EA clarifies Rock Band pricing

By Robert Purchese Published 8 April, 2008

It's not going to come cheap.

EA has confirmed the price for Rock Band, following the European date announcement this morning.

Europe, unlike the US, will not get all of the instruments bundled together with the game.

Instead, you will have to fork out for an Instrument Edition at GBP 129.99 / EUR 169 - comprised of the drum kit, guitar and microphone - then buy the game separately for GBP 49.99 / EUR 69.99.

Anyone after the whole lot will be looking at a total of GBP 180 / EUR 240, then. That's rather more than in the US, where you can buy the game and all the instruments for USD 169 - equivalent to around GBP 85 / EUR 107.

Wireless guitars will be sold separately for GBP 59.99 / EUR 79.99, while the drum kit will be GBP 69.99 / EUR 89.99.

Hopefully retailers will be offering their own bundles.

Rock Band will be out in Europe exclusively for Xbox 360 on 23rd May. PS3, PS2 and Wii versions will follow later this summer.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (309) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • rudedudejude #1 4 years ago

    "It's not going to come cheap."

    Bit like my regular hooker.

  • MuppetThumper #2 4 years ago

    fuck em.

  • billythekid #3 4 years ago

    At least Dick Turpin had the courtesy to wear a mask.

  • thefilthandthefury #4 4 years ago

    This is a fucking joke. Absolute fucking joke!

  • trav #5 4 years ago

    That's having a joke right? £180 for the whole thing?

    So much for buying Rock Band.

  • Machetazo #6 4 years ago

    OH, FUCK RIGHT OFF! That's just disgustingly shameful, in all respects.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 10:25

  • agparrot #7 4 years ago

    'kof

  • anomagnus #8 4 years ago

    join a band!!!!!!!!!!

    i play games to do things i can't normally do. I can play football, so i play football. I can't kill a ten foot tall ogre, so i play a game.

    Likewise, if i wanted to spend 240 euros, i'd buy a real instrument and join a band

  • bad09 #9 4 years ago

    Wow it's expensive to be a casual gamer £70 GH3, £70 WiiFit, £180 RB. I think I'll stay hardcore, it's cheaper! :)

  • Der_tolle_Emil #10 4 years ago

    Oh my, that's far more than I expected. 170 Euros for the instruments and the game would be fine, but that way it's really expensive. Well I don't really need the guitar as I already have one but still :(

  • Domstercool #11 4 years ago

    Hmm, looks like I aren't buying it now. Thought it would be about £100 :(

  • mexalen #12 4 years ago

    pure rip off!

    obviously they sold enough copies in the US, so they don't need to sell it in Europe.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 10:28

  • shido #13 4 years ago

    Wow. F'd in the A.

  • Buztafen #14 4 years ago

    Wow....guess this is what KY was invented for!

    Loob up and bend over ladies and gents.. :(

  • Crovax20 #15 4 years ago

    WTF, with the current exchange rate...

    EA GO F*** YOURSELF

    I'm really getting sick and tired of all these companies screwing us europeans over. With the current exchange rate, they just make boatloads of cash, and they still dare to make absurd prices compared to the USA

  • kingmob #16 4 years ago

    well, EA getting sweet FA out of me

  • Peew971 #17 4 years ago

    Mass Market + £180 = Mismatch

  • AcidSnake #18 4 years ago

    Aaaaand that's one sale lost...

    And I'm in a band, just when I get drunk with my non musician friends we'd like to play a fun game...But this is way over the top, shouldn't they have polled opinions before deciding on this price?...

  • Singularity #19 4 years ago

    They can bugger right off at that price.

  • HEAVYface #20 4 years ago

    people will still buy at that price though. fucktards.

  • syphaa #21 4 years ago

    Geeeeez.
    This is mental, over DOUBLE the price of the US package?
    Explain that one to me...just doesnt make ANY sense. £180? You could buy another 360 for that!!! WTF is going on?!

    Was looking forward to this but now I don't feel so inclined to part with my cash when they are taking the piss this much!

  • Killerbee #22 4 years ago

    £180?

    One Hundred and Eighty QUID!?

    I thought Guitar Hero III was pricey at £55 and even that was me finding the best bargain I could (thank you HMV). But £180?

    That's the price of a Wii or an Xbox 360 for crying out loud. This really has to be a mistake (or a piss-take?) otherwise hardly anyone is going to buy it, surely?
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 10:32

  • Eighthours #23 4 years ago

    Double the price of the States. This is an absolute piss-take. Someone needs to do something about this.

  • dazzaman #24 4 years ago

    Wanted it, don't now, OK so the 360 version is no good for me but I'm guessing pricing on ther other consoles isn't going to change by much.

    Anyone going to investigate EA for unfair pricing practices in Europe then.

    I really hope that Joe Bloggs on the streets keeps his hands in his pockets and shows EA that they can't get away with this sort of pricing. Bet it still sells loads though.

  • urban #25 4 years ago

    imported.

  • Physically_Insane #26 4 years ago

    Fuck off EA. So this is going to be the same price as the Wii! Wow.

  • rhinoxious #27 4 years ago

    Surely that's a mistake - it would make some sense if the instrument edition came with the game though.

  • dazzaman #28 4 years ago

    I know this is the XBOX version - does the import work? Does a PS3 import work OK anyone out there tried it?

    Just wondered if my postie might be bringing me a large overseas parcel at some point.

  • Darren #29 4 years ago

    £180? Jesus, you can buy a new console plus a game for that price!!! /shocked

    Good job I have no interest in buying it then. While I love the concept, I cannot stand the majority of the music in these kinds of games, it's just not to my taste. It's the reason I haven't bought the Guitar Heroes games, although I have played it, thanks to my nephew owning the third instalment for the Wii. Nice game, neat guitar peripheral, shame about the music is my take on it, so there's no way I'd enjoy actually playing it for long unless I turned the sound off!!! LOL

    Still as a concept for you with-it youngsters, it's kind of neat but the very people who will be interested in it are surely going to find it hard to justify paying out over £100 for it? :?

  • Der_tolle_Emil #30 4 years ago

    The US 360 version is region locked and will not work on a PAL 360. The PS3 version is completely region free as far as I know.

    The imported instruments should also work, it would make no sense at all if they didn't. Maybe I'll import the instruments and get the game here or simply don't get anything at all. A shame.

  • Bealsy #31 4 years ago

    Up until I read this article I thought "wow that's a good exclusive for the 360"....

    ... not so much now.

  • Toothball #32 4 years ago

    I'd already decided to pay any amount of money for this. And if I don't have to buy a bundle, I won't end up with another wired guitar to throw on the pile of guitars I got for Guitar Hero.

    Also, does it look like the microphone will come separately too?

  • Les #33 4 years ago

    Personally I've never been attracted to either this game or Guitar Hero but this price is totally ridiculous. They're actually expecting people to fork out this much money for a party game they'll play maybe once or twice per month with their friends?! People with plenty of time won't have the money and people without it won't care...

  • Der_tolle_Emil #34 4 years ago

    I played a US version and we had a US 'box too, so I don't think the US kit will work on a PAL unit.

    What kind of logic is this? The US version works on a US machine so it's unlikely that it will work on a PAL console?

  • Paleface #35 4 years ago

    ...although it sounds weird to have an "Instrument Edition" that just consists of *instruments*; it sounds like the game + instruments, but, as pointed out, £60 for a guitar solus and £70 for drum kit means you basically get the mic free.

    I'd been hoping for £150 for all instruments and game as a pricey high-end, but really, that's crazy.

  • JonFE #36 4 years ago

    I was prepared to fork out 169€ for the whole deal, hell even stretch up to 199€, but 240€!?! EA are surely taking the piss *grrr*

  • chrissiddall #37 4 years ago

    @dazzaman We have the US PS3 version at work (hehe!) and it works fine (EU PS3). The US 360 version will NOT work though - as mentioned before; it's region locked.

    I totally agree with previous posters - double the US price is nothing short of extortion. You have no choice with the region locks other than, to buy, or not to buy. Once again the US think they can fleece their EU player-base. :(

  • Darren #38 4 years ago

    If you owned the guitar peripheral already, say from the Guitar Hero games, could you just buy the standalone game and play it that way, or do you need to have the other instruments as well?

  • CaptCastle #39 4 years ago

    I picked a random US retailer, and had a quick look.

    $466.97 for Rock Band AND and Xbox.

    £235.78 at today's rates. Only £55 more than Rock Band alone.

  • r3n #40 4 years ago

    Aww and I was well looking forward to getting this as a pre-graduation treat for myself. EA can go fuck themselves now if they expect people to fork out twice what the yanks have to. Why are we getting picked on, or do they just know that plebs will still pay this much out of their dole? Somebody needs to take these guys to court

    Hope this bombs and I'll be able to pick up DVD & drum kit for less than £70 in a few months. Wishful thinking though!

  • FixedInfinity #41 4 years ago

    What the hell?!

  • pollster #42 4 years ago

    EA - Shove it up your arse!. Bloody robbery!

