***OFFICIAL PRICING and RELEASE INFO for Standalone Instruments!!! [Archive]

chaopolis

01-24-2008, 05:06 PM

Didn't see this posted elsewhere...

Here you go!

January 24, 2008 - Standalone Rock Band instruments will start shipping to stores in the United States next month, Harmonix, MTV and Electronic Arts announced today.

The Rock Band drum set will ship first, on Feb. 12, and will retail for $79.99. The wireless Fender Stratocaster guitar will begin shipping April 1 and will retail for $59.99. The announcement did not mention pricing or shipping information for a standalone Rock Band-branded USB microphone.

The PlayStation guitar will work with both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2, the announcement said, and $59.99 price tag is listed as being the same for both the PlayStation 2/3 and Xbox 360 guitars.

The standalone Rock Band software is currently available in stores, as is the game's special edition bundle, which includes a guitar, drum set, drum sticks, mic and game. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system bundles also come with a USB hub.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/847/847492p1.html

gutterboy44

01-24-2008, 05:07 PM

This such a load of BS. Individual guitars for PS3 won't start shipping until April 1st! Are you f'ing kidding me. This is so god damn pathetic on Harmonix, Sony and Activisions part. None of these companies are stepping up and seem to be content to **** all PS3 owners over. I am done. I already sold my GH3 on craig's list, and now Rockband will follow. "Play with up to four friends!" (on xbox)

You have lost a loyal costumer.

Tender-Surrender

01-24-2008, 05:10 PM

JohnnyTurk

01-24-2008, 05:20 PM

hows bout WE DONT EVEN HAVE THE DAMN GAME

Kishkumen

01-24-2008, 05:22 PM

AliceInChained

01-24-2008, 05:23 PM

Man, April sucks when you have the PS3 version.

silvam14

01-24-2008, 05:26 PM

Wow, That really, kinda, blows to be honest.

Like I've said before, its even made worse since I have my Les Paul in the corner collecting dust because HMX won't/can't release their patch.

Work out a damn deal with activision already will ya?

Sup12emacy

01-24-2008, 05:31 PM

April... That is rather sickening. And while I understand that they don't want to say anything about the GH3 patch, I hope that this blow to the PS3 population re-ignites the call to get the patch done now. I'm not going to say I'm selling my game off or anything, but I have seen that I don't play as much as I used to... And the longer that lasts, the less I'll be interested in buying DLC, the less I'll be raving about the game to friends and family. I do realize that Harmonix is not actually trying to screw over it's customers, but sometimes it feels like it. All I can hope for is that the GH3 patch has not faded away into nothingness because of lack of interest. I'd like to see more information about what's going on... If it's not going to happen, I'd like to know why. If it is going to happen, I'd like to know that as well. It's been long enough for the lawyers to have a good idea about what's going to happen. Someone just please let us poor customers know what to expect...
The story with the patch as I have heard it is that Harmonix sent a patch to Sony and it was okayed to be released until Activision objected to it. Activision now wants Harmonix to pay them for the release of the patch. I have two thoughts about this. I cannot remember if Harmonix claimed that the GH3 guitar would work for the PS3 version or not before the game came out. If they did then then need to go ahead and cough up the money in my opinion to follow through on a promise. However if they did not issue such a promise then the blame rests with Activision being a greedy company who is praying to damage the consumer enjoyment of a rival product. Either way this is wrong and it should be rectified.

Titannica

01-24-2008, 05:31 PM

Very discouraging news to me as a PS3 owner.

This announcement and lack of any information from Harmonix on the PS3 front only serves to reinforce the feeling I have that Harmonix could care less about me.

Thanks, guys!

holyground

01-24-2008, 05:32 PM

HMX did what they said they were going to do all along. They said that they were going to make a patch to enable the ps3 guitar to work: they did. It's not the DEVELOPER'S fault that the patch was not fully released. Unless you are involved in the negotiations (and even if you are, if you said anything i garuntee you'd be fired) STFU. I'm sick of hearing people blaming the developers of the game for this. They MADE THE PATCH. what more do you want from them?

probably something they have no say in. Video games is a multi-billion dollar-a-year industry. That means many many many lawyers are getting their paws in this.

And 5 months, imo, is still "shortly after release" considering the development and production cycle inherent in most games.

Parodygm

01-24-2008, 05:35 PM

There really are some grevious issues plaguing the PS3 version of Rock Band. It would be nice if someone at HMX HQ would at least let us know whether the glaring problems are going to be resolved...

No voice chat... No guitar compatibility... Exclusive 360 content... starting to feel like the ugly step-children over here...

I think I'll be slowing down on the DLC content.

WVUPick

01-24-2008, 05:37 PM

This does really suck. I mean this in the nicest "possible" way, but how long does it take to make a freaking guitar controller? I know nothing about production/development, so I am trying to keep an open mind. I really want to play with two guitars, and since I have the PS3 version, I am SOL, while my friend (who got GH3 first and has a 360) is playing away with a full band.

face777

01-24-2008, 05:37 PM

Ooh! Or rather, 'Ooh for when the damn game is released'!

silvam14

01-24-2008, 05:38 PM

AliceInChained

01-24-2008, 05:39 PM

Am I the only person who bought the game only version of PS3 RB?

Cry for me!

Hendrixx

01-24-2008, 05:43 PM

hows bout WE DONT EVEN HAVE THE DAMN GAME

Amen man. I'm usually a calm collected kind of guy. But for God's sake, Europe doesn't even have any release date yet. I seriously hope this is cleared up DAMN soon!

rockst01

01-24-2008, 05:47 PM

To all you PS3 customers complaining, there are 3rd party Rock Band guitars coming out earlier.

