Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 editions of Harmonix's Rock Band 2, Neversoft's Guitar Hero World Tour and Zoe Mode's Rock Revolution will feature instrument interoperability, as revealed on Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog.

Citing a similar announcement made yesterday in which Sony revealed that the PS3 editions of the upcoming rhythm titles would see instrument cross-compatibility, Microsoft representative Chris Paladino stated, "For the record, we also do that."

"Consider this an official announcement," Paladino added. "All the instruments from Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Rock Revolution will be cross-compatible. In other words, welcome to the party."

While neither Microsoft nor Sony specified whether the three titles' guitars, microphones and drums would also see cross-platform compatibility between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the announcements bring the long struggle between rhythm game developers over peripheral compatibility to an end.

Sony has brokered an arrangement between the developers of Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Revolution to ensure instrument interoperability on the PlayStation 3, Sony Computer Entertainment PR director Michael Shorrock revealed.

"We have been working closely with Neversoft and Activision, Harmonix and Konami to ensure that PlayStation 3 guitars and drum sets will all feature a basic level of gameplay compatibility," Shorrock wrote on the PlayStation.Blog.

The director explained that both the drum kit and guitar from Neversoft's Guitar Hero World Tour will function with Harmonix's Rock Band 2, and vice versa. Drums and guitars from both titles will be compatible with Zoe Mode's Rock Revolution, while Rock Revolution's drum kit will work with both Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour.

The director further noted that microphones from SCE London Studio's SingStar will also be compatible with Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour.

"We're still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market," Sherrock added. "We hope to have an announcement on that shortly."

Publisher Konami has issued a truckload of media to accompany today's E3 festivities.

Included in the screenshot explosion are Castlevania Wii and DS, Rock Revolution, Lost in Blue Wii, Silent Hill 5, Time Hollow, New International Track and Field, and more.

Castlevania Judgment (Wii)

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) Rock Revolution (PS3, X360) Rock Revolution (Wii)... Read more

DrumMania and Guitar Freaks publisher Konami today filed suit against Harmonix parent company Viacom over patent violations related to Harmonix's rhythm title Rock Band.

Konami claims that the company's patent for a "musical-rhythm matching game," filed in the United States circa 1999, predates and supersedes Harmonix's 2007 patent filing for a "game controller simulating a musical instrument."

According to Bloomberg, Konami seeks cash compensation and an order to block the use of Harmonix's inventions. Viacom is waiting to receive the complaint before responding to the allegations.

Konami released the Japanese rhythm arcade games DrumMania and Guitar Freaks in 1999, with Guitar Freaks being initially ported to the United States later that year. The company is now planning to release its own Rock Band-style game titled Rock Revolution.

Brighton-based developer Zoe Mode will open a new studio in London on September 1 of this year, the developer announced today.

Previously branded Kuju Brighton to reflect parent company Kuju Entertainment, Zoe Mode's developed titles include Crush (PSP), the SingStar karaoke series on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, and the upcoming multiple-instrument rhythm game Rock Revolution (PS3, 360).

The developer noted that the new studio opening was prompted by the swift growth of its Brighton location, which is approaching a workforce of 150 employees.

"This will enable us to take on more projects and staff without losing the intimate company culture that is so central to our approach," said studio head Ed Daly.

Following Konami's announcement of Rock Revolution (PS3, X360, Wii, DS), MTV Multiplayer has posted the first picture of the six-pad drum kit used in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions.

Konami says the instrument is "the most realistic drum peripheral on the market."

"Triangles make it more edgy," commented Shacknews founder Steve Gibson.

The third toy plastic drum set for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is slated to arrive alongside Rock Revolution this October. It is not yet known if the set will be cross-compatible with Rock Band or Guitar Hero IV.

Publisher Konami kicked off its 2008 Gamers Day yesterday with the announcement of Rock Revolution (PS3, X360, Wii, NDS), a new multi-instrument rhythm title slated to arrive this October.

The PS3 and X360 versions are being handled by Zoe Mode, with HB Studios developing the Wii and DS editions.

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions feature a drum kit described by the company as "the most realistic drum peripheral on the market," with six drum pads and a kick pedal arranged in a manner similar to an actual drum kit.

Rock Revolution PS3 and X360 renditions will include a five-note guitar... Read more

Following its press event last night, publisher Konami has unleashed a bonanza of new media, including screenshots of Hellboy: The Science of Evil (PS3, X360, PSP), Lost in Blue (Wii), and New International Track and Field (NDS).

Be sure to check out the full post for all the goods, as there are so many new assets that we couldn't possibly put them all on our front page.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
Metal Gear Online (PS3)
Kojima Productions / June 12

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (NDS)
Konami / Fall 2008

Silent Hill: Homecoming (PS3, X360)
Double Helix / September 2008

... Read more