Official! Rock Band Instruments WILL BE Compatible with GH:WT

[Konador]

Maybe I'll get GHWT after all :)

Read this transcript from the Activision press-conference:
http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/889/889408p2.html

[Hakken]

Only for 360...again somehow PS3 is getting the shaft.

[Onslaught_fei]

Microsoft forced standardization benefits their base, once again. I saw this one coming the moment GH announced drums.

[Soja]

Microsoft won't be putting up with Activision's peripheral blocking bull****, so they forced standardization.

[Onslaught_fei]

Microsoft won't be putting up with Activision's peripheral blocking bull****, so they forced standardization.

They've always required developers and publishers to standardize everything from achievements to usb peripherals.

[AeroZeppelinSevenfold]

hopefully somehow the drums will work. maybe if you ge the cymbal add on it will work?

I'm not buying the GHWT instruments. I'm getting Rock Band 2, becasue more cymbals=happy me.

[InsoFox]

HMX's strategy kinda making sense now, isn't it?

And Microsoft's, apparently. 'Standardisation' might sound big and corporate and inhuman but actually it's something that benefits everybody. It means less warring over which thing is better than another similar thing and more choices without having to 'pick sides' and then spend hours on forums justifying to yourself why you made the 'right' choice.

If there's only one thing that was going to persuade me to get GH:WT then it would be instrument compatibility. I'll be watching closely to see how this works. I imagine they mean the updated RB 2 ones for the drums at least, since I don't see how it'd work without the cymbal peripherals.

The sooner more info comes out the better.

[RockBandRocker]

I love these bits:

8:19 - There are flies hovering around the guy sitting in front of me. It's really distracting. They're talking about the improvements to the guitar like the dual start buttons and the accelerometer and all I can see if freaking Pig Pen blocking my view with his cloud of insects.

8:25 - Ocampo is amazed by Travis Barker's long neck. I'm amazed that this host guy asked Travis is the GH drums are harder than real drums. Seriously dude?

8:28 - Showing off the music editor. Record up to four tracks at once. Players can be Rhythm, bass, drums, keyboard.

8:34 - This is seeming complicated. Even when he keeps saying it's easy, it looks hard.

8:39 - Hayley Williams from Paramore is on stage. She's apparently a playable character in the game.

8:40 - Jason Ocampo says Hayley would be hot if it wasn't for that "nose thing."

8:43 - The Neversoft band is going to play "Hot For Teacher."

8:47 - They're still playing the song. It looks a lot like Rock Band. I'm gonna sing along now.

8:49 - Diaz is telling us to stand up. Nothing like asking for a standing ovation instead of genuinely receiving one.

8:50 - And it's over! We out! Peace!



Ah the sweet awkwardness. Activision insulting their talent. I bet a couple of those guys are regretting going over there. I love the "It looks a lot like Rock Band" and "Nothing like asking for a standing ovation" pieces the most though.

GH:WT is going to lose. \m/

[Indraco]

Now that GH:WT is only a $60 investment. I might consider maybe getting it.

Maybe...

Microsoft did a good job on this front. Sony should follow their example and start forcing this on the PS3 side.

[Hajime]

I wonder how the drums would work considering GH:WT has 5 things to hit plus the pedal, while Rock Band has 4+pedal...

[Onslaught_fei]

I wonder how the drums would work considering GH:WT has 5 things to hit plus the pedal, while Rock Band has 4+pedal...

Cymbol Attachment.

[MarkHawk]

Doubt the GH:WT drums will work on RB though...

My girlfriend will be pissed if more Paramore is in GHWT and not in rockband. You guys may not care but I'll have to deal with it. Truthfully I want some more Paramore on this side of the fence. Not GH.

[Onslaught_fei]

Dount the GH:WT drums will work on RB though...

My girlfriend will be pissed if more Paramore is in GHWT and not in rockband. You guys may not care but I'll have to deal with it. Truthfully I want some more Paramore on this side of the fence. Not GH.

You're right about one thing ;]

[RockBandRocker]

RB2 has "That's What You Get", while GH supposedly has "Misery Business".

