<![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> This shipping crap is absolute nonsense...Gamstop USA is very happy to ship it to me to Germany for 20$.

If I import the bundle it'll cost me 160 euros (around 250$)...the 160 euros include shipping and toll.

Its funny, even non gaming sites write about on how to do it:
[www.pcwelt.de]

So EA/Harmonix you can write as many reasons you may like about why it is soooo expensive in europe. Still you can kiss my ass. I hope people are not going to take it and make the launch a complete failure. I am willing to pay my euro premium, but not a fucking more than twice as much premium.

Baschiiii

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> If you take shipping (yes it costs more in Europe) and taxes (yes they are higher in Europe) into consideration that means Rockband should cost less then 145 euros, that is how much it would cost to buy it on Amazon.com and have it shipped to Europe.

If people pay more then 150 euros for Rockband in Europe then they are going to convince games developers that Europe is willing to pay totally over the top prices. It is much better to wait a few months and wait for the massive discount that will occur if people just don't buy it.

If any European knows someone who is thinking of buying Rockband when it launches please point out to them what a total idiot they are and how they are destroying any chance of reasonable priced gaming in Europe.

Noxas

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> With the delay the utter bollacks theve been spoating there is no way anyone will buy this.
And if no one does mabye theyll go "we can give it to you for 150..."

and still less than 50000 will be sold so theyll go.
"120!"
and 250000 will sell and then
"100... cos its been out for 2 years and rock band 3 is out soon"
THEN I BUY IT. PREOWND!






Masamuru123

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> My solution for this in Europe:

Don't buy till they wake up and lower the price.

The game is nice, but not nearly enough to play for that price.

I'm going to go right field on this, but screw it: I mean, seriously, with the quality of clubs and nightlife that is ALL OVER Europe, why waste your extra club money on an overpriced game that consists of a "drum controller", that looks like a synthesized version of Harry Bellafonte's bongo set, yet Another Guitar Heroes-like Guitar that were probably made with parts of leftover Wal-Mart (Or in Germany, Globus Markt), and a subpar Microphone? AND THEN BUY THE GAME FOR AN EXTRA TACKED PRICE?!?!

...When you can use that money that you woulda spent, and have a couple of good weekends at the club?

I'm just saying. Most of the Europeans that I knew when I loved over there would think this is a no brainer. Your nightlife is too good to be wasting it on an overpriced game that is above average in quality (Just my opinion, guys and gals.) With the Spring and Summer club rotations and events all over Europe, you have extra reason NOT to buy this game in it's overpriced state.

Soldier_CLE

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> GH3 on wii is such a huge disappointment, ive never been able to find anyone to play on wifi!

shaunomacx

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Paying a bit more over there can be explained and even justified, but not the ridiculous prices they're asking. To me there is only one explanation, GREED. Whether that is Greed with Harmonix, MTV or whoever else.

Replica23

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I just did the math since I now realized theyre not bundling the game and instruments. My actual guitar cost about 40 dollars less, thats with shipping.

Vone

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> When is it being released in Europe? sales figures msut be psoted for the release date/week because I highly doubt people are dumb enough to pay that much for a game.

Hell I bought my actual guitar for around the same price.

Vone

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @DaveKap: Then Harmonix really should've explained instead of basically saying "Screw you, give us money!" By basically refusing to give any valid reasons for the higher price, people have no choice but to assume it's simple greed. Why else would they stay quiet?

Cattleprod

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Witzbold:

A case of choosing either the frying pan or the fire then?

Jonax

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @mescalineeyes: Ok, so, the US price, converted to euros is 112 Euros right now.
let's say we add 40 euros to that for shipping and maybe import taxes, we're at 152 before taxes.

You forgot VAT, music licensing fees, and probably electronic peripheral licensing (remember why Sony wanted the PS3 to be considered a "computer"? I'm talking THAT fee).

Anyone here who really thinks Harmonix is in the wrong here needs to take a business and economics course. If they made the price any lower, they'd make no profit at all, and Europe wouldn't even get to buy Rock Band from any local stores. Instead, you'd probably get gouged from shipping costs trying to import it.

Face it, this is the price and it's going to stay that way until it's cheaper to manufacture. That's it.

DaveKap

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Kazzahdrane: Dont buy GH3 you will get PISSED at how shitty the models in game are.

Along with animations. :x

Seriously.

Unless you really are dying to play a music game.

Seeing what III turned into from II made me pretty much not touch III anymore except for when I want to play Paint it Black. :x

Witzbold

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> You can have a local boycott, but good luck trying to institute an international boycott on the game esp from kotaku. A good portion the people buying the game proabably dont even know about kotaku. If the game is too expensive then people will do exactly what he said an not buy it. I wonder how much the testing for the elctronic components was as Europe has stricter certifications for electronic components.In the end though people will buy the game as there are plenty of consumers with lots of money, parents who will buy anything for thier children and people who just really want the game.

TheGreySpectre

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> This whole fiasco actually makes me more inclined to buy GH3, which I originally passed on because I believed I'd be getting Rock Band down the line. Perhaps I'd be better off getting GH3 soon and then having a guitar for when Rock Band becomes a reasonably-priced game in Europe.

Kazzahdrane

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> screw_ea

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> As I see it, if a great portion of the game population in Europe and /or other parts of the world, feel that the price for this franchise items/services is outrageous then it probably is.

I myself had to read twice the part were Greg LoPicolo said and I quote: "But it's not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so." this level of blatancy is incredible.

We all read the case with the "Bad Company" add-ons etc. And if memory serves me well the morale of the story was if you don't like it DON'T buy it. That is the only language sellers of any kind of services or products will understand.

And until we understand this and stop rallying for online petitions to be signed while we secretly pay our pre-order for that same product, this thing will keep on going ad nauseam.

