Is Activision Blocking PS3 Rock Band?

MTV Games says Activision is preventing the release of an update that would enable the use of GH3 controllers in Rock Band for PS3. Activision says MTV Games declined "an agreement" that would enable the capability.

"The compatibility patch was submitted, approved and had been scheduled for release by Sony on Tuesday, December 4," Rock Band officials said on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, Activision objected to the compatibility patch's release. The patch remains with Sony, but we have been told that it will unfortunately not be released due to Activision's continued objection."

Activision, in turn, released the following statement last week:

"The recent announcement by MTV Games/Viacom's Harmonix division that Activision is blocking Sony from releasing a patch and their plea to enable Rock Band software to work with Guitar Hero hardware paints a very misleading picture.

"In fact, MTV Games/Viacom recently declined Activision's offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band."

The language seems to imply that Activision is seeking licensing fees from MTV Games for Rock Band compatibility on PS3.

Coincidentally, Guitar Hero III controllers work on the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band, suggesting that Sony regulation may be at play.