RB and GH3 compatability reply from activision

[FlyByNyte]

To Music Gaming Fans:

The recent announcement by MTV Games/Viacom's Harmonix division that Activision is blocking Sony from releasing a patch and their plea to enable Rock Band software to work with Guitar Hero hardware paints a very misleading picture.

In fact, Harmonix and its parent company MTV Games/Viacom recently declined Activision's offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band. We have been and remain open to discussions with Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom about the use of our technology in Rock Band. Unfortunately for Rock Band users, in this case Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom are unwilling to discuss an agreement with Activision.

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

Best regards,

Activision



So whats up with this?????

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Pathetic. They can't quit slinging mud, can they?

[Gryffindor]

This is very old news.

To sum it up, Activision wants HMX to pay a fee to them to let HMX patch their own game so it can use the GH3 guitars. Sony is staying out of the mess hoping that HMX and Activison can reach some form of an agreement. Personally, I think Sony needs a kick in the pants for allowing this to happen in the first place. Neither MS or Nintendo allow this sort of proprietary crap.

If HMX gives into this it's settng a dangerous precident as what's to keep developers from creating specific controllers for each game they release? We, the consumers would end up with a closet full of controllers that are only good for use in one game.

[Kipp21]

They aren't explicit with their intentions. They say that Harmonix declined an ffer because they probably want them to pay for the patch and obviously HMX sees this as rediculous and declines. Activison takes that as an oppourtunity to come out and say that HMX are the ones who are declining patches. Either way Activision would win because they would either get money or get to bad mouth HMX. I can see why HMX declined if this is the case.

[espher]

Hey, did you guys hear? There's a game called Rock Band coming out.







There was a print article somewhere (Boston Globe?) where Activision outright said they wanted to be compensated for the use of their technology.

[Edgehopper]

Activision has had spokesmen explicitly say that the "agreement" they're willing to discuss requires HMX to pay them substantial amounts of money. Especially since I'm not sure what claim Activision is using to stop the patch (based on what I know of the situation and as an almost-lawyer, there's no legal claim, and if Activision is just pushing its financial mass around, they're opening themselves up to antitrust issues), I think HMX is perfectly justified in refusing to pay extortionate royalties.

[FlyByNyte]

Activision has had spokesmen explicitly say that the "agreement" they're willing to discuss requires HMX to pay them substantial amounts of money. Especially since I'm not sure what claim Activision is using to stop the patch (based on what I know of the situation and as an almost-lawyer, there's no legal claim, and if Activision is just pushing its financial mass around, they're opening themselves up to antitrust issues), I think HMX is perfectly justified in refusing to pay extortionate royalties.


I totally agree

[Apples]

Activision has had spokesmen explicitly say that the "agreement" they're willing to discuss requires HMX to pay them substantial amounts of money. Especially since I'm not sure what claim Activision is using to stop the patch (based on what I know of the situation and as an almost-lawyer, there's no legal claim, and if Activision is just pushing its financial mass around, they're opening themselves up to antitrust issues), I think HMX is perfectly justified in refusing to pay extortionate royalties.

Hah, I didn't think "extortionate" was a real word. Sure enough, it's in the dictionary. Now whenever I see that word again I will think of Activision. ;)

[Edgehopper]

Hah, I didn't think "extortionate" was a real word. Sure enough, it's in the dictionary. Now whenever I see that word again I will think of Activision. ;)

"Summon Unusual Big Word"--one of the core skills that lawyers get at level 1 :) Lets us use words like "extortionate", "administratrix", and "estoppel" in conversation.

[chaopolis]

From the offices of ACTIVISION...


------

Dear Harmonix,

In response to your request to allow a patch for Guitar Hero III guitars to be used in your game, Rock Band, we simply reply that Your MOM needs a patch!

Our offer still stands. We will release said patch once we receive the requested payment of Eleventy Billion dollars.

We, here at Activision - makers of classic games such as Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Transformers: The Game - appreciate how much you'd like to use our fantastic controllers for your cute little game. However, we's gots to get paid.

