@Seiru: Agreed. Have they forgot about this? Going out of their way to prevent their competition from doing the same thing?

I think I can safely bet on the new GH instruments being nowhere close to an open standard. Then I can bet on them not working with RB2, especially considering RB2 comes out before GH:WT at least on Xbox. Finally, I'd bet on Activision raising their middle finger yet again in blocking Harmonix from patching it.

Might be moot since I, like most, will keep using the RB1 equipment anyway....but it's not any less a hypocritical move on Activision's part.

Ber'Zophus

Really hope this works for ps3 users as well, only haveing 1 set of instrumets is best

phantomlink

@Fangeh: True, but the PS3 patch for the Les Paul on RB(PS3) was/is ready to go, but then blocked by Activision. [/end history lesson i'm sure you already knew]

I don't think PS3 users should suffer then, now, nor later when World Tour and RB2 are out because of some drama Acivision themselves started between them and the Rock Band guys. Seems like a war behind the console war. (and it's all bullshit)

Creighton

non-Guitar Hero instruments....
time to dust off the DK Bongos

bartard

Freezepop!?!?!?!

As in one of the Harmonix house bands Freezepop? In Guitar Hero?

moofrank

I'll wait for the inevitable compatibility matrix to emerge before I go sinking any dollars into either RB2 or GH:WT. Right now it's just too confusing.

On a side note - why no release of the full GH:WT track list Activision? Hiding something?

Jomolungma

@megaStryke: TWO bass pedals?!?! O.O
Now I wanna buy the GH:WT drums....but the Ion set looks better :/
Hope the ion set can use 2 bass pedals as well.

arazzor

give us a track list already!

robbishrob04

This is fantastic news. Smart on their part too to sell more games. I wanted GH:WT for some of the songs (TOOL!) but wouldn't buy the kit because I already have RB. Now I can get both and rock out.

@Mit: Did you read the post? RB 360 instruments are compatible. Also, I've heard pretty positive remarks about the RB guitar actually. Read some of the past comments on Kotaku about it. Not sure where you're getting your info to form that opinion.

dudeman5000

I'll but a drum and disc combo pls.

JetPogi

Yeah, I never did understand how the 360 version of RB got away with compatibility with GH guitars, while the other consoles were blocked. Did Microsoft have something to do with it?

And now, again, they're being very specific about the 360 when they talk about compatibility. I also noted that, in Activision's press event last night, they were specific about the 360 version when they said previous-version GH guitars would be compatible. I think something's afoot.

Needless to say, I was disappointed to hear that RB Wii couldn't use GHIII guitars. Because I was all ready to buy just the disc so I could have some new songs.

SuppleMonkey

GH:WT announces Rock Band developers support open standards. While GH:WT doesn't want anyone using their instruments to play other games.

spidoman

Wow Activision that is seriously some screwed up shit there. Block the RockBand patch to allow GH hero guitars to work with Rockband, but allow Rock Band instruments in GH.

Activision is now #1 on my company shit list.

greeble

@RonCey: Hell yeah! That drum set looks sick. There's going to be alot of old rock band drums being passed off to little cousins I think. :)

Gunloc

*Gets confused by all the backwards compatibility*

MoaM

@megaStryke: {--- HERE IS THE ANSWER TO THE FOUR BUTTON/FIVE BUTTON QUESTION.

megaStryke

That's the smartest decision to come out of Activision in a long time. I might even be inclined to buy their product now, seeing as how I have no room for anymore plastic instruments in my cramped life.

Anarchist_Gamer

Ya know what's funny, by doing that - making their game compatible with RB's instruments - they will make more money. Think about it; the majority of gamers who like music games (not just Guitar Hero) agree the Rock Band is the better product. With GH:WT having a higher price point more people that like music games will only pick one, that being Rock Band 2. So by allowing RB1 instruments to work with GH:WT they're allowing us, the consumer, to buy our RB2 and the standalone GH:WT disc. Very sneaky, but I'm still happy. :)

Lazlo

@Creighton: Note that no one is saying the RB instruments will with work GH:WT on the PS3 version yet, only the 360.