I think though that "Misery Business" will eventually jump to this side of the fence in the form of DLC. :)

[Indraco]

RB2 has "That's What You Get", while GH supposedly has "Misery Business".

I think though that "Misery Business" will eventually jump to this sdie of the fence in the form of DLC. :)

I hope so. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get are both good, but Misery Business is needed to complete the trio of awesomeness.

[RockBandRocker]

I hope so. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get are both good, but Misery Business is needed to complete the trio of awesomeness.

Yeah, but in this case, I think that "That's What You Get" > "Misery Business".

You KNOW "Misery Business" is going to be overcharted as hell, so even though GH has the more popular song at the moment, Neversoft is inevitably going to f**k it up. :)

[blaqk roxstar]

I wonder how the drums would work considering GH:WT has 5 things to hit plus the pedal, while Rock Band has 4+pedal...

I read somewhere that if you plug in the RB drum kit the game compresses to only chart 5 notes (including kick pedal) instead of 6.

[Michura]

I wonder how the drums would work considering GH:WT has 5 things to hit plus the pedal, while Rock Band has 4+pedal...

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/07/xbox-rock-band.html


Here's how it'll work. Speaking with Bright after the conference, I found out that the game's five-button drum track, shown above center, will be compressed down to four inputs if a Rock Band drum controller is inserted.

[jlc316]

I wonder how that will affect the scoring on GH with a RB drum kit since there's a pad not being used.

[RockBandRocker]

I wonder how that will affect the scoring on GH with a RB drum kit since there's a pad not being used.

^ It will just be MORE overcharted than the 5 button chart!

[bazbot]

If I can use my RB instuments I may have a look at GH:WT then if there is a solus release of the game.
I bet I'll be able to buy it before I can get my hands on RB2 in the UK anyway
<sigh>
More music has to be a good thing, though, doesn't it?

[futurecheeto]

saw the demo, man did it look over charted on everything!!! Now I know why I stick with Rock Band. I'm too old to move that fast, lol

[jlc316]

^ It will just be MORE overcharted than the 5 button chart!

Perhaps, but it could be a ploy to get people to buy their drum kit by keeping the note chart the way it is without the orange button so people using 4 padded drums will not score as high as they won't have as many notes to hit.

But if they do overchart to make up for the 5th button, than good for them, it would give me a little more faith in the GH franchise.

[RockBandRocker]

But if they do overchart to make up for the 5th button, than good for them, it would give me a little more faith in the GH franchise.

^ Why would you need faith in the GH franchise? I'm honestly curious.

[Riastlin]

Making the peripherals compatible across games is a smart choice. Frankly, there was no way I was going to buy a GH:WT bundle. I don't want 3 guitars (I have the Xplorer from GHII) sitting in my living room, much less two drum kits. Some people might even need to have 4 guitars if they had never played GH before.

It would be stupid for GH not to do the same thing on the PS3. Standardization is a good thing for the consumer in the end.

[RockBandRocker]

It would be stupid for GH not to do the same thing on the PS3. Standardization is a good thing for the consumer in the end.

It would seem though that PS3 players are again going to get the bone.


Seriously, with all the deep shafting you PS3ers have gone through, you must be able to shove a cucumber up there by now. :p

[sillystou]

If the Rockband instruments don't work with GH:WT, then I won't be buying it. One set of instruments is enough for me!!!

[OKGost]

This was a pleasant surprise. I never expected GH to allow instrument compatibility. I may consider purchasing it in the future, but we'll have to wait and see. Who knows, RB may be so awesome, you don't need GHWT :D

[afterstasis]

i think they're doing a better job than expected with GH:WT, to be honest, but the only song announced that i'm interested in thus far is "hot for teacher" so a good setlist may warrant me renewing my gamefly account for awhile just for some extra songs to play.

[Ozzy]

I'm on PS3 and if the RB instruments were compatible I would consider buying the solus of WT.

Maybe...

There's still a lot I don't like, mainly with the interface, I really can't stand the sort of button/lag/jump as the notes hit the bottom of the screen, or the look of any of it. I've grown to love the smoothness of the RB interface/note scrolling.

