A Final Ignominy?

[SteppinRazor]

We've all heard the story, but here is Joystiq's post about it:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/09/rumor-rock-band-canadian-release-pushed-back-past-christmas/

It remains to be seen if this is an error on Futureshop's part, or a date/price unique to their chain. However, based on the last two month's track record, we can be almost certain that no official confirmation or denial will emerge from the companies involved. I suppose we'll only know for sure when Canadians bring the game home from their local retailers, although this is little consolation to anybody who was hoping to make RockBand the centrepiece of their holidays.

At this point, if I can't get the game before Xmas and at the a price point the reflects the exchange rate like every other game on the shelf, I'm just not interested in validating this kind of corporate malfeasance by purchasing their product.

I mean, I was really, really anticipating this game since it was announced, but the slighting of Canadian customers has gone too far.

Last month when Canadians were informed that "Oh, Canada isn't part of the North American release", it was a slap in the face, and the suggested justification of French language packaging requirements was a pathetic fig leaf - no other product from EA or Harmonix has required a separate shipping date because of the bilingual packaging.

I said at the time that I suspected EA was trying to satisfy their American shareholders and major US retailers by hoarding inventory that was originally intened for the Canadian release in order to better meet US demands over the extremely important Black Friday retail period. Economically, it made better sense to put on a good display on launch week and satisfy the extra American customers and produce impressive numbers for their primarily-American shareholders -- so what if it frosted off a few Canadians, they'll be happy to buy it later.

When it became apparent that a very large share of American customers had been sold sub-par, failure prone equipment and would require warranty replacements of their peripherals, I expressed my concern that the production of guitars and drums that were intended for the now-delayed Canadian release would be cannibalized to placate angry American customers before it threatened the profitability of their DLC-based revenue model. In order to fulfil warranty obligations and retain a purchase-base for DLC, peripherals coming off the production line would have to be diverted out of the stream of retail bundle inventory and into American RMA replacements -- and these replacements would therefore represent diminished production of new retail units, and imperil a 2007 Canadian release date, but again it makes a mercenary sense.

I very much suspect that this is what has indeed happened.

I do not expect to hear an official word confirming or denying any of the details of the original story, nor any of my conjecture here.

The original Canadian delays, the fault-plagued peripherals of the initial US launch, and now this additional likely delay for the Canadian market, taken with an inflated price point for DLC has cooled my once-great enthusiasm for this game.

My intent to purchase then hangs in the balance until we all find out how much EA/HMX really values the Canadian market. If the game is not available before the 25th of December, and if I cannot find a major Canadian retailer selling the game at the same manufacturer's suggested retail price -- I will not purchase the game, ever. It will be a great disapointment, but it will have to be a principled move on my part. Far be it from me to speak for other Canadians, but I would hope I am not the only one that feels this way.

I am willing to be pleasantly surprised. I would like nothing more than to get a call about my pre-order before Xmas -- I would be happy to pay the MSRP of 169.99, and I would very likely, though begrudgingly, purchase DLC at the inflated price point.

For now, I will sit back and wait to see what happens. I hope my faith in Harmonix and EA has not been misplaced.

[mastergamer1231]

be patient, look at spore, i think its been delayed for over a year, and look at team fortress 2, that was delayed for 10 years...

be glad its only for a month.


ps. also its after christmas, but if someone preordered for u, they would give u a pic of it, and then the reciept to go and pick it up, that happens to me sometimes.

[Jsnkr9216]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

[Dimebag_]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

I've noticed this to.. I'm from Canada. I was disappointed for it being delayed. So I took a change and I bought one off eBay. The thing works great I haven't had a single problem. so I'm happy.

[Xenoburst]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

This was hardly whining. The topic creator intelligently put out his feelings and thoughts on the games official forum, that is all.

I as a Canadian, applaud his way of dealing with this versus every single other way I've seen on this forum.