Fangeh

I'm sure they won't bother with drum compatibility. The original Rock Band drums won't work, and the ion drum set won't either (sure it has enough buttons, but the cymbals aren't individually mapped) unless they include button mapping for your own control scheme. I have a feeling they still won't allow their instruments to play in Rock Band 2 (they probably changed a bunch of stuff up with how their fancy touch guitar works).

So, now you can use your Rock Band guitars with Guitar Hero: World Tour! Horray! Oh wait, 95% of Guitar Hero fans loathe Rock Band guitars.

Mit

Good move on their part. I would never have bought the instruments for this because I prefer Rock Band, but I'll get the disc only since the instruments are compatible.

XbhaskarX

@Seiru: Finally someone said it. They're gonna let RB instruments on GHWT, but not the Les Paul on RB(PS3). That's fucked up. Fuck them.

Creighton

Yeah, now GH: world tour is a must buy for me; With this, the complete band set of rockband is the best peripheral ever...

Daisuash

Nice. Now I can just buy the disc....didn't want to get more plastic instruments just to play this game :D

Although I will also be picking up the Ion drum set :P

arazzor

Excellent move, Activision. I will be buying GH:WT now. :) Just the game. :D

Leetables

Great news for us Xbox 360 owners, but I really hope they give the PS3 owners a break as well.

Struct09

Anyone have a song list for World Tour yet?

I looked at the DS version (Guitar Hero "ON TOUR") and liked the songs, but if they're going to have the same tunes on the console version I'll just wait.

DS tracklist:

"All Star" - Smash Mouth
"All the Small Things" - Blink-182
"Anna Molly" - Incubus
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" - Jet
"Avalancha" - Heroes del Silencio
"Black Magic Woman" - Santana
"Breed" - Nirvana
"Ca Me Vexe" - Mademoiselle K
"China Grove" - Doobie Brothers
"Do What You Want" - OK Go
"Heaven" - Los Lonely Boys
"Helicopter" - Bloc Party
"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" - Pat Benatar
"I Don't Wanna Stop" - Ozzy Osbourne
"I Am Not Your Gameboy" - Freezepop
"I Know a Little" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield
"Jet Airliner" - Steve Miller Band
"Knock Me Down" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
"La Grange" - ZZ Top
"Monster" - Beatsteaks
"Monsoon" - Tokio Hotel
"Pride and Joy" - Stevie Ray Vaughan
"Rock and Roll All Nite" - Kiss
"Rock the Night" - Europe
"Spiderwebs" - No Doubt
"Stray Cat Strut" - Stray Cats
"This Love" - Maroon 5
"We're Not Gonna Take It" - Twisted Sister
"What I Want" - Daughtry featuring Slash
"Youth Gone Wild" - Skid Row

Jordan Lund

So, GH guys are announcing this... but is it that big of news? Harmonix tries to use the open standards for controllers that the 3rd party people use. So... it's not that hard to make them compatible. Now, if GH used open standards that would be worthy of a news story.

darknessgp

@savemeaquaman: How would the drums work though? Isn't the Rockband drum one piece short?

I'd like to know that answer as well. I don't want to hear "Well, you can use your Rock Band drums up to Hard difficulty, but after that you've gotta pay for the fifth input". At the same time I can't imagine the developers making duplicate drum tracks, one with 4 inputs and one with 5 (not counting bass pedal) so I'd love to hear specifically how they'll let my Rock Band drums work with GH:WT.

Howzabout a developer interview, Kotaku? "Justify your Compatibility" maybe? :)

baberg

According to Game|Life: [blog.wired.com]

"Here's how it'll work. Speaking with [Guitar Hero director Brian] Bright after the conference, I found out that the game's five-button drum track, shown above center, will be compressed down to four inputs if a Rock Band drum controller is inserted.

"There's also a MIDI jack on the back of the drum kit, Bright said, which will allow gamers to play Guitar Hero with any electronic drum kit by simply plugging it into the controller. You can also hook up a second drum pedal if you want to play two bass drums."

megaStryke

Wow. FUCK Activision. They block their guitars from being used in Rock Band, and then have the balls to announce something like this?

