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PS3 Rock Band Bundle Wireless, Xbox 360 Rock Band Bundle Wired

September 10, 2007 in News comments 16

In recent reports it has been shown that the Xbox 360 version of up and coming title Rock Band will only consist of wired bundles for the instruments and not wireless. Now it has been revealed that the Playstation 3 version of the game will offer Wireless bundle packs. The reason for this is because the wireless technology is too expensive to license on the 360, pushing the price-tag of the bundles too high. But as it does not cost as much for the Playstation 3 system, they will be offering Wireless Guitars with their bundles.

In the latest OXM Podcast, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos confirms that the Xbox 360 guitars for Rock Band are wired in the bundles. There will be wired and wireless versions available for the Xbox 360, but once again, the retail bundles will come with a wired guitar. The PS3 guitars are all wireless. The Xbox 360 bundle will also come with a USB hub for all the peripherals to plug into. On both the Xbox 360 and PS3 version the microphone and drum kit will be wired. Rigopulos says, "The cost of wireless technology on the Microsoft side is higher and to be able to offer those bundles at a price point that would be reasonable for consumers it was necessary ... on the 360 side we are also bundling a hub."

And no, there is no official price yet. It's starting to look like the $20 difference between the Xbox 360 wired and wireless guitar we reported after receiving an internal Game Crazy memo is holding up. So, that's that, the Xbox 360 bundle of Rock Band has a wired guitar and you'll get a little hub to plug everything in. Now comes the question if Microsoft will loosen their grip on the cost of licensing the proprietary wireless tech if the PS3 version of Rock Band sells stronger (comparatively given its lower install base) due to its wireless advantage. In the end, we don't blame Harmonix/EA/MTV for this wired issue -- although it was shady of them to hide it this long -- we're more upset that the consumer is going to get an inferior product due to an obnoxious licensing issue. It's deja vu all over again.
tidus04 via joystiq.com »
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  • 0
    chaosmonkix Sep 10, 07
    how does it cost more to produce the same thing for one but not the other. the guitars for both systems consist of the same materials.
    • 0
      iLLmatic Sep 10, 07
      Simple, they don't consist of the same materials. The PS3 is bluetooth, the 360 uses old RF tech. Because of this, one would think that it would be more expensive the other way around. However, anything bluetooth is compatible with anything bluetooth-capable. If the 360 uses some kind of custom RF module, then I could see why it would be more expensive.
  • 0
    tidus04 Sep 10, 07
    That I do not understand either, as they both already have wireless products and it all be the same I cant see how this is to happen, maybe it is to do with the cost of creating each guitar though I would only exspect that to be small though it all adds up and might effect them a little =/
  • 1
    Existenz Sep 10, 07
    Fact is Microsoft use their own Wireless technology and Microsoft make Harmonix pay to use this technology, the PS3 uses bluetooth which not only is cheaper but makes the PS3 compatible with almost every bluetooth device on the planet...
    • -1
      Final Blade Sep 10, 07
      Yup, sony are very cool using Bluetooth this time around.
  • 0
    volacide Sep 10, 07
    Woot woot. I was so pissed after I bought Guitar Hero 2 on the 360 and it wasn't a wireless controller.
  • -3
    Reenee Sep 10, 07
    I don't think you all understand that wired peripherals are better for rhythm games.
    • 2
      volacide Sep 10, 07
      I don't think you understand that wireless technology is so instantaneous the difference between wired and wireless is so negligible.

      Besides, there's no difference between a "rhythm game" and any regular game where timing is of the utmost important. Like Ninja Gaiden which I've played on my PS3 with a wireless controller, or playing Resident Evil REmake back on the GameCube with a Wavebird and needing quick responses from the controller in order to stay alive.

      I reiterate, you're a stupid troll.
  • -1
    Jeterocks Sep 10, 07
    we are not playing video games in the stone age Reenee...The difference between wired and unwired peripherals now a day are not even worth mentioning. The so called "lag" that comes from blu-tooth devices and the connection they establish is pointless to argue due to the fact that it doesn't matter.
    • -4
      Reenee Sep 10, 07
      If I still have to tune to make up for the latency times in my rhythm games, I think you're not in a position to say that.
      • 0
        volacide Sep 10, 07
        You fool, that tuning for Latency is for a TV's refresh rate, not your controller you *bleep*ing idiot. Refresh rates differ between TV's and that's why you set that latency.
        • -1
          Reenee Sep 11, 07
          That's my point. MY TV IS PART OF THAT EQUIPMENT.

          Do you know how many rhythm games can't be played with HDTVs?

          DDR for the 360 has this feature. If we're such in the "future" as you claim to be, then I shouldn't have to mess with anything anymore. I thought all this digital fancywhack would be superior over analog, but no.
  • 0
    Deadman Rules Sep 11, 07
    Now you're completely off the topic of the controller. You were wrong, stop changing the subject and get over it.
    • -1
      Reenee Sep 11, 07
      Uh, no. The TV and sound system you use are affected. Input signals can get delayed due to the connections.

      I played Guitar Hero on a widescreen LCD at a Best Buy once. I stopped playing seconds after starting because I had to strum too early to hear the audio right.
      • 0
        Deadman Rules Sep 11, 07
        Uh, yeah. Everyone here can agree that theres no noticable difference between wireless and wired, and you realized you were wrong so you started talking about your TV's latency which has nothing to do with the controller. If you are strumming the notes correctly and the audio is delayed then that's the TV's problem. If you strum early then you will miss the note so I don't see what you are getting at?
        • 1
          Final Blade Sep 11, 07
          Reenee isn't getting anywhere but being a troll.

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