So Harmonix, did Neversoft/Activision ever request compatibility?

[Magnet]

I remember hearing that if they requested the Strats to work with GH3, you could make it compatible.

If they requested it, could you tell us?

If they didn't request it, is there any possible way you could make it compatible without needing a request from them? Or does that like violate something?

[Ghaleon]

I doubt anyone from Harmonix would be allowed to say one way or the other.

Considering Red Octane's involvement in GH3 (as a peripheral maker), I'd guess they would do everything in their power to avoid having anything but their own devices work in GH3. As for the case of GH3 controllers working in Rock Band, the best chance would be to have a key config option menu for mapping the standard controller buttons to different guitar inputs. This wouldn't guarentee compatibility, but ought not be terribly difficult to implement just in case RO simply maps buttons in a wonky order to keep their guitar usable only in their game.

[Magnet]

I doubt anyone from Harmonix would be allowed to say one way or the other.

Yeah, I figure this might be the case, but I'll take a post saying "We're not allowed to comment" if that's all they can say. (And one might assume that if Neversoft/Activision never requested it, then it wouldn't be a problem to just pass that tiny bit of information to us since there'd be no stipulating contract stating that Harmonix can't say anything about it yet.)

[PurpleHaze]

Considering Red Octane's involvement in GH3 (as a peripheral maker), I'd guess they would do everything in their power to avoid having anything but their own devices work in GH3. As for the case of GH3 controllers working in Rock Band, the best chance would be to have a key config option menu for mapping the standard controller buttons to different guitar inputs. This wouldn't guarentee compatibility, but ought not be terribly difficult to implement just in case RO simply maps buttons in a wonky order to keep their guitar usable only in their game.

I honestly don't understand this issue. I don't know if there's been any confirmation, but GH3 is presumably going to be compatible with the old GH2 guitars. And we already know that Rock Band will be compatible with the old GH2 guitars. Therefore, for that to work, they must both be using the same input mechanisms and button mappings, and therefore their new guitars must also surely be compatible with each other.

It seems like both companies are being purposefully vague on this topic, because neither of them particularly like the idea of being compatible with their rival.

[sa_nick]

GH3 is presumably going to be compatible with the old GH2 guitars. And we already know that Rock Band will be compatible with the old GH2 guitars. Therefore, for that to work, they must both be using the same input mechanisms and button mappings, and therefore their new guitars must also surely be compatible with each other.

Not necessarily. The older controllers, although they may work in the new games, still have different mapping. The game will be programmed to know which guitar you are using and work accordingly.

Example, the 3rd party Guitar Mania guitars work on GH1 on PS2, so do the original black SG's for GH1. The original Black SG's also work on GH2, however the Guitar Mania ones do not.

[PurpleHaze]

Not necessarily. The older controllers, although they may work in the new games, still have different mapping. The game will be programmed to know which guitar you are using and work accordingly.

Example, the 3rd party Guitar Mania guitars work on GH1 on PS2, so do the original black SG's for GH1. The original Black SG's also work on GH2, however the Guitar Mania ones do not.

Hmm, good point - if the controllers send some form of identifier to the console, then even if the mappings are all the same, they could easily "block" other guitars by only recognizing their own identifier.

To me, this is exactly the type of thing that should be "open", and to be fair to Harmonix their implementation apparently is - "use any number of other third-party guitars supported by Rock Band's 'open source' software". Whereas if RO/Neversoft's implementation is closed and incompatible, then that's a case of deliberately using technology to artificially limit the customer's choice.

Oh well, yet another reason to dislike RO and to support Harmonix - like I didn't have enough of those already

[mobhit101]

Here's to hoping for compatitbility!
I really hope this isn't an issue cause I'm buying the Les Paul with GH3 and I'm DEFINITELY getting the bundle for Rock Band. I would love to have 2 different wireless guitars. It spices things up and makes it easier to distinguish who's playing what.



ps. WOO HOO! 100 posts lol--- I'm finally a Senior Member!

[Xzyliac]

Isn't this between RedOctane and EA? Not Neversoft, Activision, or Harmonix.

[Apples]

Isn't this between RedOctane and EA? Not Neversoft, Activision, or Harmonix.

no, it is not

[MrtyMcfly]

Actually I think it is between RedOctane and Harmonix.

RO are the ones that make the peripherals for GH, as HMX made RB peripherals.

I believe it would be up to them. But if that were true, I think RO would allow it. It's Activision who are the a-holes.