Absolutely shameless.

Seiru

@savemeaquaman:

Harder difficulties require more buttons for the Guitar.
It might be the same way with the drums.

AssassinTRIP

@RonCey: You did read the article where it says: Guitar Hero: World Tour are compatible with instruments from the first Rock Band. (Obviously, the developers haven't been able to incorporate the unreleased Rock Band 2 instruments into the game.)

And incase no one has realized, the Ion drumset doesn't add more inputs to Rockband. It just gives you 2 options for certain colors.

jasonderbby

@KaneTaker:

It has attachments, but isn't that for the SUPER kit? And it looks as if the attachment is using the same input for color. So it wouldn't appear at this time that adding a cymbol would give you an extra input on the drums. It just mimics another one.

Gooche

It is the beginning of a smart move.

@savemeaquaman:
Interesting thought. Maybe this is really for the 3rd party equiptment makers and not actually Harmonix.

LOL maybe on the easier difficulties you won't need the extra pad/cymbol.

Gooche

@KaneTaker: Oh, and THANK YOU Activision for giving in and giving the fans what they wanted. THANK YOU.

KaneTaker

Well considering the RB2 drums have cymbal attachments, couldn't the same be done to make it compatible with GHWT?

KaneTaker

As someone who plans on picking up the Ion drum kit.

Fuck.

Yes.

Now I can just buy the GH4 game by itself.

RonCey

@savemeaquaman: Good point.

Really pleased about this news though. I might not have much faith in the GH franchise these days, but at least I can use World Tour for a few hundred easy Gamerscore points!

Xylophone

well done to activision for swallowing their pride and reversing a stupid decision.

noliferuin (PSN+XBL)

That's an interesting approach.

Heliophage

Smart move! I wouldn't have bought this game if I had to buy new instruments, but I just might now that I don't have too.

livingaftermidnight

How would the drums work though? Isn't the Rockband drum one piece short?

savemeaquaman

@Ghar:
How did you take what I said as some kind of flame war fodder? Rock Band 2 has been rumored to cost $150 for the bundle - yes, RUMORED. And check this: [www.destructoid.com]
I was saying how Activision did something good, and you reply with that?
If you wanna be a dick than be a dick, but don't just spout random shit my way because you have some desire to make yourself sound smarter than me on some stupid message board.

Lazlo

Um...ok, so they're stressing the 360 version, which to me is saying "status quo" with the PS3 version... which as an owner of the PS3 version of Rock Band means me yelling "BALLS". I own both systems, but this preferential treatment of the 360 console (for this and a few other games with "exclusive DLC") doesn't make me want to rush out and buy the 360 version. It makes me want to pass on the game entirely.

TitillatedOcelot

@megaStryke: Wow, it's surprising to me that they're going out of their way to make sure the RB drums work with GH: World Tour, even though the RB drums are one input short. Maybe the corporate philosophy has changed a little. Hell, maybe they simply got tired of being the villains in the RB vs. GH battle.

MSUSteve

Well, this is the only way I'm going to buy it... So cleverly done.

thefais

somebody ask them about the PS3 compatibility !

kamisama

@Lazlo:
"the majority of gamers who like music games (not just Guitar Hero) agree the Rock Band is the better product.

Guitar Hero is the greatest game ever created. See, I can make things up too >_>

With GH:WT having a higher price point more people that like music games will only pick one, that being Rock Band 2.

What? They announced the official price? Wait... no... they didn't.

Ghar

Say wha? Didn't see this one coming. But it's possible they just sold themselves another piece of software.... pending track list.

adamonfire

@Ghar: Calm down big guy. No one really seems to care here except for you so take your douchebaggery elsewhere :)

Anyways, assuming this works on all systems then good deal. I was pretty pissed when I found out my wii GH3 controller wouldn't work on RB. Even if RB on wii is a big fuck you to wii owners.

the_funny_thing_is

smart move as this means i may buy GH:WT. They may not really have an option about doing this on the 360 as MS makes everyone use the same wrapper for controllers.

harlock_JDS

Wow. That guitar looks really really useless.