And also they really screwed up the GH3 version on PS3, where it couldn't auto-calibrate accurately which was very irritating. Even trying tons of different manual settings, it was very difficult to tell if it was spot on or not, which often resulted in you missing one or two notes per song where you didn't know if it was you or not. (one thing we got every now and then was where you would be well into a hold notes and suddenly (with no movement off the frets) it would go 'clunk' missed note, even though you hit it and held it for a half second already.)

But it says 360 only so meh...

[brobot]

So does this mean that activision is getting scarred or that it was goign to happen anyways. I know that the strat wasn't usable on GH3 so why now? Do you think that they saw rock band and thought that in order to get Rock Band players to play the game they would have to allow the cross compat.

[Subway]

If I can use my RB instuments I may have a look at GH:WT then if there is a solus release of the game.
I bet I'll be able to buy it before I can get my hands on RB2 in the UK anyway
<sigh>
More music has to be a good thing, though, doesn't it?

Ditto. Might be a rental for me though because I'm really not sure I will be able to get used to those odd circular notes, and the awful looking kick bar.

[SaltyDawg]

Q: "RE: DRUMS AND ANNOUNCED CYMBALS
I understand the optional cymbals are just secondary inputs for the existing pads, but what about during fills and the "drum trainer" modes? Will those two things recognize the cymbals as unique inputs or will every part of RB2 just recognize the cymbal attachments as secondary pads?" - babywolf

A: While they're mapped to the same colors for the note charts, the Drum Trainer and fills in-game treat these surfaces are unique - hitting the yellow cymbal triggers a hi-hat, and hitting the yellow pad plays a tom. Same goes for all the inputs on the Ion kit and other third-party kits in development.
http://www.rockband.com/rockers_blog_entry/hmxspraynwipe/379911


UPDATE: Here's how it'll work. Speaking with Bright after the conference, I found out that the game's five-button drum track, shown above center, will be compressed down to four inputs if a Rock Band drum controller is inserted.
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/07/xbox-rock-band.html

I would think that if the Rock Band Drums can have 5 inputs during the game, and also have 8 inputs during drum trainer, big rock endings, etc (4 pads, 3 cymbals, bass) then it should also be able to easiy do the 6 that GH:WT requires...

[BriGuy]

There's also a MIDI jack on the back of the drum kit, Bright said, which will allow gamers to play Guitar Hero with any electronic drum kit by simply plugging it into the controller.
Does this mean that you have to plug the 3rd party electronic drum kit into GH:WT drum kit to play with it? This means that you would need to buy the GH:WT's drum kit to play with your own.
There should be some sort of adaptor that you can buy instead.

[sauhamm]

I would think that if the Rock Band Drums can have 5 inputs during the game, and also have 8 inputs during drum trainer, big rock endings, etc (4 pads, 3 cymbals, bass) then it should also be able to easiy do the 6 that GH:WT requires...

well when they were making gh:wt they only had the rb1 standard to work with

im sure the rb guys didnt call the gh guys and say hey, this is what we are going to do, you know, so you can mod your game engine and stuff

plus the install base isnt those with ion kits and rb2 kits - its everyone who purchased rb1... and the rb1 set has 5 inputs... so that's what they made it compatible with

[Ultrace]

Now that GH:WT is only a $60 investment. I might consider maybe getting it.

Maybe...
If this does hold out until the game's release then, I'll definitely consider maybe renting it. There's just too much they've shown of the game for me to actually buy it without some serious "try it" time...

[tidu]

Only for 360...again somehow PS3 is getting the shaft.

blame Sony...

[sauhamm]

Does this mean that you have to plug the 3rd party electronic drum kit into GH:WT drum kit to play with it? This means that you would need to buy the GH:WT's drum kit to play with your own.
There should be some sort of adaptor that you can buy instead.

to me it sounds like if you have a xthousand dollar drum kit, you can buy the $80 or so dollar gh:wt and then use the midi input on it

so you can drum with your high dollar kit through the gh:wt one

kinda like the ion drum brain - it's inputs are 1/4" - so you can remove that drum brain and plug in any edrum [technically] and it will work

it's what someone else posted earlier - the competition is great for us gamers, all this information is oozing win... yes, oozing

[ppetrovi]

I think this information will lead me to buying GH:WT. I have always loved all music games, even DDR. Very excited about this news, and glad Microsoft of whoever made this possible. Maybe Activision did something right here!!