Thank you for you request, dumpface.

With love,
Activision

[FlyByNyte]

ROFLMAO

Too Funny

[nicko68]

I'm glad Harmoix isn't going to pay, that's ridiculous. Controllers should be STANDARD, basically just a rearrangement of already existing axes and buttons, and that's it. I think Sony needs to step in and sort this out since Activision is going to be pigheaded about it.

I don't understand why the increased sales of its Guitar Hero controllers for Rock Band isn't compensation enough.

[Maggot_Brain]

Ultimately, it's Sony's screwup for not having any cojones and Activision, being moneyhats, are trying to take advantage of it. Remember that when the next GH comes out!

[Ceely4]

Activision should have to pay Harmonix to release this patch! :D

The compatibility on the xbox 360 played a role in my decision to purchase their game, I’m sure there are a couple others who bought guitar hero 3because they could also use the guitar in Rock Band.

Activision will see this when they receive all these returns from the stores that were opened and returned because the customer realized they could not use the guitar with their PS3.

[DesiredFX]

Unfortunately for some of us, it's way beyond too late to return the game. I'm stuck with taking it to EBGames or whoever and trading it in toward a game I actually want, or selling it on eBay, which seems needlessly cruel to whoever buys it.

So Activision got their money from me, and the only thing I can hope for is that there will be so many copies of GHIII at the local gaming shops that people will take it as a clue that there's something significantly wrong with the game.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

From the offices of ACTIVISION...
Dear Harmonix,

In response to your request to allow a patch for Guitar Hero III guitars to be used in your game, Rock Band, we simply reply that Your MOM needs a patch! Our offer still stands. We will release said patch once we receive the requested payment of Eleventy Billion dollars. We, here at Activision - makers of classic games such as Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Transformers: The Game - appreciate how much you'd like to use our fantastic controllers for your cute little game. However, we's gots to get paid. Thank you for you request, dumpface.
With love,
Activision

Welcome to my signature!

[xipetotec]

There was a print article somewhere (Boston Globe?) where Activision outright said they wanted to be compensated for the use of their technology.

Sure, and they HAVE been compensated when you BOUGHT the stupid thing!
Sony SHOULD get involved because it reflects badly on their console. Not everyone will be aware of these politics going on. just that ON THE PS3, it's not compatible.

[sporkBrigade]

Posted this on the other Activision thread, but figure it applies here too. The dig on the OP obviously does not apply.

"Activision does not want money for the LP to be compatible with Rock Band. The reality is, they don't want the LP Compatible with Rock Band. Here's why.

They want product bundling. Product bundling always helps the leader in a market. Here's how it breaks down. Average uninformed Joe buys Guitar Hero 3 because it's the well known game. He loves it. He doesn't know whether GH2 was better or not, because he never played it. He just bought GH3 because he saw on the news it's the next big thing. Joe hears from Jim about this cool, but lesser known game Rock Band. Joe says, "Wow, I love these games. Does my controller work, or am I going to have to buy another one?" Jim says nope, you have to buy the same guitar again. In fact, the new one won't work with Guitar Hero either. Jim is just as misinformed as Joe, so the reality is Joe simply doesn't buy Rock Band, because from his standpoint, he's getting double dipped. And no one likes getting double dipped.

It's illegal to require bundling like this, because what I described above sucks for the customer. But Guitar Hero has a work around. You technically don't need a Guitar shaped controller to play, you can use the default controllers that come with the system. Therefore, no bundling, not illegal. The guitar controller is optional, and so Activision gets to restrict it and bundle it as much as they want.

It doesn't matter what Activision asks for, it's going to be ridiculous. They don't WANT it to work out. They don't want an agreement. If HMX says "Fine, how much?" They'll just say "Er... A Bajlllion dollars. And not a penny less." The offer itself is simply a PR move to get suckers like the OP to say "God, HMX. Just pay." If the controllers remain incompatible, average consumers just assume Rock Band is a rip-off trying to get them to buy another controller for yet another game. Or even if they know it's Activision doing it, it doesn't matter. Guitar Hero is the top dog right now, so they stand to benefit from this setup.

