SCEA: Universal compatibility for PS3 Rock Band 2, GH: World Tour and Rock Revolution instruments

by Ross Miller { Aug 18th 2008 at 12:37PM }

It's about time someone stepped in and took an active role in fixing this nonsense. SCEA Director of Publisher Relations Michael Shorrock has announced on PlayStation.Blog that Sony has reached an agreement with Activision, Neversoft, Harmonix and Konami to ensure that all the instrument peripherals for Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution will work across all games for PlayStation 3.

In case you're too stunned to comprehend what should've been no-brainer functionality from the start, your PS3 Rock Band 2 drum set should now be guaranteed to work with GH:WT and RR, and likewise for every game's guitar and drum peripherals. Said Shorrock, "We're still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."

We're excited, but at the same time, we're a bit dismayed it took this long to sort out. To be clear, instrument compatibility has not been confirmed for Xbox 360 (although we do know GH:WT instruments work with RB2) or Wii versions of the music games. Microsoft, Nintendo, we're looking to you to make this universal compatibility, erm, more universal.

Tags: activision, breakingnews, gh, ghwt, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-world-tour, harmonix, konami, michael-shorrock, neversoft, rock-band, rock-band-2, rock-revolution, scea, sony

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

TMGE_rock @ Aug 18th 2008 12:42PM

Finally...

nice move, Sony!

Tiptup300 @ Aug 18th 2008 2:14PM

Yeah Microsoft has been doing this for a while. Forcing consistency and standards on developers which I don't necessarily mind.

Phantom @ Aug 19th 2008 4:52PM

I hope alone in the dark wasn't their idea of standards .

Duke @ Aug 18th 2008 12:43PM

Cue golf clap!

Dirty @ Aug 18th 2008 12:59PM

Not a building slow clap?

Boffo the Sock @ Aug 18th 2008 2:07PM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a82/Prhyme27/Animated/64104bc4.gif

Drew @ Aug 18th 2008 12:43PM

Wow, I never thought of a console manufacturer to solve this problem. Now I can buy the Guitar Hero bundle, for cheapies, just buy the RB2 disc, and pretend Rock Revolution doesn't exist.

Mr.ESC @ Aug 18th 2008 1:14PM

"and pretend Rock Revolution doesn't exist".

Lol.

F1 @ Aug 18th 2008 3:17PM

After its presentation I'm pretty sure that the developers are thinking the same thing.

Dr. @ Aug 18th 2008 12:43PM

Woo.

Now, universal DLC compat, please? :) (Yeah, I know that'll never happen.)

Haggard @ Aug 18th 2008 3:34PM

That would require GH:WT and RB2 to literally be the same game.

Sora @ Aug 18th 2008 3:40PM

You mean they're not?!

The_Punisher @ Aug 18th 2008 12:45PM

But what about the original Rock Band instruments?

If that's compatible with both (Rock Revolution isn't a game xD) games, i'll get them both.

NBShermanator @ Aug 18th 2008 12:45PM

Okay I'm a little confused. Doesn't the Rock Band drums have 4 pads and one pedal. While the Guitar hero drums have 2 cymbals 3 pads and a pedal? Doesn't that mean the Rock Band drum has one less input than the guitar Hero? How can they be compatible?

WRE @ Aug 18th 2008 12:51PM

Your mom's compatible.

copa @ Aug 18th 2008 12:51PM

On the XBox 360, Activision says they will detect the number of pads you have, and downmix as necessary to support the peripheral. I expect it will work the same way as PS3.

So now that Sony has adopted a pro-consumer stance, that means they can release the Rock Band patch they blocked last year that supports the Les Paul controllers.

Right?

Raikage (GOLDEN Gun Of The Patriots) @ Aug 18th 2008 12:53PM

You wont use one of the pads or cymbals.

It's pretty simple you see...

JerJer @ Aug 18th 2008 1:22PM

wrong wrong wrong!!! it says ROCK BAND 2. rock band 2 drum set has two cymbal add on's (for RB2 they act as either blue or yellow or something) but for GH:WT they will be actual inputs. GET IT GOT IT GOOD

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 18th 2008 12:48PM

Ok... I don't have Rock Band. I'm planning to buy Rock Band 2 bundle, and Rock Band 1 game only.

But... will Guitar Hero World Tour have wireless instruments (360 version)?

If so, I will buy the GH bundle, and Rock Band 1 and 2 discs.

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 18th 2008 12:49PM

I mean... at this point is obvious that MS will have the same deal with the devs.

copa @ Aug 18th 2008 12:55PM

Fernando, some consumer pro-tips:

When RB2 is released, there will be a $5 patch that lets you export songs off of RB1, and use them in RB2.

Buying the patch (plus renting or borrowing the RB1 game disc) is much cheaper than purchasing the RB1 game disc, and much more fun since you won't have to switch back and forth between games.

Also, the RB2 instruments are confirmed wireless, so you might want to check those out before committing to the GH instruments.