HMX is still in my heart though. Don't worry. The true pioneers of plastic guitar games.

[Fennz]

One more reason to get WT, it won't matter unless I see the setlist.

[Rod_Stixx]

Very cool on the cross-compatibility. I'm sure there will be some songs the gf will want to play that are on GH:WT. That way we can just get the game and still focus most of our fun on RB.

[xxpigxx]

And so MS just owned Activision . . . seems these guys have been getting owned alot in the last few weeks :D

[DeadManDrumming]

It's amazing that after blocking controllers they are now letting them be used.

Maybe some deal we don't know about (GH guitars worked with xbox 360 RB), and now RB drums work with GH:WT....hmmmm

[SaltyDawg]

well when they were making gh:wt they only had the rb1 standard to work with

im sure the rb guys didnt call the gh guys and say hey, this is what we are going to do, you know, so you can mod your game engine and stuff

plus the install base isnt those with ion kits and rb2 kits - its everyone who purchased rb1... and the rb1 set has 5 inputs... so that's what they made it compatible with
And the RB2 and Ion kits are fully compatible with RB1- so I don't see your point...

Obviously the RB1 standard and RB2 standards are close enough to work (if not identical) if the RB1 drums work in RB2, and the RB2 drums work in RB1...

[jmiscavish]

any news on a setlist yet?

I'm one step closer to buying WT now that I know I won't have to purchase all new instruments.

[gamrrpol]

And so MS just owned Activision . . . seems these guys have been getting owned alot in the last few weeks :D

Man....totally clueless. Last week Guitar Hero: Aerosmith topped both the 360 and PS3 charts and #2 on the Wii charts while Guitar Hero: On Tour topped the DS charts. Despite mediocre reviews Aerosmith is on target to sell a million copies. Everyone who thinks Activision is getting owned has never looked at sales figures. The GH brand is the most lucrative, profitable brand in all gaming. And despite all the RB fanboyism on these forums, there's no indication of any slowdown.

Look, I prefer HMX and RB but don't let your emotions get in the way of facts.

[Gryffindor]

Since Activision appears to be so open about instrument compatibility I have to question whether or not we've been getting the complete truth from HMX?

I know that the 360 has controller standards that must be met BUT since Activision has come right out and said that they're allowing controller compatibility, what would there be to block the controller patch that HMX had created back at launch for the PS3? If they can't get Sony to release it then put it on the RB2 disc!

Something is definitely fishy.

Another piece of evidence that points to this not being entirely Activision is HMX's/EA's decision NOT to use the Wiimote for RB Wii. If they had, those instruments would have been interchangeable also.

I have to wonder exactly who is telling the truth at this point?

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

I was going to get the $60 disc anyway, more incentive to get it I guess!

[Magnet]

I know that the 360 has controller standards that must be met BUT since Activision has come right out and said that they're allowing controller compatibility, what would there be to block the controller patch that HMX had created back at launch for the PS3? If they can't get Sony to release it then put it on the RB2 disc!

I think it's basically that things were different back at launch. Activision did not want HMX to leech off the GH hardware and "convert" some of Activision's user base. Now it seems that the opposite is becoming true, and Activision is the one lagging behind in terms of hardware (with respect to drums). The only reason Activision is okay with compatibility all of a sudden is because their business now calls for it.

I completely agree that compatibility for at least the Les Paul should be on the PS3 RB2 disc though. It's obvious that they have all the work done for it. It seems that there's really nothing Sony could do about it for a retail release. If it's not in RB2, I'm going to be pretty upset.

It's especially disheartening after reading...

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/guitar-hero-aerosmith-patched-for-rock-band-guitars-on-360/

...that Activision can do this so quickly and easily for their game but raise all Hell for Harmonix when they tried to patch their own game for the exact same thing.

