Earlier this month, Rock Band makers MTV Games and Harmonix accused Guitar Hero III publisher Activision of holding up a patch that would allow Guitar Hero controllers to work with the PS3 version of Rock Band. Shortly thereafter, Activision fired back saying that MTV is "painting a very misleading picture."

Well, now the Boston Globe has shed some more light on the standoff. It's come down to what everything always comes down to in a business: money. Activision spokeswoman Maryanne Lataif said Activision feels it should be paid.

"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," Lataif said. "We believe we should be compensated for the use of our technology."

Harmonix on the other hand says that it's just looking out for the consumer in this battle. Spokeswoman Spencer Saltonstall said, "We are really and truly not looking at this from the financial standpoint. We are looking at this from the consumer standpoint."

IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon said that Activision may very well be entitled to compensation from Harmonix, but he also noted that Activision's hard-line stance could backfire by alienating gamers.

In the meantime, Harmonix is working to get more standalone Rock Band guitar controllers to stores as quickly as possible. "We have 7,000 people in China manufacturing guitars for us," said Saltonstall. "They're on their way."

Thanks to Joystiq for the tip.