GHII problems software based, patch inbound
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Apr 13th 2007 at 12:00PM }
Guitar Hero II, we've been writing about it nonstop since it was released. It was the major topic of our most recent Fancast. The song packs have outraged us. The game itself, however, is basically pure gaming gold. At least, it's gold so long as you have a functional guitar. Our own David Dreger, for example, has a broken whammy bar. Or does he? According to a recent statement from Activision, it looks like the whammy bar issue may actually stem from software, not hardware. Activision and Red Octane's support pages note that the issue is caused by an element of Guitar Hero II that was added to "ensure accurate scoring". In other words, it was placed there to prevent cheating. Activision plans to release a patch that should rectify the issue within the coming weeks. So, if you were planning on fixing that guitar yourself, you may want to wait for the patch. After all, if you fix your guitar, and then Activision patches the game, you may wind up with the same problem all over again.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Louis @ Apr 13th 2007 12:09PM
Yeah, I wonder that if I rotate the whammy bar device inside, then when the update is released, it will look for the whammy bar to start at the original position.
My 360 returns on Monday, and it will be the first time I get to play it, so hopefully I can wait for a patch.
polar @ Apr 13th 2007 12:15PM
Well, then I'll just wait to return my other guitar then.
I understand what the issue is, it's reading the 0 starting position. so I can understand the possible cheating issue.
I can get it to work when I have time by pulling it back a bit. So I am sure that'll make it prime candidate for this update.
gtpunch @ Apr 13th 2007 12:26PM
@1 They'll probably just need to widen the 'dead zone' for that potentiometer.
Tony @ Apr 13th 2007 12:28PM
Mine work pretty well. It's odd that it would be a software issue, at least to me, considering even within the same model number some people have the issue and others do not... but what do I know about that stuff.
It's possible there is some lag on my guitar, but whatever it is, it must be so slight it's not been an issue to me. Guess I was lucky. Still, I'm glad it's being addressed.
Josh @ Apr 13th 2007 12:46PM
I'm holding off another month before picking it up. I'm downloading Shivering Isles tonight to start that expansion...I hope it's worth it.
Grant @ Apr 13th 2007 12:55PM
yeah, i'm gonna wait til this whole issue is resolved before i jump it.
i want it so bad, but i have had enough headaches with my 360 to have something else let me down.
JJZee @ Apr 13th 2007 1:01PM
The rubber band fix works in meantime. I won't be opening up my controller but this will work well until patch time.
John
Scaught @ Apr 14th 2007 8:17AM
Hey, in my area (north of Boston near the New Hampshire state line), no one has had this game in stock since it came out and quickly sold out.
I still haven't been able to find one. Am I alone on this?
Pink @ Apr 16th 2007 10:01AM
Can anyone tell me if this game has any Pink FLoyd Tracks? original or cover songs? Thanks ( i thought i seen "hey you" was a downloadable song?)Thanks All
Imadogg99 @ Apr 13th 2007 8:06PM
Yo Scaught, I went on the Wednesday right after it came out, there were loads of it in Best Buy (California).
And I haven't had a problem with my guitar, I too don't get how it's a software problem.
graikor @ Apr 14th 2007 12:34PM
Sorry Pink, but the song "Hey You" is by a band called the Exies, and (other than the title) bears no relation to the Pink Floyd song.
Personally, I would love to see "Comfortably Numb" in Guitar Hero, but I really want (with no irony) a Prog Rock version of Guitar Hero!
Brad @ Apr 14th 2007 12:24PM
i just downloaded the update, but since i have a working guitar i can't tell whether it will help or not. but the update is definetly out so hopefully this can fix the problem
rabbit.dj.fidel.castro @ Apr 15th 2007 12:29AM
Does this address the tilt sensor problems some people are having? I know I can't get star power to activate even if I start flailing the guitar around like a mace or even by pressing the Back button. The funny thing is, the sensor seems to be working fine when I plug it into XP. Maybe they can come up with a patch to fix that next time.
ccc @ Apr 16th 2007 12:06AM
I got gh2 the day it hit and was really upset with the whammybar. Having owned gh2 on ps2 I knew how it was supposed to work and it had serious delay issues. I took it back and got another guitar, this new one worked better but still not like it should. I am very happy to hear the news about the software and update.
On another note, I am sickened by the amount of xbl points I have to spend on the song packs. So much that I emailed redoctane and basically told them that it was pure greed.
I hope you all relize 2 things concerning this....1...By the time they release all the downloadable songs you will have paid over 200 dollars for the game.2....to All of you that pay for it, you are helping to start something that is the beggining of very BAD trend for us gamers. When they see that those songs sell well, other game companies are gonna start charging up the ying yang for downloadable content. Imagine if you had to pay 1600 points to get the new gears of war update that just came out.PPl need to complain to them. Sure I want those songs but I'm not paying that no matter how bad I want them. Besides, been there and done those songs on Gh1, even if you can take them into practice mode on gh2 whoopty doo. 300 points for 3 songs I could see honestly.
ccc