[Admiralwiggin]

Then Again he who is the loudest gets the most attention , All Canadians are disappointed with the wait , however most find alternative methods of getting the game or find something else to occupy their time . those who don't just vocalize their frustrations sometimes a bit too much . and i really don't think generalizations such as Canadians whine too much should be made as their are still about 10 OMGZORZ MY GAMEZ ARE BORKED to every angry 1 Canadian quarrel post

[Wilson12466]

We've all heard the story, but here is Joystiq's post about it:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/09/rumor-rock-band-canadian-release-pushed-back-past-christmas/

It remains to be seen if this is an error on Futureshop's part, or a date/price unique to their chain. However, based on the last two month's track record, we can be almost certain that no official confirmation or denial will emerge from the companies involved. I suppose we'll only know for sure when Canadians bring the game home from their local retailers, although this is little consolation to anybody who was hoping to make RockBand the centrepiece of their holidays.

At this point, if I can't get the game before Xmas and at the a price point the reflects the exchange rate like every other game on the shelf, I'm just not interested in validating this kind of corporate malfeasance by purchasing their product.

I mean, I was really, really anticipating this game since it was announced, but the slighting of Canadian customers has gone too far.

Last month when Canadians were informed that "Oh, Canada isn't part of the North American release", it was a slap in the face, and the suggested justification of French language packaging requirements was a pathetic fig leaf - no other product from EA or Harmonix has required a separate shipping date because of the bilingual packaging.

I said at the time that I suspected EA was trying to satisfy their American shareholders and major US retailers by hoarding inventory that was originally intened for the Canadian release in order to better meet US demands over the extremely important Black Friday retail period. Economically, it made better sense to put on a good display on launch week and satisfy the extra American customers and produce impressive numbers for their primarily-American shareholders -- so what if it frosted off a few Canadians, they'll be happy to buy it later.

When it became apparent that a very large share of American customers had been sold sub-par, failure prone equipment and would require warranty replacements of their peripherals, I expressed my concern that the production of guitars and drums that were intended for the now-delayed Canadian release would be cannibalized to placate angry American customers before it threatened the profitability of their DLC-based revenue model. In order to fulfil warranty obligations and retain a purchase-base for DLC, peripherals coming off the production line would have to be diverted out of the stream of retail bundle inventory and into American RMA replacements -- and these replacements would therefore represent diminished production of new retail units, and imperil a 2007 Canadian release date, but again it makes a mercenary sense.

I very much suspect that this is what has indeed happened.

I do not expect to hear an official word confirming or denying any of the details of the original story, nor any of my conjecture here.

The original Canadian delays, the fault-plagued peripherals of the initial US launch, and now this additional likely delay for the Canadian market, taken with an inflated price point for DLC has cooled my once-great enthusiasm for this game.

My intent to purchase then hangs in the balance until we all find out how much EA/HMX really values the Canadian market. If the game is not available before the 25th of December, and if I cannot find a major Canadian retailer selling the game at the same manufacturer's suggested retail price -- I will not purchase the game, ever. It will be a great disapointment, but it will have to be a principled move on my part. Far be it from me to speak for other Canadians, but I would hope I am not the only one that feels this way.

I am willing to be pleasantly surprised. I would like nothing more than to get a call about my pre-order before Xmas -- I would be happy to pay the MSRP of 169.99, and I would very likely, though begrudgingly, purchase DLC at the inflated price point.

For now, I will sit back and wait to see what happens. I hope my faith in Harmonix and EA has not been misplaced.

Half the americans that bought this game are far far far from pleased. Everything is breaking. Guitars, drum pedals, usb hubs not working..etc.

[Captiosus77]

Steppin - I agree that the delays for Canadians are outrageous.

And while I'm sure my agreement will do little make your disdain and distrust subside, I'd like to at least say that you get major kudos from me for using the words "ignominy" and "malfeasance".

