Rock Band Final Pricing May Hurt Gamer’s Wallets
By Stephany on Saturday, August 11th, 2007 at 12:17 PM PST In Electronic Arts, Game Companies, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry, Microsoft, Sony
First, Microsoft verified the inclusion of HDMI ports on 360 Premium models, which had been considered a rumor for months. Now, a “source” is providing some more information about one of the most anticipated titles of the holiday season: Rock Band.
Everyone has been hashing back and forth for months about what the final pricing will be for the game and the instrument simulation controllers. EA and Harmonix have yet to give an official announcement, but supposedly Ars Technica has a “source” who seems sure of the final price: $199.99 for both the PlayStation 3 and 360 versions with the guitar, the drum set, and microphone all wrapped up in a 20 pound package. This expensive bundle will include a wireless guitar for the PS3 and a wired one for the Xbox 360. If 360 users want a wireless guitar, they will have to fork over an extra $80.00 for one that will not be included in the bundle. This means that they will end up paying over $280.00 – ouch.
Leave it to Microshaft to throw a monkey wrench into the mix as usual – they just love getting royalties off of electronic makers who use their RF signal. This is definitely a good move on Sony’s end and should ultimately cause a surge in PS3 love because of the company’s policy of using open standards. Check back for more information on Rock Band and pricing – we will keep you up to date on this “rumor” and any information forthcoming from EA or Harmonix.
Via: Ars Technica
This is the problem I knew RB would encounter and no-one else seemed to appreciate it. Whilst obviously GH3 is limited to just the guitar, it’s cheaper by a far and away amount. $280?! Jeez, buy a Wii for that amount in America, right?
It would make more sense to release a different ’starter’ pack of RB; the game with a different instrument. That way at least, a bunch of friends can buy a starter pack with a different instrument and create a band that way, spread out the costs a little. But obviously, that wouldn’t be milking the customers for all they’re worth, so it probably wouldn’t be done.
I’m surprised more packages are not available. I agree with Joelton with the starter packs. I guess we’ll have to see what happens. For the current price, I am not sure how popular it will be in the end.
No Bob the price ain’t right bitch..
I’ll wait until they separate the instruments then I might buy, they have way to many AAA games coming out for 360 and PS3 for me to drop that much on one game.
GH3 will have to do.
Look at it this way: What does the $200 bundle buy you?
– Game
– Guitar (only 1???)
– Drums
– Microphone
The game alone (If GH is any indication) will run you $50-$60. A wireless guitar (PS3 version) would be another $50-$60 (if the GH pricing model holds). I imagine the drum peripheral would be another $50-$60. Right there, you’re looking at $150-$180 in gear. If a second guitar is included for the bass player (which would only make sense), you’re up to $200 – $240.
If the bundle does indeed include both guitars, it’s actually not that bad a buy.
They are really banking on the consumer being totally enthralled in the Guitar Hero experience. I’ve always thought guitar hero like Mario Party without the suck. You can play it drunk or sober, alone or with a friend. I really do see people justifying the cost of a party kit known as Rock Band.
I mean, seriously, if they sold Forza 2 with the Logitech G25 racing kit people would pay $300 for that. But unlike Rock Band, you can play Forza with a game controller. It’s not the same experience, but you can at least play.