Play.com reduces cost of Rock Band

By Robert Purchese Published 9 April, 2008

First cut-price deals pop up.

Play.com is the first online retailer to reduce the hefty asking price for Rock Band and all three instruments.

Its deal cuts the Band in a Box instruments pack - containing drum, microphone and guitar peripherals - down by 30 pounds to GBP 99.99.

Play.com is also offering 10 pounds off the game price, bringing the cost of the entire package down to GBP 140.

However, separate peripherals are being sold at the recently recommended price of GBP 69.99 for the drums and GBP 59.99 for the wireless guitar.

Elsewhere retailers GAME and Gameplay are yet to list Rock Band on their sites. HMV, Gamestation and Amazon are offering the game for GBP 49.99, but haven't put a price on the instrument pack.

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

Look out for our interview with developer Harmonix later today. It might just have the answers you seek.

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 (53) Latest comment 4 years ago

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

  • Frosty840 #1 4 years ago

    I'm still not buying it.
    Sorry, Play. This is EA's fuck up and the retailers are going to have to suffer along with the publisher.

  • david78 #2 4 years ago

    I still kinda refuse to buy it on principle - plus the only way I could afford this really is if I traded tat in. Grr.

  • morriss #3 4 years ago

    Devs don't set prices though, do they?

  • Ceatlan #4 4 years ago

    I suspect this is part of the reason for the high RRP in europe. The retailers pressurised EA into making a high RRP so that they all had lots of room for offering there own discounts and packages.

    They all resent the fact that with all of the consoles they have no room what so ever for creating there own deals on cost and have to resort to naff bundles.

    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 10:50

  • ccfb #5 4 years ago

    "Devs don't set prices though, do they?"

    Publishers set prices. Why do you ask?

  • ZuluHero #6 4 years ago

    its a start.

  • afghan_jones #7 4 years ago

    GH3 + geetar = £70.

    Rock Band + geetar + mic + Drums = £180.

    therefore; mic + drums = £110.

    DOES NOT COMPUTE.

    presumably the microphone and drums are made out of gold or something????????

  • r3n #8 4 years ago

    Play.com are trying their best to make up for EA's mistake it seems. It's a shame that the shops are going to lose out to the extortionate price as well as the consumers

    I don't know who wins in this situation really. Maybe there's some nutter in EA Marketing that gets off on other people's aggravation.

  • Indy #9 4 years ago

    Continentals aren't able to buy the goods from play.com because you are obliged to live in the UK if you want to buy electronics that cost more than 80£... Let's hope amazon puts up a decent price as well.

  • THEGREATMADMAN #10 4 years ago

    Tax my ass, they boosted up the price because they think people are going to buy it. Nobody will buy it at that price, thats for sure. Make it £99 for the whole package, instruments and game

  • TheBoyChris #11 4 years ago

    It's pretty expensive, but somehow I doubt it'll be "1 or 2 hours of entertainment" for most people. Judging from the response from across the pond it's one of the best and lasting party games from last year.

    Still doesn't excuse the price difference, but people should stop pretending it's going to be a 1 minute wonder.

  • Derblington #12 4 years ago

    Publishers set prices. Why do you ask?

    EA isn't the publisher for Rock Band.

  • kangarootoo #13 4 years ago

    Two thoughts.

    1. Seems to me that other retailers are holding fire to see how public opinion fairs, whilst also calculating how much of a price cut they can afford. I think companies like Amazon are experienced enough to know that a price of £180 just won't shift units.

    2. All this "I'm not going to buy it anyway on principal" is just weird. Its not personal, get over it. if you aren't going to buy it anyway 'cos its still too expensive, then fair enough. But if you think £140 is an ok price, but "its too late, I've already had my heart broken", really the only person losing out is you. Nose. Face. Cut off.

  • Hurleybird #14 4 years ago

    GHIII Solus (£40)
    GHIII + Guitar = £60 (Shopto)
    Guitar (£45)

    Rockband Solus (£40)
    Rockband + Guitar + Drums + Microphone = £140 (Play.com)
    Guitar (£60)
    Guitar+ Drums + Microphone = £100

    Why is the Rock band guitar more expensive? Is it better to some degree? £100 for all three "Instruments" seems a fair sort of a price. I would prefer it to be cheaper, clearly. But I don't understand why the guitar costs more?

  • kangarootoo #15 4 years ago

    @Derblington

    "EA isn't the publisher for Rock Band."

    So who is?

  • ccfb #16 4 years ago

    "EA isn't the publisher for Rock Band."

    Correct.

    EA Distribution's involvement, however, may add a few zeroes to the pricing for a bigger slice of pie.

    ^ MTV publish Rock Band.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 11:09

  • wewillselfdestruct #17 4 years ago

    @kangarootoo

    MTV. EA is just responsible for distribution and marketing.

    Edit: beaten to the punch by ccfb.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 11:11

  • Stu #18 4 years ago

    Why no standalone microphone? I have enough plastic guitars kicking around the place.

  • Grim... #19 4 years ago

    The promo code
    experience08
    gets you an extra 5% off.