There really are some grevious issues plaguing the PS3 version of Rock Band. It would be nice if someone at HMX HQ would at least let us know whether the glaring problems are going to be resolved...

No voice chat... No guitar compatibility... Exclusive 360 content... starting to feel like the ugly step-children over here...

I think I'll be slowing down on the DLC content.

Most of those problems aren't Harmonix's fault. The guitar compatibility issue was fixed by Harmonix but Activision prevented the patch. The voice chat issue is more an issue with the Playstation's online network. The reason that the 360 version has voice chat is because Microsoft requires every game with online play to support voice chat and private chat lobbies.

gutterboy44

01-24-2008, 05:57 PM

God forbid Sony held their developers to the same standards. Last ditch hope, create some franken guitar with my soldering iron and GH3 guitar.

Kishkumen

01-24-2008, 05:58 PM

I do want to say I don't blame the developers at all, I do realize that they did their part. But Harmonix is not just developers. As a company they have the right and ability to do what needs to be done. And if what needs to be done is just telling us there is no way the patch is going to happen and why, then I will accept that. Sadly, in this case the old phrase "no news is good news" doesn't really apply.

That being said, I do also understand why they would not want to say it's going to happen unless they know. But they can say things like "it's looking good, don't hold your breath but we're making progress" and anyone other than over caffeinated kids should be able to accept that this doesn't mean the patch will be out tomorrow, and possibly may still never happen.

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 06:02 PM

Am I the only person who bought the game only version of PS3 RB?

Cry for me!

No, I'll cry with you! It's collecting dust over here too. :mad:

The situation is ridiculous.

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 06:03 PM

To all you PS3 customers complaining, there are 3rd party Rock Band guitars coming out earlier.

The Nyko guitar coming out in likely late March isn't much consolation, I'm afraid, for us purchase that bought the game in November.

Kishkumen

01-24-2008, 06:05 PM

Am I the only person who bought the game only version of PS3 RB?

Cry for me!

The game only version does feel like a sick joke played on everyone who bought it... I do think it would have been better to not release it till there was at least some way to play the game more than just singing. 3rd party guitars would have been enough even.

Gymsquid

01-24-2008, 06:08 PM

The main reason I bought RB for my son was so he could have a drum option as well as multiple guitars going. I pretty much bought the set up without doing any research and just assumed I could purchase an additional guitar whenever I wanted. Imagine my surprise when I figured out shortly after Christmas that you could not purchase an additional guitar. I thought to myslef, "this can't be right..no company would market this as a 4 player game and then not provide the ability to purchase an additional guitar." That along with the fact the strum on the guitar stopped working after two weeks and then it took another two weeks to get a replacement has really left a bad taste in my mouth.

It just seems to me this product was not properly tested and pushed out to consumers before it was ready. Not sure how companies get away with stuff like this but it happens all the time I suppose.

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 06:08 PM

The game only version does feel like a sick joke played on everyone who bought it... I do think it would have been better to not release it till there was at least some way to play the game more than just singing. 3rd party guitars would have been enough even.

You got that right! This version should have been pulled off the shelves back in November. Why it's still available for purchase is beyond me. You CAN actually use it (if you want to sing or split a bundle), but beyond that it's so deceptive to the consumer.

DesiredFX

01-24-2008, 06:10 PM

Most of those problems aren't Harmonix's fault. The guitar compatibility issue was fixed by Harmonix but Activision prevented the patch. The voice chat issue is more an issue with the Playstation's online network. The reason that the 360 version has voice chat is because Microsoft requires every game with online play to support voice chat and private chat lobbies.

Let me ask you this: if RB on the PS3 had been compatible with the Les Paul from the start, do you think Activision would have complained? They didn't for the 360, so why would they for the PS3? Harmonix isn't at fault, but if they'd made the effort to get compatibility in right out of the box, we wouldn't be in this mess.

As for "Microsoft requires" vs "Sony doesn't require," should a game manufacturer really have to be TOLD that an online game should incorporate some form of chat--especially when that capability is built into the console's OS?

There are three obvious things missing in PS3 Rock Band that are in the OS and were overlooked:

1. Voice Chat
2. Friend List (keeps track of people you've played with)
3. 1080i upscaling for older HD sets without 720p

Harmonix made a great game that I love playing, but on the PS3 side there are problems that make it look like a rush job. What's especially strange to me is that the game uses the PS3's messaging system and gives you access to your XMB friend list from within the game...how much harder would it have been to incorporate two of the other XMB features?

gutterboy44

01-24-2008, 06:18 PM

For those of you who have Digg.com accounts (they are free) I started a digg post to call attention to this pathetic dilemma.

http://digg.com/gaming_news/Keep_Holding_on_to_Those_Ankles_PS3_Rock_Band_Owne rs

I am so sick of this crap. There is no good excuse for this lack of support.

dfjdejulio

01-24-2008, 06:25 PM

The story with the patch as I have heard it is that Harmonix sent a patch to Sony and it was okayed to be released until Activision objected to it. Activision now wants Harmonix to pay them for the release of the patch. I have two thoughts about this. I cannot remember if Harmonix claimed that the GH3 guitar would work for the PS3 version or not before the game came out. If they did then then need to go ahead and cough up the money in my opinion to follow through on a promise.

We do not know what Activision's terms are.

What if they're "you have to pay us for every copy of Rock Band that can use any Guitar Hero branded guitar -- even those on the PS2 or XB360, which already work -- and you must place the Activision and Red Octane and Guitar Hero branding prominently in all of your advertising, or we will not permit you to release this patch for the PS3"?

If those are Activision's terms, then there's essentially no way Harmonix really can realistically comply.