Kirth Gersen

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Put it this way, people already thought the US price was a bit much, and we get to pay more than double. FUCK YOU EA!

gdf

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> found it here in libya for the gut ripping Laugh-your-ass-off price of 400 LD ,roughly 300$ US

黒天使

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> shaunomacx: Dude you should so mail that into tips. Along with how the EU gets fucked with prices just to remind the poster if they decide to make a "story" out of it. ;D tips(atmark)kotaku.com Since Id say thats a rather nice cockslap to the face of our good friends across the pond. Granted Amazon doesnt reflect EA but still.

Witzbold

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I highly doubt Harmonix has anything to do with the high price for the game. It's EA, Harmonix only makes the game, they don't produce and ship it. It's EA who does that, so why should Harmonix apologize and explain themselves when EA should be doing it?

Pattypie

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> ROCK BAND 360 USA Amazon

shaunomacx

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @MajorMcMuffin: Oh I know. I know.
It really just feels excessive. Somewhat like Battlefield:BC and the charging for the weapons (which has at least sort of changed due to outcry).
*sigh*

Zeouterlimits

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Here in Mexico it costs $300, so even the poor don't get a price cut, why would the rich?

VakeroRokero

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> We all know what happed to Marie.

Wookiee1

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> oops - message got submitted while typing it up.

Even if I buy the disc and the guitar separately it's $120, and all the levels I've seen look too easy on expert.

But the most expensive Guitar Hero bundle I have was $80. It just doesn't make sense to spend that much on it.

fuchikoma

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Wow, that sucks for Europe. Paying double for the game? That's just plain crazy.

KM91

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> It's kind of a problem anywhere.
I have two guitar controllers already. Neither one would work with Rock Band on any system I own, excluding the crippled PS2 version.

I won't use the mic at all. I don't want to drum - I've already played Drummania. So basically I want the guitar part. That costs $170 CAD.


fuchikoma

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> How presumptious, of course it will drop in price, because people wont buy it at at its current price and product structure. I see a price drop before Christmas 2008 in Europe, I suggest people go the route of procuring it from the US.

robnubis

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Man I feel for my European gaming bretheran. Every time I'm in Europe I'm amazed at the price of goods converted to my Canadian 'Loonie' Dollars, but this just seems obscene. Infact I had troble paying the Canadian SRP when RB came out ($199!). This was soon corrected to $169 to reflect the strength of our dollar, but as fun as RB is (and it is hella fun!), there's no way it's worth what European gamers are being asked to pay.

While the reasons given for it's higher price all seem to make sense, it really just boils down to this:

This is simply too much for anyone to pay for a VIDEOGAME!

FreakyFraser

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> What I really hate with that link is the people kiss assing the guy. I hate it when people don't call bullshit on someone whose mouth is perma-stained brown.

Tizlor

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Well I was all for buying this, but then the absolute EU BOHICA they can get away with after the slow ass release has completely killed my lust for this game.

I suppose ill just go on and get the import version when I go overseas.

-1 sale from me.

I just dont think they are validating they're claims very well. They are selling us the same game they released months ago in the US and the peripherals are made in the same place... not good enough Harmonix.

Its just derisory the price they are asking.

ibu

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Zeouterlimits: I think it'll sell, in spite of everything. Remember when you were complaining about brand loyalty in relation to PS3 sales? It's an expensive console, but people still paid for it. Like wise, Rock Band may be exorbitant, but there are definitely people willing to pay for it.

MajorMcMuffin

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Message to Harmonix: Just because you won't budge on the price, I'm not magically going to be able to afford this. Money does not grow on trees, we have to work for it. I'm sorry, but the average person can better spend this money on a Nintendo Wii or a 360 Arcade. Heck, they could buy about 8 games probably for the price of Rockband +game.

So go ahead and blame the increased cost on VAT and shipping from China. Fine but i'm still not going to buy it. It really won't worry me either way. GH3 is good enough for me.

Walker

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I still want to know why it took so long to get a release date! =\

t3hOutlaw

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Well, i paid a lot for rock band, but at least i got a job, for a student is a nearly impossible price to pay...

Daisuash

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Well, in Mexico is really expensive too, here is sold for around 280 dls. I didn´t buy it here in MX, i imported from the US, and it still cost me more than a brand new PS2 and DS Lite, but it doesn´t matter, the game is great (even if i can´t buy songs from the music store) and i alreay own those two consoles.

The fact here is that there will always someone who buys it at a really large price (like the one in EU) and there will always most people who will import the thing, and that´s what they should do, at least until Harmonix gets it right...

Daisuash

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Im so going to boycot this darn thing.

As a student I really don't have an option. The group of people who can actually afford Rock Band and are interested in it is rather small imo. How many parents are willing to buy games for their children that cost more than a game system? Doubt not many.

spaz33

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @cakeordeath: Play.com haven't reduced the price to avert a crisis, though. They've done it to sell as many units (I hate that word) as possible. The fact that they can lop £40 off so effortlessly (and still make a tidy profit, no doubt) simply proves that the RRP was set cynically high by EA/MTV in the first instance.

Jakey2.0

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> oh the joys of Jersey, a tax-free haven

shaunomacx

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @johnny_ultimate: And by forced, I mean 'choose' of course ;). It is true that no-one is forcing us to buy the game, but anybody who wants it has no option but to either buy it or ignore it. Hopefully some other internet retailers will introduce a more respectable price.

johnny_ultimate

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @cakeordeath: Play are offering a somewhat reasonable price, but there is also the problem that they only ship large pacakages and electronic goods to Britain and not anywhere else. So for us Irish, and also the Germans and French, the problem of the high price remains as we will be forced to buy it in the highstreet.

johnny_ultimate

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Seriously, they can go fuck themselves with this. I've been talking up the game and saying to people how much fun it will be, but I don't fancy the included Anal raping much. I'll skip it lads. Good luck selling it at this price.

shufflemoomin

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Play.com appears to have slapped the sense back into rock band and is selling it for a whopping £40 off, plus another 5% if you use the right voucher code.

Crisis averted.

cakeordeath

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> God dammit. Hideously overpriced Rock Band, no Smash Bros date, in fact massive delays and price hikes in general. Talk about being butt raped. Gamers Europe-wide are going to start dying out from anal destruction any minute now.

gaggle64

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Woylez

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I own 2 copies of Guitar Hero.
So screw you Harmonix.

