14 DAY TRIAL // Up until this point, everyone knew that Rock Band was set to ship for the PS3 and Xbox 360 featuring wireless guitar controllers, which is "almost" accurate. You see, due to licensing issues, Harmonix is forced to deliver Xbox 360 gamers a wired guitar controller, while future owners of Rock Band for the PS3 are the only ones getting the wireless fun. It wouldn't be so bad if Harmonix hadn't hidden the truth for so long...
But don't worry, if you're the lucky owner of an Xbox 360 this doesn't mean that you can't use a wireless guitar controller to play Rock band. It's just the retail bundle that doesn't include wireless advantage. As it turns out, the Xbox 360 bundle also comes with a USB hub for gamers to plug all their peripherals into, while both Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will feature wired microphone and drum kit.
According to Joystiq.com, the confirmation comes from the latest OXM Podcast, where Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos confirms the following: "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."
Rock Band retail bundle for Sony's PS3:
- Wireless Guitar - Wired Drums - Wired Mic
Rock Band retail bundle for Microsoft's Xbox 360:
- Wired Guitar (although wireless guitars can be purchased separately) - Wired Drums - Wired Mic - USB hub
Nothing has changed as far as pricing is concerned for Rock Band, as in... no one knows exactly how much the game is going to cost. But keep in mind that, although the Xbox 360 bundle doesn't feature a wireless guitar controller, gamers going for the ultimate next-gen experience (we need to stop calling Xbox 360 and PS3 games and hardware next-gen, honestly...) can get their wireless guitar separately.
However, given that Rock Band is going to set gamers back some 200 bucks... yeah, wireless doesn't seem like that much of an option.