Rock Band Euro price won't 'magically' drop
by Xav de Matos 
{ Apr 12th 2008 at 1:00PM }
In a post on the official Rock Band forums Harmonix product development manager Greg LoPiccolo told gamers that wishing the European price of Rock Band would drop won't do any good. "We're not gouging you, primarily because doing so doesn't serve our interests," LoPiccolo said. "You may conclude that Rock Band isn't worth the price charged, and that is your prerogative. But it's not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so."
LoPiccolo's comments come days after EA and Harmonix announced plans to release Rock Band exclusively on the Xbox 360 on May 23 in Europe, with other console versions hitting in the summer, at a shocking $360 US for the game and the three main peripherals (game sold separately, Instrument Pack includes wired guitar, drum kit and microphone).
"We're not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe. We are incredibly sensitive to pricing issues. We are painfully aware that the higher the price we charge, the less copies we'll sell." LoPiccolo went on to blame shipping costs throughout the region as a primary factor in the price of Rock Band, but did not detail how the pricing structure breaks down for legal reasons.
While the price point is still quite shocking, we're reminded of the delay Canadians saw when Rock Band released a month later than their American neighbors which was blamed for shipping and package localization reasons -- yet there was no change in price. Like what LoPiccolo says or not, his comments are the straightest answer we've seen regarding the issue. So, to our loyal European X3F Army members we ask, do the comments made by LoPiccolo change your mind regarding your May purchase plans?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TehAdz @ Apr 12th 2008 1:08PM
Saying that doesn't make it any better;
We already knew that it wouldn't "magically" drop.
But still, I'm really excited about Rock Band, hopefully IV will make me forget about it.
Pyrii @ Apr 12th 2008 1:09PM
Nope, and I'm disgusted another company blames VAT or shipping. They spent long enough getting it over here and now they want to gouge us for it. They can join the list of companies that don't deserve the time of day imho.
We regularly are charged £40-£50 for games over here, which is $80-$100. Yet I often hear how you won't pay more than the upper limit of $60 on the other side of the pond. The excuses are getting old and with the internet and peoples' ability to at least do basic math, it just doesn't cut it anymore
David W. @ Apr 12th 2008 2:34PM
"Yet I often hear how you won't pay more than the upper limit of $60 on the other side of the pond."
They fact that you're getting ripped off even worse than us doesn't change the fact we're getting ripped off too, haha.
bigC24 @ Apr 12th 2008 1:18PM
If I was in Europe, I would be absolutely pissed at these comments.
"Wishing wont make it better", well no duh!
I'm in shock that they are asking for nearly $400 for that game...
Crome @ Apr 12th 2008 1:22PM
You know you can get it for £140 from Play.com not amazingly cheap but cheaper than any where else.
Jackattaak @ Apr 12th 2008 1:52PM
This is true, and as I had hoped retailers are planning to stock the separate items for cheaper.
Play.com
Instruments: £100
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/5397984/Rock-Band-Band-In-A-Box/Product.html
Game: £40
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/3359267/Rock-Band/Product.html
In total thats £140, as previously stated. With a normal new game costing £40-45, thats almost four times as much as a normal game, but at least we're not paying MORE in £ than $, that was what really got me annoyed.
I mean, if the 360 followed that sort of pricing, we'd be paying around £450 (roughly $900) for our Elite systems, instead of the £260 we DO pay.
Xav de Matos @ Apr 12th 2008 1:54PM
Play.com is charging less, remember these prices are the SRP (Suggested Retail Price).
In his post LoPiccolo stated that companies could sell for less ... but I image most won't because the overhead is so high.
Jackattaak @ Apr 12th 2008 2:09PM
Maybe Play.com can charge less because they don't have to make space to display the product, its gonna take up a lot of shelf space.
If they put the pricing at a more reasonable level more people would buy it in Europe, and they would make more income from track downloads which have been shown to be highly lucrative and successful in the States. As it stands it looks like its going to flop.
Helloimbob @ Apr 12th 2008 6:36PM
Play.com and most other online retailers charge less because of where they are based (Guernsey, Jersey, Isle Of Man), which means they don't pay tax on the things they sell and since it is not an 'import' to the UK there's no bolted on tax later either. Everybody wins.
MrMuggs @ Apr 12th 2008 1:22PM
Maybe someone in the UK can do the math for me but I don't see why this is so "shocking." Based on exchange rates, $360 US is about 170 quid. I paid $170 US so where's the big price difference?
It seems shocking to those of us in the US that the Brits are paying what's equivalent to $360 US but for anyone who understands the exchange rate they'll realize that the pound is worth nearly twice as much as the dollar.