CanaryWundaboy

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @OtakuPunk

"The comment about shipping has to be bs, china is actually closer to the uk and europe than to america (~5000 china-uk, ~8000 china-usa), so shipping should technically be cheaper."

Thing is, you can ship stuff from China to the US directly by letting those boats sail through the Pacific. In order to ship stuff to Europe from China (since air delivery is out of question) it takes about 40 days. Using trains ain`t that easy either, cause the stuff has to go through several different countries (Russia, Mongolia, etc...), each who has its own custom regulations and controll points.

Wodkaredbubu

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Yeah, now I lost whatever interest I had left with the game , since the developers just answer to all the european players that clearly can/will not buy the game with " yeah, we won't make it cheaper because you said so, here are the vague reasons"
instead of a simple "yeah, we seriously fucked up, sorry"

The customer view can not be any simpler: We don't care, we can't afford it.

Rolanthas

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Rock Band seems to be a timed exclusive for 360 and there are reasons why I believe they are throwing this out at MAX+ price. Perhaps the fact that there undoubtedly will be stock shortages of this similar to the USA on release, coupled with exclusivity on one console and low install base. I say low install base because the 360 is barely three years into its lifespan, this is still early days yet. Unfortunately this could be a major screw up that costs MS momentum in the console war.

When RockBand arrives for PS3/PS2 and Wii this summer I really believe that we will see some sort of price reduction to bring the 360 version into line with the new versions. I mean you cant pay full price for a new game then expect others to pay as much for the same title which has been out for months. Okay maybe EA can but let them try, its up to the consumer to buy it, last I checked there aren't enough people in the world who want a full rock band setup on their console. The Xbox 360 tailors to the hardcore gamer mostly for FPS and sports/simulation titles with some good attempts at different sections of the market such as RPG (Fable 2 / Lost Odyssey/BD) and Family/Puzzle (Scene It and Beautiful Katamari). Im just not sure that there are enough people out there who can afford or will want to afford Rock Band.

One final note - if Rock Band is the same virtually on all consoles (aside from PS2/Wii and their career mode) will Rock Band cost the same across the board. For example £180 is the cost of a Wii and a PS2 is about £79 these days. It really will get interesting to see how EA/MTV justify the cost of a last gen game on last gen hardware (and the Wii which essentially IS the PS2 version as declared by EA).

Time will tell so if you really want this game get the goods off play.com

Last I checked they were doing the game for £139.99 in total. £99.99 for the Instruments and £39.99 for the game.

Rock Band Instrument Edition £99.99

Rock Band GAME ONLY £39.99

That makes the kick in the nuts a little more bearable!

Shaun

shaunomacx

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> This article is spot on.

No matter how good a game is, this is too much. If a game costs more than a console (hello steel battalion) and is also DOUBLE THE AMERICAN PRICE then sorry lads, I am not buying this game and neither is anybody else.

I have food to buy and bills to pay. The magical rich faeries you want to sell this game to do not exist.

Try harder.

EdwinJ85

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @dowingba: I have an imported version of Rock Band (PS3). If you use a website like Entropay, you can also download US songs; I haven't encountered any problems so far.

alialo

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I think what Harmonix is failing to see is that a lot of the backlash is due to comparison. We in Europe expect to pay higher prices - every new game here costs 60-80 euro, depending on where you shop. We are used to getting ripped off to a moderate degree. We have unfortunately accepted this situation, and at this point can do little about it.

But the RB controversy is based on the fact that no matter how much we pay for games normally, we are never charged over 100% more. HMV in Dublin is currently selling GH3 with wireless guitar for 45 euro (although the 360, PS3 and Wii editions are approximately double that). That suggests that bulky packaging can be sold somewhat reasonably.

They keep on using the VAT and shipping arguements, which just reeks of saying something just because they have to. But for those of us living in Europe know that VAT and shipping have never brought any other gaming product up such a shocking percentage. It is easy for the Harmonix guys in Boston to try and justify it. But for those of us sitting at our computer screens in Europe, and are aware of the everyday reality and workings of the continent, little justification can be found.

Of course, what I've written has been argued again and again. But until we at least get some sort of valid reason for the price hyke (such as figures that prove it has to be sold at this point, which tbh I don't think it does - 180 euro I would find more believable) the same arguements are going to be made over and over. The price isn't going to magically change, but nor are we just going to magically decide it is a reasonable price after all and go out and buy the game. Judging by reaction so far, Rock Band isn't going to be anywhere near as successful in Europe as it was in the States - the gaming community here is thankfully too outraged to accept it. We may miss out on a great game, but if it sends a message across so be it.

johnny_ultimate

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @OtakuPunk: those distances are in miles btw

OtakuPunk

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The fact that a major UK retailer (Play.com) can instantly shave £40 off the RRP of the game and instruments, when sold together, pretty much proves that there's a rediculously high margin on the game's price.

I think the truth is that Rock Band been priced according to the perceived demand; they knew the game would be desirable, especially with the anticipation hightened by the loooong delay between US and Euro releases. So, they've tried to capitalise on the demand with a higher price, believing that the majority will swallow it - which is, sadly, probably true. Of course, you'll never get anyone to admit that.

Jakey2.0

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The comment about shipping has to be bs, china is actually closer to the uk and europe than to america (~5000 china-uk, ~8000 china-usa), so shipping should technically be cheaper.

What i still cant understand is why GH3 can sell for £65 with a controller, yet the equivalent package for rock band (game+guitar) is £100?! Activision must be making immense losses due to LoPicolo's logic.

And the condesending tone of his reply to the EU community was just priceless, way to win people over Greg!

The greatest shame of all this is it's likely a lose-lose situation for europeans. buy rock band and get shafted, or don't buy rock band and have no further related releases in the EU due to lack of interest.

OtakuPunk

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> This doesn't fly, I'm sorry. It's an unaffordable mess, at least for me.
I wonder how it'll sell, I really do..