  • Der_tolle_Emil #43 4 years ago

    @cabbadgecase: Thought so. Well I hope you get well soon :)

    All I hope is that the instrument edition does come with the game because that is pretty much what I expected that I would have to pay. 110 for the instruments, 60 for the game. 240 is brutal though - I'd rather get an Elite for that price.

  • Peew971 #44 4 years ago

    Guess who's funding the Take-Two takeover? Bend over Europe!

  • MikkyX #45 4 years ago

    NO SALE! That's just stupid. Why even sell the instruments separately, are there ANY other games you can use them (especially the drums - do the guitars work with GH3?) with?

    Stupid stupid stupid. Time to find something else to spend the £180 on........

  • wewillselfdestruct #46 4 years ago

    Are you absolutely sure the instrument edition doesn't come with the game in the box? That total price sounds pretty ridiculous to the point where I have my doubts...

  • Altrezia #47 4 years ago

    Not going to buy this game, then. Shame, was looking forward to it.

  • TheWretched #48 4 years ago

    Now way, Jose...

    EA, you are guilty of milking Europe for every penny they have. As a PS3 owner, we don't even get the game now, and you want us to fork over more than twice than what we pay here?? Are you serious? Importing (region free PS3, as always) comes cheaper, even adding in quite high costs for shipping AND taxes!

  • pyroxian #49 4 years ago

    Yeah, will probably give this a miss now - shame as I was looking forward to it.

  • systems #50 4 years ago

    And they call it rip-off Britain. Wonder why.

    No sale. I'll stick with GH.

  • cyacomini #51 4 years ago

    hahaha - fuck off!

    Not a hope in hell...

  • CallousB #52 4 years ago

    I can't believe this is true. It must be £130 with the game (and that's expensive enough).

  • edje #53 4 years ago

    Sale lost.

  • DDevil #54 4 years ago

    £180?

    No chance. I was so looking foward to this too :'(

  • Anthony_UK #55 4 years ago

    Surely the ''instrument edition'' comes with the game..........it has too!

    I was really looking forward to this expecting £100 - £130 max, at £180 it can stay on the shelf for all I care!

    If us should I say 'hardcore' are up in arms about the price, who's going to buy it, I really can't see Mr casual picking it upat that price?




    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 10:55

  • Erinan #56 4 years ago

    Not to mention that you can buy two RB bundles in the US for £180... And it cost me around £140 to import mine, customs charges and delivery included (!).
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 10:57

  • OldK1ngCole #57 4 years ago

    Thats fucking day light robbery.

    No way am I buying this now!!!

  • grimly_reaped #58 4 years ago

    It's probably cheaper to import the complete US version and by the region 2 game disc separately!

  • shido #59 4 years ago

    "If us should I say 'hardcore' are up in arms about the price, who's going to buy it, I really can't see Mr casual picking it upat that price? "

    EXACTLY. I can't even comprehend why or how they could possible expect to sell this at that price. A Game...more than a console? More than a choice of 2 consoles?! Hnuuurrrr.

  • realworld666 Verified Lead Programmer, Fuzzy-Frog Games #60 4 years ago

    Not a chance. My (real) bass and amp cost less than that!

  • mr_chiquita #61 4 years ago

    I read the release date news and I was all ready to go and put my pre-order down at lunch.

    Add me to the Fuck Right Off pile.

  • funkyshaker #62 4 years ago

    Glad I imported - daylight fucking robbery

  • asphaltcowboy #63 4 years ago

    What a joke. Months late and double the price. No sale.

  • CaptCastle #64 4 years ago

    The DLC costs more too apparently.

    Yay!

  • MBar #65 4 years ago

    That better be RRP and hence have large amount knocked off by Amazon and the like.

    USD price = GBP price is not fucking on any more.

  • mcmonkeyplc #66 4 years ago

    FUCK YOU EA. UNSOLD

  • NoQuarter #67 4 years ago

    Well, I only really need the drum kit (already have the GH2 and GH3 guitars) but £70 for the plastic drum kit is silly, hopefully retailers will be able to do some really good deals, drum kit+game shouldn't cost more than £70 together.

  • The_Aardvark #68 4 years ago

    I've got two guitars - I only need to Mic and drums but all the same this is looking pretty fucking pricey all of a sudden. I was braced £120. £180 is just ridiculous.

  • Catabu #69 4 years ago

    Well.. If that is true then EA can suck my dick. I really was looking forward to Rock Band, been watching Rock Band Videos on Youtube nearly every day, but:
    The complete bundle (with game) will cost about 130€ (!) MORE than the full US bundle. But that's not all. The DLC will cost TWICE as much MS Points (US: 80 Points per song=N62 Eurocent): 160 MS Points per (!) song what will be around 2€ (!!!) per song in Europe

    Seriously: FUCK YOU EA! What the fuck are you thinking?!

    This news is a bad joke. I hope Rock Band will fail miserably in Europe to show EA how stupid they are.. Seriously.. I really want to punch the one in the face who decided this..

  • mceq9771 #70 4 years ago

    Well I was planning to buy this game. I am not going to buy it now.

    Talk about a rip off

  • groovychainsaw #71 4 years ago

    Let me think, let me think. Rock band looks brilliant, but £110 just to play the drums (at RRP, to be fair) I could buy 3 games. So 3 games or cut-down version of rock band. Let me think..... What are you doing EA?? Half that and it still would have been a bit pricey, £180 is a new console!! Or 6 games. 6 Games!

  • vegard #72 4 years ago

    i'd rather start a manowar coverband than fork out the cash for this.

  • melv #73 4 years ago

    I'm not buying at this price. What on earth were they thinking?!

  • AwesomeWells #74 4 years ago

    I was initially excited about this and had a small, private celebration when I first read the story confirming the release date. Alas, I had failed to read the bit about the price and I now feel dirty and soiled that I celebrated such a thing.

    EA Rock Band pricing FTUMFL.

  • afghan_jones #75 4 years ago

    no sale, cocknobs.

  • Goodfella #76 4 years ago

    NO SALE!

  • Bumhug360 #77 4 years ago

    Oh come on how can people moan about the price, you have had long enough to save up for it!


    Would be the reply if EA hired Sonys PR guys

  • makememoo #78 4 years ago

    recently I've been starting to think perhaps EA isnt so bad as their recently business practices seemed a little less cynical than the last few years. good to see I didn't get as far as being dissapointed.

  • MrChuckles #79 4 years ago

    So, i have 2 x GH guitars, i can use them.

    I can use my microphone headset and not use their poncy microphone....

    So, it'll cost me 70 for the drum kit and 50 for the game = £120

    Those are RRP prices, so hopefully 60 for the drumkit and 40 for the game = £100

    Still far too much, but maybe palatable?

  • JonFE #80 4 years ago

    Now that I think about it, that's even worst than having the equivalent of "1 USD equals 1 GBP" instead of the -still pricier but more common- "1 USD equals 1 EUR" currency rate.

    I still hope that EA will reconsider and price the FULL edition of the game (the so-called "instrument" edition PLUS the frigging game) at 169€, even as an introductory price.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 11:18

  • motti82 #81 4 years ago

    Takes the fucking piss.

    The Dollar is worth half of what the Pound is, yet we have to pay twice as much.

    Bollocks to this, I'll wait until the price tumbles down when no bugger (except the rich kids) is buying it all.

  • Spielo #82 4 years ago

    This is absolutely outrageous. Hopefully people will vote with their wallets and EA will realise that people aren't fucking stupid.

    Sadly, most people are fucking stupid, but hopefully not stupid enough to waste that much money to play one game. Even if you already have two Xbox GH controllers, the price for the drums and the game is absolutely absurd.

  • y2rich #83 4 years ago

    I'd rather put the money towards a PS3. Fuck that.

  • skillian #84 4 years ago

    LOL. £180 is about how much I've spent on games in total in the last 3 years.

  • phantom516 #85 4 years ago

    Absolutely ridiculus what are they thinking !!!

  • RoninStorm #86 4 years ago

    Well, depending on where you look it seems that Eurogamer's price information might not hold true at retail.

    For example, Scory.com offering Rock Band plus 3 instruments for 149.99€ in France (Source). That's a cool £120 (just under) for the entire pack, if my French is up to the job.

  • nick_f Verified Senior Producer, Microsoft #87 4 years ago

    I seriously believe that this must be some kind of mistake... they can't honestly expect people to pick it up for £180? I was expecting to see it for around £130...

    Activision must be beaming!

  • weeno #88 4 years ago

    Pure cunts.
    Making us wait so long after the US for a release date, then raping us up the arse with the pricing.
    Fuck.You.EA.

  • Bsport #89 4 years ago

    this cant be correct!

  • BOFH_UK #90 4 years ago

    This has been the one game above all others I've been looking forward to for the last year. Guitar Hero 3 was purchased mainly just so we'd have a spare guitar in the house for when Rock Band came out. I've had £100 ring-fenced for this game so that when it was released the only extra burden on my budget would be (roughly) the cost of a new game. I even put off pre-ordering GTA IV just because it was too close to the rumored Rock Band release date.

