Harmonix defend Rock Band pricing

[HEXUS]

We almost fell of our chairs when we heard the UK pricing for the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band, which is due for release on May 23, but Harmonix has been quick to step forward to defend the pricing.

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[BlackDwarf]

I have to say, I was definately going to get it... But if it doesn't fall to a maximum of £150 by launch, I won't be getting it, and I suggest everyone do that, then they may just have to make the prices the same as the US *shock horror*

[finlay666]

I hope people DO vote with their feet on this one

[SmileyUK]

yes our vat is higher, but not that much!

im hoping the consumers will show some restraint as well mate, just dont buy it until they drop the price to something acceptable. There is no way the three peripherals are worth that.

guitar hero with the guitar is £70 so they are in effect saying the drums and mic are worth £110? must be having a laugh.

[Prime]

sorry to be a pain - can you link me the harmonix statement - its restricted at work
thanks in advance

[Steven W]

I'm not buying it, until it comes down in price.

"The combined price, if you add all that up and decide you want that full experience, is quite high. It's not something that is normal in videogames."

"But Rock Band isn't normal in videogames," he continued. "This is an entirely new thing. What other game comes with three peripherals that are all different? It just makes sense for the experience we're trying to deliver."

When asked why the game will be so much more expensive in the UK than it is in the US, Kay cited VAT and the higher price of consumer electronics generally. "These are definitely not excuses so much as contributing reasons," he stated.

"I can't talk to the explicit pricing - how it gets split down between retailers and distributors and the whole chain - because I don't actually know that much about it."

Kay went on to say he can see why consumers might be "a bit put off" by the price of Rock Band, but observed there is an option to buy just one instrument or a microphone separately.

"I firmly believe that if people do [buy it] they'll have an amazing experience they couldn't get anywhere else."

[pauldarkside]

Those are recommended retail prices - the actual price is a fair bit lower that that (not that it justifies the inflated price they're charging).

Play lists the instrument pack at £99.99 and the game at £39.99 making a total of £139.98 - a fair bit less than the £179.98 RRP.

If you're paying RRP for your games you're either a mug or ill informed.

[Zak33]

seems quite cheap to me, presuming Joey Kramer comes with it for drumming lessons, Joe Perry pops over, of a Sunday, to help with the trickier riffs, and Stephen Tallarico can do voice coaching.

With all that included, in person, I see that as good value. So why the bitterness?