Zeouterlimits

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Notice how he didn't comment on why they're releasing the instruments and game seperatley. That's why it's so expensive, £130 for the instruments and game is fairly reasonable, i'd pay it, but selling the game seperatley for an extra £50 is inexcusable, and completely unjustifiable, a few months after release, it might make some sense, but at launch, selling £130 of peripherals that are completely and utterly useless without the game on their own is just a shameless money grab, and they know that, I would love to see them try to justify it.

Bob6k

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Dress up like Native Americans and throw the boxes into the harbor!

bluesquareapple

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> As a product strategy it's incredulous that EA/Harmonix had the sheer audacity to come up with this rip-off pricing in the middle of a credit crisis *and* a background of rising food/energy prices.

However what's even more gauling is their suggestion that because these things are manufactured in China, they are somehow more expensive to ship; as if 70% of all goods weren't already being manufactured in China! Tip: Harmonix/EA they are made in China because they cost a few dollars to manufacture, shipping in bulk costs little more.

I won't pay 150% mark-up on principal, but even those that are stupid enough to consider it won't be able to because they'll soon have more pressing matters, like paying their mortgages, food and energy bills!

TrustyBadger

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Agies:

Thing is you are not paying the US license fees and the UK ones for example. You will be just playing the UK ones.

I think maybe there is something in the licensing aspect though because EA or whoever has to do the work with each countries licensing organisations rather than just the RIAA for example.

cocomo

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> freemonk: As in Guitar Hero, every GH I´ve bought comes with the usual MULTI-5 (English, Spanish, French, German & Italian) language case and instruction booklet... Also, the "not bundled" reason smells like bullshit... I guess that GH guitars are made in China too (don´t wanna check it right now). Why are they bundled everywhere?

Akomander

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> This is suicide! Most people simply can not afford this! And if they can tehy would much rather use that money to buy at least 3 great indivisual games instead! Why are they doing this? Europe is not a good place to shaft! Europe is afterall the 3rd biggest gaming location in the world! If they lowered the price this would cause demand to rise and so more would be sold. It's just simple economics!

CrazyBlue

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I have registered for the first time just to make this comment.

'But it's not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so' is the sentence that has completely turned me off Rock Band, made me hate Harmonix with a fiery passion, and willingly dissuade other people from buying it.
Seriously, I can stomach a high price, but that sentence is truly an insane thing to say to consumers.


carrliadiere

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Indeed, that's Europe being screwed again. We already pay more for games themselves, and since most of us already own Guitar Hero 3 controllers and that any USB microphone works for the singing, paying £130 for what's essentially a plastic drumkit is ludicrous.

Luckily we'll be able to buy the game seperately (That wasn't an option with the US release, was it?) so we can use aforementioned GH3 controllers and USB microphones. I wouldn't try getting a drumkit second hand though; the reports of broken pedals still worry me.

Aye Mak Sicur

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> jp182: Yes, the EU will probably put a tax on the instruments as they are termed "electronics" and have to be taxed and if anyone does not believe that then a case in point is that Sony a few years ago tried to get the Playstation 2 classed as a PC, so that they wouldn't have to pay the added tax and pretty much sell it low and make more money off it, that said though that even with the taxes added on it would not make the price go up over 100% like Harmonix, MTV and EA are claiming. @JebJoya: Its £140 at play.com, but if you put in the promotional code "experience08" in then you can get it for £132, I know its not rock bottom price, but everyone I talked to said that £130 was the absolute maximum that they would pay for it. Harmonix, my favorite developer, you bring shame apon yourself with the stupidest statement I have ever read since someone said that Rumble was a last generation feature. Get it sorted people. I can see it now the bosses at Activision now laughing and watching as Guitar Hero III sales fly through the roof as at least people can buy it without having to take out a personal loan.

DHSlash

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I somehow get the feeling the other versions will not get released over here in Europe. I don't see them sell a lot of 360 versions so I don't see how an even worse value like the Ps2 of Wii version would sell well.

This will go the same way as the Samba de Amigo maracas and the Donkey Kong bongos I'm affraid. They should have learned from GH3, which shows it's very well possible.

TrekVogel

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Odie20XX: i didnt mean too expensive in terms of 'people cant afford it' (although in the case of the ps3 at launch...), i meant in terms of what other countries pay for the same goods (even including all the VAT issues). The wii, for example was successful partly because of price, but it was still expensive in terms of what the US and japan were paying.

GMC

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @GMC:
I didn't feel the 360 or the Wii were too expensive. I bought both on launch. The PS3 however did have to wait till the price dropped (and I think that time is about now).

This whole Rock Band issue got me thinking about boycotting the whole thing with putting posters on every gamestore around here telling ppl not to buy it. But it'll probably get ripped off within seconds :x

Unless I can get giant superstickers O.o

Odie20XX

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> 1. VAT is 17.5% not 175%! so $170 would be $199.75 so that leaves $160 stilll unaccounted for.

2. The shipping from China (obviously the American Version uses teleportation?) Are they seriosuly claiming a cost of £80 per unit to ship? Cos maybe they should switch to UPS and ship them all individualy, would work out cheaper than that!

The price is utterly ludicrous and the stupid excuses make me angry.

Oh yeah and the reason why the game isn't included in with the instrument bundle.....it apparently would cost vast sums for them to place the disk inside the box.........

cakeordeath

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Wow I'd hate to be remembered for saying something that make me look like such a douche, I guess it's is wn little acheivement "Pissed Off Europe" Check, add 25Gpoints

Ragarnok

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I hate to break it to them, but consumers can decide on the price.

ShadowFFVI

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> i truly hope people don't buy this game. Europe is always bent over, but, realisitically few of us have any choice. The 360 was too expensive? Then buy a wii...uh, wait, the wii is overpriced too. buy a ps3!...uh wait, its overpriced too.
We're usually painted into a corner by the fact that we dont have real choice of purchasing excessively priced electronic goods - as every alternative is also overpriced.
Rock band is not a continuation of a brand - its an entirely new thing for europe so *hopefully* we'll have the sense to ignore it.

