Rock Band Updates: Harmonix Shurgs off Pricing in UK; Australia Still Has No Release Date on Horizon
By Stephany on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 8:44 AM PST In Electronic Arts, Game Companies, Game Consoles, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry, Microsoft, Sony
When Rock Band was finally given a concrete release date yesterday for the UK along with pricing details, the collective outrage was heard around the world. Gamers all over where complaining (rightly so) about the high cost of the game and its peripherals, which in turn has led Harmonix’s Rob Kay to issue this statement trying to defend the price, which may actually have more to do with tax and VAT:
“We’re not trying to rip anybody off. Rock Band isn’t normal in videogames. This is an entirely new thing. What other game comes with three peripherals that are all different? It just makes sense for the experience we’re trying to deliver…..[tax and VAT] are definitely not excuses so much as contributing reasons. I can’t talk to the explicit pricing – how it gets split down between retailers and distributors and the whole chain – because I don’t actually know that much about it.”
Maybe Kay needs to do a little research on it then so that UK gamers can get a full explanation as to why they will have to donate plasma just to afford the damn thing. However, if you live in the UK, Play.com has priced the Rock Band Instrument Pack at £99.99 for UK residents, with the game itself costing £39.99. So, get it now before the deal goes the way of the dinosaur.
In other Rock Band related news, despite the fact that UK and Australia usually getting games released around the same time because they both PAL territories – Australia has yet to receive word on when they will be able to get their copy of the game.
When asked, EA issued a statement, or rather a riddle wrapped in an enigma regarding the release:
“There is no announcement on Rock Band for Australia yet,” said an EA Australia rep.
Ok, maybe I was being facetious – but come on what else would you expect other than some obligatory blurb from the EA behemoth?
If we hear anything else regarding Rock Band for the UK or Australia we will be sure to post it.
Thanks: Eurogamer, Videogaming247
A LITTLE OVERPRICED
we got srewed quite literaly if what do EA think there doing we wait 6 months just to be f***** in the ass and told you cant have a bundle oh and did we mention you aint gettin the PS3 version either anyway F*** them! im waiting for Guitar hero world tour EA you screwed up world tour will offer a better experince for a lower price and then you’ll be sorry you F***** with us!!!