[Ultrace]

If the game is not available before the 25th of December, and if I cannot find a major Canadian retailer selling the game at the same manufacturer's suggested retail price -- I will not purchase the game, ever. It will be a great disapointment, but it will have to be a principled move on my part.
Well, if you go through with it, then I give props for sticking to those principals... But you're still shooting yourself in the foot. Whoever it is who looks at the game sales up the line won't know that you didn't purchase the game due to the delay in getting it out, and you'll be out a fine experience. To each their own.

[ixFatalDeathxi]

Thats Crazy

[Frederf]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

Lol, then Canadians whine much more gracefully than Americans make reasoned debate.

[blakbuzzrd]

Half the americans that bought this game are far far far from pleased. Really? Fully half of them? Wow.

I guess I missed that study.

[blakbuzzrd]

Lol, then Canadians whine much more gracefully than Americans make reasoned debate.If a Canadian whines in a forest, does it make a sound?

Just kidding. As an American, I rate our national ability for reasoning quite low.

[Skywalker16]

I am a proud Canadian and I also pre-ordered the game but a simple delay is nothing to get to pissed off about go out and buy another game to tide you over ( i bought super Mario galaxies and its awesome) or play an old game eventually you will get your copy of Rock Band and while playing it you will forget all about how pissed of you were because you will be enjoying it so much.

[Ventura]

At this point, if I can't get the game before Xmas and at the a price point the reflects the exchange rate like every other game on the shelf, I'm just not interested in validating this kind of corporate malfeasance by purchasing their product.

Welcome to the real world. The rest of us on this planet wouldn't even think to dream of what you're asking. A quick release without some of that prime exchange rate bumpage, and a little extra to boot?

If you don't like the situation up there in Canada, I don't recommend relocating down here to Australia anytime soon. Have no fear, you've got it good compared to us lot.

[Super_Chicken]

Welcome to the real world. The rest of us on this planet wouldn't even think to dream of what you're asking. A quick release without some of that prime exchange rate bumpage, and a little extra to boot?

If you don't like the situation up there in Canada, I don't recommend relocating down here to Australia anytime soon. Have no fear, you've got it good compared to us lot.

It wouldn't be so bad if they had originally said Us launch nov 20th, Canada launch Dec 28th. Instead it's like dangling a piece of cheese and forcing us to run on a treadmill to get it. How do we even know this will be the final date, for all I know it will probably get pushed back to January or Feburary. I was looking forward to playing this game on my PS3 with my GH3 controller as a 2nd guitar. By the sounds of things I may have to play alone this Christmas.

I hope it's a complete **** up on Futureshop's part. I think an HMX guy posted in another thread about how the MSRP in Canada was still $169.99 because he had made a thread which was a little more hostile than this one.

[FultonPub]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

I agree. If it weren't for all the post whining about how Canadians are getting "screwed" this forum would have alot fewer threads! And all the money that is going to be made from this game is definitely not going to be because of Canadian sales!!!

[Super_Chicken]

I agree. If it weren't for all the post whining about how Canadians/PS3 users are getting "screwed" this forum would have alot more threads regarding how awesome this game is!

There fixed it.

[Segnosaur]

I agree. If it weren't for all the post whining about how Canadians are getting "screwed" this forum would have alot fewer threads! And all the money that is going to be made from this game is definitely not going to be because of Canadian sales!!!
they are going to make just as much money from a canadian sale than an american one

[Jastrick]

I have three main reasons why I believe that there is actually not a delay:

1. The price increase at FutureShop and Best Buy has been confirmed by HMXJohnlok to be on behalf of the store. The MSRP for the game in Canada is also $169.99

2. EB Games has yet to change their date. With the last delay, My EB new 3 weeks beforehand (I just thought they were crazy). As it stands, They are still claiming December 20th, and $169.99

3. Lastly, and the most assuring reason that I have is this: http://kotaku.com/gaming/best-buy/not-enough-rock-band-to-go-around-324727.php

This was handed out at Best Buy stores thorughout the states. Believe it or not, Best Buy probably got the least amount of copies of the game of most stores. This could be applying to Canada as well. For you less-informed Canadians, Future Shop is owned by Best Buy.