    No chance I'm buying at this price though. Even if I went bare-bones and just got drums and game it'd be £120 which is ridiculous. As many, many others have pointed out the instrument edition should bloody well include the game, anything else is just daylight robbery. £180 for the full version has just moved this from a game that's been permanently at the top of my wish list to a 'no way in hell' purchase.

    I am absolutely amazed at how badly wrong EA have got this and I sincerely hope that Eurogamer brings what is sure to be a very long thread to their attention. Granted there will probably still be enough people willing to buy it to sell out the initial shipments but what happens after that? They had a sure fire hit on their hands and have blow it spectacularly in the eyes of many gamers... that takes real skill.

  • gingerlink #91 4 years ago

    maybe eurogamer have got confused and the instrument pack actually does include the game?

    At least then the pricing's a bit fairer, because otherwise it's more than TWICE as much as in the US...

  • GamerG #92 4 years ago

    So a Wii costs £180 with Wii Sports, and a GH3 knock off with a cheap plastic hong kong drum kit and mic thrown in on top costs the same?

    What are they thinking?

  • Fl0yd #93 4 years ago

    Well i'll not be buying this on principle.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 11:31

  • HiddenAway #94 4 years ago

    @ gingerlink

    Better tell the other sites then. Same story everywhere :p.

    [link url= http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/864/864831p1.html
    ]http://uk .xbox360.ign.com/articles/864/8...[/link]

    http://www.brit ishgaming.co.uk/?p=365

  • Agent_Llama #95 4 years ago

    No sale.

    EA won't care, the casual dicks in Game will still condone this via their wallets.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 11:40

  • robrymond #96 4 years ago

    I don't usually comment on these things. But fuck me. Rather have a new console...

  • Strawp #97 4 years ago

    Wow. I'd been looking forward to this since it was announced but that is just taking the piss.

    Fuck you, EA.

  • toythatkills #98 4 years ago

    Have EA actually confirmed this directly to EG or is this story just nicked from the story IGN published earliest in a Chinese Whispers style? There doesn't seem to be any price confirmation on EAs press site

    Maybe IGN were wrong and soon everyone else is going to look like idiots for copying. We can hope, though I fear the worst.

  • captainrentboy #99 4 years ago

    Hahahaha.

    Ohhh, well I was going to buy it, if it came in at around £130-£150 maximum with the game, and that was only because I'd then get my 25% staff discount.
    But at that absofuckinglutely rediculous price, EA can stick the whole fooking lot up their asses.
    What a silly rip off, there's no need at all.
    I thought my respect for EA couldn't get much lower, turns out it can.
    Edit- It's quite amusing just to look at this comments section right here, I know we don't really represent the average casual gamer, but the geekier of us (Guys that need to have the latest gadgets right away) would have been the ones to actually fork out on this stuff, some cunt from EA only has to look on here to see that £10'000 (odd) has been lost, pretty much instantly, just from all of our refusals to buy it.
    And obviously we're just a rediculously tiny section of the buying market.
    They've fucked up big style.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 11:57

  • MBar #100 4 years ago

    I'm prepared to pay double the price of GH3, so £120ish.

    Until then, I concur with the "Fuck off!" contingent.

  • stepneg #101 4 years ago

    No thanks I'm going to use the 100 odd I kept aside for this towards a PS3 instead.

    £180, sorry but you would have to be a fucking retard to lay down that sort of money on some plastic instuments and a game!

  • valensi #102 4 years ago

    Crazy EA, just crazy.

    Roll on GH4

  • gamingdave #103 4 years ago

    Thing is its not £180, if you want to play it fully, with bass guitar aswell then its £240!!!!

  • Goodfella #104 4 years ago

    £180, sorry but you would have to be a fucking retard to lay down that sort of money on some plastic instuments and a game!

    Sadly, the world is full of them and EA knows that.

  • mattman #105 4 years ago

    I'm lucky to have imported the game at a much smaller price tag, but I understand this option is not available to 360 users and quite a hassle for Joe Public. I honestly don't understand EA Europe's line of thought. Surely, the game disc is the cheapest thing to put in the box and noone will buy the instrument pack and not the game. Is it really so blunt a cash-in?

    Shame on whoever decided that. I was looking forward to seeing a solid base of RB players grow, but I can't see that happening anymore.

  • Goodfella #106 4 years ago

    @ mattman

    Where did you import it from and did you get stung for import tax?

    I've seen it going for £125 including shipping costs from videogamesplus (PS3 version), just concerened about import duty.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 11:57

  • peteb #107 4 years ago

    [link url=htt p://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10813908826
    ]http://ww w.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10...[/link]

    lets show our disgust by er..joining a facebook group

  • RobTheBuilder #108 4 years ago

    Join my EA boycott group:
    <a href="htt p://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10813908826"> Screw EA like they screw us</a>
    Edited by 2 at 08/04/08 @ 12:00

  • Der_tolle_Emil #109 4 years ago

    The more I think of it the more it seems like a misunderstanding. The thing is that it doesn't make sense to release the bundle without the game AND sell the instruments seperately.

    Nobody has the drum kit and not many will have a USB microphone (if they are even compatible, but I think they are). The only thing people already have are the guitars. That leaves us with two or three possible buyers:

    1) Only need the game because they already have the guitar and don't want the rest or cannot afford it.
    2) People who need the game with the drums and the mic because they already have the guitar.
    3) People who want the complete set.

    I don't see potential buyers for the instrument set without the game. Who would buy it? You either buy the 'missing' instruments or everything - but I don't know who would buy all the instruments without the game because you never need a second mic or drum kit. With such high prices and the instruments being sold seperately as well I think many retailers will create their own bundles as well which renders the instrument set even more useless because they don't need it to create the 'complete set'.

  • captainrentboy #110 4 years ago

    I joined that Facebook group.
    I feel awesome :)
    Edit- I'm the one with the stupidly chuffed face btw!
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:02

  • mattman #111 4 years ago

    I imported from bn.com (or actually gamestop.com as they handle BN's video game section) back when they still shipped outside the US. They don't anymore, sadly. I then imported another bundle for a bass guitar (and sold the rest) on eBay. Got stung by customs both times, but it was 27 EUR each time, so very reasonable, rendering the total price to something like 170 EUR. If you dare, go for eBay. I couldnt find any other US online retailer shipping the game outside their country anymore.

  • udat #112 4 years ago

    Fuck that shit.

  • edje #113 4 years ago

    Eurogamer journos: start a proper investigative piece on this. EA must have some form of justification for this pricing, let's hear it, in public. I'm calling this out as an intentionally grossly inflated price.

  • Weezer #114 4 years ago

    Not interested in the game, but I'd be intereted in seeing EA get shafted over this. TWICE the price of the US release? Surely some of our half-arsed politcians should be put to work looking into this. It's an absolute discrace - once again Europe gets fucked royally by imports.

    Someone should start a campaign to boycott sales. Also is there anyone in power we can speak to? Maybe one of the papers could take up the baton...?

    Might do some ringing round this afternoon.

  • LiquidPickles #115 4 years ago

    I THINK THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW!!!!!...... im moving to the USA XD

    FUCK YOU EA!!!!!!
    AT THIS PRICE IM NOT BUYING UR FUCKING GAME RETARDS!

    much love though (NOT),
    amy
    x

  • peteb #116 4 years ago

    my cousin works at EA, wonder will he see I joined that facebook group hehe. sod it, i'm gonna ask him to join it :D
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:04

  • bombfrog #117 4 years ago

    The best place to complain would be the EA forums.

    http://fo rums.electronicarts.co.uk/rock-...

  • neuroniky #118 4 years ago

    240 Eur?

    To all you guys out there: for that kind of money, buy a Wii. Or a Nintendo DS. Or part of a 360. Or half of a new PC. Whatever you want, but 240 Eur vs 107 Eur for the U.S. version is legalized theft.

  • Razz #119 4 years ago

    Hang on....

    We have to wait months after it's released in the USA and have to pay a 111% mark up?

    Hahaha! Fuck right off.

  • Stu #120 4 years ago

    Can anyone clarify the following for me please?...

    1. Are Xbox 360 GH2 & GH3 guitars compatible?
    2. Can you buy the microphone separately? Is it just a mic with a USB?

    Basically, I own GH2 & GH3 with their respective guitars, so am looking to buy Rock Band the game, the drum kit and microphone. I know it's expensive, but I'm worth it.

  • linksdad #121 4 years ago

    Was looking forward to this, but after playing guitar hero 3 for less than a third of the time I spent playing guitar hero 2, I was worried I wouldnt get my monies worth.

    I dont see how anyone can get their monies worth at that ridiculous price!

    Deserves to fail.

  • CaptCastle #122 4 years ago

    "1. Are Xbox 360 GH2 & GH3 guitars compatible?
    2. Can you buy the microphone separately? Is it just a mic with a USB? "

    1. Yup
    2. Any mic will do (even the Xbox headset thing)

  • MrChuckles #123 4 years ago

    i have also heard that the downloadable songs are 80 points in the US, and 160 here, so double the price again (notwithstanding the fact that points are slightly more expensive here in the first place). So, electronic data on servers is twice as expensive in the UK too.

  • peteb #124 4 years ago

    maybe someone should let the EC know?