Now if Rock Band takes the lead in sales over the next couple of years, the tune may change. But until then, don't expect a change in policy from Activision. And certainly don't delude yourself into thinking that HMX just has to pay to make this problem go away. As long as Activision controls this market, they will force you to play the bundling game, and that means you lose."

[FlyByNyte]

Think back to when Microsoft did this bundle thing with IE... Netscape wasn't happy and it went to court... we see how long that took...

by the time we get a patch the new guitars will be available. And by that time i will have bought one to play with RB... well hopefully gen 3will be better

[hankchill]

It's a total shame Activision wants money for their guitar to work with Rock Band on the PS3.

I knew this would happen, which is the exact reason why I got rid of Guitar Hero 3 for the PS3 as fast as I could when it came out, bought myself a 360, Rock Band for the 360, and an Xplorer controller. There we go. No more waiting.

Why on earth they would make it work for one system and not the other, beats the pants offa me.

[municipalblack]

Think back to when Microsoft did this bundle thing with IE... Netscape wasn't happy and it went to court... we see how long that took...

by the time we get a patch the new guitars will be available. And by that time i will have bought one to play with RB... well hopefully gen 3will be better

Yeah and that's why I tell everyone I know to use firefox because IE/Microsoft licks balls. Well that and because firefox is a better product.

Activision can bask in their "glory" for now. But myself along with many other people will remember what a petty move this was will continue to boycott the GH franchise along with many other Activision games.

I mean we all know that Rock Band is going to take the lead eventually, it's clearly the better game.
I've had 8 other people play the game since I picked it up a week ago (Canadian resident) and all of them agree that it's better then GH.
Wait until RB is released for the Wii, a multiplayer game for the multiplayer console, it's going to sell like hot cakes.

[cjkuhlenbeck]

:|...But rockband does require special controllers. You cant use a regular controller to play the drums or guitar. It only works as a secondary for the mic. Wish it did cuz i have a friend who just 100% devil went down to georgia on GH3 with a controller...i could use him :| damnit

[nokon]

so wait...

the guitar for GH3 works for rock band on the 360? and Vice Versa?


If so that makes no sense. Poor PS3 people who spent alot of money on their console just to pay twice for a controller

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

and Vice Versa?

No. More proof that activision sucks.

[sporkBrigade]

Why on earth they would make it work for one system and not the other, beats the pants offa me.

Short version: Microsoft forces compatibility because they are controlfreaks, Sony doesn't.

So on XBox, the hardware is compatible because Microsoft demanded it. But the GH3 software was made to reject the Strat. Obviously the RockBand software was made to accept the Les Paul, or more specifically it was made to accept ANY guitar shaped controller ever made, and so it works.

On PS3, Sony's only requirement is that it works. So while it wasn't done specifically on purpose, when two companies are developing hardware seperately, chances are it's not going to be compatible. And that's how it turns out. Then enter the patch to make it compatible made by HMX, blocked by Activision, and welcome to today's topic.

Hope it's clear as mud.

[sporkBrigade]

:|...But rockband does require special controllers. You cant use a regular controller to play the drums or guitar. It only works as a secondary for the mic.

No, Harmonix went the other route. They don't make the guitar and drum portions of the game playable with a controller, but they also don't restrict who can make controllers for their game. Any usb mic works. Any guitar works. Any future drums by other companies work. The doors are wide open, so they're not breaking any rules.

It's a slight difference in philosophy. Offer a game that needs these special controllers to function, but open the doors for anyone to make those peripherals. Or offer a game that technically fully functions on the default gamepad of the system, then restrict any attempt to make a 3rd party guitar that works with the game. Of course, go the extra step of restricting a 3rd party's use of your guitar, just to make the environment even harsher and demanding for anyone considering a second Rhythm game purchase.

I hope I'm not the only one that prefers option A.