You know how lots of electronics are implanted with a special chip or some sort of fancy nanotechnology that makes them break down at some point after (days of warranty period + 1)? Electronic Arts has now advanced this technology to activate within a narrow window of time.

I found this out the hard way when my drum pedal snapped the week before the Pixies album, Doolittle, was available as downloadable content. Naturally, I called in to get it replaced -- I mean, come on, Doolittle -- along with my Stratocaster which had been wonky since I first got it and was therefore relegated to a closet in the back room while we used the wireless Les Paul and Flying V from Guitar Hero. I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone (i.e. repair two peripherals with one phone call).

No dice. Electronic Arts wanted a receipt to prove the game was within its 60-day warranty period. They'd recently closed the door on the grace period and then activated the remote controlled chip or nanotechnology or whatever it was that made my drum pedal snap in half. Well played, EA.

I was referred to a $20 replacement pedal from a specific manufacturer on sale at a specific retailer. I'm not sure if the guy on the phone was just being helpful or if there was some sort of insidious three-way collaboration here. But with Doolittle imminent, I had no choice by to pay the $20. This monkey had to get to heaven.

So imagine my surprise today when Electronic Arts re-opens the grace period for repairing Rock Band peripherals. You have until October 1st to snap your drum pedal, desensitize your drum pads so they don't work on "expert", or have your Stratocaster catch a bum strum bar. Because you can bet the nanotechnology will fire off again on October 2nd.