    [link url=http://ec.europa.eu/ index_en.htm
    ]http://ec.europa.eu/ index_en.htm
    [/link]

  • prolific8 #125 4 years ago

    "Now that I think about it, that's even worst than having the equivalent of "1 USD equals 1 GBP" instead of the -still pricier but more common- "1 USD equals 1 EUR" currency rate. "

    Not forgetting that the average wage in the US is some $13,000 a year higher than here.

  • Eighthours #126 4 years ago

    EG, can you get someone from EA to answer the sheer ludicrousness of the pricing? Please mention that it's double the US price.

  • peteb #127 4 years ago

    We can save the money and use it to all buy shares in Take Two. That would show 'em :D

  • IamAdam #128 4 years ago

    Here's what I'm wondering:
    Can you use the Singstar mics with Rock Band? Has anyone tried?
    Can you use the GH2/3 controllers with 360 Rock Band (I remember there being issues with this, but can't remember if it was the 360 or PS3 users who got fucked over)?

    Pedal + Game is affordable... I didn't want to pay much over £100! I'll certainly be steering clear of the 'bundle'.

  • kingmob #129 4 years ago

    @eighthours
    EG, can you get someone from EA to answer the sheer ludicrousness of the pricing? Please mention that it's double the US price.

    Aboslutely. This is definitely worthy of a Roger Cook style bit of journalism

  • Machetazo #130 4 years ago

    /must resist the urge to stick it to them, by buying GH3 after all, asap, out of indignation! (which, if reports are accurate would then mean I'd only need to buy the RB game disc later (I'd look first, to get it pre-owned of course ;p ), to play mics and guitar, as I already own Singstar)) ...hmm.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:17

  • mossychops001 #131 4 years ago

    Lets start a Band and call ourselfs " FUCK YOU EA".

    And our first song can be called "We cannot wait for GTA4".

    ROCK OFF EA!

  • chiz #132 4 years ago

    This has to be a laggy April fools joke, surely?

  • Wendelius #133 4 years ago

    Same question keeps coming up. Yes, the 360 GH2 and GH3 guitars are compatible with RockBand (I'm planning to use mine). And yes any USB mike will do.

    PS3 instruments not so much though. But PS3 owners have got the import route (preferrably should also try and find a way to get the bundle without import duties).

    Wendelius

  • toythatkills #134 4 years ago

    "i have also heard that the downloadable songs are 80 points in the US, and 160 here, so double the price again"

    That's wrong. They cost 160 points in the US too.

  • Machetazo #135 4 years ago

    Bugger, looks like import is the only remaining option, for playing this game then.

  • davidgillen #136 4 years ago

    That's ridiculous. Not a fan of EA, but will pretty much boycott them after this. Hope someone in EA see's this outpouring of hatred towards them and realised they are doing themselves more harm than good.

  • Stu #137 4 years ago

    @ CaptCastle

    Thanks

  • ProtoformX #138 4 years ago

    If the £130 instrument edition came with the game as well that would be fine. But to charge double the US rate for what is the same product (And I don't wanna hear any bullshit about having to spend all that time putting extra languages in) is an absolute disgrace. Was so looking forward to this but now EA can kiss the hairiest part of my ass.

  • skillian #139 4 years ago

    The more I think of it the more it seems like a misunderstanding.


    Actually I'm leaning that way too now. Just the fact that it's called the "Instrument Edition" implies that it's an edition of the game with the instruments. Otherwise, what's the word "edition" even doing in the title?

  • MrChuckles #140 4 years ago

    ""i have also heard that the downloadable songs are 80 points in the US, and 160 here, so double the price again"

    That's wrong. They cost 160 points in the US too."

    Phew...

    I stand corrected...

  • Moz #141 4 years ago

    Not care if no one reads this just want to and to the number of people saying EA can fuck themselfs this is the worst Europe raping todate!!!

  • TONYgr #142 4 years ago

    FRAK 'EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Iora #143 4 years ago

    I got it on Import months ago for cheaper than that! (Thanks to my Fiancee)
    Cheaper....... Months ago.........

    Unbelievable. I mourn only because i know my friends will never stump up the readies for that.

  • Moz #144 4 years ago

    The more I think of it the more it seems like a misunderstanding.

    From the article:

    Europe, unlike the US, will not get all of the instruments bundled together with the game.

    Instead, you will have to fork out for an Instrument Edition at GBP 129.99 / EUR 169 - comprised of the drum kit, guitar and microphone - then buy the game separately for GBP 49.99 / EUR 69.99.

    That reads to me like EA have made it very clear that the instrument bundle does NOT include the game

  • MBar #145 4 years ago

    Actually I'm leaning that way too now. Just the fact that it's called the "Instrument Edition" implies that it's an edition of the game with the instruments. Otherwise, what's the word "edition" even doing in the title?

    I agree. Why the hell call it an edition of Rock Band if the actual game isn't included?

    /crosses fingers but still prepares arse for inevidentable raping

  • FenderMaster #146 4 years ago

    so nobodys going to buy this then

    good stuff

  • tonynibbles #147 4 years ago

    I thought it would be £150 tbh. Fuck em.

    Either way - I've saved £50 by importing.

    w1n.

    Though I will need to get a guitar, IF THEY HAVE FIXED THEM.

    /expert FAIL on RB guitar compared to Guitar Hero
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:37

  • tonynibbles #148 4 years ago

    PS3 owners can just import innit.

  • Mkm73 #149 4 years ago

    While everyone's getting their torches and pitchforks ready, perhaps one needn't forget that this is probably as much MTV's influence as EA's... ¬_¬

  • Ace_McCloud #150 4 years ago

    Pffft! Ridiculous.....so....angry......right.....NOW! Choking on my own rage here!

  • Squire #151 4 years ago

    All hail the new EA?

  • stampax #152 4 years ago

    too much for me.

  • sybs #153 4 years ago

    I thought it would be £150 and I was gonna be up for that, but they can bugger off at that price!
    They've lost a sale from me. Unless I can import it.

  • peteb #154 4 years ago

    would this be the correct place in the EC to contact regarding this, or am i seriously wrong?

    http://ec .europa.eu/economy_finance/othe...

  • nightstorm101 #155 4 years ago

    £180!! You must be joking!
    I could probably pick up all the real instruments for this price if I trawled the classified ads in the local paper.

  • chrissiddall #156 4 years ago

    @peteb I think this would actually be a better place to go, at least, if you're in the UK.

    [link url=ht tp://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/about/what-we-do/
    ]http://ww w.consumerdirect.gov.uk/about/w...[/link]
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:55

  • 4thVariety #157 4 years ago

    Wow, 2.6 times more expensive than in the U.S.

    And that's how I decided not to buy this game.

  • Redeye #158 4 years ago

    Yep, welcome to the new EA - making games that people actually want to play, but butt-raping their wallets into oblivion in the process.

    It'll be interesting to see the sales figures after the first couple of weeks to see how many people have actually bent over for this.

  • BlueDot #159 4 years ago

    Is Watchdog still running ? Can we get them to publicise the rip-off ? At least makes the buying public aware of the issue.

  • kingmob #160 4 years ago

    http://ww w.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_rad...

    watchdog site
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 12:57

  • Tweakmonkey #161 4 years ago

    They have no idea what they're doing!!! Who is gonna buy that???

  • silver-jon #162 4 years ago

    Oh dear. I had been looking forward to this game. But £180 for "Rock Drummer" is a hell of a piss-take / mistake.

    /waits for the 8/10 review.

  • T4RG4 #163 4 years ago

    Fuck off at that price! Piss take. Especially looking at the price you can get the whole lot for in the US.

    Jeeeeeeeesus.

  • Paukl #164 4 years ago

    Just like to add to the cavalcade of 'you're having a laugh, EA' comments.

    It's far too expensive. However, just as with the terribly priced and budled Guitar Hero song packs, it will sell like knock off Burberry in an Essex market stall.

  • Ignatius_Cheese #165 4 years ago

    Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, Chef's attorney would certainly want you to believe that his client wrote "Stinky Britches" ten years ago. And they make a good case. Hell, I almost felt pity myself! But, ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, I have one final thing I want you to consider. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it; that does not make sense! […] Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor, with a bunch of two-foot tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! But more important, you have to ask yourself: What does this have to do with this case? Nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this case! It does not make sense! Look at me. I'm a lawyer defending a major record company, and I'm talkin' about Chewbacca! Does that make sense? Ladies and gentlemen, I am not making any sense! None of this makes sense! And so you have to remember, when you're in that jury room deliberatin' and conjugatin' the Emancipation Proclamation, [approaches and softens] does it make sense? No! Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, it does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! The defense rests.

  • chrissiddall #166 4 years ago

    I just wrote a message to Watchdog and pointed them here for further "consumer opinions on the matter". :)

    God I love shit-stirring!! :p

  • Prodigy_BE #167 4 years ago

    Don't blame EA, blame the low dollar. Shipping stuff that's made in the US and selling it here has never been more expensive.
    They're just adding the extra cost to their retail price. That's totally legit.

    PS3 gamers can just import this now, and play for a low price, even before rich Xbox gamers can.

