When Harmonix finally came out about word that Activision had been blocking attempts to allow the PS3 Guitar Hero III peripheral to work with Rock Band, we knew it wouldn't be long before Activision were ready to comment. (They didn't respond to our initial contact regarding the rumor.)
According to Activision, there are always two sides to a story, and this is theirs:
To Music Gaming Fans:
The recent announcement by MTV Games/Viacom’s Harmonix division that Activision is blocking Sony from releasing a patch and their plea to enable Rock Band software to work with Guitar Hero hardware paints a very misleading picture.
In fact, Harmonix and its parent company MTV Games/Viacom recently declined Activision’s offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band. We have been and remain open to discussions with Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom about the use of our technology in Rock Band. Unfortunately for Rock Band users, in this case Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom are unwilling to discuss an agreement with Activision.
Activision’s top priority is to provide consumers with a seamless marriage of best-in-class hardware and software. We are focusing our efforts on innovating hardware and software that are designed to work together, work flawlessly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
Best regards,
Activision
So who's right? Who knows, but you can bet we'll be reaching Harmonix for comment. In the meantime, pull up a seat and grab some popcorn -- things look like they're about to heat up.
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Contest:
9:59 PM on 12.13.2007
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harmonix: we'd like your guitar to work on our game
activision: we'd like your drums to work on our future games
harmonix: thats kind of our thing dude
activision: fornicate yourself with a metal pole
They started with Guitar Hero 2 on the PS2, locking out all "unofficial" prehipherals (i.e. buy our guitar if you want to play the game), and they're doing it again, which is why nothing but the Les Paul works on GH3.
What I don't understand however, is why they wouldn't want PS3 owners to use their guitar in a rival game, and have it work only on the PS3 It makes little sense from where I'm standing, since Actvision could stand to actually sell more guitars in that fashion.
They couldn't pull it on the 360 due to a specific guitar controller standard that has to be adhered to across the board. the most they could do was a software lockout, which is why the Fenders don't work in GH3.
However, this just screams of a dick move on Activision's part. I find it hard to find fault with Harmonix on this, because sales of the PS3 version are suffering as a result of it. Every store I go to, I see stacks of the PS3 version, and no 360 ones in sight. If anything, they would WANT this patch to get out as soon as possible, since with this lockout in place, it doesn't even make sense to buy a standalone copy of the game.
=) how fun!
Just wondering. Personally, I'm not sure if I would be willing to if it came to that. Cheaper than buying another guitar, certainly, but the principle of the thing...
BetaMax/VCR - BlueRay/HD-DVD - Rock and Roll Edition!
I kind of agree with Activision here. A lot of people would buy guitar hero controllers to play rock band, helping rock band gain popularity, with the possibility of detracting from future guitar hero popularity. They are well within their right to do this. If Harmonix is going to charge $200 for their game, they have to expect that it'll hurt sales. It is a financially sound decision to at least ask for monetary reciprocation for essentially giving Harmonix more sales.
It may hurt Activision's popularity by blocking the patch, but only for people who play rock band. This further polarizes the market. I'm willing to bed everybody that opposes this owns rock band, or wants to own it. Thus, Activision is helping to maintain market dominance, despite the fact that they will probably lose customers because of this. It is basically both companies trying to protect an investment.
wouldn't that give activision sole rights and control of the peripheral?
i might be wrong, that was all opinion anyway
The reason it doesn't work in the first place is because Harmonix didn't share any technical information with Neversoft regarding the PS3 Guitar controller. If they had, there would have been no need for a patch in the first place. Think about this a second before jumping to conclusions. If this is just a cashwhore money grab, then why does Activision have no problem with the controller being supported in the 360 version? Just because Harmonix bitched first doesn't necessarily mean they're in the right.
and thus the pertinency lifespan of my post was only forty five minutes
There isn't an "spin" from both sides, this is all on Activision being douches. The fact they talk about having made an "offer" is ridiculous, because there shouldn't be any need for such a thing in the first place.
The Microsoft standards thing doesn't make any sense to me. The reason GH controllers work with RB on the 360 is because the peripheral already was released and Harmonix was familiar with it from GH2. There was no prior PS3 GH control they could reference. Why RB controllers don't work with GH3 could be explained as Neversoft not being given access to the tech specs of the new guitars (which came out after GH3 was released), hence not being able to support them. Why didn't MS force Harmonix to share that information to ensure compatibility if there are such standards in place?
Harmonix/MTV are the ones trying for new IP here. Activision is the one trying to push the existing IP that Harmonix got started, they've been out a month longer than Rock Band and have a smaller price point overall.
But I fucking called this. Everyone thought this was going to be sooooo copacetic.
Personally, it really irritates me that I can't use my Rock Band controller on my 360 version of GH3. I can't imagine how angry PS3 owners are over this.
That final paragraph from Activision is so full of fail that it reminds me of my ex-girlfriend. Truly Epic.
Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie.
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today.
But if you ask for a raise its no surprise that they're
Giving none away.
First, RedOctane wanted to sell guitar peripherals. Got Harmonix to make the GH game. Sold games and guitars.
Now Activision is selling the game and guitar. IF, and that is *IF* the periperal makes money, why whould Activision NOT want to have as many sold as possible? No need for additional fees, unless they are just being scrooges.
The only other thing is that they know EA/Harmonix are behind the 8 ball since they don't have separate guitars for sale. Knowing this, they must figure it should cost them to get out of the jam.
These two are competitors, so they want to stick it to EA/Harmonix with additional fees for using their controllers, even though they may $$ regardless of who buys the LP guitars.
GREED!
they didn't even address the fact that THEY BLOCKED THE PATCH.
why? because Activision WANT MOAR MONIES (licensing fees) for using their guitar on their game.
i hates dem. I'm definitely NOT buying any GH games until they come clean about this issue.
Replace reach an agreement with GIVE US CASH
I don't see why there's an issue with allowing controllers for use in any other game. If people like your controller enough, they'll buy it, which means money in your pocket. If RB people want to buy your guitar for use in Harmonix's game, that can only be a good thing.
This just doesn't make any sense. May be their holding out until the Holiday season is over, thinking they can get more people upset over Rock Band since a lot of the ones purchased haven't been opened yet (they're gifts) and they want Harmonix to feel the backlash of bad publicity when they are opened.
So petty. So entertaining! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Neither of you invented video game instrument controllers. Konami did. So please stop acting like you revolutioned videogaming, and make them universal for their respective systems.