n Activision spokeswoman has shed a little more light on the situation surrounding compatibility issues between the company’s Guitar Hero III controllers and Rock Band’s controllers on the PlayStation 3. Unsurprisingly, it all comes down to the almighty dollar. As we reported before, PS3 Rock Band owners can’t use the Guitar Hero III controllers as second guitars for the game’s multiplayer modes, unlike in the Xbox 360 version. Harmonix announced that it had submitted a patch to Sony, which was then held up by Activision. Activision countered, saying it had given Harmonix the opportunity to negotiate some kind of agreement, but that it never happened.

Speaking to the Boston Globe, Activision spokeswoman Maryanne Lataif clarified earlier statements. "Unfortunately for Rock Band users, Harmonix has been unwilling to discuss an agreement that will allow us to provide that option in a manner that maintains the high standards people have come to expect from Activision," she told the newspaper, adding, "We believe we should be compensated for the use of our technology."

As we said before, until the two companies sort this out, consumers will end up suffering the most.