Its the parents that kill us buying it for ungrateful spawn!

GMC

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> If they ahd half a fucking brain theyd sell the ahrdware at an affordable price and mae cash on DLC song content.

But no, they want to have their cake and eat it too. Hope it ends in failure.

Daremonai

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Oh I know I'll eventually buy it.

Course, it'll be whenever the Rock Band buzz dies down and the retailers end up nosediving the price due to people not wanting to part that much money.

If the high street retailers won't do it, Amazon certainly will. Just need to be patient.

Jonax

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> No retailer wants giant boxes of overpriced plastic taking up precious floor space. Vote with your dollars and don't buy the game. He says that they won't drop the price just because the market demands it. That's a straight up lie! Don't believe it. They will drop the price as soon as inventory of unsold units gets out of control. Market forces at work. It's a fact. The price will drop if nobody buys it. Guaranteed.

aribus

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Yeah, I don't even want it now. I could fix my car up for that much and stop walking everywhere.

No deal, Harmonix.

KirbySS

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Well we know why the release date for Wii will be "summer". They have to figure how to charge a game more then the system itself.

ichibanjohnjon

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> could som1 give me a link to the site where the guy posted the reasons?

anyway, sooner or later they hopefully will get the point why ppl in Europe are complaining about the price... when the game sells like crap.. (-_-);

Seriously, they can't except to sell a game that costs twice as much as it does in the US or that costs more than a new console.. :|

Shad0X

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Companies will ALWAYS fail you. I understand that Europeans feel like shit over this, but it is almost as if nature is trying to balance its equation. The insane Harmonix fanboyism has just been viciously murdered in the worst decision since Atari made more game carts than were existing systems.

It is a brutal blow to hopeful European gamers, but hopefully in its wake a large number of people will wake from fanboyism and realize exactly who they can trust: no one. Ponder the notion, if you will, that a world with less fanboys is a world where developers actually have to work for the gamers instead of against them

That Harmonix quote reeks of an undeserved sense of self worth such that they seem to truly believe that price is justifiable. This is what happens when a rabid fan base refuses to cease inflating their favorite developer's ego.

Regardless of the specifics, I don't foresee a game developer ever making a mistake so insanely ignorant ever again.

Bobby McPresscott

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> thank god i have Activision and not Harmonix shares... wait not that I could even buy harmonix shares... but you get what I'm saying.

nornicle

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> So that's what it looks like when someone shoots themselves in the foot with a bloody howitzer.

I was even considering Rock Band since I'm now in Europe once more and it'd be a fun thing to play with all my musical inclined friends... but when the bloke selling the thing essentially flips you off...

Tocsin

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @JamesR87:

Also. I'm SO buying Guitar Hero to fucking spite them.

JamesR87

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> That guy is such a pompous ass!

"Just because you want the price to be lower won't make it so"

Yeah well just because you think Europeans are stupid doesn't mean we're going to buy your shitty over-priced video game clone.

Seriously, before you insult my(/our) intelligence again just go drink bleach or something.

JamesR87

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @freemonk: My Rock Band instruction book is bi-lingual (I'm in Canada). Also, it was inside the case for the game, not the box with the peripherals. (The instructions for the peripherals were almost entirely language free...just pictures.)

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "But it's not magically going to get "cheaper because you wish it to be so."

Well Mr. Friggin Copperfield,
if it magically can get 100% more expensive, i'm sure it also could magically get a little bit cheaper. :/

P.S.
Your magic tricks suck.

neojam

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Harmonix should be able to afford lowering the price for European users. If you think about it, they must have already been making substantial profit on the North American release (just like how Apple's $80 shuffles cost them $20 to make) and they are continuing to make a killing off the DLC. They should just lower it and be fair, since they could possibly make the money back on Europeans buying DLC.

A game that costs more than a system is not worth it, and many people will see that. This could damage Harmonix's credibility in Europe if it hasn't already.

kylo4

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "They couldn't give two shits how much it costs to ship some plastic guitars from China if they walk into a store and see that a single game will cost them more than a Wii or Arcade 360."

Exactly, this is why the franchise will fail. Guitar Hero appeals to the masses since the cost of the game + hardware is not excessive and justifiable (hell, I picked up GH3 on day 1 for $109 AUD at Big W :D). The European Rock Band price is just too excessive to appeal to mainstream gamers.

Shame too, I was really looking forward to Rock Band with company, but the crazy cost is definitely not justifiable just for one game when I can have nearly just as much fun playing Halo 3 split-screen.

Passa

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I wasn't even going to pay the US price, let alone this. I'll stick to my GH games, ok?

Renoistic

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @TRT-X: Totally in agreement, but there's one issue - look at what happened with the PS3 (in Europe especially), people here saying how we shouldn't buy it, it's too expensive etc, and yet it's selling pretty damned sweetly over here (I mean, not compared to the Wii, but the target consumers are a little different). I suspect Rock Band will probably sell rather well regardless of uproar, for better or worse :(

On another point, I noticed someone (on the forum link) got a quote for a large (45 foot I think) storage container to be transported from china to the uk, came out as £4/item. Adding road haulage, yadda yadda yadda, I can't see the shipping price being more than £20-30/item, and so the UK/US difference surely could only be £10/item? Even £15/item? Adding on UK VAT and import duty (say 25% or so? Can't remember exactly, it's 17.5% for VAT and something not too huge for import duty) we get £85 for US game, +£15 extra shipping costs gives £100, +25% VAT/duties gives £125.

So, somewhere along the line, someone is making £55/item more than in the US. As the Harmonix rep mentioned, UK prices tend to be below RRP, but can you imagine a price, at launch, being £50 ($100 for you yanks :) ) less than RRP?

Hmm. Having said that, just checked play.com, and they're listing the pair of items for £140 - £40 off RRP. Maybe we're not getting anally raped quite as hard as I thought. There's still a £15 discrepancy in there, but that's not _too_ bad...

Hmm... I really should edit this but I'll leave my thought process, might explain my (very) new opinion...

