will not be purchased.

Educate everone you know about the boycott and get them to follow your lead and return their GHs and other Activision games.

Do not accept any apology or correction of the issue, Activision has already go to far, and their games generally suck.

This kind of treatment of consumers can not be allowed to continue. Allow capitalism to work for once and vote with your wallet.

Personally if I can find a second copy of RB for PS3 I will be purchasing it since Harmonix/MTV Games deserves out support.

[capitalfn9]

Seems like Activision has drawn the line... Pick your sides, lets do battle.

[ravien56]

yea...activision just ****ed up...im done with gh4 at this point

[FlyinWhee]

One more pointless angry e-mail sent their way... still, it helps me vent.

I'm a 306 owner, mind you, but this is non-sensical bull**** ; I expect living rooms acros america to become filled with various plastic guitars from the PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360 era of rhythm games...

I'm just glad Harmonix didn't create "Drum hero" to begin with, that would have been a ****load of drums...

[Majic19]

I was going to buy GHIII for Christmas to go along with Rock Band. Now, even if they do reverse their decision I will not purchase their product. I will wait for Rock Band to release their stand alone guitar, or another 3rd part controller, to purchase a 2nd Guitar. Even if I have to wait until February. I may even just buy a 2nd RB bundle instead. Nice move Activision!!! I am so glad I did not purchase GHIII. I had the thing in my hands and put it back on the shelf... where it will stay forever as far as I am concerned.

[animeheron]

i agee with xero
the only way we are gunna get them to listen is to never and i mean never buy anything from them agian im off to my other forms to spred the word
viva le revelution!

[AgainstOne]

i've been boycotting Red Octane ever since they announced the DLC prices for GH2 360. and i cried scumbag on their forums to the point i got banned. nice to see more people finally seeing those bastards for what they really are. they're liars, cheaters, and thieves.

[zimz]

What the h...? i have Rock Band for PS3 and i was looking to buy GH3 for the Les Paul, so i could get a 4th band member.

This is just stupid.

[DesiredFX]

Do not complain...

Gerald Ford explained his pardon of Richard Nixon this way: a President only has so many hours in a day to do the job the country needs him to do. Richard Nixon and Nixon-related issues were occupying eight hours a day of Ford's time, so Ford deemed that pardoning Nixon was ultimately in the best interests of the country.

If Activision is so short-sighted as to misperceive the public relations nightmare they are courting, flooding their email boxes, jamming their switchboards, and clogging their Web site may help them realize, as Ford did, that attempting to fight this battle is not worth the impact on their operating costs.

[Fortheloveofgod]

I posted this elsewhere but;

Activision sucks for doing this, but it is actually a really smart move to combat Rock Band. Activision may have been fine with the patch going though until they, along with everyone else, realized what a piece of **** the RB guitar is. Why bail out RB with a good guitar when they can let the brand hurt itself with shoddy peripherals?

Still a dick move.

[Hanover]

I dont see how Activision could release a patch to disable 360 guitar support for Rock Band. They'd need to alter Rock Band code to do so.

Anyways, everyone needs to pressure Sony. Rock band is one of those games that can cause people to buy consoles just to play it. Make them understand that people will end up picking the 360 over the PS3 if Activision does not let that patch be released. Sony has something at stake here as well.

[DesiredFX]

I posted this elsewhere but;

Activision sucks for doing this, but it is actually a really smart move to combat Rock Band. Activision may have been fine with the patch going though until they, along with everyone else, realized what a piece of **** the RB guitar is. Why bail out RB with a good guitar when they can let the brand hurt itself with shoddy peripherals?

Still a dick move.

Exceptionally short-sighted, simply because RB is much more than a guitar game.

Even without the defective guitars, Activision has the opportunity to sell a copy of Guitar Hero III to every PS3 owner who buys Rock Band simply so they will have a second guitar controller to use as a bass within the game. This exclusive window would have been open to them for better that two months spanning the gift-giving season, until EA/Harmonix made the separate peripherals available.

Further, Activision, by not yet making the Les Paul available as a peripheral, would be selling not just a controller but the controller/game package.

The fact that EA stepped up--knowing the truth of what you say about shoddy peripherals--and has turned the issue around within a few weeks of release only underscores Activision's tunnel-vision on this issue: now that I have a working RB Strat, I care much less about whether the Les Paul ever works with this game. I've gotten the opportunity to use what I believe is a controller with better design specifications and have reached the point where I would much prefer a second Strat to LP compatibility.

Had the LP been compatible from the start, I probably wouldn't have reached that conclusion.

[Parodygm]

Any electronics gurus out there? Might be amusing if someone reverse engineered the PS3 Les Paul, created a conversion kit and then posted full schematics, instructions and a parts list.

