The Beatles intimidating? (Activision's BOGO deal)

[BurningTheory]

I'm sure many of you have heard about Activison's promo, in which if you buy Guitar Hero 5, you get GH: Van Halen for free.

Many assume its a desperation cry; With how many have switched over to Rock Band, and with The Beatles: Rock Band coming out soon, is Activison desperate for sales?



Yeah, getting a free game is cool. And I like some songs on GH5 (Plug In Baby -- Muse), but the way I see it, Rock Band either has or will offer all of those songs eventually.

But honestly, I think I'd rather still spend that $60 on Beatles Songs, rather than 2 games worth of so-so songs and charting.

Opinions?

[i_c_weiner]

In short, I agree with you. There are very few songs on GH5 that I'm interested in (Muse, Dylan, Nirvana - this list is probably consistent with most of us here) and even less on Van Halen. On the other hand, The Beatles. I think that's enough of an argument against GH.

[chrth_rb]

I think GH5 preorders are lagging behind expectations. Activision needs the core game to be a huge seller, so they're sacrificing VH. It's not a bad strategy if you think about it: a whole bunch of fence-sitters -- who probably weren't going to buy VH anyway so no loss of money there -- are going to buy GH5 now. Sure those who were planning to buy both GH5 and VH are lost income for Activision (since they'll get VH for free), but sales of GH5 should now spike.

It's an acceptable strategy, especially if Activision is pondering shifting their model to closer resemble HMX, that is, infrequent core releases supported by a lot more DLC. VH is a short-term money maker to begin with; the core is where the long term profitability lies.

[DookieMan]

Haven't heard about that. How exactly will it work?

[tingly]

I coincidentally just counted how many GH5 songs I'd want in a game. I counted 6 and that was being generous. GHVH would double the number, but that's still a far cry from TBRB for me.

[Soratar]

Haven't heard about that. How exactly will it work?

I think I heard it that when you pre-order GH5, they will also ship out GH:VH a couple of weeks before the game hits store shelves.

EDIT: this thread explains it well: http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157007

[Scopitone]

Unngh YES. I love competition! The only downside to this? Rarely playing GH5 and VH due to spending every available moment on Beatles. But yeah, I'd buy it.

[RADIO CHRIS]

The key to victory against Guitar Hero is to just buy Beatles Rock Band and not buy Guitar Hero 5 because it's gonna suck

[pelemerengue]

Is it weird that I'd much rather have GH: Van Halen than GH5? I'm not even that big of a Van Halen guy; I've only ever listened to their first album. But the GH5 tracklist looks pretty terrible. The only song on the list that I absolutely want to play is "The Spirit of Radio" by Rush -- that song is fantastic.

But I haven't played a Guitar Hero game since Guitar Hero II on PS2. I don't see any reason to start now. I'm not really a fan of how Activision does business so I'd rather not support them.

[pelemerengue]

The key to victory against Guitar Hero is to just buy Beatles Rock Band and not buy Guitar Hero 5 because it's gonna suck
Uh, "victory" how? The Guitar Hero series vastly outsells Rock Band, no question. Even with all the sales The Beatles: Rock Band is sure to rack up, it's doubtful that Harmonix will claim "victory" over Activision and Guitar Hero any time soon.

I mean, unless we're talking about quality instead of sales. But I'm pretty sure they've already won that battle.

[beatlekorey]

lol my buddy bought GHWT when he bought his PS3 now he just complains about getting nothing in DLC and see's RB is the future .

[Rod_Stixx]

Interesting promotion. These days, lots of companies are trying anything to get sales boosted. If GH5 pre-orders are lagging, perhaps this is going to be a boost they can trumpet right before TBRB comes out.

My problem isn't so much with the setlist and how many songs I might like on GH5 (or VH). My problem is that I don't enjoy them in the same way I enjoy RB. I rented GHWT to play a few of the songs we were dying to play, and after playing through most of them twice, we pulled it out and went back to RB. Even though there were songs we really loved, they just weren't that fun to play in the GH game. I had much more fun playing songs I wasn't as familiar with in RB.

This deal is pretty enticing, since we'd otherwise be renting both of the new GH games involved, but I just don't think we'd play either one long enough to get value out of such a deal, good as it is.

[TheRollingBones]

That's kinda a plea from Activision for sales. I'm 99% sure that GH5 won't be in the same caliber as RB2 even, and GH:VH will be about 205% worse than TB:RB. There are WAAAAAY more Beatles fans out there than Van Halen fans. Eddie's a great guitarist, but as a package, the band doesn't even come close to stacking up to The Beatles- check album reviews. What I hate about the GH band games is that, unlike The Beatles RB, which will be a full-blown experience, they are little more than an overpriced track pack with one particular band. And the track pack isn't even just that band. I read just before the Aerosmith one came out that that game would be about 60-40 between Aerosmith and other bands, which is pretty consistent with the Metallica one, and probably the Van Halen one too. I'm sure that The Beatles Rock Band will be better than those two games combined.

[travmeatwad]

They've got my sale. If the games aren't any good, I could always sell them. But two games for the price of one is a great deal.