  • penhalion #20 4 years ago

    If it's any consolation EA are having a hard time convincing retailers to take the game at all at that price.

  • OmagnusPrime #21 4 years ago

    I might have considered a stretch to £130-140 before, but out of principle I refuse to buy this until I can pick it up for around the £100 mark. I'm curious as to what answers Harmonix can give, they'll just reiterate nonsense about tax and higher costs in Europe.

    This remains a lost sale from me. Which is stupid as I really wanted this game.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 11:26

  • Moz #22 4 years ago

    when the americans are only paying £85, £140 is still way too much for me

  • Les #23 4 years ago

    "This just shows how overpriced everything is, the EyeOfJudgment that it was supposed to be a "bundle" was sold here in Sweden for 110 EURO...crazy!"

    That's why I import everything PS3 from the US. It saves a ridiculous amount of money.

  • Les #24 4 years ago

    "But if you think £140 is an ok price, but "its too late, I've already had my heart broken", really the only person losing out is you."

    Not true. Publisher, developer and the retailer will lose out as well.

  • Eraysor #25 4 years ago

    I bought it. £130 was my upper limit, and you can get it for almost that if you enter the "experience08" voucher code.

  • muscleblade #26 4 years ago

    For me its not so much about the price. Its more about the competition. Ninja Gaiden 2 will steal all my free gaming time this summer.

  • CreepinJesus #27 4 years ago

    £140 ? This is rediculous.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #28 4 years ago

    I wasn't going to buy the game anyway, I can't really stand the Guitar Hero games and I imagine that I would not enjoy Rock Band either.

    Thankfully I have a couple of real guitar which I can play for real instead of plastic imitations that don't really teach you anything about the instrument.

    That been said, I do feel sorry for those who want to get the game and are going to be fleeced doing so. Even £140 is too much in my opinion.

  • mkreku #29 4 years ago

    But what if Ninja Gaiden 2 turns out to be crap? SHOCK HORROR

  • Vice.Destroyer #30 4 years ago

    @afghan_jones

    presumably the microphone and drums are made out of gold or something????????

    If that's the case, you are actually getting a bargain.

  • jebus #31 4 years ago

    Jesus - if everyone stuck together and boycotted it then the price would drop - it's one of the benifits of living in a capitalist society. Just don' t buy it. Simple.

  • chrisjm #32 4 years ago

    Play.com reduces cost of Rock Band, in a deal sponsored by ky jelly

  • rprince #33 4 years ago

    lol, see this is how they win. £130 was your upper limit, but you paid £133 for it. Why set yourself a rule when you just break it? Sorry, that seems like I'm attacking you, when I'm really just trying to convince myself not to buy it for that price! :)

    Anyway, it's still not near enough to the magic price point. Once it hits £100 including the game, I'll be sold, and I think many others will. We were discussing in the office yesterday if the price is artificially high to reduce initial demand as they are struggling with manufacturing. I presume they're predicting a lifecycle like a console, where price begins high and eventually drops to allow more of the masses in. It's a shame it's a game aimed at the masses though!

    The most important question is: Will Rock Band (PS3) support my existing GH3 Guitar and my SingStar Microphones? If it does, then I'd very easily be tempted in with a £60 drumkit bundle.

    Also, it's a bit twisted that the game is priced so high. Surely the graphics aren't cutting edge? Surely that much effort didn't go into making a rhythm action game? Supporting multiple players online is a challenge, but is it worth £50? The SingStar games on their own drop in very cheap - less than a lot of DS games!

    Oh, and I hear the RB guitars are better than GH guitars. The picking mechanism doesn't make that annoying clicking sound...

  • Gaol #34 4 years ago

    @rprince

    PS3 GHIII guitar is not compatible with Rock Band.

    I think anyone paying over £100 notes for some plastic toys is crazy. Call me a killjoy, I still can't see the attraction of (adults) inviting mates round to play this shit sober. I love guitar hero but the £70 for that was pushing it.

    /goes back to joypad

  • rudedudejude #35 4 years ago

    Possibly the Fender licensed guitar has pushed it's price up or something ... ;/

  • HappyChimp #36 4 years ago

    Just snuck in a cheeky pre-order for this - £130 is still an complete outrage for one game, but fuck it!

  • Gaol #37 4 years ago

    ^I think you mistyped your user ID, the I should be a U.

    Sorry couldn't resist :p

  • Carpathian #38 4 years ago

    I've read three separate interviews with Harmonix's Rob Kay so far this morning and in not one of them does he offer any real info on why the big price difference. You get the line about "there being nothing previously to compare it to" trotted out and a mention of VAT compared with US state-by-state taxes, but no real answers of any substance. The phrase "wheeled out company mouthpiece" came to mind.

    I'm hoping your interview, EG, isn't the same - it would be a rather missed chance.

  • phatb0y #39 4 years ago

    £180 for a game. Yes, just a game. Ignore the peripherals, in reality it's not like they're optional now is it? Nor are you likely to use them on any other game apart from a Rock Band sequel. You wouldn't play Rock Band without everything, just like you wouldn't play DK without the bongos or GH without the guitar.

