Activision offers solution to World Tour drum problems

by Alan Tsang { Oct 29th 2008 at 7:00AM }

Activision has issued an official statement concerning the Guitar Hero: World Tour drum kit sensitivity problems that have been reported on the interwebs since its release. In addition to admitting the existence of said problems, they are now doing more random testing to hopefully eradicate the issue. "In the event any consumers do experience problems with their drum kit controllers associated with sensitivity issues, Activision will soon be offering a drum tuning kit that will enable players to fully optimize their drums." According to an official World Tour forum post, the solution will come in the form of Windows PC downloadable software that'll allow you to calibrate your drums.

Those with problems should get in touch with Activision ASAP, either through telephone number (310) 255-2050 or by heading here.

[Via Joystiq and X3F]

Tags: activision, activision-blizzard, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-world-tour

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

decompiler @ Oct 29th 2008 7:37AM

so those of us who have all mac and linux machines in the house are f'ed? thanks activision!

EnrageD @ Oct 29th 2008 7:43AM

I find it hard to believe you don't know one single person that would let you use his/her windows pc to calibrate your drums.

Not only that, why do you even own GHWT in the first place, i heard there was this game out that was actually good. it started with a R... cant think of it right now.. RockRevolution?

In all seriousness. Drum's will always be an issue. Anything that is designed to get beat on will break/malfunction. The only thing Harmonix/Activision/Konami can do is offer things like this, or replacements, Free RMA services, etc.

Archon @ Oct 29th 2008 7:50AM

My one year old drums for RB are still in perfect shape after at least couple hours of daily beating.

Still, I'm all against Guitar Hero World Tour and Activision and what they do with all the franchises they own. I know I'm not buying it.

Also, no Trophies? Really Activision? No DLC transfer? No song import? That's how you want to compete?... Yeah... Good luck. Hope you go bankrupt one day.

decompiler @ Oct 29th 2008 8:18AM

@EnrageD: ok, you caught me. i do *technically* have one windows machine in my house, but i don't own it; it's a work machine, and i treat it like the milk man's kid.

but look, i think if companies are going to make console games with special hardware that might require calibration they should make the calibration tools run *on the target console* since they know you have one!

this is almost like saying, "we're putting out some software to allow you to calibrate your ps3 drums, but you have to have an xbox360 to run it on."

Hife @ Oct 29th 2008 10:21AM

"i treat it like the milk man's kid"

rolf!

Hife @ Oct 29th 2008 10:22AM

*rofl*

macserv @ Oct 30th 2008 1:37AM

Seriously... why the heck wouldn't they just create a downloadable app for the PS3 and make it available free via the PS Store? Do the same for XBox. Making a Windows app is just lazy.

Nick @ Oct 29th 2008 8:23AM

Companies have to stop ignoring Mac and Linux users. I don't use either one, but it's a tad ridiculous nowadays to pretend that those user bases don't exist. It's like when websites (even now, still) don't design their websites to be compatible with FireFox.

Activision failed last time around with the Wii version of GH 3. They shipped the disc without stereo quality sound. I'm growing tired of Activision.

Gaucho @ Oct 29th 2008 8:26AM

Too little, too late. Finding out that the drums aren't compatible with RB2 kinda sealed the deal on not even bothering to "optimize" (actually get it to work) my plastic drums. I'm switching camps.

Laurens Holst @ Oct 29th 2008 9:34AM

I’m still mad at Rock Band releasing A YEAR late for the PS3 in Europe, so I’m definitely going to buy Guitar Hero World Tour. Looking forward to some guitar-playin’-singin’ action! Hope the Singstar microphone works, and I can buy the drums separately later.

Anyone know if the guitars got any new feature that I should know about? I heard they have some extra ‘solo pads’ or something like that, are those essential or can you do without them? And did they get rid of those annoying dongles (that mess up your controller assignments if you keep them connected), so that they are truly wireless now?

Gaucho @ Oct 29th 2008 9:45AM

The dongle are still there, the "solo pads" are worthless and in fact can ruin songs as they can fire off strums by accident.

Laurens Holst @ Oct 29th 2008 10:25AM

Thanks Gaucho, that’s good to know. Sounds like I won’t be missing out on anything by keeping my old guitars then :).

Dan @ Oct 29th 2008 9:37AM

Wait...

Someone actually bought this game?!

flarkle @ Oct 29th 2008 11:24AM

I have both games because it provides me and my roommates a wide variety of things to do together.

We got the special edition of RB2, plus a stand alone guitar, and the stand alone guitar drops notes constantly, and in order to get a replacement, we have to provide a faxed copy of the receipt to prove to EA that we got the game within their 60 day warranty, even though the game has not been out for 60 days. Also, the SE version of the guitar is a different style guitar than was advertised in the commercial, on the website, or even on the box it came in. This is just a cosmetic difference, but still an annoying one, and an example of false advertising. The game also still has the "shaky arrow" issue with the microphone that was in the first game, and that is something that should have been fixed.

With GH:WT, I am having the red pad drum issues that many other people are having, but at least Activision is already addressing the issue. Other than that, the game works perfectly.

The bottom line is that someone would not be wrong in buying one over the other, because neither of them are perfect, and over all I've actually had more bad luck dealing with RB/RB2 and EA/Harmonix than I have with the GH games. Which sucks because I actually prefer RB.

sirkarkus @ Oct 29th 2008 10:14AM

I will share my solution that is guaranteed to work for you, take GH:WT back to where you bought it and Buy RB2!

flarkle @ Oct 29th 2008 11:21AM

I own both games, mostly for the choice in instruments that was promised (and not fully delivered) and because I just like playing different songs. I have two roommates and we all play both games together, so between the two we have quite a lot of songs to play.

I got the full band set for RB2, plus a stand alone guitar. the stand alone guitar drops notes on a fairly constant basis. The game also still has the "shaky arrow" when singing. Now, the Harmonix people want a receipt as proof that the hardware is still under their new 60 day warranty, even though the game hasn't been out for 60 days. It's a pain in the ass to get my guitar replaced. Not to mention, the guitar that came with the full band set is of a different design than what is advertised in the commercials, on the website, and even on the box. It's just a cosmetic difference, but still.

As for GHWT, I am having the red pad issue that many other people are having on the drums, other than that it is working great, and Activision is actually already acting to fix the problem. I never thought I'd say that.

Bottom line is that both games have flaws, so one would not be wrong to buy one game over the other, as neither are perfect.

sirkarkus @ Oct 29th 2008 12:03PM

I agree both do have flaws, My personal song preference leans me toward RB1&2, I have been lucky enough to not have any problems other than beer being spilled on the guitar, cheers!

SKI @ Oct 29th 2008 11:27AM

Wah wah it's for the Wii version but it should work here too.

http://gonintendo.com/?p=60977

Audiotracer @ Oct 29th 2008 12:39PM

My drums are totally screwed on GTWT. I have to put a piece of cardboard in the battery compartment otherwise it will disconnect from the USB receiver. The number listed to call is automated but was told to say "operator" or "agent" to get a hold of someone. I get a nice message saying they are not available and go to the website. I have... I still haven't got a response to my issues on there. Least my RB1 drums work on it. Wish I didn't drop the 200 bux on the game now.