EvilTim102

@jasonderbby: The cymbals are mapped to the same colors, yes, but they're also recognizable as their own input. It's already been said that, in the fill sections, a Yellow cymbal will respond as the high-hat, while the Yellow pad will respond as a tom.

So, it's quite possible to differentiate between the two.

thefncrow

When Rock Band came out Activision didn't want anyone using their established hardware with their new competitor's game. Now that their new game is coming out they're cool with using their competitor's established hardware.

Don't get me wrong. Compatibility is a good thing for us as consumers, but this just strikes me as funny because now the shoe is clearly on the other foot.

Gouki4u's avatar has a severe case of Jekyll and Hyde

@Lazlo: Yeah exactly, a rumored RB price and a GH price from GAMESTOP, the same Gamestop that had priced RB1 at $200. So we can clearly see how official that is.

You were saying how Activision did something good? Really? Is that why you needed to add some BS remark that Rock Band is the better product? Is that why you needed to add the words "very sneaky"? The only one being sneaky here appears to be you.

Ghar

At first, I was surprised because I didn't expect this. Does this mean they're playing nice with RB now? Then I realized what asses they're being when I read the comments above. Of course they're allowing people to use other instruments. That means more people will buy their game (specifically the people who already defected to RB). But they already denied Harmonix the same courtesy! Give us the PS3 RB patch if you've really repented. Otherwise, we can expect to see RB2 incompatible with an even greater variety of GH instruments this time around.

Comatose Turtle

Yeah. I don't mean to sound overly negative, but this yells "trap" to me. Cue the people who, during the whole RB/GH3 guitar compatibility snafu, blamed Harmonix for not making both guitars work in both Rock Band and GH3. Although since GH:Aerosmith seemed to be slightly friendlier across the board, maybe it has changed?

Also, the MIDI port on the GH:WT drums is a nice touch, even though it sounds like you'll need to have both your electronic drum kit AND your GH drum kit in the same room for that.

@arazzor: With a simple Y-adapter you can actually do the same with Rock Band now.

Jazhuis

This should pare down what I'm going to buy this year considerably.

Rock Band 2 Complete Bundle (need another guitar and want the updated drums)
Guitar Hero: World Tour (disc only)
Guitar Hero: Metallica (bundle if they package it in with a wireless Explorer model) (also hoping it will have full band support, but I'm not holding my breath)

chuffhoncho

@Ghar:
Dude, what is your fucking deal? It is common knowledge that Rock Band is considered superior by music game enthusists. I personally like it better, so I said so. You like Guitar Hero better, which is cool, like the series all you want - it's your call. As far as me being happy that Activision finally did something good, yeah I believe that because in my opinion they ruined the GH series by including ridiculous Boss Battles where the boss never misses (and yes I have beat Expert so it's not me whining) [live.xbox.com]
In my opinion they are simply riding the coattails of Harmonix's success.

Now stop finding offense in everything I say and fucking understand that all this stuff is opinionated.

Lazlo

@noliferuin (PSN+XBL): I don't think Microsoft gave them a choice.

I'm pretty sure they were told they have to adhere to a standard, which is why the guitars have always been magically compatible on 360.

I sincerely doubt this is due to kindness and benevolence on the part of Activision.

Billkwando

@ZeeBeeEss: First, I didnt buy it. Thanks for your assumptions. I knew it wouldnt have DLC, but they also left out world tour etc. Just think it was kind of a half assed port. I still like rockband and play it on 360 all the time.

the_funny_thing_is

@ZeeBeeEss: Rock Band for Wii, sorry.

ZeeBeeEss

@the_funny_thing_is: If you don't care then don't respond to me, but thanks for that cheap shot anyways :)

Ghar

@the_funny_thing_is: Didn't Harmonix say, up front, that Rock band would not have DLC? Yeah they did. If you don't like that prospect then why buy it and torture yourself? You really have no room to bellyache about it.

ZeeBeeEss

Wow, I'm actually impressed by Activision on this. I may also purchase World Tour if the set list is right. Being a musician and songwriter, I am still not sold on the song creation software. That's why I've got thousands of dollars worth of gear and recording equipment.

