Today EA, MTV and Harmonix have confirmed the UK release of Rock Band is set for May 23. News of a release date has been expected for quite some time; however, in an unexpected coup Harmonix has announced the popular music rhythm game will be a timed exclusive for everyone's favorite HD-platform.
In a press release early this morning Harmonix confirmed the Xbox 360 version Rock Band will hit the UK in "an exclusive launch window of May 23," while other platforms will see the title released later this summer. However, the news may not be as peachy as UK gamers would like.
The game will be sold separately from an "Instrument Edition," which is only includes the drum set, guitar and microphone peripherals, priced at GBP 129.99 (EUR 169). When factoring in the price of the software the package will cost gamers roughly $360 US. Additionally, UK gamers will have the option of purchasing wireless guitars separately for GBP 59.99 (EUR 79.99), while the standard drum kit will go for GBP 69.99 (EUR 89.99).
The UK version of Rock Band will include all 58 tracks found in the North American release, as well as feature nine new tracks spanning German, French and UK hits.
Considering the popularity of the game Stateside, Microsoft has definitely stolen one of the biggest releases out from under Sony's nose -- in a heavily pro-Sony market. While the exclusivity may boost the sales of the Xbox 360 in the region we wonder how UK gamers will feel swallowing the steep price to get their rock on.
[Via Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
4-08-2008 @ 11:51AM
webster1990 said...
WTF!? i have waited for effin ages, and i have to pay double the US price, damn it. I wish i could import but it isnt region free is it.
i wont be buying on release for definate now. I can afford GTAIV this month, but i can't put together another £90 the month after to halfsies with my mate.
damn it! Looks like i will be waiting for christmas or a present for my exam results (if i do well) it would be a nice going away present for university.
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4-08-2008 @ 12:07PM
tan said...
you could just import the 360 version from the us and then buy the game disc when its out here?
im sure thatwould work out much cheaper!
4-08-2008 @ 12:11PM
webster1990 said...
@tan
GENIUS!
i did not think of that
4-08-2008 @ 3:54PM
The Sound said...
Games are region coded, are they not?
4-08-2008 @ 7:59PM
webster1990 said...
yeah, but the instruments aren't. I could import the full package from the US for hopefully under £100 inc postage. And then just buy the game on its own from a shop in the UK for about £40, saving me £40 or more.
4-08-2008 @ 12:10PM
Taylor Barratt said...
If this is indeed the pricing, it does suck for you guys, though you get the shaft on ALL pricing, including the PS3, so lets keep things in perspective, this isn't anything new.
To be positive though, look at it this way. We *had* to buy the bundle (to play drums) until just recently. You guys don't, so for those with GH2 controllers and a headset, all you need is the game and a drum kit (plus your guitar and headset) which will come in about what we paid for the whole thing.
I, personally, think the guitar is well worth it as is that style mic if you have a mic stand and such but in terms of budget and such, many of you can still get the same experience for what you expected it to cost, or less.
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4-08-2008 @ 3:16PM
Yar TTomlliw said...
On a side note, doesn't this make the UK Version of Rock Band, the most expensive video game in retail history?
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4-08-2008 @ 3:46PM
Jeff_the_Joker said...
£180
I have been looking forward to this game for so long. BUt the vocal minority on sites such as this wont be doing a lot.
We need to email the BBC News Tech Dept, and other respectable news sources that will love to run another story about Rip-Off Britain. If it gets lots of negative mainstream press that is what will force EA's hand
I really want this, but I literally cannot afford it at this price.
I thought the whole point of Rock Band was that it had a subsidised price for the Gear and Game, which would then be made up by the vast amount of DLC available. Given its major popularity EA are now just out to screw us out of as much as they think they can get away with. I think this will be a step too far this time.
Its sad.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:03PM
The Sound said...
This makes it more expensive, or as expensive as a 360 arcade, Wii, close to a 360, and $100 off a PS3/GT5:P, I believe, if my Dollar/Euro conversion is correct.
EA, honestly, could you get anymore stupid this generation?
'Microsoft has definitely stolen one of the biggest releases out from under Sony's nose --'
Bullshit. For the price the Europeans are paying, and relative to everything else, this won't do anything to help.
And considering those PS3 owners who have desperately wanted the game have already imported it, and those who are going to want it without waiting are going to import anyway, probably for cheaper too.
The instrument pack will NOT include the game too.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:07PM
Xav de Matos said...
Are you assuming that this price won't be the same when it hits the PS3? In that case this does steal some thunder.
While the price is too high, it will still sell.
Sad but true.
4-08-2008 @ 5:12PM
The Sound said...
No, I know it will ultimately be the same price.
The extra delay and the price will certainly (plus word of mouth, we all know how fast these things travel) might/will push some of those PS3 owners to just import it, and download the 'exclusive' songs when they become DLC. It (I think) will end up being cheaper. PS3 owners have been screwed in the past, but the plus is that they have no region coding on the games.
However, I wouldn't completely rule out a price drop for the whole thing, plus a pack with the game included when this is released Wii/PS3/PS2 wide in September/October, around Christmas time.
4-08-2008 @ 4:37PM
gamerismyname said...
the time exclusivity doesn't matter for sony because the PS3 is region free.. so gamers from the UK and other European countries have been able of getting it from the US or elsewhere for the same price and since it came out
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4-08-2008 @ 5:56PM
Lars said...
Good point, but I would think the majority of consumers aren't that savvy.
4-08-2008 @ 5:09PM
AlecM2012 said...
Hey everyone! on Play.com they are selling thw instrument pack for £100 and the game for £40 bringing up a total of £140 which is better but not as good as the USA's price. I've already pre-ordered.
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4-09-2008 @ 5:26AM
Boff said...
Thanks AlecM I'll check it out
4-08-2008 @ 5:48PM
George Arauz said...
I have both systems..but i adore my 360 more
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4-08-2008 @ 9:57PM
anthonyjh said...
Don't fucking buy it! Show EA that their stranglehold on gaming is not appreciated.
I myself will be missing out on some awesome titles this year because I refuse to buy their titles. Just know that they won't do this shit if you don't buy.
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4-09-2008 @ 6:11AM
Phizzy said...
I don't think it really matters if the 360 gets it first in this case, no-one will be buying the game anyway.
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4-09-2008 @ 9:00AM
AlecM2012 said...
^^I've already pre-ordered for £140.
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4-10-2008 @ 3:02AM
EvilWalksWithMe said...
I am quietly awaiting the release of this game over here in New Zealand... but after see how screwed the poms are getting I don't think I'll bother. Hell, at this rate it'll probably nz$1000 by the time it reaches our shores. Screw that.
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