IMO, Sony is the best place to apply pressure at the moment. I think it's kinda absurd that they're letting Activision get away with this on the PS3 when GH1 and GH2 guitars work fine with RB even on the PS2 (and on the XB360, everything works).

dfjdejulio

01-24-2008, 06:29 PM

And if what needs to be done is just telling us there is no way the patch is going to happen and why, then I will accept that.

But Harmonix can't possibly know that.

Here is my prediction for what will happen:

Shortly, third party guitars will come out. Then, in April, Harmonix's guitars will be available individually. At that point, the damage being done by Activision blocking the patch has mostly already been done, and it's safe for them to stop blocking the patch, just so they can at that time appear to be good guys.

So it would not surprise me at all if Activision mysteriously changes their terms and permits the patch to go through... either this summer, or just before GH4 comes out. In fact, it will surprise me if that does not happen; it could even help them sell GH4 bundles.

Titannica

01-24-2008, 06:31 PM

If those are Activision's terms, then there's essentially no way Harmonix really can realistically comply.

If that's the case, then it would be perfectly acceptable for Harmonix to tell us that, but they're not telling us anything. All I want is information and some sort of clue as to when I might be able to play this game with 4 people.

gutterboy44

01-24-2008, 06:34 PM

I agree. Even if it is the bad news we all fear, just tell us now so we can move on, and in my case look into an ebay auction for a standalone RB guitar.

Kishkumen

01-24-2008, 06:38 PM

But Harmonix can't possibly know that.

I concede that they can't know that it will never happen. But they likely have a lot of information that we don't, which would be nice to pass on. So, maybe not say it's never going to happen, but they can say that Activision is still stonewalling, and that until they budge it won't happen. Then at least people can direct their attention to Activision. We do know Activision wants money, but no idea how much... If they want a small amount and Harmonix isn't paying, then maybe the consumers can help. I do realize that's a fat chance, and that more likely Activision is asking for for way too much. But then, once again we know exactly what's happening and can direct our reactions to the proper place. I still 100% support Harmonix not making promises without a guarantee that they will be met, but at this point there doesn't seem to be any excuse to hold back information. And even if the only thing they're allowed to say for some odd legal reason is "we're not allowed to say anything for legal reason" it looks a lot better to me than "we're not saying anything because we don't want to."

dfjdejulio

01-24-2008, 06:39 PM

If that's the case, then it would be perfectly acceptable for Harmonix to tell us that, but they're not telling us anything.

Acceptable for them to tell us that? Not if the negotiations are under NDA...

Even if they are not under NDA, Activision may have a clause that causes the asked-for terms to skyrocket if anything is leaked.

It is extremely plausible that Harmonix's hands are completely tied on this -- that they literally cannot give us any more information than they already have. All you have to do is accept the possibility that Activision are being unreasonable, and it becomes very easy to believe.

ShinChan83

01-24-2008, 06:44 PM

I think there comes a time when one really has to question whether or not a single video game is worth this much grief. By the time PS3 owners get their stand-alone instruments the Rock Band phenomenon will be in its twilight. Even though I own an Xbox 360 I can totally empathize with all of these PS3 owners who simply want their damn game to be playable (at least as a four player game, which it is intended for). Look on the bright side: You guys will be playing Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII in due time.

Quinarvy

01-24-2008, 06:44 PM

But Harmonix can't possibly know that.

Here is my prediction for what will happen:

Shortly, third party guitars will come out. Then, in April, Harmonix's guitars will be available individually. At that point, the damage being done by Activision blocking the patch has mostly already been done, and it's safe for them to stop blocking the patch, just so they can at that time appear to be good guys.

So it would not surprise me at all if Activision mysteriously changes their terms and permits the patch to go through... either this summer, or just before GH4 comes out. In fact, it will surprise me if that does not happen; it could even help them sell GH4 bundles.

If they decide to release then, Harmonix won't need to release the patch, because the Nyko Frontman will be released and the MadCatz controllers might be out by then, and since both will be geared towards Rock Band (both will have an effects switch, and the MadCatz will probably have solo buttons) there's little point in letting Activision benefit from Les Paul sales.

Parodygm

01-24-2008, 06:48 PM

I'd be mollified with a simple:

"We are aware of the limitations and short-comings of the PS3 release when compared to the 360 version. We are currently working on ways to rectify these issues. Rest assured that these features are in the pipeline to be implemented on the PS3 platform."

See, I didn't even ask for a timeframe.

I suspect the reality of the situation is going to be that nothing will be done on the voice chat front until Sony implement voice chat directly into the system software, ie. nothing will be done, at least for the foreseeable future.

Seems like a case of "the PS3 has a small user base for our target market, therefore it makes no financial sense for us to invest resources in implementing our own voice chat code".

Hard to argue with the logic. It just sucks to be us.

dfjdejulio

01-24-2008, 06:53 PM

If they decide to release then, Harmonix won't need to release the patch, because the Nyko Frontman will be released and the MadCatz controllers might be out by then, and since both will be geared towards Rock Band (both will have an effects switch, and the MadCatz will probably have solo buttons) there's little point in letting Activision benefit from Les Paul sales.

Okay, but what if Activision says publicly: "Okay! We decided to relent and permit Harmonix to release the compatibility patch they've been talking about, with no compensation at all! We give up, go ahead!"

If, this summer, Activision makes a press release saying something like that, and the patch doesn't come out, how does the gaming press react?

(Basically, most of you folks are simply not thinking evil enough. Are you out of college yet? Ever had to deal with a lawyer? An IRS audit? A divorce?)

AliceInChained

01-24-2008, 07:00 PM

Just hoping they can work a deal now with Activision for that patch.

theuklikesmusicandgames2

01-24-2008, 07:09 PM

Hanover

01-24-2008, 07:21 PM

All three of those things are part of the 360 dashboard. MS integrates that so that every game made for the 360 can use it without having to reinvent the wheel each time.