How tragic... a converted Les Paul that worked with Rock Band and no longer works with Guitar Hero 3. About 500,000 second-hand copies of GH3 on the open market looking more attractive to the casual buyer at $10 than a brand new copy...

[MadMatt]

I am the executive producer of an admittedly small, and fiercely independent video game review program for local television and podcast.

Our response to Activision's anti-consumer stance:

http://solarshock.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=videogame&action=display&thread=1197501473

[GHudston]

I posted this elsewhere but;

Activision sucks for doing this, but it is actually a really smart move to combat Rock Band. Activision may have been fine with the patch going though until they, along with everyone else, realized what a piece of **** the RB guitar is. Why bail out RB with a good guitar when they can let the brand hurt itself with shoddy peripherals?

Still a dick move.

The quality of the control is a matter of a opinion, I personally love my strat.

If this patch doesn't come through then I guess I'll just have to give my money to harmonix next year when they release their own controllers. Lets face it, Rock Band is just a superior game in every way and no matter whether they are "Bailed out" or not, it will still outsell GH3 in the long run. Hell, if this patch was released, HMX stands to lose money because less people will buy their strat. *HINT FOR ACTIVISION* They are doing it because they want their customers to enjoy their product, that is why we like them so much.

All activision is going achieve with this is a loss of sales of GH3 and a HUGE amount of negative publicity, making themselves out to be the bad guy.

[DesiredFX]

I dont see how Activision could release a patch to disable 360 guitar support for Rock Band. They'd need to alter Rock Band code to do so.

Set up a resident program that loads when you turn on your 360 and looks for the LP. Allow the LP to control the 360 dashboard but disable control as soon as any game but Guitar Hero III is loaded into memory.

Programmers can always find a way.

[Chickencha]

I strongly encourage everyone to use the contact information available in this topic to send Activision your feedback. Get everyone you know who cares about this to do the same. This is just ridiculous. Activision has demonstrated to me that it does not care about its customers and we have to make it clear that we won't tolerate this.

[Hanover]

Just refuse the patch for Guitar Hero III...MS certainly wont make it a dashboard update.

Guess I wont be playing GHIII any more...which means I wont be buying anymore DLC either. :)


Set up a resident program that loads when you turn on your 360 and looks for the LP. Allow the LP to control the 360 dashboard but disable control as soon as any game but Guitar Hero III is loaded into memory.

Programmers can always find a way.

[chance2002iu]

I was going to post this on digg to help get exposure but some people already did that. Here's the digg link that goes to HMX's announcement.

http://digg.com/playstation/Activision_blocks_release_of_Rock_Band_compatibili ty_patch

digg it to help get the word out.

[AgainstOne]

Set up a resident program that loads when you turn on your 360 and looks for the LP. Allow the LP to control the 360 dashboard but disable control as soon as any game but Guitar Hero III is loaded into memory.

Programmers can always find a way.

like MS would ever let activision have a background app permanently running on the 360. the only plausible scenario would that activision takes EA to court and forces them to create and release a RB patch that disables GH controller support. that would seriously be the death of the GH franchise, though.


Guess I wont be playing GHIII any more...which means I wont be buying anymore DLC either. :)

you bought GH DLC? wth is wrong w/ you?

[Super_Chicken]

Just refuse the patch for Guitar Hero III...MS certainly wont make it a dashboard update.

Guess I wont be playing GHIII any more...which means I wont be buying anymore DLC either. :)

You would nolonger be able to play on live for that game though. If you say no to the in-game patches it disconnects you from live until you accept it. So you'd be forced to offline play for the game.

I would never buy GH DLC. How is it that Harmonix which is lead and bass PLUS Vocals and drums cost less than their song packs do. Plus with the option of buying individually I don't have to buy two ****ty songs to get the 3rd I really like.

I do applaud Harmonix for doing the right thing and sticking by the consumer.

[Hanover]

Nothing, I'm one of those who actually agreed with the reviews that GHIII wasn't such a bad game. Not that I'm still playing it since Rock Band came out...anyways, thats not really the point.


like MS would ever let activision have a background app permanently running on the 360. the only plausible scenario would that activision takes EA to court and forces them to create and release a RB patch that disables GH controller support. that would seriously be the death of the GH franchise, though.



you bought GH DLC? wth is wrong w/ you?

[Wozamil]

Anyone have email addresses to both Red Octane and Activsion. I'm at work and unfortunately both of their sites get blocked. I have several unkind words I would like to say. This has ticked me off so much that my first post on this forum has to be this one. Grrrrr.

[DesiredFX]

Hey, I just tossed out an idea that hit me with about 30 seconds of thought, and I'm not even a 360 programmer. Imagine what the guys who know the system could pull off if they were told to and given a lot more time than 30 seconds to do it.

[DesiredFX]

like MS would ever let activision have a background app permanently running on the 360.

