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.
The 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.
User Comments
Reynir
Region lock is a stupid, immoral thing.. it should be illegal, really... but there aren´t many laws that span the world yet, so the corporations get away with it (and besides old senators aren´t very motivated to make laws to protect gamers).
SO I SAY WE PIRATE EVERYTHING WE CAN ON CONSOLES, not on the PC like the situation is worldwide at them moment. Come on you lazy *******s, it´s a lot easier than you think to put a mod chip in a console.
(oh and btw, when you buy PC games, try to buy them online.... we need to encourage digital distribution, the sooner it gets going for real the sooner it can save consumers loads of money.)
mattbellamyisg
As well as being patronising and a little insulting, it's also spurious beyond belief. Yes, petrol is far more expensive over here...But the distance travelled compared to American versions is tiny! The peripherals are shipped from China, which means they have to make the journey to even central cities like Wichita or whatever. Which is a road journey roughly the distance of Europe. So nice try, dickhead, but it still doesn't add up.
Jim
For the MS points thing, I don't know where you're getting 80 from. In America, 67 out of the current 70 available DLC songs cost 160 points each as well.
Jim
IT DOESN'T ADD UP.
dudester
Dave
Si
Anon
Pete
Zoe
Say no to Rock Band, vote with your wallets!...at least until a hefty price drop!
SnakeShady
kenny
Scabby_Sid
reaction after seeing price: *gulp* LOLWUT? i'd rather spend that money on upgrading my graphics card!
Karlius
Peripherals
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-...x/Product.html
Game
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-...d/Product.html
ChuckR