    And don't forget, if you want to keep enjoying this, you'll have to fork out some more for DLC.

  • Burkey #168 4 years ago

    Ridiculous pricing, not a hope of me buying it.

  • kangarootoo #169 4 years ago

    Jesus thats pricey. This might be a deal breaker for me. I would want the whole lot, but £180!! Thats the price of a console ffs.

    Even if I just wanted the drum set it would cost me £120.

    When I bought Guitar Hero I paid £50 for the lot. EA want £60 just for the guitar controller? Seriously, how many copies of this do they think they can sell?

    /disappointed, as if that wasn't clear.

  • jlaakso #170 4 years ago

    I was prepared to pay 200 euro for the whole set (double the price of GH III), but seeing that I've already got two guitars, I expected to get by with around 100 e. Now it looks like it's going to be 160 e + a microphone from somewhere, so probably just about 200 e. That is way too high.

    I was prepared to pay "whatever it takes", I really didn't think they could go so high I would need to re-consider. Maybe I'll get the drums and mic from abroad, then. :/ This sucks, I thought having to wait half a year was bad enough.

  • Toothball #171 4 years ago

    Sweet, looks like I'm the only one that's still buying it. I was worried that supply would be rough, but not this way.

  • kingmob #172 4 years ago

    Shipping stuff that's made in the US and selling it here has never been more expensive.

    I really don't think anything about the game will be made in the US

  • kangarootoo #173 4 years ago

    @Prodigy_BE

    "Don't blame EA, blame the low dollar. Shipping stuff that's made in the US and selling it here has never been more expensive.
    They're just adding the extra cost to their retail price. That's totally legit."

    Thats no excuse at all. It might well be totally "legit", but it still makes no business sense. If making and shipping from the US inflates the price this much, they should manufacture in Europe for the European market.

    I'm not saying EA are being evil over this, I'm just saying the end shelf price of the product is ludicrous and I can't imagine them selling sufficient copies for it to come anywhere near to the success of GH.

  • DB2k #174 4 years ago

    I hope EG are going to try and get EA to clarify why this price change is so large?

  • Falcon9x5 #175 4 years ago

    Was going to get my richer friend to pick this up so we could play, but at this price, I'm going to be telling him not to bother.
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/10 @ 16:34

  • Spielo #176 4 years ago

    Is anyone else starting to think that this might just be a mistake? The article claims that something called the "Instruments Edition" costs £130 without the game. Now, if the "Instruments Edition" doesn't include the game, then it's not really an "Edition" of Rock Band, it's just an "Instruments Pack". Assuming the phrase "Instruments Edition" came out of EA's mouth, there's a reasonable chance that such a product would include the game.

    I was anticipating the whole package to cost about £110-£120, so £130 would be just about within the realms of reason.

    My guess is that the actual price is £130 all-in, and all this talk of £180 is one big misunderstanding.

    Of course, I might be completely wrong, and if I am, EA aren't going to sell many of these.

  • Tepic #177 4 years ago

    I do hope it is a mistake. £130 would be expensive but acceptable, the extra £50 makes a huge difference!

  • dynarama #178 4 years ago

    "Is he havin a laugh?"

    Played it. Quite good fun. Played another game. Forgot about it.

  • Crovax20 #179 4 years ago

    Prodigy_BE

    "Don't blame EA, blame the low dollar. Shipping stuff that's made in the US and selling it here has never been more expensive.
    They're just adding the extra cost to their retail price. That's totally legit."

    You need more economy classes. With the current euro vs dollar, anything that comes from the USA to europe has an advantage, since they can make it a lot cheaper compared to euro countries. You make something for 100 dollars, and sell it for 180 dollars. 80 dollar profit. You make something for 100 dollars and sell it for 180 euro's, while your competitor makes something for 100 euro's and sells it for 180 euro's as well. Now who would make more profit if 1 euro = 1.4 dollar?

  • GamerAddict #180 4 years ago

    Just been on ebgames.com - $170 for the whole kit. They're not even swapping the $ for a £ sign like they usually do in this country! They've done that and THEN add £10!!!!!

    I hope that the fact there's over 180 on this thread now containing people saying what a rip-off this is means it won't do very well.

    But you know that people will STILL buy it for this price!! We should all boycott this. If I were a web developer (which I'm not) I'd happily start an online petition to send to EA and tell them what a f*cking joke this is and that we game players REFUSE to pay this price!

    /rant

    LOL at the comment on page 1 saying about staying as a hardcore gamer :) think you've hit the nail on the head there!

  • speedjack #181 4 years ago

    I had no plans whatsoever to pick this up as I knew the cost would be ridiculous.

    Factor in the downloadable content and you're on a one way trip to shaft city.

  • MBar #182 4 years ago

    "Let's go to eBay and see how much they're selling the import versions for, then we'll use that price!"

  • kangarootoo #183 4 years ago

    @Spielo

    That sir(/madam), is a very good point indeed.

  • shamblemonkee #184 4 years ago

    Bloody ridiculous. I was dead set on buying tis so long as it was around the £90-120 mark which i think most of us were hoping for.

    £180 is just insane. At that price i won't be buying.

  • MBar #185 4 years ago

    I wonder how hard Activision is laughing about now. I mean, GH is going to own Europe in the rhythm game department.

  • kangarootoo #186 4 years ago

    @GamerAddict

    Why do people always rattle on about boycotting a single individual product. If you think it is too much, and therefore decide not to buy it, that is already a boycott isn't it?

    If I decide something is worth the money, I'll buy it. If I decide its not worth the money, I won't. Where excactly does a boycott fit into all of that?

  • CaptainScarlet #187 4 years ago

    I really really wanted to get this but I'm afraid I wont be buying it now. the price tag is too step. I was willing to pay about £150 which even then is £65 more than the states get it for which shows my willingness to be humpted by EA but I'm not willing to go £150 especially if I'm going to have to buy another guitar to complete the set. Looks like Guitar hero 3 might get my money after all.

  • Catabu #188 4 years ago

    "
    ""i have also heard that the downloadable songs are 80 points in the US, and 160 here, so double the price again"

    That's wrong. They cost 160 points in the US too."

    Phew...

    I stand corrected..."

    Nope that's wrong... Single songs cost 80 points in die US (or 99cent for PS3) a song pack with 3 songs costs 240 points

  • ps3_2310 #189 4 years ago

    I was never pushed about this game at all. But being a drummer i would have loved to try out the drums. £180 is a joke.

    Anyone how buys the game at that price has gone in to the shop pulled the pants down and said "take me now quick beofre i change my mind"
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 13:40

  • OmagnusPrime #190 4 years ago

    I am lost for words really. Whilst countless obsenities come to mind, the main feeling I have is of disappointment. I've wanted this game for many, many months now. I was disheartened when Europe was ignored for the Christmas release, and I was annoyed when no release date news came. Now I'm disappointed beyond belief and furious that companies are so willing to piss on Europe without a second thought.

    This should have been a guaranteed sale, but now EA can go do unpleasant things to themselves. Until someone starts selling this for a reasonable price I'll go get my entertainment elsewhere. Thanks for nothing.

  • RandolphScott #191 4 years ago

    VOTE WITH YOUR WALLETS

    Don't buy it at the early adopter price.

  • sinelinden #192 4 years ago

    Think I'll buy another Wii for a pound less rather than paying this ridiculously inflated price :-(

  • Anthony_UK #193 4 years ago

    They've just fucked up!

    You play gutair hero in Game etc, and most likey love it first time! 'how much is it' you ask, '£70 pounds' they reply. And with that they just about a have a borderline impulse buy........

    Give someone basically the same experience with bells and whistles on and slap £180 on it, and people will be running for the door!

  • ButtPuppet #194 4 years ago

    Express your dissatisfaction. Can't hurt, innit.

  • rprince #195 4 years ago

    lol, I was looking forward to this, but no way. I would have paid £120, maybe, but £180 is just way too much.

    Funny though, I was chatting to my sister, who plays-games-since-the-Wii-came-out, and she was really excited by the prospect of Rock Band, and said she'd pay £200 for it! I thought she was being stupid, but they must have contacted her during their market research!

    Way too much for me. I'll get it when it's in the bargain bins.

  • Marvinator #196 4 years ago

    No sale here - 1up to GH4

    Expecting a slight increase in price compared to US cost, but this is just too much.

  • jovus #197 4 years ago

    EA is milking Europe.. I mean we first have to stand that currency rate of Dollar and Euro. Its almost 1.5$ for one euro. and they sell all the games in the States at the same price IN DOLLARS as they sell them here in EUROs.. and Now this, its not even the same bundle for fuck sake... just cant stand this hipocracy! and I'll tell you something, when it comes here where I live(Serbia), its gonna be like 300e for a bundle.. You can buy a used CAR in REAL LIFE for that money.. EA, if you buy out R* I will BOMB YOU! I Am Being SUPER SIRIAL! Manbearpig FTW!

  • HyperShadow #198 4 years ago

    Whats the point of selling the game and instruments seperatly? Surely it's unplayable without having both? So if you get the game solus, you're going to have to fork out for guitar/drums/the whole lot anyway.