MS also does a phenomenal job fighting viruses on the PC side.

:p

[Frederf]

I can't find any part of that article that suggested that a future patch would disable the use of the Les Paul with the Xbox360 version of Rock Band.

While I had no hope of GH3 being patched to work with the Stratocaster I assumed that the Les Paul was going to work with Rock Band (PS3) at some point. Does HMX really need permission to make their software work with a controller?

[DesiredFX]

Does HMX really need permission to make their software work with a controller?

Probably not, but patch make Activision grumpy. Grumpy Activision make Sony nervous...

[foolosophy]

I have a feeling in 2010 we'll see a behind-the-scenes book about the Rhythm Game Scene written by Harmonix. It will talk of all the dirty and cheap Red Octane tactics!

[AgainstOne]

Nothing, I'm one of those who actually agreed with the reviews that GHIII wasn't such a bad game. Not that I'm still playing it since Rock Band came out...anyways, thats not really the point.

i'm not knocking the game itself. i like GH3. but their DLC practices and prices are, and have always been, extortionate.

[AgainstOne]

MS also does a phenomenal job fighting viruses on the PC side.

:p

your kinda missing one thing. the PC is an open platform where any user can run anything they want. and on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, MS has total and utter control over 360 and Live.

[farrtavern]

I understand everybody being upset with Activision blocking this patch. I'm upset myself. But let's not forget one very important thing.....

The Rock Band bundle should have been released with two guitars, drums and microphone. It's a game meant for four players but they only sold three instruments.

So before we blame Activision, we need to blame Harmonix and EA for not releasing enough guitars at launch. And I'm not even going to talk about the broken guitars.

Bottom line is we all got screwed on Rock Band from the launch up until now with this patch. But all of this will be forgotten when they release more guitars in February, or should I say, after Christmas.

Happy Holidays Rock Band fans.....and screw you Activision, Red Octane, Harmonix, EA and every other company involved in screwing us over.....let's not forget MTV.

[AgainstOne]

let's not forget one very important thing.....

The Rock Band bundle should have been released with two guitars, drums and microphone. It's a game meant for four players but they only sold three instruments.

So before we blame Activision, we need to blame Harmonix and EA for not releasing enough guitars at launch.

this is only because so many people were scoffing at a $200+ price tag. if anything, they made the right decision to get the price attractive. we all know what happens when people perceive something as too expensive simply by looking at the entire first year of PS3 sales data.

[DoctorWho]

I understand everybody being upset with Activision blocking this patch. I'm upset myself. But let's not forget one very important thing.....

The Rock Band bundle should have been released with two guitars, drums and microphone. It's a game meant for four players but they only sold three instruments.

So before we blame Activision, we need to blame Harmonix and EA for not releasing enough guitars at launch. And I'm not even going to talk about the broken guitars.

Bottom line is we all got screwed on Rock Band from the launch up until now with this patch. But all of this will be forgotten when they release more guitars in February, or should I say, after Christmas.

Happy Holidays Rock Band fans.....and screw you Activision, Red Octane, Harmonix, EA and every other company involved in screwing us over.....let's not forget MTV.

People like you are NEVER satisfied.

DON'T SAY screw HMX, they've given us a great game and got a patch out to fix our most pressing issue VERY quickly. And they've communicated EXACTLY what we asked them for!

I vote for a ban on you.

[bmore007]

Time to blow up Activision with emails and phone calls reguarding the issue. If they're smart they will listen to the customers. If not, they've backed themselves into a hole where they look terrible, I was considering getting GH3 if the Les Paul would work with Rock Band, now i'm not so Activision already lost one customer.

[bmore007]

One more thing, where does Activision get off trying to jerk around the real creators of the game they're making money off of now. Show some damn respect Activision.

[Hanover]

Also email Blizzard. The merger hasn't happened yet! Let them see just what kind of company they're about to merge with.

Blizzard: Umm, activision? Why are we getting spammed with all these emails about this idiotic decision you made. Are you trying to make us look bad? :)

[Chickencha]

Also email Blizzard. The merger hasn't happened yet! Let them see just what kind of company they're about to merge with.

Blizzard: Umm, activision? Why are we getting spammed with all these emails about this idiotic decision you made. Are you trying to make us look bad? :)

I just canceled my WoW account. Although I was planning on canceling before next month anyway, this just gives me reason to do it a little early. And of course I wrote plenty in my "reason for canceling." :)

[DesiredFX]

your kinda missing one thing. the PC is an open platform where any user can run anything they want. and on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, MS has total and utter control over 360 and Live.

Nah, not missing it at all...mostly poking fun at MS's lack of success with keeping the lid on things in other arenas. Completely off-topic, but they've been spending the last five years driving me toward getting a Mac, and I'm just about completely driven, now.