Just My two cents, which I hope will reassure you all.

[Segnosaur]

just phoned my local canadian eb

170$ Canadian
i can pick it up December 20th

sound fine to me

[SteppinRazor]

Well that is encouraging news Segnosaur and Jastrick.

Although that Best Buy thing is very old and refers to the US launch, so I question the relevance to the present situation.

Nonetheless, as I said, I will be a happy camper if I can get the game this year, but we should know for certain in a week or so.

[Twilight]

Heres the "Hostel" thread that I made after I checked the BB site.
http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=14177
The thread was closed, with John reassuring us that the price is still indeed 169.99. I then sent a PM to John asking about the release date that was suspiciously missing from either of his posts.
Heres a reply I got:


Re: RB release date.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twilight
"We know what the price is, but we want the Release date. Theres been so many Release dates for this game its sickening. Give me a final definitive Release date"

The last (and only?) "official" word was released by MTV, stating that it is shipping December 17. By "shipping" this means it could take a few days to show up in stores after that. Retail sites are really not the best judge for launch dates and that sort of thing - even if they are right now and then, those aren't really good odds
__________________
Fun to watch... dangerous to touch!


so as it stands now its still set for December 20th (week of) at 169.99

[Super_Chicken]

I have three main reasons why I believe that there is actually not a delay:

1. The price increase at FutureShop and Best Buy has been confirmed by HMXJohnlok to be on behalf of the store. The MSRP for the game in Canada is also $169.99

2. EB Games has yet to change their date. With the last delay, My EB new 3 weeks beforehand (I just thought they were crazy). As it stands, They are still claiming December 20th, and $169.99

3. Lastly, and the most assuring reason that I have is this: http://kotaku.com/gaming/best-buy/not-enough-rock-band-to-go-around-324727.php

This was handed out at Best Buy stores thorughout the states. Believe it or not, Best Buy probably got the least amount of copies of the game of most stores. This could be applying to Canada as well. For you less-informed Canadians, Future Shop is owned by Best Buy.

Just My two cents, which I hope will reassure you all.

Best Buy and Futureshop may be holding them in stock for a few days to ease the rush during christmas. The standalone games are dated Dec 22nd so it's hard to say. I'm hoping they did gouge it because my EB is standing by Dec 20th and I've got the first preorder.

[Segnosaur]

the way my eb is doing preorders is that only pre-orders have access to it first day and only the first x (depends on how much they get) amount of preorders will get it on day one

[juiceman23]

Canadians whine too much.

No offense.

haha your funny...I'd like to see you guys if it was delayed for a month

Anyways its weird that FS has RB listed as Dec. 28th because I was in there Friday night and they said Dec. 20th... so did EB Games

[HMXJohnlok]

I appreciate your concerns, let me see if I can address some of them since I don't think you're the only one who feels this way:


Last month when Canadians were informed that "Oh, Canada isn't part of the North American release", it was a slap in the face, and the suggested justification of French language packaging requirements was a pathetic fig leaf - no other product from EA or Harmonix has required a separate shipping date because of the bilingual packaging.

Rock Band is huge (I believe the Joystiq article likens it to a small car); there is a big difference between releasing a disc only video game, and a video game with a 20lb+ box with three peripherals. I hope everyone can appreciate the enormity of the project and continue to be patient.


I said at the time that I suspected EA was trying to satisfy their American shareholders and major US retailers by hoarding inventory that was originally intened for the Canadian release in order to better meet US demands over the extremely important Black Friday retail period. Economically, it made better sense to put on a good display on launch week and satisfy the extra American customers and produce impressive numbers for their primarily-American shareholders -- so what if it frosted off a few Canadians, they'll be happy to buy it later.

This is a conspiracy theory at best. The delay in Canada had absolutely nothing to do with EA's shareholders, hoarding inventory for the US - or any of what you mentioned. The delay was due to manufacturing constraints (such as the - now infamous - bilingual packaging).