Those are things that developers plug their games into...it's set up for them to use already. You press the XBOX button in ANY GAME (it usually pauses the game you are playing) to get to your friends list. That same menu allows you to chat to up to five friends, even if they are playing other games. Allows you to invite them to games you want to play. None of this appears in the games themselves, so that way the developers dont have to worry about it.

If the PS3 had something similar already, then it would have been a no-brainer. Unfortunately Harmonix would have had to write it from scratch, probably delaying the PS3 version and I could already hear the complaints if that happened.

I own a PS3 as well as a 360 and I can tell you that Sony should have come up with something similar already because it IS frustrating having to go out of your games to get to your friends lists. It is frustrating when certain games don't implement features that are standard on most 360 games.

But I don't blame Harmonix...why should they have to code in something that should already be there? You have exactly what we have on the 360...minus 360's native capabilities...and Les Paul Support (which is actually part of that).

As for the OP...the PS3 got wireless guitars before the 360 did. Whether thats a concession or not, who knows. But considering there were a lot more sales of the 360 version and the fact that many of 360 owners were waiting for the wireless controller before they would buy the game, it makes sense financially to get those wireless controllers to 360 owners sooner rather than later.

There are three obvious things missing in PS3 Rock Band that are in the OS and were overlooked:

1. Voice Chat
2. Friend List (keeps track of people you've played with)
3. 1080i upscaling for older HD sets without 720p

Harmonix made a great game that I love playing, but on the PS3 side there are problems that make it look like a rush job. What's especially strange to me is that the game uses the PS3's messaging system and gives you access to your XMB friend list from within the game...how much harder would it have been to incorporate two of the other XMB features?

Ultrace

01-24-2008, 07:22 PM

Work out a damn deal with activision already will ya?
No, and there shoudn't be any "deal" to be worked out. Harmonix should not have to pay any money to release a patch for their game to make third-party hardware work, and that's what Activision wants. As long as that is the case... Then on general principle the gamers will have to suffer.

And even if the only thing they're allowed to say for some odd legal reason is "we're not allowed to say anything for legal reason" it looks a lot better to me than "we're not saying anything because we don't want to."
How about this: since we know Activision actually wants compensation so that Harmonix can patch their own game, try assuming that Harmonix is in the right when they don't say anything instead of assuming the "quite possibly guilty until something is said" stance. We know Activision wants money, and HMX shouldn't have to give it to them. Until Activision says something that puts that in dispute, Harmonix doesn't need to tell us anything further.

Apples

01-24-2008, 07:31 PM

This thead is drifting precariously close to another console flame war debate.

If you do not have a comment/opinion as it relates to this news article, keep it to yourself.

Ultrace

01-24-2008, 07:33 PM

Let me ask you this: if RB on the PS3 had been compatible with the Les Paul from the start, do you think Activision would have complained? They didn't for the 360, so why would they for the PS3? Harmonix isn't at fault, but if they'd made the effort to get compatibility in right out of the box, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Harmonix had 23 days between the street release of Guitar Hero III and the street release of Rock Band. During that critical time period, there's final code testing, getting the discs to go gold, packing, shipping... Just how feasible do you think it was for them to get their hands on the Les Paul, de-engineer and test it, write code for it, incorporate that code into the game, test it, and still do so without disrupting their release timeframe? -- Because you know there would have been an uproar if the PS3 version was delayed for this reason; it would have been viewed as a lengthy delay that the XB360 didn't have "just to add a fourth local player."

And if you think it would have been easy to squeeze all those steps in without delaying the release, then I respectfully state that I do not think you know what you are talking about.

Nainz

01-24-2008, 07:34 PM

How can you complain that you have to wait a month or so for these new instruments when we in the rest of the world DONT EVEN HAVE THE GAME!!!
we dont even have any sort of mention of a release date for the game, let alone extra instruments.

A few of you in the states dont realise just how lucky you are. You get EVERYTHING before the rest of the world, but complain when you have to wait 2 months for this? Try waiting 6 months for the game.

Grow the **** up and just accept you cant get what you want when you want it.

I understand what you are saying, but it is kind of a different situation.

In six months (or however long it is, I have no idea) the UK will get the game and will be hit with "Rock Band Fever" and it will be fresh and new and everyone will be dying to play. In three months (five months after being released) the PS3 owners in the US will finally be able to play with four people, but most likely by then a lot of people will have moved on to a new game. My friends were all super-excited to play when it first came out but it's hard to keep that momentum going for six months, especially after you've listened to the same songs hundreds of times already.

I would rather wait six months and get a complete package than get the game now and only be able to really play after everyone is starting to get tired of it.

Stevenam81

01-24-2008, 07:35 PM

So let me get this straight....The wireless guitar for 360 and PS3 will both cost $59.99??? They cost the same, yet 360 users have to settle for a wired guitar in the bundle. What the hell is that?

Parodygm

01-24-2008, 07:42 PM

Tralfamador

01-24-2008, 07:44 PM

The drums are being released before the guitars? This is upsetting...

Guess I'll just have to give someone a Ball-In-A-Cup to play with, while the rest of us rock out...

Parodygm

01-24-2008, 07:48 PM

This thead is drifting precariously close to another console flame war debate.

Ah, but can we get some kind of dispensation allowing us to flame the console that we actually own? ;)

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 08:01 PM

jrinck

01-24-2008, 08:08 PM

The only competitive edge Activision has right now is that it's impossible to go out and buy a standalone guitar for Rock Band, making it very difficult for the average person to get a full band to play in the same location. That is actually a HUGE issue, since it's impossible for many to play the game like they are told they can, so I guess I can understand why Activision won't allow the patch.