[xxpigxx]

I do not think that Activision did it on their own accord

[Gryffindor]

I think it's basically that things were different back at launch. Activision did not want HMX to leech off the GH hardware and "convert" some of Activision's user base. Now it seems that the opposite is becoming true, and Activision is the one lagging behind in terms of hardware (with respect to drums). The only reason Activision is okay with compatibility all of a sudden is because their business now calls for it.

I completely agree that compatibility for at least the Les Paul should be on the PS3 RB2 disc though. It's obvious that they have all the work done for it. It seems that there's really nothing Sony could do about it for a retail release. If it's not in RB2, I'm going to be pretty upset.

It's especially disheartening after reading...

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/guitar-hero-aerosmith-patched-for-rock-band-guitars-on-360/

...that Activision can do this so quickly and easily for their game but raise all Hell for Harmonix when they tried to patch their own game for the exact same thing.

Agreed. I read the same article which in-turn inspired my post.

[bigdug13]

My friend who, let's say, "helps NCSOFT," told me awhile ago that they're charting every song for both rock band drum sets and GH:WT drum sets.

[Michura]

The fanboyism that goes on here is ridiculous and no longer different than console fanboyism.

[killer_roach]

Instrument compatibility on 360 only?

We know it's possible on the PS3, but it sounds like their petty little gripe-fest festers over. Now I'm not even buying GHWT as a karaoke game.

[Gryffindor]

Instrument compatibility on 360 only?

We know it's possible on the PS3, but it sounds like their petty little gripe-fest festers over. Now I'm not even buying GHWT as a karaoke game.

That's all that's been announced so far. Who knows, we could get compatibility.

I don't think either company is being completely honest with us.

[schmeankman]

Well, if they aren't compatible for PS3, then I won't buy WT...

[Gryffindor]

Well, if they aren't compatible for PS3, then I won't buy WT...

And that's EXACTLY what HMX/EA wants you to do - remind you of any other company out there?

As I said before, I don't think we're getting the complete truth.

[FloodOne]

all of these corporations are riddled with liars....

welcome to america

[Lithium_666]

i wish sony cared enough to do things like this, i love my ps3 and wouldnt trade it for an xbox360 but microsoft seems to want to make everything good for their customers, but only to make their pockets fatter, but i love my ps3, dont really know what it is, i just like it

[Lithium_666]

wait yeah i do know why i wont switch to 360, bc all the money i would lose that i have invested in dlc

[SlivedCupWinner]

i wish sony cared enough to do things like this, i love my ps3 and wouldnt trade it for an xbox360 but microsoft seems to want to make everything good for their customers, but only to make their pockets fatter, but i love my ps3, dont really know what it is, i just like it

So what's wrong with using customer service to make money? Just because Microsoft already has a lot of it?

If you were waiting tables, you'd be giving that type of customer service to get the big tip. I don't see why they should be any different.

The reason companies take care of customers is to make money. It's called business and money is the bottom line. I'm not trying to be a fanboy of M$. I just think there are much better reasons to dislike them.

[SaltyDawg]

So what's wrong with using customer service to make money? Just because Microsoft already has a lot of it?

If you were waiting tables, you'd be giving that type of customer service to get the big tip. I don't see why they should be any different.

The reason companies take care of customers is to make money. It's called business and money is the bottom line. I'm not trying to be a fanboy of M$. I just think there are much better reasons to dislike them.
In most businesses there is not much seperating the actual product, so the customer service makes or breaks the business.

Take cell phones for example. Most cities have good coverage from all the major carriers. The prices are about the same on all the major carriers. Their are good phones and crappy phones on all the major carriers. So why is Sprint consistently losing customers by the millions/ because they are consistently rated dead last in customer service.

Customer service is very important for any business (assuming there is competition).

[Supergeek]

And that's EXACTLY what HMX/EA wants you to do - remind you of any other company out there?

As I said before, I don't think we're getting the complete truth.
We don't have any facts aside from the PS3 patch getting c**kblocked by Activision, and this new announcement.

Less rumor-mongering and stirring up baseless bull**** please.