Jeb

JebJoya

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @TRT-X: basically! they are a business and they are in this to make money; that's what happens when you get bought by a big dawg company.

There really is no point in lighting the forums on fire because as a big company, they don't care. If no one buys their game, they'll get the message but they won't do anything until that happens.

It's funny because what I want to know is what is the price tag really equivalent to for us in the USA? The price is twice as much but there are alot of products that i see that sell for twice as much in Euros (or Pounds) as they do in US dollars. Also, what I'm wondering is: does the EU have anything to do with the price hike since it's basically a totally imported product, from China and the US??

jp182

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @freemonk: Or they could just let you get a copy of the game for free when you buy the bundle. Problem solved. They don't have to worry about the bundles being specific to a country and they have cut the price of the bundle by $100. If they expect people to believe that bogus reason, they really need to get their heads out of their asses and stop pretending that the general public is ignorant. How hard would it be for them to put a coupon in the box for a free copy of Rock Band or even just a certain amount of money off?

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]>

[www.geoffparfitt.supanet.com]

CAKE OR DEATH!?!?!

Cake Please :P

gamedismantler

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @HeyApples: Your point might have a little more validity if the guy in the interview were willing to revela the economic breakdown involved, but for some reason he sidestepped that issue.

Hmm, wonder why?

Cruithne

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The hilarious thing is the PR guy is saying exactly what makes sense.

If you don't agree with the price do not buy Rock Band.

If as many people who are complaining about the price actually hold out, retailers will have no choice but to drop the price in order to move the product.

End of problem.

TRT-X

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The reason we won't get the game included into the bundle???

"The game disc and peripherals are identical for all European territories, but the manuals have to be localized for each country, so in practice the software package is different for each country. That means that for each territory that we launch into (currently UK/France/Germany), we'd need to build and track separate bundles. If we were to launch into additional territories in the future, then we'd be obliged to track even more unique bundles. This also has big inventory-management challenges. For example, if the game ends up selling really well in Germany, but not in France, then we'd have a warehouse full of French bundles and no inventory for Germany. For a region like Europe, it just makes more sense to treat the software and hardware separately. This wasn't an issue in the US, since it's one giant (mostly) English-speaking country"

What happened to multi-language instruction booklets??? Playstation and Nintendo had them and probably still do!! Why not Rock Band!??

freemonk

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> this guy is going to eats his own words with the "wish it to be so" attitude. Consumers decide the ultimate price at which they are willing to buy something, not the companies.

If you are a PR rep you NEVER talk to consumers like that, especially if they feel your company is going out of its way to RIP THEM OFF!

fenderfuel08

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I have a generally good view on Harmonix as a company, so a rather large part of me finds it hard to believe that they could really do this. I understand that the game is expensive, but to charge Europe twice the price? When Guitar Hero 3 is comparably reasonable over there- that is my main problem with it. Either Activision are wizards with handling EU tax laws and shipping, Harmonix royally fucked that part up, or HMX, EA, and MTV all decided to screw everyone over. Seeing as how they had to have seen the backlash of their pricing, I honestly don't know what they were thinking.

And the last part about magically making it cheaper, all that is doing is increasing the anger. I completely understand his trying to talk to the fans directly and sincerely, but really, for your own sake, watch your words. These are trying times for Harmonix in Europe.

PurpleMonkey

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I dont fault people for being upset. People see a perceived inequality and react accordingly.

I do fault them for the totally unrealistic views, flawed comparisons, and anecdotal "statistics" people are using to justify their outrage.

Heaven forbid anyone with a shred of economic insight try to poke holes in the mob's slipshod logic... they are instantly cut down and labeled "fanboys" of the highest calibre.

HeyApples

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Edwinik:

Damn, you guys are getting screwed too! You should take some pictures and write a little story and submit it to Kotaku.

dead_red_eyes

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The game is simply too expensive for that price. Sorry, harmonix. But that's all there is to it. I want to play Rock Band, I want to love Rock Band, I want to buy Rock Bond. But facts are facts and I just can't afford it. A lot of people won't even consider the game at that price.

As for the game magically getting cheaper because the consumer wants it to. Well... we'll wait until about two months after release, when all is said and done and it turns out no one could afford the game at that price and they weren't just bitching for the sake of it after all. I bet then we'll see some real David Copperfield shit.

GregoriusH

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Otacon91: Does Circuit City not use stack bases? At Wal-Mart, anything that is being stacked on the floor has to be on a black stack base and placed in the center of the aisle where all of the 4-ways and features are. They don't just have random items lying on the floor (at least they're not supposed to).

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Cattleprod: A quick check at www.game.co.uk : $100 USD together with the wireless guitar (PS2) version, or $120 for x360 version.

Instead of rage, I'd rather politely ask: "Well, if you don't give full info plus comparison on the pricetag, we don't feel it's worth the money."

somarix

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @i_lie_to_fit_in: I wonder how much goes towards hats made of money?

Cattleprod

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> yes, europe is screwed when it comes to video games shipping and pricing... but what about latin america?

we are as (if not more) screwed as the european and aussies, shure we get the games, but at what price? and it's not shipping charges, video game stores (including wal-mart and blockbuster) are charging whatever they want because theres no official pricing over here.

rock band is sold here about 260-320 usd. and people is buying the freaking game because there is no other way to get them.

and let's not talk about consoles pricing 'cause you'll fall on your backs (1100usd ps3 anyone?).

so please Mtv, Pimp my ride!!

Edwinik

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Otacon91: Learn to play real instruments? no... that would make sense... I'll just buy some fisher price toys instead... that'll learn me.

i_lie_to_fit_in

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Unless we steadfastly refuse to buy it and your sales are below expectations, in which case I'd say prices will drop pretty fast!

I advocate refusal to purchase to all Europeans. The only real way we're going to stop this kind of BS for good is simply not accepting it.

Mister Adequate

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Fuck it, I say we all go learn real instruments, make our own band, and rule the world. WHO'S WITH ME?! SONIC DEATH MONKIES UNITE!.

