So who's to blame...

[skullpit]

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



From Aclaims Help Support Ticket Boards

[emburn]

Yeah, this has been posted quite a bit already.

Sucky situation all around.

[cutmaclass]

Activision wants payment on Harmonix's part. "Discussing and agreement" is "Discussing how much Harmonix/EA/MTV wants to pay to allow cross-compatibility".

Ultimately, it depends on the side you're on. From Harmonix's POV, Activision is blocking compatibility be demanding payment. From Activision's POV, Harmonix/whoever is blocking the patch by NOT paying for it.

[willko]

from my POV, harmonix shouldn't have to pay activision to release the patch. there's no work to be done by activision. harmonix made the patch which update's harmonix's game to work with 3rd party peripherals. activision just has to sit back, say "good job harmonix, now our fans can enjoy these great games". activision will look like the good guys and they'll even have increased sales from people buying GH3 in order to have a backup guitar for rock band. everybody wins

instead, activision took the 'ol "i'm taking my ball and going home" approach by not allowing their controllers to be used with another game. they've really shown their coporate greed on this one. i'm an xbox 360 user, and so this decision doesn't affect me directly. but despite that, this really shows activision's true colors and have added them to my list of companys i'll have extremely limited business with in the future(a list that also includes sony, and as of recently, EA)

[skullpit]

I am on no side because it's all about $$$ and big business. I just feel bad for the PS3 players.