However, once third party guitars become available, look for Activision to relent and allow the patch.

JonPetrie

01-24-2008, 08:13 PM

I've seen 3 different dates for the release of stand-alone guitars. One site has them listed as being shipped 2/4/08, another has 3/4/08 and then IGN and 1Up (which got its info from IGN) has the ship date as April. What's the real date and why isn't anyone from HMX posting on this thread to let us know what the ACTUAL date is?

eVan_Diesel

01-24-2008, 08:21 PM

Sometimes it sucks when you are a PS3 user...ok, it pretty much always sucks when you are playing Rock Band and see all the things that the 360 players get. :(

eVan_Diesel

01-24-2008, 08:25 PM

Ah, but can we get some kind of dispensation allowing us to flame the console that we actually own? ;)

Precisely!

Parodygm

01-24-2008, 08:32 PM

They probably don't have a definitive answer for a shipping date because I'm sure it all depends on how many more warranty replacements they have to ship in the interrim. I'd call those dates floating target dates and I'd wager on them being available closer to the end of that window.

Quyrean

01-24-2008, 08:53 PM

Who the crap needs an extra set of drums?

Damnit, I want two guitars (ps3) and not five months after the game has been released.

Sure more drums would be fun, but the game is 1mic, 1drum, **2** guitars. Send out the guitars FIRST!

Most likely the guitars are so freaking broken that they are scared of releasing them individualy. I am on my forth, and about to send that back.

bluGill

01-24-2008, 08:55 PM

I wonder if HMX can release the patch on a memory stick of some sort. They should be able to buy them in bulk, then just ship it out to those who want it.

Though I agree that Sony should step in and stop this. It doesn't help them at all, and the PS3 is already not selling well. I'm glad I have a 360, but I sympathize with the PS3 folks. In fact If I were HMX I'd do just enough 360/ps2 guitar production to fill the full game and warranty support, and do the rest PS3, with the goal of getting PS3 guitars out sooner. It is the only sane thing to do for your customers. (That or I'd push one of the third parties to get their production ramped up sooner)

Ultrace

01-24-2008, 09:00 PM

The real bottom line of this is I bought a product from Harmonix, and it's apparently going to sit idle from November to April. I don't want to blame all the various sides because everyone seems to be doing what's best for them and not the customer, but it's Harmonix' game. They should ultimately fix this situation. If they have to bite the bullet and give into the evil Activision's demands, then that's the price they have to pay for releasing a product in the manner they did. No one forced them to release an incomplete product into the marketplace. I'm sorry, but an April release date for the guitars is unacceptable. I need a better solution from Harmonix than that. We all do (PS3 owners).
So, you bought the standalone game in November without any instruments? We knew ahead of release that standalone instruments would not be available until at least the new year, with no specific date available. Purchasing the standalone game at that point becomes your own decision and something you can't blame HMX for.

Now, if you bought the bundle and it's still going to "sit idle" until you get that second guitar, then I'm sorry, but that's just stupid. Playing with three people may not be as great as four, but it still rocks and you're making your own decision to cut out that experience.

They released the product in the best manner possible--they made people aware that standalone guitars would not be available at release and did not specify when they would be, but still released the game for those who were willing to play with 3 people or use other means (eBay and the like) to get that additional guitar. They also could not likely have forseen Activision moving to block the patch. Instead of giving us nothing at all (which releasing the game late would have been), they provided something.

It'll be a tragedy if they do give in to Activision's demands. There's a principle that needs to be upheld here. I feel bad for PS3 players, but it's not like you can't play the game at all. You need a little perspective.

JerWA

01-24-2008, 09:01 PM

The problem is that it's all guesses and wagers because nobody will talk to us any more. Harmonix is afraid of Activision, who should be afraid of Sony but Sony is asleep at the wheel. Rock Band is basically the ONLY must-have PS3 title right now on the market that can't just be rented, beaten, and returned in a week. If I were Sony I'd be kicking ass and taking names to keep the PS3 community rocking to it's hearts content because it's driving console sales and just about nothing else is at the moment.

I know that I, at least, bought my PS3 now (instead of mid 2008) specifically for Rock Band. Originally it was for GTA IV, but that's been pushed twice and is going to be multi-console. Fallout 3 will be as well, which leaves me looking at what... Gran Turismo as the only reason to have a PS3?

For those saying they're going to just get a guitar on eBay, good luck with that. I looked last night and as often as not those auctions are topping $100. And, with our luck, and no proof of purchase, EA would bounce the inevitable warranty return when the strummer, whammy, tilt, (insert next failure point here) <insert next="" failure="" point="" here=""> dies (especially since I bet most of those are first generation parted out kits).

To the guy whining about not having the game yet, count yourself lucky. We're beta testing the hardware for you, which should be on it's 4th generation by the time you get the game and might actually last for more than a month and/or work right out of the box. You might actually be able to play the game with 4 people, you'll have hundreds of songs you can download, and 3rd party hardware to choose from if you so desire. If you want it that bad I've got a lightly used set for PS3 you can buy off me, and I'll wait until April to buy it again when it'll actually do what I bought it for in the first place.</insert>

Hanover

01-24-2008, 09:08 PM

There are certainly people who opted out of the bundle and who will buy the game separately once the drums are sold separately. Since the drums are the new and novel part of this game, and the one thing that really makes this game unique, this makes sense.

Who the crap needs an extra set of drums?

Damnit, I want two guitars (ps3) and not five months after the game has been released.

Sure more drums would be fun, but the game is 1mic, 1drum, **2** guitars. Send out the guitars FIRST!

