Developer: Harmonix Music Systems
Publisher: MTV Games
Genre: Misc
Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing
Release Date: Nov 20th, 2007
Additonal Info: None
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Neversoft
Genre: Misc
Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing
Release Date: Oct 28th, 2007
Additonal Info:
Developer: Harmonix Music
Publisher: RedOctane
Genre: Misc
Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing
Release Date: Nov 7th, 2006
Additonal Info:
Guitar Hero III and Rock Band are well alive in the public eye following their debut recently in North America to rave reviews all around. Guitar Hero in particular shows no signs of slowing down, following a listing on an Activision Blizzard fact sheet revealing that Guitar Hero IV is in consideration for development.
As for the PlayStation 3 owners of both games, excitement shot through the roof following the possibility that Guitar Hero III guitar controllers could work for Rock Band, via a specialised patch.
This patch was also under controversy as it was said from MTV/Harmonix that Activision was blocking Sony from allowing it to be uploaded. Now it appears that Activision was not to blame, but MTV/Harmonix.
In a letter issued to fans, this is what Activision had to say:
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
Funny, videogame industry beef. This sort of thing is common in the hip-hop world, but videogames? Either way, it looks like more dirt happens behind the scenes than we know of.
Source: CVG

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"Funny, videogame industry beef. This sort of thing is common in the hip-hop world, but videogames? Either way, it looks like more dirt happens behind the scenes than we know off".
You're not kiddin' Sarad, Someone really needs to get thier story straight!!!! It'll affect them in the long run. Can't we all just play nice?!
well, they want to deliver the best experience? How about fixing that damn hardware lag / easy interference for the PS3 GH3 controllers!?
I easily beat GH1 and GH2 in hard, and am now stuggling with it on GH3, while I can still manage fine in GH2 on ym PS2... there is no lag on my HDTV...
they should just stfu
Heh. "An agreement." Sound like they want royalties and Harmonix don't want to pay them.
Screw Activision, have you read the manuel, they state explicitly that the controler is ONLY for use with GH3 and you're not allowed to use it with ANY other game. They are th Aholes, not Harmonix.
this sucks balls man!!!...both developers need to geta grip man i can remember b4 they confirmed they would b making rockbands guitars compatible with guitars hero 3 n the other way around n now after both agreeing with it they pulling out lol
this is balls n i own GH3 ps3 version and hope to buy rockband when it comes out but i will not support any developers if this isnt fixed lol
unless sony j realese the patch they have lol mean once its out its out so SONY plz j realese it lol
an "agreement" definatly means they want money from Harmonix, that't the only discussion they could possibly be having.
Activision shouldn't NEED money from Harmonix. Leave the little people alone. If your guitar works in the game, what do you need money for? You have your own games to make you money. Quit being so selfish. It's not like either one will sell they're guitars separate anyway. Who wants to buy 2 games just to play head to head on GH3? Encryptioncsta I just want to say it sounds from your post that you are laughing hysterically, like you wouldn't be able to talk because of all the lol's. Not trying to be mean or anything, it just seems weird.
yeah no wonder man its a joke mean they made GH3 utter crap compaired to the 1,2 ones mabe they should of j sed listen change the name and have it rockband n mabe activision and harmonix would of stayed together
but j to it for the gamers tht pay all tht hard earnd cash on these games thts wht they should b doing!!!
mean does anyone know if the 360 works iknow u can use those wired GH2 guitars
I'm just glad I didn't buy these games and have to deal with those whiny idiots.
i just want to finally play rockband with 4 people in the same room.
every one's givin sony a hard time for trying to be the good guys... wow
Somebody wants to get paid.
So why does it work with the 360 version? This whole thing is a bunch of crap.
Harmonix is "unwilling to discuss an agreement," eh? In other words, Activision wants Harmonix to pay them to be able to use the GH3 controller in Rock Band, and Harmonix thinks they are retarded.
man when you go mainstream you get mainstream drama. this industry is going down the tube, the best example is techtv, and how it spiraled into the pile that is g4
I can't stand the Guitar Hero series or Rockband.
I hate guitar hero, it's the same exact game every year with no major imporvments to the gameplay. Rock Band was a huge step up from guitar hero if you ask me and its a shame that because they know rock band is a better game they are going to try to defer people from buying it because they can't use their controllers with it. Rock Band is just so much funner since your playing as a full band with eachother and working cooperativly. Even if the guitar parts aren't as hard the game is ment for fun. The only really hard part about the game is the drums, which is awesome. I hope that once I master this I can sit down with a real drum set and just go nuts.
rockband may be a pretty sweet game... but its really just a knockoff/mixture of 3 games made by cooler people. Guitar hero, singstar, and donkey konga all put together.
they both need to grow up and reach an agreement. It benifits them both in the long run and we the consumers will not have to pay as much. EVERYONE WINS! these big companies are acting like babies.