Also, if anyone were to create software for the 360 and slip something past MS that ****s with the system, it would have such an enormous backlash against them as a developer that it couldn't possibly pay off in their favor. They pay a lot of money for the rights to develop for the system.

On the PC side, any schmoe with programming skills can download a public domain set of development tools and start mucking around with PCs all over the world.

[HMXJohnlok]

FYI: there's an announcement on this. If you haven't looked yet, go ahead and check it out: http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=15440

[pntbllrspdr]

I might change my homepage to the contact Activision page and mail them everytime I open IE

[DreamCycle]

I just called my local Gamestop to check the trade in prices on GH3 and the Les Paul for PS3.. he accidentally gave me the price for the 360 version, which turns out is 8 dollars more valuable than the PS3 version.. the guitars were both 20 bucks.. so I can get 37 bucks for trading it in.. or I can just try selling the package on my own.. will surely get more that way..

No matter what I end up doing.. I'm very disappointed.. part of me wishes I had just gone with the Xbox 360 instead of the PS3.. though I don't directly blame Sony for this mess.. obviously some of the blame is theirs, even if their polices are unintentionally hurting the consumers.. they're still hurting

[pntbllrspdr]

I just called my local Gamestop to check the trade in prices on GH3 and the Les Paul for PS3.. he accidentally gave me the price for the 360 version, which turns out is 8 dollars more valuable than the PS3 version.. the guitars were both 20 bucks.. so I can get 37 bucks for trading it in.. or I can just try selling the package on my own.. will surely get more that way..

No matter what I end up doing.. I'm very disappointed.. part of me wishes I had just gone with the Xbox 360 instead of the PS3.. though I don't directly blame Sony for this mess.. obviously some of the blame is theirs, even if their polices are unintentionally hurting the consumers.. they're still hurting


Rumor is they're trying to make Les Pauls incompatible for both PS3 AND 360, so both sides will lose..

[TreoRock_]

Activision Complaints Number: 310-255-2000 ext: 4100

I just called and noted my complain. They are still open as of right now. Go Go call now!!

[Bob6605804]

Very disappointing news. Even though this seems to be Activision's fault for blocking the patch I went ahead and emailed Neversoft and Red Octane as well just so they understand the disappointment that this situation is causing for their customers. I got the following response from Red Octane's VP of Business Development.

"As far as I know, a patch has been released for PS3 by either Sony or
Harmonix. Let's be perfectly clear on this. We build GH3 and the GH3
guitar for PS3 at the same time they build RB and RB guitars for PS3.
No one knew how the other's products worked. There was never any
impetus from either side to make it compatible. This became an issue
for Harmonix because their guitars had problems and EA had to replace
them. Suddenly, when the RB PS3 guitars stopped working, it became a
"consumer benefit" for RB to work with our GH3 Les Paul guitar
controllers. It never was a "consumer benefit" before their RB guitars
stopped working, was it? Don't believe all the hype you read."

Funny how I never even mentioned anything about the Fender's strum bar problem. They seem pretty quick to play the blame game. Mine Fender still works perfectly fine.

[bacchus]

I have a few other ideas that you can use to express your displeasure with this situation:

1) Contact Sony and let them know that it will hurt the PS3 if they don't tell Activision to back off and allow harmonix to release the patch. (Since it works on the Xbox-360). I mean, Sony should be pushing back on Activision and forcing them to allow the patch to be released since this could hurt sales of the console.
Support E-mail: http://www.us.playstation.com/Corpor...nsumerServices
Phone Number - 800-345-7669

2) Go to online review sites and retailers who allow reviews of products like amazon.com. Give Guitar Hero III a bad review based on the PS3 Guitar incompatibility problem. You can also point out that Rock Band is simply a better game and that you should buy it instead, but that's personal preference and is up to you.

[DesiredFX]

Funny how I never even mentioned anything about the Fender's strum bar problem. They seem pretty quick to play the blame game. Mine Fender still works perfectly fine.

Yeah, definitely a very interesting and extremely defensive response from them on that one.

Given that word came out about one-way compatibility on the 360 several weeks before RB's launch date, and given that Harmonix had access to the PS3 Les Paul in the same time frame, and given how quickly they managed to produce a patch, and given that Harmonix knew there would less than one guitar controller in the field for each copy of the game sold (including stand-alone versions), Harmonix knew from the beginning that this compatibility would be a consumer benefit.

Sounds to me like the Red Octane's a little bitter that they got stuck with GHIII instead of a product the caliber of Rock Band.

[municipalblack]

I'll start by saying F U to Activision, burn in hell you cock smokers.

I can't even imagine the backlash if a 360 disabling patch comes along. And I do thank you 360 owners for siding with us PS3 owners. Who would have thought we could come together all in the name of hating Activision?