Most likely the guitars are so freaking broken that they are scared of releasing them individualy. I am on my forth, and about to send that back.

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 09:30 PM

So, you bought the standalone game in November without any instruments? We knew ahead of release that standalone instruments would not be available until at least the new year, with no specific date available. Purchasing the standalone game at that point becomes your own decision and something you can't blame HMX for.

Now, if you bought the bundle and it's still going to "sit idle" until you get that second guitar, then I'm sorry, but that's just stupid. Playing with three people may not be as great as four, but it still rocks and you're making your own decision to cut out that experience.

They released the product in the best manner possible--they made people aware that standalone guitars would not be available at release and did not specify when they would be, but still released the game for those who were willing to play with 3 people or use other means (eBay and the like) to get that additional guitar. They also could not likely have forseen Activision moving to block the patch. Instead of giving us nothing at all (which releasing the game late would have been), they provided something.

It'll be a tragedy if they do give in to Activision's demands. There's a principle that needs to be upheld here. I feel bad for PS3 players, but it's not like you can't play the game at all. You need a little perspective.

Actually, what's more a tragedy is the standalone game still being on the market. I could care less about principle at this point. The consumer in me feels ripped off.

I bought the standalone game in November under 2 assumptions:

1) The Les Paul would work with the game (that WAS general assumption for anyone that did their research)
and/or
2) Individual peripherals would be available in late January

Since neither of these are true, Harmonix has really done me an injustice as a consumer with this standalone product.

Everman

01-24-2008, 09:50 PM

... what more do you want from them?

Uh, how bout .... hmm, this is a tough question ... lemme think ... wait, its coming to me ... Yes, there it is ...

WE want the patch ...

Friggin X-Box nubz:cool:

Everman

01-24-2008, 09:57 PM

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 09:59 PM

Did some posts get deleted here?

Edit: Nevermind... I'm mixing up threads.

omote75

01-24-2008, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the update on the release! Glad to see the wait for drums is almost over. Been playing with two wireless Les Paul's and a USB mic for quite a while (couldn't find a bundle) and got to try the drums a few days ago, quite fun.

DesiredFX

01-24-2008, 10:33 PM

All three of those things are part of the 360 dashboard. MS integrates that so that every game made for the 360 can use it without having to reinvent the wheel each time.

The three features I mentioned are as integrated into the PS3 OS as they are into the 360 dashboard. Warhawk integrates voice chat and Friends Met, and virtually every game released since Sony fixed the 1080i problem scales the image in the correct direction. To me, it's inexcusable not to implement them when you're already accessing the PS3 OS for the messaging facility.

I realize you have a PS3 as well as a 360, but do you have RB for the PS3? If not, I'm not sure you know exactly what's at issue in the implementation. Harmonix could easily have added those features without reinventing the wheel.

Oddly, though, they allow you access to the XMB through "Manage Friends" but friend invitations are done through an interface they set up themselves which ultimately generates a PS3 message with a special attachment that links to your online session.

Now, Sony's already said that in-game XMB is coming sometime this year, which will certainly allow an easy way around the problem, especially if it will allow you to set up a voice chat system that can multi-task with the game itself (so you don't have to start up a new voice chat after every song).

And if you think it would have been easy to squeeze all those steps in without delaying the release, then I respectfully state that I do not think you know what you are talking about.

I didn't claim that. What I said in the message was that the effort to get a simultaneous launch ended up with the PS3 version coming out unfinished. Well, "rush job" was the term I used.

I would have been happy to wait three more weeks for the PS3 release if it meant ironing out a few of the issues that we've had to deal with.

FultonPub

01-24-2008, 10:42 PM

Ninhead

01-24-2008, 10:44 PM

Actually, what's more a tragedy is the standalone game still being on the market. I could care less about principle at this point. The consumer in me feels ripped off.

I bought the standalone game in November under 2 assumptions:

1) The Les Paul would work with the game (that WAS general assumption for anyone that did their research)
and/or
2) Individual peripherals would be available in late January

Since neither of these are true, Harmonix has really done me an injustice as a consumer with this standalone product.

So because you assumed wrong, you were ripped off? That doesn't make sense. Harmonix did you no injustice. Your brain did.

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 11:01 PM

So because you assumed wrong, you were ripped off? That doesn't make sense. Harmonix did you no injustice. Your brain did.

Give me a freakin' break. I did my research. Show me one source that reported both the PS3 Les Paul being incompatible and Harmonix' Strat only being available in April. I guess my brain is responsible for releasing a product almost 5 months before it's of any real use. No company should operate that deceptively. It's completely absurd that this standalone product is still sitting there on shelves when it should not have been released in the first place.

First the LP turns out to be incompatible. Frustrating, but what's the next option? Let's try buying a strat in late January or so. Nope. Now it's April. That's an injustice.

Mickey Buns

01-24-2008, 11:06 PM

Just have some patience, it will be ready when it's ready. Now just go jam and shut up, Don't be a baby. Man I’m tired of whiners

DesiredFX

01-24-2008, 11:09 PM

If the PS3 version been delayed while the Xbox version was available I can only imagine what kind of meltdown would have happened on this site from ps3 owners *****ing.

Of course, that is happening anyway so..........

Pretty much my thinking.

They could have done it if they so chose: simply announce that they were working on some features that were implemented in recent updates to the PS3 operating system and say that the reason for the delay was to give PS3 owners the best possible version of the game.

If you've been tracking sales of the game through a site like VGChartz.com, you can see that sales of the PS3 version have tailed off much more sharply than the 360 version: the 360 version was outselling the PS3 version by 3-1 in the early weeks, but now it's increased to 5-1. EDIT: I just double-checked it, and the adjusted numbers still seem to support the 3-1 ratio. Teach me to quote statistics without properly researching them.