Calling this a controversy is like an American going to the UK and complaining that it cost them $8 US for a hamburger at McDonald's. Conversely, I know plenty of Brits who holiday int he US and bring an empty suitcase with them. On the return trip their suitcase is full with sneakers, jeans, hang bags and a ton of other stuff that they essentially bought at a 50% discount.
Jackattaak @ Apr 12th 2008 1:56PM
"Based on exchange rates, $360 US is about 170 quid. I paid $170 US so where's the big price difference?"
So based on exchange rates, you paid half as much as we will. Which is a lot.
SadisticHam @ Apr 12th 2008 1:25PM
Ah well if they wont drop the price or find a way to reduce it and insist on telling us BS it just wont sell.
No use treating us all like idiots, the VAT crap doesn't wash. Everything else manages to make it over here slightly more expensive than America but not to bad but when the price is the same as the bloody CONSOLE you play it on? Dream on, disgusting that they even attempt to sell at that price.
I don't know what's worse, the fact they try to sell at that point or the fact they try to palm off these excuses and treat us like we're morons. It's cheaper for Europe to import the instruments ourselves and just buy the game. Although I'm making it a point not to buy it at all, screw it, i hope it flunks bad here they deserve it.
Pyrii @ Apr 12th 2008 1:50PM
"when the price is the same as the bloody CONSOLE you play it on?"
I paid £300 for my elite. given the 2:1 ratio of dollar:pounds you dot he math =P I only WISH consoles were that cheap, although the Wii is still about £180
mininova @ Apr 12th 2008 1:30PM
MrMuggs.... wtf!!
it shouldn't matter how much the pound is to the dollar, I am not paying double what you paid, you paid us$170 so us brits should have to pay roughly £87 not £170! my 360 premium only cost me £145, f*ck this shit, I'm gonna play ghIII
Andrew @ Apr 15th 2008 5:30PM
Just move to the US...problem solved... Or you could just make your own peripherals...it would probably be cheaper.
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 12th 2008 1:32PM
No, they got it wrong.It's not VAT, it's GREAT(GReedy EA Added Tax)!
Andrew @ Apr 12th 2008 6:45PM
Clever.
The Sound @ Apr 12th 2008 6:47PM
*Groan
james frazer @ Apr 12th 2008 1:33PM
I'll say to him what Kotaku said in reaction to the news;
"you can take that price, and you can stick it up your arse"
neech uk @ Apr 12th 2008 1:42PM
i was going to buy rock band but then eariler this week but then i saw the price tag so i went out 2day and got a wii from gamestation instead for 240 including mario kart. im glad ive done that now cos those quotes are really aroggant.
Yozei @ Apr 12th 2008 1:44PM
EA have a hand in this product, so you must EXPECT it to be overpriced in some form.
I am shocked how overpriced it is though. I live in the UK and will stick this on my avoid list & pick up Guitar Hero 3 Wireless Guitar (Plus Game) for £60! You can stick your £110 Guitar & Game up your a**!
bongotastic @ Apr 12th 2008 3:59PM
When it eventually comes out on the other consoles (wii, ps3) i hope it stays the same price or will it magically drop in price.
Chris @ Apr 12th 2008 2:02PM
I was shell-shocked when I heard the price, especially after we had to wait so long for it. When it does finally hit the shelves I don't think it will be a matter of "I'm not buying it because its overpriced" but more "I'm not buying it because I can't afford it" I'm sure its a quality product and will pay for itself in time.
Also, I think LoPicollo's comments were a bit harsh, makes it sound like we're whining....wait..does complaining about his comments count as whining? DAMMIT!
John @ Apr 12th 2008 2:15PM
Someone should tell him that most people aren't playing hardball. I'm not removing Rock Band from my purchase list to force EA to drop the price, I'm removing it because I can't afford to spend £180 on a game.
ushman @ Apr 12th 2008 2:48PM
wow! That is wrong, if thats the best solution for them why even bother to sell it over there?
Nathan Searcy @ Apr 12th 2008 3:49PM
Do they honestly expect to sell that over the pond - like at all? Rock Band is cool and all, but 360 US buys you just about any CONSOLE on the market. That is SIX TIMES the price of a regular game.
I know I'm stating the obvious, but somebody needed to.
druggedUK @ Apr 13th 2008 1:51PM
The thing is, it's obvious we're getting ripped off at £180 when Play.com can afford to knock off £40.
They'll [play.com] want to be making as much profit as possible, It's not like they'd sacrifice profits just so we could afford it more easily.