Otacon91

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Curse you Luke. I can't say anything more accurate than what you did. There isn't much they can say in response to the price point except for "it's out of our hands. No, really!" and hope the consumer will trust them on that one. As you stated, however, that really only matters so much, as it's still wicked retahded expensive.

Before the U.S. was given a price for RB's release, everyone was dreading the $300 price retailers were estimating. This goes above and beyond it. Simply, had it been much more than $170, I personally wouldn't have bought the feckin' thing either.

Señor Vorpal Kickass'o

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I was thinking about importing Rock Band, but after reading those comments I'm not even going to bother doing that. I understand it must be frustrating to see something you've worked so long and hard on be slagged off because it's priced so high that only the super-rich or irresponsible could afford it, but it's not really an excuse to insult your potential customers.

Enjoy PS3-syndrome, Harmonix.

Donutta

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "Oh, before you ask: no, I'm not going to share details of our cost structure."

what?

i_lie_to_fit_in

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> They don't seem to be understanding something.

I don't want the price to go down because I wish it to be so.

I want the price to go down because YOU'RE FUCKING TRYING TO RIP ME OFF!

Bottom line, if it costs X in the United States, it costs X in Europe + Y for shipping (and not even that if the thing originally comes from CHINA.

It does NOT COST 100%+ MORE.

You can't sell this bullshit on any level. It is a textbook shakedown.

BlackDove

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Huckleberry: I hate to lump Harmonix in with MTV and EA (the "corporate side"), because I absolutely adore them as a developer; but in this case, the only one's who've spoken about this issue are Harmonix so I have to assume they are at least partly to blame.

Sure RedOctane always handled the peripheral side of their Guitar Hero games (as far as I know) but they must have at least taken notice on how they managed to do it.

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @ceilingfanboy: Well thank you for clearing that up sir, and I do concede to the fact that your right about Rock bands being in STACKS in stores now. I was in Circuit City buying a new TV and talking to my girl about what we should get, when I tripped over a box. Yea in public...and the best part was I used to work there.

Otacon91

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "...we're not gouging you, primarily because doing so doesn't serve our interests. We can only build our franchise if you buy our games. 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."

obviously the popularity experienced in other territories convinced them that they could sell it for more elsewhere...

Only an idiot would pay this much extra for it.

i_lie_to_fit_in

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @nxp3: Well they are in Boston, that may be somewhat apropos.

kelptocratic

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Hey Euros...Harmonix is saying. We're going to fuck you in the ass, and you are going to like it. How are you going to take that? I wouldn't. Let's dump tea in the harbor...or harmonix in case. :)

nxp3

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Man I hope Europeans will pass on this one and teach these guys who's the boss. You won't die without rockband. If YOU think they are price gouging, vote with your wallet...don't buy their games...They will be singing a different tune when it bombs in Europe. I haven't played rock band or guitar hero here in the US. I see it, but not interested.

nxp3

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Kyoseki: I think RB is under software and electronics, so amazon.com won't ship this stuff to an address outside of the US

cyblaster

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @dowingba: Oh, well as far as popularity goes, sure. I just don't think that they have the kind of background to suggest they know how to pull off international releases and manage the logistics of peripherals, etc. They've always gone through a publisher that I would expect takes care of a lot of that stuff for them. Harmonix is a developer first and foremost, so I don't think including them in the "Well if the three huge companies behind this game can't figure out how to sell a game in more than one region" comment.

Of course it doesn't really matter anyway :)

Huckleberry

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Huckleberry: Okay I think we are talking about two different things here. Konami has more people working for them. But Harmonix are the kings of music games at the moment. Even if they only had 6 people working in their studio, they're still "huge".

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Otacon91: I think you are misunderstanding what I said. I said that Rock Band was sold out because there were not as many copies. I didn't say that it was because no one was buying Rock Band.

However, to add, the sales for Rock Band weren't sustained. It had it's strong sales during the holiday season, but shortly afterwards you could find stacks of Rock Band just sitting in stores. I'm still not saying that it doesn't sell, it just doesn't sell like hot cakes. It's a gradual sell.

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @dowingba: Pretty sure Konami is an order of magnitude bigger than Harmonix is.

Huckleberry

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @CockroachMan: Have fun playing drums and guitar solos.

crayola77

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Huckleberry: While they like to present themselves as a cool little indie-ish studio, don't be fooled into thinking Harmonix are anything but the biggest rhythm game developer out there today.

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @CockroachMan: Boo, you insect. We don't need pirating fools like you here. And you call yourself a "gamer"...

Nintenboy01

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Oh, and EA is in on this too right? Screw them as well. There's so many hands dealing with this game ... no wonder why it's so freaking expensive.

dead_red_eyes

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "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."

WTF? That is some straight up bullshit to be saying to your paying customers. Are they smoking crack?

Please Europeans ... DO NOT buy Rock Band. Fuck Harmonix/MTV Games and their bullshit price. Show them that you mean business by not buying their product. If they don't move x amount of units in x amount of days ... then they have no choice but to lower the price of it, otherwise they loose money.

dead_red_eyes

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @dowingba: Three? I think I'm forgetting one... MTV and EA are huge companies. Harmonix is not.

Anyway, my point is more about people envisioning the guys promoting this game sitting around in an office thinking, "Haha, how can we screw Europe? I hate those guys." It's not like that. I'm also pretty sure that EA/MTV etc. are not under the false assumption that demand for their game is inelastic.

You're right that other games have moved across the pond without as much of a price increase, but that may be an indicator that something related to Rock Band itself may be up. Licensing issues or royalties, VAT is already added and assumed, who knows if there are any other tariffs on something that Rock Band might use but isn't used often for other games?

Huckleberry

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @g8or8de and others:

While I agree the Europe pricing is absurd, don't heap the blame on the entire Harmonix group. There are a lot of good, hell, great people there, and I hate to see them besmirched over what is ultimatly a corporate decision.

