Harmonix man tells VideoGamer.com that high UK price "will be worth it".
Harmonix, developer of the rather excellent Rockband, has today told VideoGamer.com that it is "not trying to screw people" with the high price of the game.
Today publisher EA announced a May 23 European release for Rock Band on the Xbox 360. The game has been confirmed to have an "exclusive launch window on the Xbox 360", with the game available on additional platforms later this summer.
AdvertisementThe game will retail at £49.99, although we're sure online retailers will be offering the game for around £39.99, with the instrument pack (guitar, drum kit and microphone) to retail at £129.99. This means that if you pay the recommended retail price you'll be parting with more than it costs to buy an Xbox 360 Arcade. It'll also be possible to purchase instruments individually: a wireless guitar will cost £59.99 and the drum kit a hefty £69.99.
Online reaction to UK pricing for the game and its peripherals has been fierce, with some claiming that the higher cost compared with the US is a "rip-off".
Speaking at a press event for Rockband in London today, Rob Kay, design director at US-based Harmonix, told VideoGamer.com that the developer understands the reaction, and pointed towards "a myriad of little differences that all add up" as explanation of the higher cost.
He said: "It is more expensive, when you just straight to straight convert the prices you see on the website for the US version, but there's a myriad of these little differences that all add up. One thing is VAT, which is included in all the UK prices, 17.5%. There's no tax included in the US prices because tax is different per state. There's a bunch of little reasons that add up to make the price difference."
He added: "We're not trying to screw people. We want to give people the chance to get into Rockband and embrace it. We think that when they do play it then they'll be like then this is worth the money. We understand that people are going to feel a little bit aggrieved about it but we hope that the game will override that feeling."
Expect more from the frank and honest VideoGamer.com interview with Rob Kay tomorrow, as well as hands-on impressions later in the week.
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RaZoR_GTX wrote at 19:22 on 08 April 2008
Im sorry but i will never pay that much! :O People complain that the PS3 is over priced!!? Who ever spends that much has more money than sense!
Mulac wrote at 19:27 on 08 April 2008
Its far too much unless i suppose a group of friends chip in to buy it.
Ginger_Jesus wrote at 19:38 on 08 April 2008
I think if the spokesman said it would be a benefit if a group of friends chip in, it might just reflect the abuse that EA will get.
dudester wrote at 19:48 on 08 April 2008
Can they not add up then 17.5% is no excuse for almost double the price.
Simon wrote at 20:06 on 08 April 2008
Am I he only one who smells a gigantic wiff off bullshit here?
bobend wrote at 21:43 on 08 April 2008
No, they're not just trying to "screw" Europeans, they're trying to anally rape us till we bleed to death.
Bird wrote at 21:50 on 08 April 2008
"There's a bunch of little reasons that add up to make the price difference"
I'm in no rush, spill it
"but we hope that the game will override that feeling."
So, you expect us to buy the game while still being "a little bit aggrieved" and then clap our little hands and say 'Umm, I sure am glad that I payed 124% more than the gamers in the US'
"We're not trying to screw people."
Well you have two options, do something about it, or include lube in the box (there should be plenty room since it contains no game)
"One thing is VAT, which is included in all the UK prices, 17.5%"
Don't give us that. We are very used to paying up to 60% more than US with only minor ranting and complaints, but 378$ vs. the 169$ is just too much for us to bear.
Looking forward to more frank and honest answers
Alan wrote at 22:20 on 08 April 2008
This price makes me sick.
eunuc wrote at 22:23 on 08 April 2008
Bullshit, there's absolutely no reason to overprice a product like that.
They can shove Rock Band up their asses for all that I care, I'm not buying it anymore out of principle. I'll just wait for Drum Hero, Band Hero or whatever it's called (just choosing the lesser evil here).
I really, really hope RB fails miserably in Europe.
Nata-Wii wrote at 22:33 on 08 April 2008
Errrr,,, hello! Is this guy stupid. Yeah, it's worth the money if you're rich, but for the majority of gamers like me who are just average joes, like we're gonna pay this! Like I said before, I'd rather purchase a 360.
Claytablet wrote at 23:30 on 08 April 2008
**** you harmonix and EA, i'm buying GH3 now
ChuckR wrote at 23:34 on 08 April 2008
Can't wait to see what all these "myriad of little differences that all add up" are. The VAT was the obvious one they'd use to defend the way they are ripping off the customer. Next I expect to hear how it is SO much more expensive to ship a container from China to the EU than it is for the same container to go to the US. The fact there are a whopping THREE languages to convert the massive amount of text in the game and on the box into? Do these little plastic toy instruments perhaps have to be made from some higher-grade material to pass stringent EU quality checks? Nah, it'll all be BS and we know it!
Karlius wrote at 23:48 on 08 April 2008
Its up at £140 for full package at play! well £100 for peripherals and £40 for the game! On 360 of course!
Peripherals
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-...x/Product.html
Game
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-...d/Product.html
Scabby Sid wrote at 01:38 on 09 April 2008
initial reaction: YEAH! ROCKBAND IN EU!
reaction after seeing price: *gulp* LOLWUT? i'd rather spend that money on upgrading my graphics card!
kenny wrote at 08:16 on 09 April 2008
well then I sure don't want to imagine the price tag is they WERE trying to screw us.
SnakeShady wrote at 10:06 on 09 April 2008
**** EA. i bought this game on EBay from USA for 200€ (all included)
Zoe wrote at 10:38 on 09 April 2008
I'd love to know how the 'high UK price "will be worth it".' Why should we pay a higher price for the same 'worth' as the US, these 9 extra 'European' songs we are getting are hardly going to make us love this game and make us forget about the big hole in our bank accounts. His excuses are totally devoid of any truth. VAT = 17.5% how does that make it cost over 100%?!
Say no to Rock Band, vote with your wallets!...at least until a hefty price drop!
Pete wrote at 10:50 on 09 April 2008
Okay, VAT @ 17.5%, now justify the other 90% increase!!!
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