Moffka @ Aug 18th 2008 1:00PM

You never know because developers have to pay a royalty to use Microsofts wireless tech so that could cause some issues, but it would be really dumb if it did.

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 18th 2008 1:01PM

Actually, I know about the $5 patch to export the songs (which I plan to do), but I know I will buy the disc instead of just renting it (stupid collectible mania).

But I did't know about the Rock Band 2 wireless instruments. Thanks for the tip =p

Duke @ Aug 18th 2008 1:04PM

RB1 disc is a collectable?

Kevin @ Aug 18th 2008 2:53PM

@duke Everyone has a touch of kleptomania.

Lars @ Aug 18th 2008 5:25PM

In 25 years, a mint condition Rock Band Special Edition kit will probably fetch a good price. Once you get all the DLC, you need to image your HDD for posterity too :)

Hmm, actually I never thought of that... one could just download an image of the HDD with all the RB DLC. I wonder if there's any on Bit Torrent?

mr mobius @ Aug 18th 2008 12:57PM

*hums while still waiting for ROCK BAND 1 TO BE RELEASED ON Wii IN THE UNITED KINGDOM!*

Drew @ Aug 18th 2008 1:32PM

Import it! You money is stonger here anyways.

Haggard @ Aug 18th 2008 3:35PM

Yeah, you won't lose out since the Wii doesn't have DLC anyway.

Sora @ Aug 18th 2008 3:42PM

Wii's aren't region free =O

LordChimp @ Aug 18th 2008 1:01PM

w00t??

Roto13 @ Aug 18th 2008 1:02PM

Yes! This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Now I don't have to choose between Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I'm guessing these instruments will also work with Rock Band 1?

ANTCEP @ Aug 18th 2008 1:02PM

will rb1 instruments be compatable with rb 2?

baby sea tuna @ Aug 18th 2008 1:23PM

No.

Yes.

ANTCEP @ Aug 18th 2008 1:27PM

so is it a no or a yes?

Duke @ Aug 18th 2008 1:28PM

Yes.....or by yes do I mean no.....I mean yes.

Ghoti @ Aug 18th 2008 2:27PM

To save on confusion. Yes, RB1 instruments will work fine with RB2.

Mr Khan @ Aug 18th 2008 1:03PM

Won't happen with Wii. While the guitars for the other guys always worked fundamentally the same, just couldn't work across from each other because of stupid little programming flaws, the Wii version of GH and RB controllers work on totally different principals. The former being an extension of the Wiimote, the latter being USB-based

ScottG13 @ Aug 18th 2008 1:09PM

Long overdue. Well done Sony PR. I'd like to see more of this sort of platform experience quality enforcement. You spend billions on the platform, you should spend the time and money on perfecting the experience across titles, especially with expensive peripherals.

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 18th 2008 1:27PM

I'm still not buying Guitar Hero crap. Red Octane showed use their true colors with the unplayable initial version of GH3 (no ability to calibrate out audio lag) and threatening to drop PS3 support if Sony released the RB patch that supported GH3 controllers.

quadraphonic @ Aug 18th 2008 2:57PM

Agreed.. this was Sony's move, not Activisions. While it's definitely welcome news, I hope people vote with their wallets and give the nod to RB2 over GH.

Nightvortez @ Aug 18th 2008 2:31PM

Does that only apply to World Tour/Rock Band 2 peripherals or will I be able to use my Guitar Hero 3 guitar in Rock Band 2?

Donald @ Aug 18th 2008 3:10PM

Sony made a smart move here, hopefully Microsoft follows suit. That way I could just wait to see which drums I prefer (as I assume that's the only major difference in instruments,) buy that bundle, then buy the disc for the other one.

Or maybe it'll be like every other music game and I never end up buying it (highly likely.) =/

Jastrick @ Aug 18th 2008 3:27PM

Hey Ross, The story that you linked to at the bottom says that Guitar Hero World Tour will work with Rock Band 1 Instruments, not that Rock Band 2 will work with the GHWT Ones. Figured you should probably fix that.

Skunk Ape @ Aug 18th 2008 3:59PM

This is the best news I could possibly see on this site at the moment. I was going to completely skip Rock Band 2 because the guitar for the first one was such trash, but now that I can use the Guitar Hero controllers, Ill be enjoying both games.

OmegaVader @ Aug 18th 2008 6:36PM

I don't want a ps3 and I think Sony repeatedly makes bad moves...but bravo, wise step here. Microsoft will hopefully step in and set these two companies straight as well. Given the recent report of "32% increase" being due to rhythm based games, this seems like a logical move by any console maker.

darkpowrjd @ Aug 26th 2008 12:37AM

Well, Omega, maybe it would be just another reason for you to break down and open your mind about the possibility of at least thinking of a PS3 purchase. You're missing out on alot of damn good games. And they have been making some good moves lately (2.41, the pushing of LBP. They just need to start really hitting MS where it'll really hurt: Securing more third party exclusives by fighting fire with fire and showing how much money SONY can give to third parties). Now is a very good time to think about getting one.