I'm emailing Activision and I will not be buying GH3 even if the patch is released. Activision basically just put money in Harmonix's pocket, as I'll be buying a second RB guitar the minute they're released. Plus now I'm not picking up COD4 for my brother for PC. Which sucks because I hate to take money away from Infinity Ward but it's my only choice.

Here's a copy of the letter I sent:

I was absolutely appalled today when I found out Activision is the reason behind the delay of a guitar compatibility patch for the PS3.
It sickens me that a company would allow one platform (XBOX 360) to use it's guitars on another game (Rock Band) and then stop efforts to allow their guitars to be used on another platform (PS3) with the same game (Rock Band).

Up until this point in time I have never had a problem with any business decision that Activision has made. However the discovery of this news today has forever changed my opinion of Activision.

I will no longer be purchasing Guitar Hero 3 for the PS3 as your company believes it should only be used for its own games. I refuse to give my money to a corporation that would make such a small minded business decision as this. If Activision is so petty that they would choose to ban their controllers in other games then who knows what other poor decisions will be coming in the future.
I will also not be purchasing a copy of Guitar Hero 3 for the Nintendo Wii, or Call Of Duty 4 for the PC. Both were supposed to be gifts however I think I'll take my money elsewhere.

Whomever resides in the sales department of Activision needs to have a reality check. I'll break it down to you in layman's terms.
1) Consumers will be buying Rock Band this holiday season for the PS3.
2) However with no individual guitars available what are said customers to do when they realize they need another guitar?
3) This is where Activision would step in with copies of Guitar Hero 3 whose Guitar's also happen to work with Rock Band.
4) Customers are now able to enjoy both games without purchasing many extra unneeded peripherals.
5) These happy customers then spread word of their findings which in turns causes more sales of Guitar Hero 3.
Apparently someone in the chain of command at Activision forgot to include the last steps of this scenario, which in turn create profit for Activision.

[Amish Robot]

Yeah, Shane said this, but I think he's full of crap. Activision isn't going to be able to patch Rock Band.

I'm guessing he heard this rumor and misunderstood. I don't believe for a second that they could break compatibility with old guitars that are currently working. The guitar has no firmware to update, and there's no way a company could patch or even run a secondary app that directly alters another publisher's game without their permission.


Also, in this article:

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

Charles Huang says, "Long term, you can't go against what the consumer wants."

Translation: if enough people ***** about this, we will be forced to buckle.

Gentlemen, start your *****in'.

My interpretation: "We'll break compatibilty now to make Rock Band look bad, and when availability ramps up on thier guitars we'll fix it and put ours out at a lower price to increase our sales."

I've always gotten the impression that there has been some serious animosity between RO and HMX since the split. HMX has done a better job at keeping it civil, but I've sensed some snideness in their comments in the past.

My god, I'm talking about two companies like they're Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Pathetic...

[Jixzer]

I just emailed Activision. Here was my message:

"Unless you can contradict what I have read, I will never buy another game from your company ever again. The fact that you blocked the PS3 compatibility patch for Rock Band and the Les Paul is just low. Oh, and I don't even own a PS3. I think you are a despicable company. This was a bad idea, trust me...GHIII was a terrible game and that patch would at least gave you some sales, though the disk is better suited as a coaster than a game. Have a nice day."

[JackBNimble]

I am very disappointed but not surprised that Activison has blocked this patch.This is what happenes when game makers have the right to make there own standerds and controllers for their games.

This never should have happened,Sony and MS should be the ones making the standereds for the controllers .Any one making a game for any system should have to follow stricked guidlines and it shouldn't be up to the game makers.

Regardless of the reason for wanting to use the LP for RB,it is still an official PS3 controller and any one should be able to use it with any game on that system.

Sony should be the ones to step in and not allow game makers to lock out controllers for any game on the PS3.And hopfully you will see this happen some time in the future.

I am surprised that they don't see the financial benefits with allowing the LP to be compatable with RB.I hope the grave they are digging for themselves is very very deep.And I will never buy an Activision game again.

[Amish Robot]

This never should have happened,Sony and MS should be the ones making the standereds for the controllers .Any one making a game for any system should have to follow stricked guidlines and it shouldn't be up to the game makers.

Good point. I couldn't agree more.

[SoKGiX]

MS does i believe, Sony, however, does not.

[Maggot_Brain]

Even though I have a 360, I stand together with my PS3 Rock Band brothas and sistas! Fight the power!

(Complaint email sent to Activision.)

:)

[maduag]

All I can say is if they release that patch for the 360. Activision better be sending me a check for the standalone Xplorer guitar I bought. I bought it specifically as a 2nd guitar for Rock band. Meanwhile Im playing my cracked version of Call of Duty 4. Playing the game now all of a sudden feels like my payback to them. Free game, taking revenue from Activision= haha for me, boohoo for them.