    Total pisstake. Me and the missus held out on Singstar on the PS3 for Rock Band, on the off chance that UK distributors wouldn't try and shaft us. What a mistake-a to make-a.

    No sub-£100 price point - no sale. Fuck 'em in the eye. Twice.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 13:13

  • Leolian #40 4 years ago

    I'm with the "too much but I gotta have this" camp. I wasn't at £180 mind.

  • DefdumBlindkid #41 4 years ago

    Do publishers actually do ANY market research before they do these things? For a multi million dollar industry, so many cock-up's just seem so amateurish. Seriously how hard could it be to actually speak to the customers and find out what they want/will buy???????

  • oreillymj #42 4 years ago

    @Indy

    Amazon.co.uk will not ship anything deemed as electronics to Ireland because of the poxy WEEE directive. And depending on who does the classification for new products in Amazon, sometimes that extends to stuff like books with CD's.

    I've had to get rechargable batteries sent to a mates house in N. Ireland. I've also at times been unable to order PS2 games which must be classified as electronics by Amazon.

  • 4thVariety #43 4 years ago

    So instead of total rip-off prices, we are asked to settle for regular rip-off prices? No way!

    get a currency calculator and your act together EA, this is globalization

  • Eraysor #44 4 years ago

    While I agree paying £133 for it is steep, I have sunk more hours into the Guitar Hero series with my friends than all of my other games put together, so to me it actually seems pretty reasonable for that price. I'm not going to buy anything else for a long time anyway.

  • FenderMaster #45 4 years ago

    i can just imagine the meeting where they decided on the price...

    they must have known that there would be outrage like this?

    i mean surely they realised, i be there were a few suits in that room trying to argue for a £130-150 price tag (itself a rip off)

    who ever decided this is gonna get fired

  • Gastrian #46 4 years ago

    First off its unfair to compare the US and UK/Euro price as there's a lot of complications.

    The main thing to take into consideration is earnings relative to the country. For the end of the 2006 financial year the average american income was $26,036, the average British wage is £23,764.

    So in relative terms the average american wage for 2006 was only £14150.

    Whats the point? Well the average American wage was 59% of the UK average wage and with the US Rock Band at £85 (does this include tax or rebates?) it is only 60% of the Play.com price.

    So, the Play.com price for Rock Band "costs" the same to the British public as it does to USA citizens. Now this is merely a rough idea as the 2007 financial year has only just finished so there's no average figures yet and I'm not comparing average disposable income (I don't have the time or atience to work that out).

    Secondly, if you are going to buy the £140 set and let your mates play on it then you are far more generous than me. Me and my brother are splitting it 50/50, he gets the guitar, I keep the drums we both share the game and ignore the microphone so it works out at about the same price as GHIII.

    Quite simply its not MTV, Harmonix or EA's fault that your friends are too stingy and you let them sponge off of you.
    Edited by 1 at 09/04/08 @ 15:27

  • Lemming81 #47 4 years ago

    is the fact Play.com is based in Jersey (ie no VAT) have anything to do with their generosity? Or wouldn't it make an difference for an online retailer? Not sure about the economics of that.

  • Gastrian #48 4 years ago

    Play.com has been paying VAT for years now which is why they aren't much cheaper than other etailers.

  • Feanor #49 4 years ago

    Gastrian, your analysis is anything but watertight. Your have ignored the fact that the cost of living in the US is significantly lower than it is in the UK. It's also highly suspect to compare average annual incomes just by converting the US figure into British pounds as that doesn't account for the fact that people spend a majority of their income on non-tradeable goods and services.

    You are also ignoring the most salient point - buying a UK version of Guitar Hero 3 (game + guitar) is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying the Rock Band game and a Rock Band guitar.
    Edited by 3 at 09/04/08 @ 18:49

  • White_Westie #50 4 years ago

    A game that costs MORE than a brand new xbox 360 console itself (139.99 at shopto.net.....) never thought i'd see the day....

    I must be getting old now.... take me back to the days of horace goes skiing and manic miner please, time to dust off the trusty ol rubber keyboard 48k spectrum...

  • NegativeZero #51 4 years ago

    At least you guys are getting it. Australia has to continue to wait, and there's rumors now that with the stupidly high price it might not even get released here at all, because they won't sell enough copies.

  • Emth #52 4 years ago

    No one's mentioned so far that this offer is only available for the 360 version. I'm waiting to see if any official drop is announced (unlikely) then importing it, which seems far the best thing to do for PS3 owners..

  • iapetus #53 4 years ago

    This is nice, but it still doesn't address the problem. Rock Band should have been released at £130 for game plus instruments (based on the markup that other games/peripherals see over their US prices, and taking the top end of that range in order to give EA the benefit of the doubt). If that had been the case, Play would still have discounted the RRP, and we'd be getting the whole pack for closer to £100. The fact remains that the price set by EA is too high, and they haven't provided any reason for that.

    And they're not going to, because the truth of the matter is most likely that they're charging us for the hardware failures they had in the US, and nobody likes to be told they're subsidising somebody else's broken toys.

    More affordable or not, you still shouldn't be buying this, because buying it still sends the message to EA that their pricing is acceptable, which it isn't.