In the meantime, Uncharted quickly reared up and passed the 1 million mark, worldwide. Maybe after hearing about so much trouble and so many missing features on the PS3 version, people gravitated toward a PS3 exclusive that they heard good things about.

Either that, or the Europeans who are antsy for a release over there bought Uncharted to keep themselves occupied while they wait.

CENACHAINGANG54

01-24-2008, 11:18 PM

Well I was told today that the drums or the guitar will not be out until March 5th. This is what Gamestop told me and this is the date on thier website

NX013

01-24-2008, 11:20 PM

I find it even wierder it was announced for release on April Fools

MF-PO'd

01-24-2008, 11:24 PM

Just have some patience, it will be ready when it's ready. Now just go jam and shut up, Don't be a baby. Man I’m tired of whiners

To what are you referring? If it's the guitar availability, put yourself in the shoes of standalone game purchasers that have bought the game in November, and have now been told they probably won't have a guitar solution until April. Reasonable? I think not. Patience only runs so far.

On that note, I can't jam... unless you want me to sing. Not a chance.

Ihmhi

01-24-2008, 11:59 PM

HMX should have never sold the standalone game without instruments being out there first. That was a very stupid move on their part.

Screw this. I am not waiting over two months for an instrument that I expected to be out in two weeks. I am just gonna hit up eBay and get the best deal I can.

K_rok8923

01-24-2008, 11:59 PM

Patience is a virtue.

MF-PO'd

01-25-2008, 12:03 AM

Patience is a virtue.

I think we've been more than patient already, don't you? It has been 2 months already. Now we wait until April? Why not just release them in 2015 then if we should have infinite patience. Enough is enough.

Mickey Buns

01-25-2008, 12:49 AM

I think we've been more than patient already, don't you? It has been 2 months already. Now we wait until April? Why not just release them in 2015 then if we should have infinite patience. Enough is enough.

It takes what it take or maybe you know of some magic trick that will make these controllers appear, some things you just don't have any control over, so back to the patience. ;)

MF-PO'd

01-25-2008, 01:47 AM

It takes what it take or maybe you know of some magic trick that will make these controllers appear, some things you just don't have any control over, so back to the patience. ;)

I'm patient to a point... and then I'd feel much better smashing a few guitars out of frustration. :)

griffinmills

01-25-2008, 03:22 AM

April Fools!!!!

Ha HA! THat made me LOL.

If someone has the cash for a PS3 and Rockband Deluxe bundle, why not just fork out for a 360 and the Rockband Bundle? Plenty of good software for both systems, seems like you are traveling back in time to the Nintendo vs. Sega era and screwing yourself by being a one system fanboy.

Not trying to insult anyone and obviously circumstances vary.

To what are you referring? If it's the guitar availability, put yourself in the shoes of standalone game purchasers that have bought the game in November, and have now been told they probably won't have a guitar solution until April. Reasonable? I think not. Patience only runs so far.

On that note, I can't jam... unless you want me to sing. Not a chance.

What is the official reason that people bought the Standalone version get to complain about? Didn't they know they were buying a game without about $150 worth of peripherals they would need/want? (I honestly don't know, were there little fliers saying guitars would be out next week/month/year or something?)

Unless you are involved in the negotiations (and even if you are, if you said anything i garuntee you'd be fired) STFU.

Assuming you meant "guarantee" I'll say I'm involved with the negotiations and they are going slowly, please get me fired now. Kthxbye

DesiredFX

01-25-2008, 05:26 AM

If someone has the cash for a PS3 and Rockband Deluxe bundle, why not just fork out for a 360 and the Rockband Bundle? Plenty of good software for both systems, seems like you are traveling back in time to the Nintendo vs. Sega era and screwing yourself by being a one system fanboy.

Okay, lemme get this straight: if I have the money for a PS3 with Rock Band, I have enough to also get a 360 with Rock Band?

Or are you saying don't buy the PS3 version, buy the 360 version?

That wouldn't have worked for me. I'm not actually interested in any of the 360 exclusives, and I've already got a handful of PS3 exclusives I love, including one which was the reason for the timing of my system buy.

Admittedly, I play Rock Band enough to justify having a system dedicated to it, though...

robocop_is_bleeding

01-25-2008, 09:18 AM

Aww, man, boo.

I really want to take my strat apart and break out the Krylon for some customization. Of course, there's no way I'll do that if my only option for replacement if I mung things up is to eBay a new guitar. (I guess I could RMA it and never send in the broken one, but that's both pricey and not fair to others who may have equipment that broke through no fault of their own)

C'mon, Harmonix! Accessable guitars + my desire to customize + my clumsiness ='s free money and hot tubs for all programmers!

Dzhokhar

01-25-2008, 10:32 AM

I know how to get standalone guitars to come out sooner: Stop RMAing "broken" guitars.

I read posts on this forum, and half the people RMAing their third and fourth guitars are sending back perfectly fine, working controllers that have minor cosmetic problems or only seem broken because they're used to GH controllers.

Also, the PS3 compatibility patch wouldn't help those of us who already have GH3 for another system (Wii in my case) and don't want to buy a whole new bundle because there aren't ANY standalone guitar controllers for any game currently available for the PS3.

Edit: As far as patching is concerned, GH3 owners would probably benefit from a patch allowing users to customize their controllers along the lines of: "press the button you would like to correspond to RED on the fretboard now". Also, I doubt Activision could block a patch of this type.

holyground

01-25-2008, 10:39 AM

Uh, how bout .... hmm, this is a tough question ... lemme think ... wait, its coming to me ... Yes, there it is ...

WE want the patch ...