[TheTogfather]

I sent them an email also, informing of my decision to boycott all their future products until such time they decide to allow the patch through. What they are doing is despicable...they do not deserve my money.

[Xero314]

Probably not, but patch make Activision grumpy. Grumpy Activision make Sony nervous...


Grumpy PS3 owners should make sony far more nervous.

My quick review shows 10 Activision games available for PS3, and 2 Vivendi (since the whole merger thing is happening), out of nearly 300 games. That list shows EA with 25, or twice that of Activision. Activision accounts for about 3% of the titles. PS3 owners account for 100% of the sales. It may not be very long before Activision stops producing games at all for the PS3 since many PS3 owners are about to stop purchasing their games.

Trust me, if we make enough noise with sony they would let the patch through and deal with the legal battle (they have already shown that prefer to do things then deal with the legal ramifications).

But in the end who really cares. I for one am happy returning my GH3 and never even considering using the Les Paul with RB (even if my strat is starting to feel a little sloppy).

[DesiredFX]

MS does i believe, Sony, however, does not.

Okay.

Now tell me how that explains the RB Strat not working with GHIII on the 360.

[preOwned]

My email

Hello -
I recently purchased the game Rock Band on a whim and immediately became addicted to this genre. I knew right away that I needed to own the Les Paul wireless controller and a copy of both GH2 and 3. I was so excited that I spent over a week calling and driving around and when I still could not find the GHIII bundle I spent $150 dollars on it from ebay.

I tried initially to play GHIII ( I borrowed it ) with my strat and found out it did not work. Thankfully your controller works for Rock Band, funny how that works. Now comes word that Activision is blocking a patch for PS3 owners and is trying to block the ability for one controller to play both games.

Let me ask you something. Do you think we as a customer want to have an untold number of guitar/instrument peripherals cluttering up our homes? Or should we be able to choose the best peripheral (which happens to be your controller at the moment) and play to our hearts content?
I do not have to buy a whole new seperate D-Pad everytime I purchase a 360 game, and I should not be forced to use a different instrument peripheral for every music game that is released.
I ask you to reconsider this ridiculous decision and allow gamers to choose which peripheral they prefer.

[TradeStar28]

Quick Question....what is stopping a hacker/programmer making this same exact patch and putting it to the internet ? Seems like it could be done, but what the hell do i know?:confused:

[DesiredFX]

Quick Question....what is stopping a hacker/programmer making this same exact patch and putting it to the internet ? Seems like it could be done, but what the hell do i know?:confused:

Violation of various warranties, including but not limited to the PS3 itself?

Not sure if that's true, but it's certainly the reason I wouldn't download and install something that wasn't made by the software developer.

[Ventura]

It may not be very long before Activision stops producing games at all for the PS3 since many PS3 owners are about to stop purchasing their games.

Assuming of course, that those PS3 owners don't also own other consoles.

Along with my PS3, I also have an Xbox 360, a Wii, two DS's, and a quad core gaming computer. I'd like to see them stop producing games for all of those platforms too.

Oh yeah, my email's been sent. I might also email Blizzard too, and ask just why the hell they've partnered with such a joke of a company.

[CRCError]

For what it's worth - My e-mail to SCEA:

To whom it may concern,
I am a loyal Sony customer. I've owned every PlayStation model you have ever made from the PS1 to the PS3, I even have a PSP. My televison is a Sony XBR. I have a Sony 5.1 Receiver. My Digital-8 camera is made by Sony. Suffice to say I have many Sony products that I use from day to day.
I'm writing to you because of the recent issue with the "PS3 Rock Band Patch" that is rumored to being blocked from release by Activision. As a loyal Sony customer I believe that it is in your best interest to make the patch available.
First of all, the XBOX360 does NOT have the same problem. The GH3 controller works fine with the "360 Rock Band" I'm sure you are aware that the PS3 is not exactly breaking profit records for you. For everyone I know that owns a PS3 I know MANY more people that own 360's.
I feel it is your responsibilty as the owner of the console to make a ruling that ceases to allow game manufacturers to put restrictions on the controllers you are allowed to use with specific software titles.
I feel this sets a dangerous precident for console manufacturers. Mainly because once one game company does it and gets away with it, others may follow suit.
Imagine if "Gran Turismo 5" was coded to work with only the "OFFICIAL GT5 STEERING WHEEL" Then th next "Need for Speed" decided it would only work with THEIR wheel. Then other racing publishers followed suit. How many customers do you think would buy games for the consoles if you allow this trend to continue?
You are also already aware of the backlash that occurs when customers don't get the controller they are used to. I feel this is why the "Dual Shock 3" is available for purchase now. We wanted the rumble and made sure you knew it.
Again, I ask that you take a firmer stance on the Harmonix/Red Octane issue and make it so Red Octane cannot have an exclusive license for the Guitar Hero controller for the PS3.

