Rock Band for PS3 bundled with wireless guitar

by Nick Doerr { Aug 8th 2007 at 11:30AM }

If you've been following Rock Band news at all, you're probably aware that there are going to be bundles where you buy the game and get the instruments as well. No, there aren't any official prices, but that's okay because it's starting to seem like the PS3 is going to give you a mighty fine deal. Amazon and Gamestop both list the bundles for $199, except the PS3 version comes with a wireless guitar whereas the 360 version has a wired guitar.

We're not exactly sure if this is going to be the final prices or availability of the game and its instruments, but if it is, why is the PS3 getting a wireless guitar for the same price as the 360's wired one? The folks in charge of Rock Band certainly have some SKU control to take care of before the game releases, or else there are going to be a lot of questions, problems, and ambiguous answers for their pricing and controller bundles. Still, if the PS3 gets a wireless guitar for $20 less than the competition, we're not going to complain.

[via Joystiq]

Tags: rockband

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dahk @ Aug 8th 2007 12:02PM

The PS3 Wireless Guitars by themselves are 20 bucks cheaper than the 360's controllers.

Microsoft keeps their wireless (not sure if its proprietary) under super strict control - which is why there aren't any third party 360 controllers. So Harmonix probably had to license these controllers under some hefty prices.

On the other hand, Sony uses Bluetooth Standards and as long as they get the license to use it, its perfectly fine.

Dahk @ Aug 8th 2007 12:03PM

I mean... license their wireless technology*

Silver R. Wolfe @ Aug 8th 2007 12:24PM

Yes, the Xbox 360 uses proprietary wireless tech (a move which totally blows).

upz @ Aug 8th 2007 12:39PM

I see this as having a similar (though less substantial) effect as the GTA4 360 downloadable content. Multi-console users will migrate towards the more "complete" PS3 experience of having wireless instruments. Then again, this is a game better with lots of friends, and 360's community is unarguably bigger.

GRANTED @ Aug 8th 2007 12:44PM

true, but you only need one ps3 to play this game. everyone's got a ps3-owning friend, or (like us) is the friend.

haha I don't think 360 owners have more friends, they just have more 360s. but yeah, multi-console owners will pick up the ps3 version fo sho.

Trina @ Aug 8th 2007 1:56PM

I'll probably buy the PS3 version for the wireless but on the bright side, I am playing the Stranglehold demo on the 360 today.

OrganicShadow @ Aug 10th 2007 12:22PM

@Nick Doerr: Can you please try and do some investigating on weather or not the PS3 guitar will be BLUETOOTH, or just use a crappy USB dongle?

So far there are NO third party keyboards or controllers that connect to the PS3 via Bluetooth, so there may be some cost reasons or Sony blocking third parties from using BT in their controllers and keyboards.

If true, it could mean that the REAL reason the PS3 guitar is cheaper is because it isn't using Bluetooth AT ALL(if expensive to implement) and using a cheap USB dongle, akin to most of the wireless PS2 controllers from third parties.

BlackBeltJones @ Aug 8th 2007 4:14PM

@ granted
I actually still plan on getting the 360 version mostly due to what upz mentioned, I known a few dozen people on xbox live and about 3 on PSN. It seems I tend to buy multiplatform games (except probably stranglehold) on 360 because of xbox live.
Plus wire's also never bugged me too much with guitar hero, it just seems to go with the whole playing a guitar thing. I'm also kinda glad microsoft went with I proprietary wireless technology instead of bluetooth, because of it my 360's controller doesn't drop off out of sync for a few seconds like my sixaxis (has anyone every found a fix for that? It seems to be happening more and more to me.) and if my wireless guitar dropped out of sync and ruined a song, I would be pissed

Dahk @ Aug 8th 2007 5:08PM

Hmm, I've experienced zero problems with the sixaxis so far. I rather the PS3 HAVE the Bluetooth technology. It's just so MUCH MORE enabling.

Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse support,
Bluetooth headset support,
I can even sync my phone!
Though... it... doesn't do anything =P

In any case, you know what sucks? You know the whole pre-order fiasco for Rock Band on bestbuy.com?

Rock Band doesn't even EXIST on bestbuy.ca =(. STUPID Canadian Managers!

What's WORSE is that bestbuy.ca, if you click on their music, movies & games section, on the main section of the page, PS2 is still listed instead of PS3. Shows you how much they care =P.

Quite mad at that =P Wanted to preorder Rock Band for 60 bucks including everything! LOL

HektikLyfe @ Aug 8th 2007 5:50PM

I know the site is called PS3 Fanboy but seriously. Check your sources.

There is an update for the 360 which will allow wireless compatibility with Guitar Hero III and Rock Band.

Here you go.

;) You'd think I did this for a living.

HektikLyfe @ Aug 8th 2007 5:51PM

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/new-update-prepares-xbox-360s-for-wireless-guitars/

No links allowed? Weak.

Dahk @ Aug 8th 2007 7:31PM

D'errrr HektikLyfe,

Read properly. The BUNDLE for PS3 comes with a wireless, while the BUNDLE for 360 comes with a wired.

No one ever said that there was no wireless guitar for the 360 lol. Only that when you buy the game, it comes with a wired rather than a wireless. You can buy a wireless separately, but its still MORE than the PS3 wireless guitar, because Microsoft has to license out their proprietary wireless technology.

And... your link seems to work. Strong.

Consolcwby @ Aug 9th 2007 1:59AM

I don't care about the console wars when it comes to this game! I wish EVERYONE could play together, that way we could all live in 'harmony'! =D Get it? ...live in harmony?... =o anyone?...

GTC @ Aug 10th 2007 11:25PM

@OrganicShadow

Thats just not true. My Logitech MX5000 and the MX1000 mouse (the mouse that comes with it in a package) synched just fine and I was able to use it for everything but games. My plantronics headset, which has been out on the market longer than the PS3, works fine. Even Warhawk is coming with a third party bluetooth headset. If it was a special frequency of Bluetooth then no bluetooth enabled peripheral would work (headsets, phones, the FragFX, etc)

Its MS that doesn't allow third party wireless products. They do it so they can get licensing fees and so people will buy their products and they will make a profit.