While I'm certain he's got nothing to do with the accounting end of things, if you guys want, I'll give my cousin a dead-arm next time I see him to smooth things over for you fine folks across the bond.

kelptocratic

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @ceilingfanboy: Well like I said, I am going by MY area, and it was sold out everywhere, thus alot of parents were buying Guitar Hero as a substitute. How many people here acknowledge Guitar Hero 3 was crap in comparison to 2? I Feel 2 was perfection anyway, and after I bought 3, there was a bitter after taste in my mouth while I played it.

Had Rockband been more readily available, Guitar Hero wouldn't have stood a chance. I can't tell you how many times I saw kids or fellow gamers go into a store with a huge smile, ask for Rock band, were told the store was sold out, and then leave disapointed with Guitar Hero 3 in hand, just to have new songs to play.

Otacon91

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> "But it's not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so."

No, but it's magically going to get cheaper because I'm downloading it :P

CockroachMan

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I'm sorry, but I don't think Europe will be blazing a path to Rock Band, unless its via the power of International Shipping.

Salen

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Agies: If licensing costs increased, then wouldn't the US price increase as well? Also, I'm sure that EA wasn't dumb enough to make contracts with the owners of the licenses on the music that would make the cost of the game increase as it was out longer.

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> You know I wonder if it is possible that the real reason that the game isn't coming out on PS3 in Europe is because people with a GH controller can't play it on their system. I know the 360 GH controller is compatible with Rock Band but isn't the PS3 version still incompatible? Considering this price it may be that EA expects a lot of people to just pick up the game and use their GH controllers on it. Just a thought. It would at lease in some logical reason explain why the hell they are selling the game seperate. Well not really but you get the gist.

daizyujin

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Agies: Is Guitar Hero more than double the price in Europe? THey also have to license songs. And there's just as many songs in Guitar Hero.

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]>

[upload.wikimedia.org]

At least someone knew how you felt, Europe.

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Any one think that maybe the licensing costs have increased? Everything is always more complicated than you think it is.

Agies

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Huckleberry: Well if the three huge companies behind this game can't figure out how to sell a game in more than one region then they're pretty darn incompetent as game developers/publishers. Honestly, every other game ever seems to do fine selling in many regions. But all of a sudden Rock Band just can't do it without jacking up the price 150%? It's ridiculous, and I'm guessing it'll do pretty bad at that price.

dowingba

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Over a 100% markup on the US price can not be justified in any way. Most games get around a 20% markup because of VAT which is at 17.5% all over Europe.

dsmx

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Cattleprod: Amazon price= £64.98 for 360 version w/ wireless controller. List price is £69.99. £69.99 is equal to $137.94. Considering the list price for the U.S. is $99.99, that is a price difference of $37.95. Therefore, Europeans are paying 137.95% the price Americans are paying.

Considering there are actual things that cause European prices to be higher, that is much more reasonable than the $378 Europeans are going to be charged for Rock Band as compared to the $169 price for Rock Band in the U.S.. For Rock Band, Europeans are paying 223.67% the price.

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> I don't think I have anything new to say of any substance so I will keep this short. The fact is like Luke said this is just downright unaffordable. I really don't think it will matter much what EA says, and I don't think it matters what their costs are, nobody in their right mind with money as tight as it is in US at least would think of this as a good deal. I feel for you Europeans as it really don't matter if EA is lying or not, you are still getting one bum deal. If you find this unacceptable please just boycott it. It is the only way that EA will ever get the point.

daizyujin

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]>

God forbid you let a good story get in the way of the truth of the matter. The price is MSRP and allows retailers to charge whatever they end up wanting for it. Such as

[www.amazon.co.uk]

Harmonix explained the situation fine. Maybe read the whole post next time, Luke.

juztiss

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> His first mistake was assuming that consumers would understand that businesses actually have incentives to keep prices down. Most consumers don't get past the "I want it better AND cheaper" mentality or think about the entire part of the equation.

I'd imagine they have a pretty good estimate of how many people are going to buy the game at that price. I do have to wonder why it's so high, and I would love to see what's really going into it. What would really be amazing is if the game doesn't do well at that price and they just decide to say, "Screw it, selling Rock Band in Europe isn't worth it."

Huckleberry

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> first of all, I'm a lil wasted. Anyway, is there any way to start an EU boycott? NO!, there isn't, especially for a fucking american to start it. So, deal with it. Let it be, etc. And accept that the EU will always be fucked when it comes to an American based company. EA doesn't give a fuck about you. They never will. They already profited off us. (USA) So, they will never give a fuck about you. I love Europeans, sexiest MF'ers out there. EA doesn't love you. Sorry.

Diablo0721

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> If anyone does buy it, please open it up and lets see if we can find the solid-gold connectors and magical pixie dust inside the european instruments instead of the US ones.

Applekid

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> The Euro's deep pockets are being pushed to the limit.

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Gotta love his condescending tone. Amazing he didn't use the word "peons" a few times.

I feel for you, Europe. You're getting shafted HARD.

ShaggE

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Cruithne: Damn straight. They treat European customers with zero respect, we'll return the favour.

Boycott Harmonix!

g8or8de

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> @Zero_Beat: Wait, so you mean it's not a good idea to treat the fanbase as though it is incompetent? I hate when someone uses the cop out of "it's complicated." If you actually explain yourself, at least some of the people complaining will stop complaining. For the people that actually won't understand what you are saying, they can ask someone who does whether or not the argument is legit.

ceilingFANBOY

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> kylenalepa: Kind of going off of what you said, Capcom reduced the price of Steel Battalion whenever the original Xbox had a price drop. This was in order to keep Steel Battalion roughly $50 below the price of an Xbox, at least in the US. Damn, I want to play that game now! But first, pizza.

Zero_Beat

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> What does Guitar Hero cost in Europe, for the sake of comparison?

Cattleprod

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> Hey at least European gamers get a chance to be gouged, us Aussies. Don't even have a price to try and wish cheaper.

One Way Mule

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]> the cake is a lie?

i think they are trying to make em buy real instruments instead =/

(俗・ ) Grey Gecko

]]> <![CDATA[Harmonix On Europe: Let Them Eat Cake]]>