PS3 Guitar Compatibility - UPDATE 12/12/2007

[jeff1920]

Well yeah because the ps3 verison of the OB wasnt even by valve the ps3 ver of OB is by EA

[jakeval214]

I'm still wondering why until now there's no update for guitar compatibility for the PS3. Did Microsoft got involve too? Like for example with HD-DVD. Just thinking. I hope this patch will be out before christmas.

[Zotmaster]

There's articles about it on 1UP, Gamespot, Kotaku, FiringSquad, ShackNews, Next Generation, Joystiq, Destructoid, Gamasutra, and PS3 Fanboy, at the very least.

Let's just hope something can be done about it...

[jeff1920]

I'm still wondering why until now there's no update for guitar compatibility for the PS3. Did Microsoft got involve too? Like for example with HD-DVD. Just thinking. I hope this patch will be out before christmas.

Well if microsoft was involved in this like paying activision to block the patch isnt that aginist the law?

[Weeksy]

There is no valid reason for Activision to block this patch.

None.

If anyone can come up with one that's even remotely plausible, I'll be amazed.

The only thing I can say - and this is purely from a business perspective - is that Activision simply don't want to "encourage" or actively participate in their product being used in a competitor's offering - it's not a great example to use, but I should imagine it would be like Sony offering a Blu-Ray drive for use in an Xbox 360 - they would be seriously hindering or even killing their own console.

Now - I don't think anyone has any doubt at this point that Activision realise they are potentially looking at the end of the "GH" franchise with the release of "Rock Band" - it hasn't been released here in Australia yet, but going into my local EB the other day - they obviously have more info than they are letting on, but I was informed that their entire allowance of PS3 & 360 pre-orders had been sold out in under 20 minutes.

I bought "GH3" the first day it came out - I still am playing it, I still very much enjoy it, but I have voiced my concerns to them on DLC still not being made available over 1 month later via E-Mail, the forums & everything else - and received nothing but silence.

To give the opposite - I sent Sean a few PM's during release week for "RB", and heard back from him each and every time with an answer to my questions very quickly.

So to get back to what I was saying - Activision simply do not care about their consumers when it comes to matters like this, because they realise they have some rapidly dying franchises on their hands ("Tony Hawk", "GH"), and want to delay the inevitable for as long as possible - allowing Harmonix & PS3 users the opportunity to utilize the Les Paul just keeps copies of "GH3" gathering dust on users shelves, DLC for it becomes less & less relevant, and the money train stops rolling.

[AVC808]

There is no valid reason for Activision to block this patch.

None.

If anyone can come up with one that's even remotely plausible, I'll be amazed.

Again, my theory is activision's attempt at a monopoly over the genre. If they can convince the average consumer (one that doesnt find information over the internet and instead just buys the game in the store based on demos, displays, tv, magazines, or word of mouth) that the rockband franchise is total crap because they cant play with a bassist unless they find someone with a 2nd bundle, or overpay for an extra strat on ebay, or if the guitar craps out they cant even play with a working guitar...then that consumer will immediately separate themselves from buying anything related to rock band. so far people that enjoy the guitar games have no major issues with guitar hero. true this is only for one platform, but bad PR is bad PR.
luckily it's backfiring and activision is the one getting the negative press. keep those emails/phone calls going. only a matter of time before they cave. make sure to resend those emails again tomorrow, and the day after...if it all comes in one wave and ends after a couple days they'll think the whole thing just blew over.

[filterban]

This is really, really stupid by Activision. What could they possibly gain from doing this? Sour grapes?

They've lost many, many customers... when they could have gained so much more.

I'd really like to talk to the person that made this decision. I'm sure it's a white collar stuffed suit who really thinks he knows how to drum up business.

Harmonix, kudos to you for being honest and for playing nice with the competitor's peripherals.

Now, this leaves the door open for someone to create a USB translator that converts from Guitar Hero III to Rock Band Stratocaster.

It also should be reported to all gaming news sites ASAP. I'm reporting to IGN.

[Arkusai]

I believe we are getting a bit off topic here. If we want the issue with compatibility ironed out we will need a good deal of solidarity. The XBox 360 is an amazing system (I don't own one), that is selling very well with a great current library. The Ps3 (I do own one) is another amazing system with great potential and good disc formats to support awesome games in the future. The debate in this thread is purely about keeping these systems equal because the XBox 360 can use the Les Paul and the PS3 cannot.

Activision should be the focus of "evil" discussions, not any other company in this thread. After all, we all have rocking in common here. We just want to have the same number of friends rocking out. I have sent my angry email to Activision, and I suggest everyone else do too.

[JoshKayX]

http://www.activision.com/index.html?module=contact#

Man...
When I Read This Thread Today, My Heart Stopped...


I Mean
Granted Harmonix Did A Great Job With The Strat, I Like The Old Style Better... And A Full Band Is Impossible To Make Without An Individual Guitar...

But If You Think About It... I See Activisions Idea Behind It...

Why Would They Put A Stamp Of Approval On Something That Will Better The Company Of Their Rival? Its The Metallica Of Games - All About The Money

[Lareden]

... So they didn't tell you who to contact about this and denied that they even have the ability to block a patch.

What the hell?

Harmonix, I know you're probably really busy trying to get this patch out one way or another, but can you keep us updated on the specifics as much as possible so that we can use your dealings with Activision (either directly or through Sony) as support in our letters?

Clearly Activision doesn't want word to get out about this if they're denying it, so please help us prove otherwise and get the word out. .

It's clever diverting wordplay. Of course they have no authority to do anything on SOMEONE ELSES NETWORK. Duh! But that doesn't mean they won't sue if Sony does release the patch.