ZeeBeeEss

@Falsoman: I can't say for sure, but my guess is that they threatened to sue Harmonix if it was released, and when that didn't stop the patch, they threatened to sue Sony for distributing the patch. Sony didn't want to be sued, so they made sure that patch wasn't distributed.

thefncrow

Sweet, now i can play those new metallica songs, AND i dont have to buy instruments.

DarkHomer

@Ghar: You're trying to talk to a brick wall of fanboys. That is the mistake you're making. >_>

Ghar

I still don't understand how activision as even able to block (legally) that rockband patch on the PS3.

The PS3 wireless les paul is a standard USB joystick. I have been using it without the need of any drivers what so ever on games in mac and windows.

I just HOPE that they get over themselves and allow the GH IV instruments to work with rockband, because i want the GH drums and the music studio, but i also want to play rockband.

Falsoman

I actually wish it was the other way around. I prefer RB to Guitar Hero, but I prefer GH instruments(so far, haven't tried their drums yet but they do look superior) to Rock Band instruments. Unless, of course, the ion set ends up working with GH also. Then I will be happy.

I_Hate_This_Place

You know what though....I dont think it will work that well..

Rock Band Drums = 5 Buttons (4 Pads + 1 Pedal)
GH World Tour Drums = 6 Buttons (5 Pads + 1 Pedal)

If World Tour Drums work on Rock Band and Rock Band 2, then you bet it Ill get the World Tour Drums in a Heart Beat...

Give me the insurance of the extra button

kingme

Thank god, World Tour just completely resurrected itself for me. There was no way I was buying a whole new set of instruments, but if I can just buy the game and play I'll definitely pick it up.

Strangelove

I was contemplating getting GHWT now though its for sure. I was just not sure its worth dropping 190 bucks on a control package again.

Konchu

@Lazlo: Was I still talking to you? Hurr let's tell someone to stop breathing. You're very mature aren't you? Praise huh? Yes you praise them while still taking jabs at them. That's some real nice praise right there. Maybe I should say you're an awesome poster while kicking you in the crotch?

But go on, make some more random insults about me. It's more fun than playing your Rock Band huh?

Ghar

@Falsoman: That would be disappointing. Well, as long as say Hard or Medium is properly charted, Expert can be as wacky as they want it to be.

KaneTaker

@KaneTaker: I'm not sure how are people going to react. Because the song that i saw on the conference yesterday looked incredibly difficult, but for what i saw i didn't look overcharted. But some people were saying that it was. We'll have to see.

Falsoman

@thefncrow: Ah HA! Now thats good to hear. So having the full 6 pad compatibility is a matter of programming, then. We shall see. Still, they are actively supporting the current 4 pad setup, so I'm happy...as long as this isn't overly/artificially difficult like GH3. Still glad Activision is on the "open format" band wagon...or so it seems.

KaneTaker

@Ghar:
Actually I was gonna go with breathing. That's the mistake you're making. I don't understand how you're upset that I said that Activision did something right. I praise them, you bitch. I insult them, you bitch. Like I said before, you're looking for a fight where this is none. Go play Guitar Hero and have a blast, and that's not sarcasm. I'll stick to my Rock Band and we can all rest assured that competition breeds creativity. We're both winners....Well not you, you're still a dick.

Lazlo

HEY - they got my message from last night!!! Nice. I'm like many, I'm really praying the ION kit, made by a 3rd party none the less, adds on support for the 5 drums + bass for GHWT.

As for 'what game is better' - cripes, both are fun to play, isnt that what matters?

I really love how this whole 'konzol warz d00ds' thing has almost taken out the reminder we should be having fun.

So, horray for them doing this!!

Crab_Botherer

hey, sweet!

i was just planning on getting the guitar/game bundle for this (there is one, right), cause i'd let RB2 do all my rocking for me.

but now this is great news!

especially since i'll be purchasing the ION Rock Band drum kit, so woooot!

presto117

@Ghar: Big LOL at you calling anyone else a fanboy. You post in every story concerning either GH or RB, while consistently downing the latter and praising the former, with no regard for the story at all. A quick look at the first page of your previous posts reads like a RB-hater's blog. Maybe you should start your own anti-RB site, and stop harassing actual contributing commenters here.

