This week, Electronic Arts finally announced a European release date for the rhythm game Rock Band--May 23. The title will be a timed Xbox 360 exclusive in the region, with other formats being released sometime in the summer. The game won't come cheap, despite the delay--a full set of instrument peripherals and a copy of the game will cost £180 ($355) or €240 ($380). In the States, the game plus the instruments has a recommended retail price of $169.99 (£86).
European gamers were less than pleased, with many pointing out that they could buy an Xbox 360 console for less, given the recent price cuts in the region. Now, in response to posts on the official Rock Band site's forums, Greg LoPiccolo, vice president of product development at Harmonix, has offered an explanation.
LoPiccolo says, "We're not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe. We are incredibly sensitive to pricing issues. We are painfully aware that the higher the price we charge, the less copies we'll sell. The fact of the matter is, the costs of releasing in Europe are far higher than in the US."...
Link: GameSpot
European gamers were less than pleased, with many pointing out that they could buy an Xbox 360 console for less, given the recent price cuts in the region. Now, in response to posts on the official Rock Band site's forums, Greg LoPiccolo, vice president of product development at Harmonix, has offered an explanation.
LoPiccolo says, "We're not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe. We are incredibly sensitive to pricing issues. We are painfully aware that the higher the price we charge, the less copies we'll sell. The fact of the matter is, the costs of releasing in Europe are far higher than in the US."...
Link: GameSpot
Yes OK taxes, yada-dee-dah, so lets be fair... It should come to around £110, you useless lying basta..
the european version is also going to have a few extra tracks on the disk that the us version doesn't have. however, they're said to all be released to the US as dlc within a couple/few weeks of the european launch for a charge just like all of the other dlc.
Just doing that to get more money. Complete greed on their behalf. "Oh, it costs more to do business in the UK and Europe." Eff off, and don't do it here then. I can afford it. I won't be buying it.
Effectively a 100% markup on the US price meaning you could buy 2 American copys for every 1 EU copy.
Last edited by Colicab on 14 Apr 2008 - 06:24
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