They're able to reduce it that much because it doesn't need to be priced so high...
I've decided to sacrifice getting new instruments, and i'm buying just the game, and then the drumset a month or so after that when I hope I can get a good deal of £50~. It's still over the odds for what i'm getting, but it's money that needs to be saved.
Waynebo @ Apr 12th 2008 5:14PM
Well i know which game im buying on may 23rd now and it certainly isnt going to be the outrageously overpriced ROCK BAND for my X360 it will be 'HAZE' for my PS3!!!!
Waynebo @ Apr 12th 2008 5:24PM
You must be having a laugh BONGOTASTIC and don't take this wrong way coz im not offending, but if its £180 for X360 it will be £180 for PS3 and the WII, if its cheaper then im sure there will be hell to pay coz dedicated X360 owners wont stand for that i DOUBT!!
webster1990 @ Apr 12th 2008 6:45PM
it could possibly be cheaper on the wii
GHIII was.
also the wii version will have no DLC and no online play.
False @ Apr 12th 2008 5:36PM
Dont really car, £140 for a game, drums, guitar and mic? Doesnt seem too steep to me.
horngreen @ Apr 12th 2008 6:24PM
I remember when Steel battalion was about to be released and people were saying they would either "wait for it to be in the bargain bin "LOL or "rent it first" LOL as well. Idiots.
The Sound @ Apr 12th 2008 6:49PM
Hah, you could purchase a decent real guitar and a microphone for the same, if not less expensive price than this game....
Maybe we'll see an increase in actual musicians that can play decent music?
One can dream....
modelvillage @ Apr 12th 2008 7:10PM
I was gona buy Rock Band but not now...the arrogance of the blokes comments has put me off and they can stick thier game up their arse!!!
mike @ Apr 12th 2008 7:17PM
everyone cries foul when the hear this. You all need to learn about the world economy. Price in country A does not = price in country B after exchange rate. Theres more too it then that. If all prices in europe suddenly dropped on EVERYTHING to that of americas, everyone there would suddenly be rich, and the whole economy would collapse. Everything is priced different and it all balances itself out in the end. A crude example is how in europe, I can take the subway for $1.25 cdn yet here in canada I need to pay $3. So after a month of 30 rides, Ive paid a $50 more then some1 in europe, but my monthly game purchases saved me $50 for my lower game prices.
My example is not meant to be taken as directly as its laid out, its just a general notion to wrap your head around. Combined with averge earnings and stuff.
The real winners are those who know when to import products, and who imports your cheap products. It explains why all those people in the import/export biz are so rich. I often shop online for various products to save myself lots of money over the longhual, Others from various countries should do the same
The moral of this post, stop complaining.
JaggedToaster @ Apr 12th 2008 8:59PM
Very, very true. Its sad to see how everyone is comparing pounds to dollars. Remember everyone, the US economy is hurting right now. The dollar is not worth as much as it once was.
Spin44 @ Apr 12th 2008 8:56PM
this game isnt that great anyway
ZEBRA NINER @ Apr 12th 2008 9:09PM
Oh EA... you guys are such rascals! Nothing will make me hate you. I know you really love us... Americans. ;)
ZING!
Oscar @ Apr 13th 2008 10:12AM
SPOILER ALERT!
The screenshot is for an alpha build of Rock Band, yet anyone notice what song is being played?
EGADS! They've made tons of songs before the game even came out, now their milking us!
And im giving them all the milk they want!
xD
DaveC @ Apr 13th 2008 6:45PM
Xav, in answer to your question, absolutely. I was really looking forward to Rock Band, now I'm not even sure if I want to look at it in the store >=[
Karthik @ Apr 14th 2008 6:33AM
Okay the price won't magically drop and magically I won't buy it.
I'm willing to pay VAT- it's just how Britain works (we get free healthcare-etc). But VAT is 17.5% NOT 200%. Unfortunately what's going to happen is that stores will sell a few and then stop stocking the game, it'll flop and then EA will raise prices on their other games to make up for the shortfall.
nevernow @ Apr 14th 2008 6:46AM
Do you know what else, Greg? Rock Band Euro discs and bundles won't 'magically' sell. And I sure hope they don't. Inflated price AND arrogance, now that's what we need.
Alex @ Apr 15th 2008 5:20PM
This is complete crap, not only did we get a ridiculous number of months strapped on to the release date, but the frikkin game costs more than my car! To be completely honest EA can hardly blame an 80 quid increase in price on "shipping costs".
Viva La Guitar Hero