PS3 Guitar Compatibility - UPDATE 12/12/2007

[Majic19]

Now that the story has unraveled, it seems to me that the ball is in Harmonix's court. It's Harmonix's responsibility to get this patch through, not Activision's. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely despise what Activision is doing, but, let's face it, they have the right to do what they're doing. Harmonix must've seen the possibility of this happening when they launched the game. They knew darn well the Les Paul didn't work at launch date.

I will be extremely upset with Harmonix if they don't give Activision what they want (or at least negotiate to make them happy) because it would lead me to believe that Harmonix expects us consumers to pay another $40+ on a second Rock Band guitar (which, I think a lot of us would agree, is not as good as GH3's Les Paul guitar). If Harmonix makes us buy another RB guitar, then in my mind they're guilty of the same crime Activision is committing: Not putting the consumers first. Harmonix says that they're getting the Fender Stratocaster guitars on the shelves as soon as possible, but they don't acknowledge the fact that we've all already paid $160+ already and will have to pay even more! Harmonix has two options: 1) Pay Activision, and make the consumers happy or 2) Wait until after Christmas and make consumers buy their brand guitar; thereby putting a chip on their consumers' shoulders and making themselves richer.

I believe Harmonix when they say they want to make their consumers happy (much more so than Activision), I really do. However, they have to realize that making us buy their guitar is not what we consumers want!

Sure, Harmonix may have to pay the evil Activision, but think about what message that will send to consumers? It would say that Harmonix cared so much for their consumers that they were willing to put aside their profits and pride for us. That is something that consumers, especially in our demographic (young music lovers), will not forget. Harmonix would make us happy, win our love and loyalty, and most importantly, make us hate Activision even more.

So, c'mon Harmonix. In the long run, you know its the right thing to do. Don't turn into another Activision by making us buy your product. Give us our "choice" that you (read hmxowlbear's original announcement) say you believe we should have.

This has to be the worst argument I have heard yet... "HMX, pay Activision so we can spend our money on Activisions' product so we don't have to spend it on your product"...

Huh? Are you serious?

[Ventura]

Me for one, will stop purchasing activision's stuff, screw them, even if the patch gets released i will still be mad at activision for trying.

Yeah, that's exactly how I feel.

They could allow the patch tomorrow, just in time for Christmas, but I'd still hate them for even just TRYING to get money from this.

I've signed every petition, and intend on boycotting their products forever. WoW account and everything. Gone, never to be played again.

[Diamondblock]

This has to be the worst argument I have heard yet... "HMX, pay Activision so we can spend our money on Activisions' product so we don't have to spend it on your product"...

Huh? Are you serious?

Majic, I think you missed the point. We're all angry because we already paid for Activision's product. I am saying that I don't want to have to pay even more. I definitley favor Harmonix, but while you (and I) can be angry at Activision, we cannot expect them to act in our best interests. Harmonix, however, has the opportunity to show the video game world that they care more about their consumers than any other corporation (especially Activision).

[tepidshark]

http://www.boston.com/business/techn..._gamers/?page=

Specifically, on the second page where it says "She added that any agreement will involve someone at Harmonix writing a check. 'We believe we should be compensated for the use of our technology,'" This is by Activision spokeswoman Maryanne Lataif.

Plus, would I be supporting Activision if I downloaded We Three Kings, even though it is free?(I haven't downloaded it yet because I don't want to download if it supports Activision.)

[Ventura]

Harmonix, however, has the opportunity to show the video game world that they care more about their consumers than any other corporation (especially Activision).

Yeah let's just analyse the financial situation a bit, shall we?

Guitar Hero 3 has sold something like 3 million copies. Rock Band, around 350,000. Harmonix aren't made of money, Activision are already swimming in it, and like so many have said in the past, it's the principle. Paying to be able to use a controller on the same console sets a dangerous precedent.

I couldn't hate Activision more right now if I tried. It's Christmas, and allowing this would've been a great present from them to us for having bought their guitar. But no, it was too much to ask. What could've been a four-person band on Christmas day has to be a three-person band, just because they wanted even more money.