    Also, isn't there two guitar parts (bass and lead) so you're going to have to buy the game, the instrument set and another guitar on top of that?

    Finally, does the Guitar Hero guitar work with Rock Band?

  • SteVader #199 4 years ago

    No sale.

  • nikobe #200 4 years ago

    What a joke, EA can stick it.

    As a huge fan of Guitar hero and wanting more I really was going to get it but not now.

  • AcidSnake #201 4 years ago

    The ones who should really pay close attention to this are those MadCatz and other third party peripheral companies...
    Bring an instrument bundle for about 90 to 100€ and watch them fly off the shelves...

  • CaptCastle #202 4 years ago

    "Finally, does the Guitar Hero guitar work with Rock Band?"

    Xbox: yup
    PS3: nope

  • Muddtallica #203 4 years ago

    Christ, what an awful, AWFUL price point; the days of paying a hundred quid for Samba de Amigo are seeming more and more like halcyon sepia-tinted memories. Frankly, it wouldn't even be so objectionable if they'd just given us a straight 180 quid bundle - the fact that they're selling the two things separately, even though one is USELESS without the other, just reeks of bare-faced, blatant greed. EA can get bent.

  • GamerAddict #204 4 years ago

    @kangarootoo - clearly too much for u to understand

    definition boycott - To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion

    Does that help at all? Admittedly there's a lot of big words in there but essentially means if we all group together and don't buy it at this price, maybe EA will realise they've made a mistake!

  • HyperShadow #205 4 years ago

    Well, if the Guitar Hero guitar works, then perhaps just get the game and wait out for the inevitable price drop.

    Or, get nothing and wait for them to put the game in the 'instrument bundle' for the same price.

    Or, just not bother (I'm voting on this one)

  • Progguitarist #206 4 years ago

    This has GOT to me a mistake...please somebody tell me its a mistake!

  • SentientNr6 #207 4 years ago

    I'll vote with my wallet then.

  • Kyle #208 4 years ago

    Fucking ridiculous. Well done EA, well done.

  • MBar #209 4 years ago

    I wouldn't even be as pissed if the US were on a similar pricing scheme, but doubling the USD price, then adding some is just ridiculous. You can actually buy the PS3 US version on eBay for less than that, and you can be certain that those dealers aren't getting any bulk shipping savings etc.

  • miiiguel #210 4 years ago

    I have a NTSC Elite..., but I don't dig rythm games...., bah...

  • sanctimoniousqf #211 4 years ago

    Wow. Price gouging much, EA? You can fuck right off - I was a guaranteed buyer for this, and had even saved up enough exchange value to get it at what I thought was the maximum possible rip-off price you'd charge the UK (about 50% above the US price), but at 110% markup I think I'll avoid not just Rock Band, but every other EA release that previously interested me... that would be Kane's Wrath, Mercenaries 2, Dead Space and Red Alert 3...

  • kingmob #212 4 years ago

    Has there been any retailer comments yet? I can't imagine they'll be happy with the inflated price.

  • Catabu #213 4 years ago

    [link url=http://www.g rapheine.com/bombaytv/index.php?module=see&lang=uk&code=0398 b3c195d5d18de7e0b5094ae6405f
    ]http://ww w.grapheine.com/bombaytv/index....[/link]

    Most probable happenings at EA

  • manic_mouse #214 4 years ago

    Good thing my parents are going to New York in a week. Rock Band here I come!!!

  • CARL05 #215 4 years ago

    EA strikes again!!!! ... and they can because they know stupid people wil pay for it.

    Who bets they send over a broken version of the game to Europe aswell?

    lets all stop buying EA games from now on, that'll show em how much they need us! It's clear what American games publishers think isn't it: just because we're British that we'll be like "ok" talking in cockney accents and eating fish and chips we have nothing better to spend our money on! how wrong they are... im off to Activision, bye EA!

    grrr...

  • Snarky #216 4 years ago

    How the hell could any normal person justify spending that much money on one game?

    EA, please fuck off right now. >: /

  • Lebowski #217 4 years ago

    Stick it where the sun don't shine, EA. I wanted to play this but I refuse to pay that price, compared to the U.S. on sheer principle. You really are the evil Empire of the gaming industry, aren't you?

  • FenderMaster #218 4 years ago

    rabble rabble rabble!!!

  • monkie_king #219 4 years ago

    Isn't "Instrument Edition" a bit of a weird name if it doesn't contain the game? Think there's probably been an error here.

  • Hendo #220 4 years ago

    "No sale."
    "I'll vote with my wallet."

    Just two choice phrases used so far, and perfectly sum up my opinion.
    You can get bent!

  • martinh #221 4 years ago

    I'd have to agree. Price gouging is ridiculous - even with the fact that this is obviously early-adaptor pricing, I can't see it coming down much.
    There's a real buzz of foot-being-shot around at the moment.

  • Stu #222 4 years ago

    I've been thinking about this, trying to work out why it's so expensive. My guess, for what it's worth, is that they've struggled to make the instruments for the Europe release (hence all the delays) and have eventually decided to, instead of waiting for more stock, release the game and sell the handful of instruments they have at an extortionate price to the select hardcore who are willing to pay anything to get hold of it. Then in 6-12 months' time when they've caught up with they'll reduce the price.

    Supply 'n' demand, innit.

  • martinh #223 4 years ago

    Could also explain the 360-clusiveness.

  • kingofspoons #224 4 years ago

    Fuck you EA!!!

    ... and don't try to make your screwing of the European customers more humiliating by throwing in some extra EA Trax MUCK!

    Wankers!

  • dudefella #225 4 years ago

    "WTF, with the current exchange rate...

    EA GO F*** YOURSELF"

    Says it all, really. Boycot this bullshit.

  • IronCladChicken #226 4 years ago

    You could always go to websites selling this and blitz their comments section?
    Go to Amazon, etc... add a review in which you mention the the rip-off price and your opinion of EA?
    It's worked in the past?

  • HolyJebus #227 4 years ago

    I would also like to show my disgust in the pricing of this game. To be honest, I hadn't planned on buying it anyway, but I had planned on giving EA a chance to show its public that it was trying to change for the better. Obviously no one can take that statement seriously after this fiasco. I for one will do my best not to purchase any more EA games too. Last one I bought was Tiger Woods 2008 and that too was a clear sign that they do not give their public what they want.

  • zozart #228 4 years ago

    Just adding my 2p:

    FUCK YOU, EA.

  • Machetazo #229 4 years ago

    Well, if there was an error, EA aren't doing a whole lot to set things right, are they? They've got plenty of avenues and opportunities, not to mention contacts that they could use, and they aren't redressing what they released, in any way.

    From what I've read abouts today, EA would have been just as well to offer a guitar+game sku, THEN insult people with the semi-skimmed version, for those who wanted the big-box (minus the game, though; that's just indefensibly ridiculous!)

  • chicknstu #230 4 years ago

    Erm...

    Sales = Sales -1;

  • Frosty840 #231 4 years ago

    Not that anyone's going to read this deep into the comments but even if I can get the bundle for free, I'll still not buy it due to the DLC cost.
    Once again, they can fuck off.

  • squarepusher #232 4 years ago

    no

  • Marviewarvie #233 4 years ago

    To quote one of my paragraphs on EA's very own Rock Band forum:

    "Any chance someone working from EA can come round to my house and kiss me? I always like a bit of foreplay before I'm fucked"

    Me thinks that says it all.

  • rmg #234 4 years ago

    EALOL

  • BrotherTobious #235 4 years ago

    There is no way I am buying this, I knew it was going to be close or over £100 and I was ok with that but £180 for it. No sale here with the DLC on top of it. Think again EA please!!

  • jellyhead #236 4 years ago

    Well, that's that off my list.
    Nice one EA! I''ve got more money to spend on DS and PSP games! \0/ yay!

  • ruttyboy #237 4 years ago

    Not even going to comment on that ludicrous pricing as Stu has already pointed out why they are doing it, but for those who are wondering why they've split out the game from the instruments I offer this.

    When, at Christmas, the inevitable Rock Band 2 comes out they don't have to worry about producing yet another bundle. Logistically it makes far more sense to sell the instruments on their own as the scarce stock can then be bought with either the original or sequel.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 15:34

  • FenderMaster #238 4 years ago

    i think its because of the weak US dollar that their profits have dropped in the US, and the EU price has increased to pick up the slack

    i read somewhere that Nintendo are slowing down US produvtion and focusing on europe for a while since its more profitable at the moment, when converting prices back to yen... but EA are american...

  • daz_john_smith #239 4 years ago

    Wasn't April Fools 7 days ago.

    According to Consumer Direct and Trading Standards EA can pretty much charge wot they like. There are no rules or regulations stopping them from charging double or more, I believe they call it a Free Marketplace or being screwed in a very uncomfortable place.

    They've lost a sale from me and my best mate too. £180 is just scandalous.
    As a 360 owner I'm hoping that the instruments might be region free. Import the drums, buy the PAL game and use my Guitar Hero Controllers and LIVE headset.