Friggin X-Box nubz:cool:

How about you read the rest of my post instead of quoting me out of context. Forum troll..z?

They made the patch. It was halted. They didn't say... "you know what.... F*** the customer. We don't need to release this"

that being said, I'd like to point your attention to the XBL service over the holidays and what happened to Major Nelson with giving away "too much information"

I, for one, truly appreciated the fact that larry Hyrb was uploading his twiter page every 45 minutes with updates. You know what some asshats in Texas did with that info? They sued M$.

End result? Hyrb can't post updates on status anymore.

I promise you this is the same situation. HMX probably got its ass chewed for posting information that could be used in a lawsuit. I'm sure there are some ps3 owners talking to lawyers RIGHT NOW to figure out how to sue the company.

I remember when sean was posting on a semi-regular basis and then quieted up right quick. Any information, even if it's "hey, we don't know exactly when the patch will come out" will likely be siezed upon by some vultures and used as a basis for a "they PROMISED ME COMPATABILITY" lawsuit. They have to keep mum, it's the world we live in now.

MF-PO'd

01-25-2008, 10:53 AM

What is the official reason that people bought the Standalone version get to complain about? Didn't they know they were buying a game without about $150 worth of peripherals they would need/want? (I honestly don't know, were there little fliers saying guitars would be out next week/month/year or something?)

The official reason is the game will be on the market from November until April now with no acceptable way to play it. Well, I guess I should correct that because drums will be out in February for those interested. That's still to long to keep a coaster product on the market though, and it doesn't help folks that want to use a guitar.

It was generally assumed that peripherals would be out around late January or so. While they have come close to that with the drums, the guitar being pushed back to April is not acceptable.

If I buy a game in November with the intent of wanting to play guitar with it (because, after all, the game is advertised as being able use a guitar to play it), is it really too much to ask to have some guitar available for me to use before April? I don't think that's unreasonable at all.

Oh, and just for record in case anyone wants to defend the product with the 'you can still sing' argument, EA agrees me with that it's not a good enough reason for the standalone game to be sold this early.

NX013

01-25-2008, 11:32 AM

Dzhokhar

01-25-2008, 11:39 AM

360 owners can at least buy the standalone xplorer....

NX013

01-25-2008, 11:44 AM

True, but most of us have been waiting for wireless instruments. The xplorer is only wired. I'm not buying a wired guitar then buying a wireless a few months later.

Hawkeyemg

01-25-2008, 11:50 AM

very well put holyground ...

dfjdejulio

01-25-2008, 11:51 AM

True, but most of us have been waiting for wireless instruments. The xplorer is only wired. I'm not buying a wired guitar then buying a wireless a few months later.

Heh, meanwhile, I am strongly considering trading my Les Paul in for an Xplorer. I am sick of dealing with the batteries, and would rather just plug the thing in and be done with it.

NX013

01-25-2008, 12:01 PM

Yea thats the reason I'd never get a Les Paul, my friend has one and the thing keeps dying on him, even if he didn't play the game for a month. Hopefully that won't happen with the RB guitars.

Also, the reason why there is such a delay is because they're trying to get as many wireless controllers out for the public. They could just go ahead and sell wired controllers and nobody would care. Instead they're getting wireless to satisfy the fans. Though part of me thinks Microsoft being a pain when it comes to wireless controllers is the reason behind the delay.

JerWA

01-25-2008, 12:06 PM

A plug-in rechargeable setup like the PS3 controllers (the normal ones I mean) use (and I assume 360?) would be nice, but they can't even sell us the guitar they already make so I'm not holding my breath for any upgrades.

All you 360 people complaining about wires can thank Microsoft for that. They're as psycho about their wireless licensing as Activision is about the PS3 guitar issue.

I also think the Mad Catz stuff is likely to be junk. They specialize in "affordable" controllers, and I've had my fill of affordable accessories when that means they need to be returned every 30 days for repairs. I have a hard time believing any affordable guitar controller will stand up to the test of time. Someone needs to make an aftermarket controller with accuracy and longevity as it's first goals, I'm sure there's enough of a market now to bear a more expensive controller so long as it's actually better than the stock ones.

Heck, people are paying $90-$100 (with shipping) for the existing Rock Band guitars on eBay every day, there's all the market research you need. :-)

Nainz

01-25-2008, 02:03 PM

I think one of the things the PS3 fans don't notice is that they're not the only ones waiting for the guitars, people with 360's still have to wait till April. I never got GH3 saving my money for Rock Band so I never had another guitar.

I've noticed this too. It's bizarre. Releasing the guitars in April might be most detrimental to PS3 owners since we have no other options, but really it is bad for everyone. When is having fewer options ever a good thing?

It's not like every PS2 and 360 owner already owns Guitar Hero, and some people want a guitar with the lower fret buttons, and some people just want to support Harmonix, and some people want a matching set, etc. Whatever their reason, everyone should be able to get the guitar that they want no matter what system they own.

Hanover

01-25-2008, 02:35 PM

So, in other words...you're asking for information that we already know.

I think Harmonix saying, "Nothing's Changed" week after week would be considered a buzz kill and demanded to be patched.

I'd be mollified with a simple:

"We are aware of the limitations and short-comings of the PS3 release when compared to the 360 version. We are currently working on ways to rectify these issues. Rest assured that these features are in the pipeline to be implemented on the PS3 platform."

See, I didn't even ask for a timeframe.

I suspect the reality of the situation is going to be that nothing will be done on the voice chat front until Sony implement voice chat directly into the system software, ie. nothing will be done, at least for the foreseeable future.

Seems like a case of "the PS3 has a small user base for our target market, therefore it makes no financial sense for us to invest resources in implementing our own voice chat code".

Hard to argue with the logic. It just sucks to be us.

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