[Ventura]

For what it's worth - My e-mail to SCEA:

I don't know if that was even worth a try mate (although I commend you for the effort!). The thing is, being a legal issue, Sony could get in a lot of sh|t if they purposely leaked the patch anyway.

Unfortunately, this is up to Activision. All we can hope for now is that the huge outburst from the gaming community spurs them into changing their mind.

[VixDiesel]

i totally regret getting gh iii for more than one reason but this just seals it.

[CRCError]

I don't know if that was even worth a try mate (although I commend you for the effort!). The thing is, being a legal issue, Sony could get in a lot of sh|t if they purposely leaked the patch anyway.

Unfortunately, this is up to Activision. All we can hope for now is that the huge outburst from the gaming community spurs them into changing their mind.

My position is thus:

This is affecting Sony's customers. Sony owns the PS3 console and Sony gets to say what games are officially supported by the console.

By taking a stance that a publisher is not allowed to have a exclusive license for hardware for a specific title/publisher if they want the Sony "seal of approval" they can eliminate issues like this altogether.

In the end Sony does have some say in what publishers are allowed to do. They need to look at that process and amend it so crap like this doesn't happen again.

[Ventura]

In the end Sony does have some say in what publishers are allowed to do. They need to look at that process and amend it so crap like this doesn't happen again.

Yeah no argument there mate, for sure. It certainly couldn't hurt to get Sony riled up and putting pressure on Activision too, because it doesn't make them look too good either what with all this happening on their console.

[SeXbox]

I just finished emailing Activision, and I will continue to do so until I have an honest response and resolution to this issue.

Even though I am an Xbox 360 user, I feel for our PS3 brothers. From this point on, I will no longer buy games, invest in, or otherwise relate to Activision.

[Ventura]

Even though I am an Xbox 360 user, I feel for our PS3 brothers. From this point on, I will no longer buy games, invest in, or otherwise relate to Activision.

Those of you who own Rock Band on the 360 but are joining us to protest Activision's decision anyway are worth your weight in gold. Seriously.

[SeXbox]

Those of you who own Rock Band on the 360 but are joining us to protest Activision's decision anyway are worth your weight in gold. Seriously.

We are all gamers who share interest in Rock Band. Any infraction against a fellow gamer will be treated as an infraction against myself.

The following was the email I have sent Activision, and will continue to send to Activision until this matter is resolved.


Dear Activision,

I am extremely upset regarding your recent feud with respected game developer Harmonix. As a consumer of Activision titles, your childish and asinine relationship with a respected Harmonix developer has completely changed how I feel regarding your company. I was just recently informed of your decision to block a patch for the game Rock Band to allow Playstation 3 users to finally be able to use the guitar controllers they bought with your product, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, with the Harmonix game of Rock Band. This in no way can damage the value of your peripheral, but you however decided to exclude and segregate Playstation 3 users. This act is selfish and childish. This event has changed my whole opinion of Activision management and of Activision the company as a whole.

Even though I am an Xbox 360 user, I am extremely pissed off regarding your childish actions. I am concerned that these actions will continue and affect my Xbox 360 copy of Rock Band. I enjoy playing with your guitar peripheral on both Guitar Hero 3 and on Rock Band. Because the Xbox 360 guitar peripheral is wireless, it is very convenient to store in my dorm room. Who knows if these actions will continue in future Activision titles that I’m interested in?

Now, your actions have brought many severe questions in my mind regarding Activision’s relationship with its customers. I am now writing to inform you that Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock will be the last Activision title I will ever buy, and I am recommending my friends and family to do the same. I will no longer purchase any extra content for any Activision title I own via downloadable content off Xbox Live. I will also recommend to all my fellow collegiate investors to stay away from your childish games and antics. I will NEVER invest in your company due to this incident. As a gamer who has played games for over 15 years and has loved your titles such as Tony Hawk and Call Of Duty, I am upset that YOU have terminated any relationship between us with your childish actions.

Even though Activision has been around since my childhood, I see now that I am the only party to grow up between us. I suggest that Activision gets its act together before you further damage your relationship with gamers.

Sincerely,
A Disrespected Gamer

[Draconis77]

I am also a 360 owner. I was considering buying Guitar Hero III but not anymore. I just sent Activision my thoughts on the matter. If you care to read:



Greetings,

I have been playing Activision games since I was a child. I enjoyed growing up playing wonderful games such as the original Pitfall for the Atari, as well as Mechwarrior 2, Battlezone, Dark Reign and Interstate '76 for the PC. There was a point in my childhood where pretty much every game I was purchasing was an Activision game and I loved the company at the time.

I have been a supporter of the company and its games for years; however I am appalled with the recent actions of Activision to prevent the release of a patch for the Playstation 3 version of Harmonix and EA's Rock Band. As you are aware the patch was made to allow the use of the Red Octane Guitar Hero III Gibson Les Paul guitar controller.