  • Madafunkola #240 4 years ago

    @ daz_john_smith
    "being screwed in a very uncomfortable place."
    Like the back of a Volkswagon?

    ps - FUCK OFF EA

  • Tiger_Walts #241 4 years ago

    In the moonlight
    Fighting with the night
    It's a rip-off
    Kissing all the slain
    I'm bleeding in the rain
    Such a rip-off

    Rocking in the nude
    I'm feeling such a dude
    It's a rip-off
    Dancing in the dark
    With the tramps in the Park
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

    See your baby's stud
    Sliding in my mud
    It's a rip-off
    Bleached on the beach
    I want to tickle your peach
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

    See the girl in dance
    In her man-skin pants
    Such a rip-off
    Terraplane Tommy
    Wants to bang your gong
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

    Gypsy girl's good
    People treat her like a fool
    It's a rip-off
    The President's weird
    He's got burgundy beard
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

    I'm the King of the highway
    I'm the Queen of the hop
    You should see me
    At the Governor's ball
    Doing the rip-off bop

    I'm a social person
    I'm the creature in disguise
    There's a man with a whip
    On his silver lip
    Living inside my eyes

    I'm the cat from the alley
    I'm the fleetfoot voodoo man
    There's very little that's ever said
    All of which I understand

    Caught like skunk
    In space and time
    It's a rip-off
    If it's hers
    Well it must be mine
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

    Dancing in the nude
    Feeling such a dude
    It's a rip-off
    Mountings of the moon
    Remind me of my spoon
    It's a rip-off
    Such a rip-off

  • Hamflank #242 4 years ago

    Importing a US Wii + Rock Band is supposedly cheaper.

  • _Price_ #243 4 years ago

    Fair enough. Guitar Hero it is then.

    In fact, balls to it. I'll just go and get a keyboard, they've got guitar and drum sounds on them.

  • sanctimoniousqf #244 4 years ago

    Anyone else fancy sending a big heavy box of screws with a note on the top saying "here, you'll need these to go screw yourselves" to EA's UK offices marked cash-on-delivery?

    Onslow House,
    Onslow Street,
    Guildford,
    Surrey,
    GU1 4TN,
    UK

  • Goodfella #245 4 years ago

    ^^lol, I like the screws idea.

  • jellyhead #246 4 years ago

    ...or a box of condoms with a note saying "If you're going to screw the whole of Europe you may need to use these."
    :)

    Then we send them a card saying "EA, you're dumped. Have a nice life, Europe xxx."
    Never happen, there's too many people in Europe who'll just pay-up. :(

  • Machetazo #247 4 years ago

    "Fair enough. Guitar Hero it is then. "

    At least Activision are treating their customers well, if the official community area/forums are anything to go by.

  • Bumhug360 #248 4 years ago

    Looking on the plus side, if you pre-order from game (and collect reward card points) and use quidco you will save £25.........

  • peteb #249 4 years ago

    Are the US instruments region free, anyone know?

  • darleysam #250 4 years ago

    Yup, same as most others, I am not paying this price, more than double what the US have been paying for the last 6 months.
    I was expecting maybe £130-150, and I'd have paid that. £150 with no instruments, separate game for £180 total? Norfolk 'n Weigh.

  • HSH25 #251 4 years ago

    I'll buy it at that price...although I think you'll probably be able to get it for around £155 anyway.

  • tesco #252 4 years ago

    I agree the pricing takes the piss but most of you probably have a guitar anyway from GH2 or GH3. Buy the drums for 69.99 and the game for 50 and it makes it £120
    Not such a bitter pill to swallow now as I was thinking it would be around that anyway.

  • toythatkills #253 4 years ago

    I'll buy it at that price

    Please don't. You'll make them think it's OK.

  • Skywise #254 4 years ago

    This price is unbelievable! I think casual gamers will prefer a Wii for that price. I hope this totally fails at retail.
    When the sequel will be out they'll probably screw up the online mode of the original rock band as well ;-)

  • Piranacon #255 4 years ago

    HAHA .........

    Oh it wasn't a joke,

    *Hands EA a screw and walks off*
    Edited by 2 at 08/04/08 @ 17:02

  • bloodflowers #256 4 years ago

    I've thought about this a great deal, for at least 7 seconds, and I do believe they can fuck off with that price.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 17:10

  • Davemanz #257 4 years ago

    Wow, what a god damn ripoff. The thing's a ripoff here in the US too, but wow.

  • optimusprym8 #258 4 years ago

    people paid £180 for Steel Battalion when it came out... and that was single player and very short with little replay value.

  • MrChuckles #259 4 years ago

    I live in Guildford and walk near their offices every day, Paypal me £180 and i'll deliver the box by hand :-)

    I am tempted to go there and ask for the love of god....WHY?

  • grantc7 #260 4 years ago

    What a fucking apeshit crazy price tag!

    Rip-off in the fecking extreme right there!

  • polar #261 4 years ago

    OMG what a rip off!

    @ Tesco - 70 quid for a few bits of plastic & 50 for the game is still far too much imo. EA can go fuck themselves.

  • Kyle #262 4 years ago

    "I remember paying more than £200 for my Super Famicom and distinctly remember paying £75 for a Jap SFII when that came out. "

    "people paid £180 for Steel Battalion when it came out... and that was single player and very short with little replay value."

    These things weren't available half a year before in other territories at more than half the price were they?

  • gmmonkey #263 4 years ago

    LOL? If I was ever going to buy something for that amount I'd buy a wii instead. Nutjobs.

  • belziah #264 4 years ago

    I tried desperately hard to resist but

    EAlols

    EA make Sony/MS look like rival charitable foundations. Taking profiteering to a whole new level.

  • macmurphy #265 4 years ago

    Good time to be on E-bay. It's a sad day if you can get that stuff shipped over and buy a UK version of the game for cheaper than you can buy a whole package here here, but I'm sure a few enterprising importers will get on the case. I really don't understand at what point it became OK to nail Europe in the arse. Seriously, how can they charge that much for peripherals? I say this as possibly the only man to have ever brought four sets of bongos for the cube(I won some money at cards). When you can buy another console for the same price there's something very wrong.

    I also remember paying comedy prices for imports back in the day (Secret of Mana, best £80 I ever spent) but it seems that these days it's more for people who want to save money than spend extra. As an aside, does no-one think this might drive piracy? If someone sees cheaper US games released earlier, they're tempted to get their console chipped. From here it's a slippery slope to getting in with the pirates.

    When software companies are doing stuff like this they bring it on themselves.

  • belziah #266 4 years ago

    @lavalant

    its very difficult to criticize your paymasters.

    EG/Gamespot have taught me that much.

  • beastmaster #267 4 years ago

    Kind of expected this pricing but hoping it wouldn't happen. I'll just but a Wii instead. Wonder how much EA will change for the downloadable content? Don't really care to be honest.

    Never know, perhaps they'll see the backlash and lower the price by £5.

  • Arathia #268 4 years ago

    I work for a games retailer. Not gonna say who or where. I read this news today and i can tell you...I'm pissed!
    I've spoken to a few customers and they all think its outrageous.
    I was personally expecting £150, this seemed reasonable considering what it comes with.

    EA want to become a company known for decent games at reasonable prices...then they do this...

    I'll personally still buy the game, but thats only because i get a staff discount, without that, i wouldn't get close to it.

  • Machetazo #269 4 years ago

    Arathia: "I was personally expecting £150, this seemed reasonable considering what it comes with."

    My opinion on this is that at £145, the lines of communication open.Things remain cordial, but pleasant, because of the amount on offer.

    Are any retail reps going to have been invited to this announcement press event, happening today, and is it at all likely that major retailers begin issuing statements expressing "disappointment" at the SRP, in due course?

    Next, what steps will EG be taking to get relevant comments, from concerned parties?

  • CaptCastle #270 4 years ago

    [link url=http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox3 60/4-/5397984/Rock-Band-Band-In-A-Box/Product.html
    ]http://ww w.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/539...[/link]

    Better, £140 for instruments and game is about what I was expecting

  • Machetazo #271 4 years ago

    If local online retailers can charge that sort of price, for the instruments set, then things could still be ok. :) £140 all-in is definitely good enough for me to buy.

  • JediMasterMalik #272 4 years ago

    The most ludicrously priced game I've ever witnessed.

  • Arathia #273 4 years ago

    If Play can do it at £140, im sure the high street retailer wont be far off

  • captain-future #274 4 years ago

    HATE HATE HATE.

    That's just obscene!

    NO WAY - I'm not gonna buy this.

  • Feanor #275 4 years ago

    LOL. I thought it would be bad, but that's insane.

  • siksik6 #276 4 years ago

    God..

    I was REALLY looking forward to this, but as a matter of principal, EA can suck my balls.... SUCK MY BALLS! etc.