[thagiant25]

Hey guys, im new to the forum and i am a ps3 owner. I think we should show ourselfs outside of this forum. I have created a myspace group so we can really show our numbers. Myspace is looked at by alot of people. I think this is another way to show our power in numbers. here is the link.


http://groups.myspace.com/passthepatch

lets show em what were made of

[thagiant25]

by the way forgot to mention. there is a mature content disclaimer. not to fear there is no porn or anything. i just know some people are very passionate about this topic and my use foul language so i just wanted to put that disclaimer up just in case.

[Bluvox]

Majic, I think you missed the point. We're all angry because we already paid for Activision's product. I am saying that I don't want to have to pay even more. I definitley favor Harmonix, but while you (and I) can be angry at Activision, we cannot expect them to act in our best interests. Harmonix, however, has the opportunity to show the video game world that they care more about their consumers than any other corporation (especially Activision).

Point is - if Activision want's 100 million for the rights to use the product, is it worth it to Harmonix to pay an extortion fee? Especially if they have stand alone guitars available (and I'm assuming 3rd party guitars available) in the coming weeks. Sucks for the holiday season, but come February they'll have a competing product on the line. And in 2 years? I'm one hoping that new and inventive ways to use these instruments truly is on the horizon, and Activision's bad karma will catch up to them, quickly. When you can play at least 4 titles with the wireless RB unit, or 1 maybe 2 with the GH unit, which one are you going to buy?

There have been several arguments about Activision losing money by not selling as many guitars as a result of the blocked patch. I've even seen the guitars compared to a wrench and a mouse. The only question that I would have in response to these issues is if the guitars are profitable. They may be expensive to produce (being wireless) and therefore no motivation to sell more of them. Anyone have any idea how expensive those guitars are?

This is a logical question, save for this - Activision is ONLY selling this guitar as a bundle right now, which honestly is stupid for both parties. So if youw ant 2 guitars for either game, you have to buy 2 bundles. Only the really desperate are going to buy 2 of the same bundle, most are going to buy 1 of each if they are into the genre. And since you buy a copy of the game along with the guitar, the "lost money" should be made up in part - or whole - by the slop inside the game.

I'm using this on the 360, so Les Paul works (for now). I'm assuming that a "cease and deist" order will come to Harmonix in the next 30-90 days, telling them that they have to discontinue supporting the Red Octane units in all of their products until an "agreement" can be made. That or Vivendi can just use the tactics of their other brands and start suing the consumers directly for non-authorized use...

[duffy]

Hope I didn't miss this already being posted before, sorry if it's a repeat...

I am a PS3 owner and in Canada. According to a couple of electronic stores up here, on December 22nd the standalone game of Rock Band will be released. The version with guitar, drum, and microphone doesn't get released until December 28th. I talked to a few people at these electronic stores, and none of them where aware that the guitars from Guitar Hero will not work with Rock Band on the PS3.

I can't wait for Rock Band, I think it is going to be an incredible game, but this is shaping up to be one of the worst game launches that I can remember - people are going to buy the standalone copy being told the guitars from Guitar Hero will work, start the game and find out they can't. They won't be able to return the game because it will have already been opened. The information that a patch was released to make guitars work seems to have reached the stores, but the update saying that they won't hasn't made it there yet.

[Bluvox]

I can't wait for Rock Band, I think it is going to be an incredible game, but this is shaping up to be one of the worst game launches that I can remember - people are going to buy the standalone copy being told the guitars from Guitar Hero will work, start the game and find out they can't. They won't be able to return the game because it will have already been opened. The information that a patch was released to make guitars work seems to have reached the stores, but the update saying that they won't hasn't made it there yet.

If the stores are giving out false information, then they should be held accountable. I'm not sure of Canadian laws, but that would be sales under false pretenses in my books. If you buy something because the salesman assures you that it'll work, and it doesn't.. you should get some level of kickback to the store. And I'm sure if you push to the regional manager for the GameStop or whatever up there, you'll get your money back.

Sad thing is that what it'll do is ruin some people's Christmas - because the game won't work as advertised by the game store.

This isn't the worst game launch, I don't think the worst could happen anymore. Just remember, a few years ago if a game had a horrid glitch they only thing the manufacturer could do is have a recall and re-issue games. I can remember a couple of recalls on bad games in years gone by, but nothing really recent.