I do not expect to hear an official word confirming or denying any of the details of the original story, nor any of my conjecture here.

I'm waiting for my pasta to finish boiling, so I hopped onto the forums!


I would be happy to pay the MSRP of 169.99, and I would very likely, though begrudgingly, purchase DLC at the inflated price point.

I think many would agree that the downloadable content we offer is quite the value! The amount of work that goes into each song package is absolutely staggering. Authoring each song for each difficulty on each instrument, lip syncing all of the characters, fog, lighting, and all sorts of other cool effects. There's more but the experience we offer with each new song is definitely (in my opinion) worth it!


When it became apparent that a very large share of American customers had been sold sub-par, failure prone equipment and would require warranty replacements of their peripherals, I expressed my concern that the production of guitars and drums that were intended for the now-delayed Canadian release would be cannibalized to placate angry... etc.

It's not as complicated as you might think - we couldn't manufacture enough bundles (that complied with French-Canadian writing laws) to meet the original NA launch. We didn't cannibalize parts from Canadian bundles. Last (and only) word was that the bundles will be shipping to Canada December 17. It all depends how quickly stores receive their shipments. In the meantime, thank you all very much (for serious) for your patience while we work through this.

Perk up! Almost there.

(dinner time!)

[MJDoja]

i would hate to be jerked around as far as the release date goes. my heart goes out to the canadians.

it would be one thing if the game wasnt released yet.. but us americans get to enjoy the rock band goodness while our northern brothers salivate, and are driven to the point of insanity!

it *IS* whining.. but its very worthy whining.. im not sure how many threads can be made but i cant say that i blame people for being upset either :mad:

[Jastrick]

It's not as complicated as you might think - we couldn't manufacture enough bundles (that complied with French-Canadian writing laws) to meet the original NA launch. We didn't cannibalize parts from Canadian bundles. Last (and only) word was that the bundles will be shipping to Canada December 17. It all depends how quickly stores receive their shipments. In the meantime, thank you all very much (for serious) for your patience while we work through this.

Thanks for the confirmation John. This really makes my day.

[J-Rock]

This is a conspiracy theory at best. The delay in Canada had absolutely nothing to do with EA's shareholders, hoarding inventory for the US - or any of what you mentioned. The delay was due to manufacturing constraints (such as the - now infamous - bilingual packaging).Then, perhaps Harmonix/EA should reconsider the way they do things on the matters of bilingual packaging. Delaying the game a month because of translating issues? When the translation would at most take one day if done by one person, less if more? To me, the "conspiracy theory" of keeping the bundles inside the U.S. to meet demands makes more sense than because of bilingual packaging.

I think many would agree that the downloadable content we offer is quite the value! The amount of work that goes into each song package is absolutely staggering. Authoring each song for each difficulty on each instrument, lip syncing all of the characters, fog, lighting, and all sorts of other cool effects. There's more but the experience we offer with each new song is definitely (in my opinion) worth it!). I think what he was alluding to was the matter of how DLC costs much much more in Canada than in the U.S. We sometimes have to pay 65% more for a song than what U.S. residents pay. You might think that the DLC you offer is quite the value but it's value is hugely different north of the border.

It's not as complicated as you might think - we couldn't manufacture enough bundles (that complied with French-Canadian writing laws) to meet the original NA launch. We didn't cannibalize parts from Canadian bundles.If Harmonix/EA cannot manage to manufacture enough boxes and instruction booklets to deliver on time, it might want to look at the way they print their boxes and booklets so such a thing does not happen again.

[MacGrad]

I look at the delay this way:

The US needed to have a launch date over a month before Canada (and the rest of the world) so that, for a little while, they could claim top spots on the leaderboards.

After all, it's common knowledge that we Canucks (and the occasional Aussie/Euro) will be at the top of the charts as soon as we get our hands on the systems... :)

[Jastrick]

What don't you people get? There is NO FURTHER DELAY. READ the last paragraph of Johnlok's post.