I am amazed that Activision fails to realize the benefits of having an open standard for controllers for the music games. I was considering purchasing both Guitar Hero III and Rock Band with the understanding that the guitars would work for both games. Since I have an Xbox 360 and the Les Paul currently works with Rock Band I could still purchase Guitar Hero III. However, after reading of Activision's actions I have decided that not only will I not purchase Guitar Hero III, but I will no longer purchase any games from Activision or any of its subsidiaries and I will actively strive to persuade friends and family members to refrain from purchasing Activision products unless Activision shapes up.

Harmonix and EA are more than willing to allow a patch for Guitar Hero III enabling the use of the Rock Band Stratocaster guitar. Why would Activision not choose to do the same with their hardware for Rock Band? Continued decisions such as this will continue to estrange gamers from Activision. I plead that you change your decision so I can continue to be an Activision fan.

Sincerely,
A hopeful former Activision Fan


Also, I think the "corporate communication" options from the 'contact us' option at http://www.activision.com/ would be the people to address this to. The customer support seems to be more for problems with games and tech support.

PS3 and 360 owners unite!

[Parodygm]

I elected to send this message through the Report Piracy channel. :D


Help! I've been robbed! Someone stole my ability to use the PS3 Les Paul controller with Rock Band!

[lynx44]

Quick Question....what is stopping a hacker/programmer making this same exact patch and putting it to the internet ? Seems like it could be done, but what the hell do i know?:confused:

This isn't possible. Nobody can write code for the PS3 right now unless you have an official dev kit. I guess technically it may be possible, but I'm assuming that the patches are encrypted, and if thats the case (and I'm 99% sure it is), then there's no way for anyone to write code that will run on the PS3. If the PS3 was hacked, it could be done. Until that point we're at the mercy of these corporations, or we'll have to use a hardware solution.

-Matt

[WiseOldUnicorn]

This is absolutely ridiculous. I don't even use my PS3 for music games, and this is pissing me off.

I have to wonder what in the world Activision was thinking. People would have bought GH3 just to have an extra controller for Rock Band. Now, only us 360 players can do that. And if it wasn't for Microsoft's controller standards, we probably wouldn't be able to either. They're purposefully taking away one of the main reasons for a lot of people to buy their product.

Hell, it was stupid to make it so the Strat couldn't work in GH3, too. I've already got four guitar controllers total--two for PS2, two for 360. There's no way I'm buying any more. So when I happen to have friends over, which game am I going to play? GH3, where I have one guitar and we can sit around watching each other play? Or Rock Band, where I have two guitars and we can actually play together?

(Granted, I'd probably play Rock Band anyway because it's a better game and also has drums and vocals, but there would probably also be some GH3 play involved when there's just one person, if for no other reason than that I like the songs.)

Thanks, Activision. I was already considering not buying GH4, but you just cemented my decision. I'm honestly tempted to go sell my copy of GH3 and buy a used one (can't bring myself to part with it entirely--I like the songs too much).

ETA: Heh, the Activision contact form: "Thank you for your message." Oh, you're welcome. :D

[SeXbox]

Even if I wasn't a fan of the Guitar Hero games, I would still be upset from a gaming perspective. If Activision has enough nerve to completely screw over Playstation 3 owners with their guitar peripherals, who knows what they may do in the future with their other titles. From a gaming standpoint, I would not stand at all for their actions.

On another note, I'm extremely frustrated because I wasn't going to buy Guitar Hero 3. I made the decision to buy it a week or so before it came out because of firstly its song list, but mainly because of their wireless guitar controller. I was already set on buying Rock Band, but I was a little upset that their guitar was wired. I figured it was win-win by getting a game with a bunch of songs I enjoy and secondly a wireless guitar I could use as a second guitar for Rock Band.

I can see my fellow PS3 brothers following the same scenario. Activision is a shame because of their actions. Its despicable how they treat their customers. Hopefully they get whats comes to them.

[Ventura]

I'm honestly tempted to go sell my copy of GH3 and buy a used one (can't bring myself to part with it entirely--I like the songs too much).

Heh - you could end up bidding on your own auction :)

[WiseOldUnicorn]

Heh - you could end up bidding on your own auction :)

Hahaha, there we go, I'll just buy it from myself. :D

[Ventura]

Hahaha, there we go, I'll just buy it from myself. :D

Don't forget to send an email when it ships though mate, or you might have to leave negative feedback for yourself for bad communication ;)

[screaminglemon]

activision sux. i had planned to buy gh3 for ps3 even though i already have the ps2 version, just to get the bass guitar for rockband. then activision pulls this BS. so what did i do? i went out and bought a second rockband. good job activision. you not only lost that sale but also all the DLC sales i would have given you.