    As said many times before in this thread... i'll stick with GH

  • BOFH_UK #277 4 years ago

    Okay, Play.Com just managed to get an order out of me as that's within my expected price range of £100 + Cost Of Game. If anyone's thinking of ordering from them you can get 5% off with a discount code that's on pretty much every deal site at the moment (experience08 but if such information is not allowed on this forum please let me know) and also 4% quidco which should bring the final price in around... £127.57 if everything tracks through. Considering that includes shipping I'd say that was a decent deal. Still a rip off compared to the US of course which should be, uh, £107 after VAT (based on current exchange rate) but for the UK I can live with the difference.
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 18:44

  • GrandpaUlrira #278 4 years ago

    Hahaha, that pricing is hilarious. I wonder how they came up with that. The guitars alone cost about the same as buying Guitar Hero!

    Ripoff Britain indeed. FFS, an exchange rate of about USD:GBP of 2:1, give or take, and it costs more in pounds than it does in dollars. It deserves to tank.

  • Lucien21 #279 4 years ago

    LOL

    EA can Git To F**k with that price.

  • david78 #280 4 years ago

    Seems this isn't a misunderstanding, or else I'd imagine EA would've elaborated by now.
    Cunts. I hope Harmonix somehow have the clout to make them rethink, although I doubt it.

  • r3n #281 4 years ago

    I'm still not going to pay £140 even from play.com, just out of spite.

  • Kafkaesque #282 4 years ago

    Absolutely disgusted, and equally delighted now I imported it months ago. Shame though as I wanted it for 360 as I could chat with my mates on that online, ah well. Might sell my imported PS3 version, that would still cover the cost of the 360 one new over here!

    Last I checked it was c.$2 to £1 not the other way round...

  • stephen #283 4 years ago

    Fuck you EA. Seriously. Fuck you in your stupid asses.

  • Camorrista #284 4 years ago

    Great price, screw the haters.

    I'll take five, and a kick in the teeth with a gold-plated boot please.

  • daz_john_smith #285 4 years ago

    @ Madafunkola
    Exactly like the back of a Volkswagon

    @ Jellyhead
    I love that idea, if only you could motivate enough people to do it

    @ Petab
    "Are the US instruments region free, anyone know?"
    I had the same idea of importing the instruments and buying the PAL game. I went to Play-Asia.com, but they would seem to suggest that the US instruments will only work in the US. I guess we wont know for sure until its actually released and someone can test them.

    On the issue of DLC prices, some individual songs come in at 80pts but most at 160pts. In the end it comes down to the popularity of the band and the song. Lesser known bands and songs will be priced at 80pts here and in the US, the rest at 160pts.

    Just to be clear I think the pricing is ridiculous and will not be buying. However no one is actually expecting to pay £50 for the game are they? Its already on Play.com for £39.99 and I'm sure it'll be possible to get it for £35 if you shop around. The instruments on the otherhand, thats another story. Peripherals never seem to drop in price all that much. Guitar Hero controllers for the PS2 still retail for around £30 after 2 years, which could be why EA have seperated the game and instruments. The game can then drop in price, but the instrument prices will remain relatively constant.

  • Melan #286 4 years ago

    Europe is expensive because people still buy to that price. STOP buying to that price. You dont need it. Its a luxury item. Wait until the price drops. Vote with you feet. bla bla bla. I must stop now before it all rambles.

  • Kyle #287 4 years ago

    I think this is the single biggest comments secton on the site I've ever seen.

  • HiddenAway #288 4 years ago

    @ Kyle

    Bah, this is a tiddler :-D

    http://ww w.eurogamer.net/article.php?art...

  • Goodfella #289 4 years ago

    I think this is the single biggest comments secton on the site I've ever seen.

    You could be right. There are huge threads sprouting up everywhere over this. Surely EA must be aware, probably don't give a fuck but they are aware, aware that they are a bunch of cunts.

  • MrMarbles #290 4 years ago

    That's made me feel much better about importing last year.

    For what it's worth, I've put in at least 20x more time on Rock Band than 90% of games I've paid £30+ for.

    Indeed, I've probably put more time into Rock Band than I've put into my entire Wii collection. As such, I've come to the conclusion that Nintendo are the real bastards who are out for my cash. They're getting it too.

  • mkreku #291 4 years ago

    Haha, you can pre-order it for a mere 213€ here in Sweden :p

    FUCK YOU EA! Seriously. FUCK. YOU. ALL.

    Edit: Oh and when the PS3 was delayed in EU and we found out we would be getting an inferior product on top of that, there were comment threads over 1000 comments long..
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 21:22

  • ColdShoulder #292 4 years ago

    WOW only £180! I'm calling a sicky tomorrow just so I can pre-order this sucker. All you fuckers will wanna be my friend then...

    Nuh uh! FUCK YOU EA!

  • wokster #293 4 years ago

    Not paying that ever, no way.

  • Prodigy_BE #294 4 years ago

    @ Crovax20

    You need more economy classes. With the current euro vs dollar, anything that comes from the USA to europe has an advantage, since they can make it a lot cheaper compared to euro countries. You make something for 100 dollars, and sell it for 180 dollars. 80 dollar profit. You make something for 100 dollars and sell it for 180 euro's, while your competitor makes something for 100 euro's and sells it for 180 euro's as well. Now who would make more profit if 1 euro = 1.4 dollar?

    Hey, you're right!

    Okay, so EA is kinda ripping us off.

    Still getting it through US PS3 import, so actually, I don't give a sh*t.

    Region free gaming FTW.
    And for all you whining 360 gamers. Get a PS3.
    Multiformat is where it's at.

  • TheOnlyNemesis #295 4 years ago

    Screw that, ea are practically the only company making regional games now-a-days otherwise we'd all go to america and get it, the only reason the price is so high is because there is no other way of us getting the game, money grabbing *******s, thats me no longer buying it. I hope the EU launch fails because once again EU screw their customers.

    @Prodigy_BE

    ea are the only twats making 360 games regional so get your head out of your PS3 ass!
    Edited by 1 at 08/04/08 @ 23:13

  • cheekyjay #296 4 years ago

    Selling all the instruments as a bundle, yet realeasing the game as a solus option from launch, rather than offering them for less money WITH the game seems almost to be encouraging piracy of the software by pricing many customers out of the market. Whilst EA stand to make a profit now on the peripherals, one can't help but think this game will be many gamers' first taste of console modding and pirated games. I'll buy a real Pearl drumkit for £150 instead thank you very much, and spend the remaining £30 on Battle of the Bands.

  • darleysam #297 4 years ago

    For those that haven't seen yet, on play.com you can get the Instrument Pack for £99.99 and the game for £40, making it £40 cheaper than what's being talked about here. Hopefully other retailers will follow suit.

  • Sponge82 #298 4 years ago

    Come on let them pay them double the price we take in the US. And our plan will work perfectly if they don't have this stupid internet. Oh they do... well never mind they will never find out...
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 02:31

  • niteninja #299 4 years ago

    IGN says if you buy the game,all instruments and download all the songs you will pay a staggering 330 pounds!.
    A severe arse battering indeed ANYONE who pays for this game should be shot in the back of the head.
    A message to EA,Harmonix and MTV:Fuck off you corporate money grabbing twats.
    Hope they all die of a plague.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 02:51

  • jonsaan #300 4 years ago

    So don't buy it. You could get a pretty decent real guitar for that. Join a band. Live a little!

  • InsoFox #301 4 years ago

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

    'Nuff said.

  • MyPointIs #302 4 years ago

    ANSWER
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 09:25

  • Bezzy #303 4 years ago

    EUROPEAN BOYCOTT! NOW!

    I've played it, and it's a great game. But for that price? No. That feels like an insult.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 10:41

  • Landmaster #304 4 years ago

    lol

  • rosie_187 #305 4 years ago

    I asked the DJ3000 about this and it said "Looks like those clowns at EA did it again. What a bunch of clowns"

    How does it keep up with current events like that?

  • elisponge #306 4 years ago

    thats nearly as much as the console costs now. Way to go EA done it again, they will not sell many units a bit of a false economy. using the excuse that electric goods are more expensive in Europe is not good enough, they are only that high due to the greedy retailers pricing things at what they want. at that price you would be lucky to see any in the shops as its just too high to stock as they will not sell many.

    EA it seems dont want to sell many units. It may even be cheeper to buy from the US and fly it over here

  • visionrider #307 4 years ago

    Hell will freeze over before I pay that price I will put money into buying new xbox cheaper than game crazey price you could get a nice new 5.1 sound system for not a lot more than this is crazy wait six months and price will drop like stone like house prices in UK and USA we are in free fall at moment you will need lottery win at prices EA are chargeing in europe you can get real insruments for this sort of money .

  • Kyle #308 4 years ago

    @HiddenAway

    1099! LOL ZOMG, etc.

    Although Halo 3's is 1291!!!!!!!11!!

    It's still the biggest comments section for a news post I've seen, anyway.

  • Sar #309 4 years ago

    This is simply ridiculous!

    A game, with peripherals, that costs more than the console it's released for?

    Are they having a fucking laugh?

    US equivalent of £85 versus EU equivalent of £180? Sorry, but there's no fucking way global economics can be cited as a reason for this extremely blatant price gouging.

    I was expecting maybe a £90 price point, which I might have stretched to, but £180? Fuck off EA. Absolutely no way am I justifying spending that amount of money on ONE fucking game.

    Never.