On another note, this "openness" goddamn better apply to the PS3 version as well this time around, and I may actually buy GH: WT. I was so pissed when my GH3 guitar wouldn't work in RB I actually sold GH3 with the guitar for 70 bucks on Ebay right after I found out. (Felt bad about ripping the poor bastard off)

lassiterb

@mcool93: Maybe its the clicking, but I prefer the RB guitar. Feels smoother to me. More natural. As long as they both work, we can all be happy, though, eh?

KaneTaker

rock band instruments are bad anyway. I absolutely hate rock band guitar

mcool93

@lassiterb:

This site is well know for its Rock Band fanboys. If you really knew me then you'd know that I really don't have anything against Harmonix or Rock Band other than what they did with the Wii version. I like Rock Band, no not as much as Guitar Hero as I find the guitar to be more boring in Rock Band but the rest of the game is fun. Did I like the new setlist? Not really, some songs impressed me, others I hated and most I was indifferent to. Just my opinion.

The problems I generally have here are with the people who spout BS remarks and rumors about the two games. People who blindly believe 120 song setlist rumors and the like. People who blindly say one game is far superior to the other. People who say OMG GUITAR HERO IS EVIL BECAUSE ACTIVISION IS EVIL. etc. etc..

But the next stupid GH rumor I see, I'll be sure to make fun of ok?

Ghar

You guys didn't see this coming? The rock band 1 guitar is compatible with GH: Aerosmith. It's no surprise Rock Band 2 stuff would be compatible with GH:WT. This is good, not bad.

Dalren

Splendid news.

TK423

Guitar Hero has officially redeemed itself.

Talleh

@Talleh: After the way they deliberately went out of their way to snub PS 3 Rock Band owners, I think "bitch move" is more apt. A *lot* more apt.

BtownDesignGuy

I would be happy if the World Tour instruments were compatible with rock band 1 and 2... because I'm more excited about the World Tour drum set.

JustOneFix

Married men rejoice!

GOLD5

Like most here, the fact this is only mentioned for the 360 makes me think this is something MS forced n them.

Harmonix has been all about cross compatibility of instruments, even back on the PS2 (third party Guitar Hero controllers). If the GH insturments don't wirk with RB2, we will know who to blame.

As far as comments from Ghar about "How can you call RB a better game," having been a fomrer employe Gamestop, I saw a ton of people who stopped playing Guitar Hero after being introduced to Rock Band. About the only thing I have heard negative about RB is the harder guitar levels are not as difficult as they are on GH 3.

RB is widely accepted as he better game, If you can't accept tat, too bad.

AZRockslide

@AZRockslide: Yeah sure, and where I live nobody cares about Rock Band at all. Because we all know one gamestop = the world. >_>

Ghar

@Ghar: Wow, your reading comprehension sucks. Did I ever say no one cares about GH? No. I said RB has been received overall as a much better game.

AZRockslide

BTW, Metacritic Scores for the 2 games:

GH3: 85 on the 360
RB: 92

AZRockslide

@AZRockslide:
Did I say you said no one cares about GH? No, I didn't. Please check your own reading comprehension skills before commenting on those of others.

I said that one little gamestop does not give a good indication of which game is more widely accepted as better. It'd be like me asking a bunch of people around here what kind of music they find best and then claim that since most of them like rock music that rock music must generally be the most preferred kind of music.

Ghar

Now that I don't need to buy another drum set, this is a definite buy. I wonder how you activate star power with the Rock Band drums, tough.

TF2Soldier914

@SuppleMonkey: @AZRockslide: I think the same thing. Likely, this is because Microsoft have their own proprietary wireless technology for 360 controllers. Anyone who wants to use it has to agree to Microsoft's terms, and I bet those terms include "compatibility with whatever we decide". They think it's a selling point if instruments are compatible on their system and Activision / EA get no say in the matter.

Microsoft standing up for the consumer. Weird, eh?

freakout