Activision cock blocking PS3 Rock Band owners?

kitler53

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kitler53 on 14 December 2007

MTV Games says Activision is preventing the release of a update that would enable the use of GH3 controllers in Rock Band for PS3. Activision says MTV Games declined "an agreement" that would enable the ability.

image credit: wired.com

"The compatibility patch was submitted, approved and had been scheduled for release by Sony on Tuesday, December 4," Rock Band officials said on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, Activision objected to the compatibility patch's release. The patch remains with Sony, but we have been told that it will unfortunately not be released due to Activision's continued objection."

Activision, in turn, released the following statement on Thursday.

"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, 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."

The language seems to imply that Activision is seeking licensing fees from MTV Games for Rock Band compatibility on PS3.

Coincidentally, Guitar Hero III controllers work on the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band, suggesting that Sony regulation may be at play.

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HappySqurriel on 14 December 2007

I could be wrong, but I suspect why the XBox 360 controllers are compatible by default is Microsoft has been very strict about creating and maintaining standards which developers are supposed to follow. It is actually fairly likely that the Guitars have the exact same interface because Microsoft forced it upon the developers.

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LordTheNightKnight on 14 December 2007

HappySqurriel said:
I could be wrong, but I suspect why the XBox 360 controllers are compatible by default is Microsoft has been very strict about creating and maintaining standards which developers are supposed to follow. It is actually fairly likely that the Guitars have the exact same interface because Microsoft forced it upon the developers.

Although that isn't necessarily a bad thing, just in case anyone claims it is.

As for the PS3 versions, I'm assuimg either money has to change hands, or the quality of the Rock Band guitars actually has to go up.

Then again, this is Activision, so I'm assuing money will have to change hands.