[mva5580]

I wasn't aware any game other than The Beatles: Rock Band is coming out this year.

[Icarus599]

Beatles is hardly a threat, but sales are down period for both games.

[KC3Dogs]

Plus, all the GH:VH songs are from Diamond Dave's catalog. Which is fine, it just limits the entire Van Halen catalog some, and not worth the full $59.99 (IMO).

[DMSweenz30]

There's just too many GH games this year, and I don't care enough to keep up. I got both RB2 and GHWT for Christmas and I played GHWT once...RB2 many many times.

[cutmaclass]

People with taste (as in Beatles fans) are going to buy the Beatles, regardless of whatever deal Activision has offered up. While Guitar Hero 5 will ultimately be outdated next year when Guitar Hero 6 comes out and GHVH is running dry due to lack of DLC, The Beatles will still be a remarkable and imaginative standalone package.

I really don't think either game is going to keep people from buying the other. People know what to expect with each one.

At this point, fighting Activision is basically as pointless and fighting Wal-Mart. I'm still fighting both, though. I just wish people would see through their tactics and deliver some hurt to the company to knock some sense into them. I haven't bought an Activision game since GH2 on the 360.

[ArchangelZero]

They're getting worried. They have thoughts that neither game will sell as much as they need, so they pulling the BOGO up.

Competition FTW!

This business would be no fun if other companies made it "too easy".;)

[dabrry0523]

I would buy GH 5 just for the songs but i hate the graphics and the back round guitar hero uses in their game and its not like they wont be DLC for Rock Band eventually

[odd-props]

If van halen songs were included on rb3 without the option to delete them unless you pay, I would pay to have them removed.

[PCTraitor]

Well I saw them selling preorders for Beatles Rock Band Special Edition on QVC and they were getting some orders. I think it's wise to use those sales outlets since so much Beatles memorabilia moves through that place. The game is going to do just fine.

[harveyglobetrot]

It's a pretty unprecedented move, this: giving away a free copy of a game that isn't even released yet. I think it is more to do with the weakness of the VH title rather than the weakness of the main GH platform (although I note pre-orders seem sluggish for GH5 as well).

If this deal comes to Australia, I don't think it will change my decision to purchase GH5. I'll still wait for reviews and/or rent it first before I decide to buy it. GH:VH holds no interest for me; getting a free game in which I'd actually pay for/play two songs if they came to RB (Best Of You and Dope Nose) is hardly a huge incentive.

I don't think this deal is directly correlated to TB:RB, but I think the game may have been a significant factor in the decision to do it.

[BurningTheory]

I wasn't aware any game other than The Beatles: Rock Band is coming out this year.

this made me lol. xD

[rad5brandon]

The atmosphere Rock Band gives off is just so much better than the one Guitar Hero gives off. When I see Guitar Hero I think gritty, cheap, and money- laundering. When I see Rock Band I think imaginative, smart, fun, and amazing. My friends and I love to get completely lost in a song, and the best part about Beatles Rock Band is how Bad it makes Guitar Hero looks.

The Beatles: RB is a standalone, title with 45 Beatles only songs, and DLC. It has integrated brand new technology like harmonies, vocal training, and Dreamscapes.

All the Guitar Hero Band Games have been Guitar Hero with that band as characters, 25 songs by that band, and then about 20 songs that aren't by them.
Big Whoop. Metallica was proabably the best in my opinion, but it still sucked... Hard.

What I mainly came here to post is this:
http://www.destructoid.com/kotick-i-would-raise-game-prices-higher-if-i-could-143049.phtml
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he would raise prices even HIGHER if he could. "And Tony, you know if it was left to me, I would raise the prices even further."
Read the full article for more.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

I doubt this BOGO move has to do with The Beatles: Rock Band. Rather, it seems that there is very little interest in the Van Halen title.

[Minots59]

I think of Guitar Hero Van Halen as extra money for trade ins.

[Reaver]

So is the band actually letting them do this? I mean, I'm not an expert on sales and whoe gets what, but I'm pretty sure the band gets a certain cut, and giving away their game for free is kinda...cheap. For VH atleast. I wonder if they regret going to Activision now...

[Apples]

I think a big piece of their problem is the 5 on the end of that title. 5 main titles in 5 years, 6 sub-titles/expansions, a couple portable versions and even arcade/phone versions.

People aren't stupid. Most of my friends have given up following it altogether because it is just too overwhelming and too draining to fork over for $60 discs with scattershot song selection.

[ThatAuthoringGroup]

Actually Apples it's only been 4 years.

Less actually.

GH1 - Nov 05
GH2 - Nov 06
GH3 - Oct 07
GhWT - Oct 08
GH5 - Sep 09.

5 main titles, and 5 offshoot titles in 4 years.

YIKES.

[Garbage2218]

I don't think that the RB beatles game has them that intimidated , or it shouldn't because it only appeals to a portion of their players

[PCTraitor]

I don't think that the RB beatles game has them that intimidated , or it shouldn't because it only appeals to a portion of their players

I think it's more about mind share. The way I look at it, Harmonix is using this to appeal to an untapped market. Those that are into music over those that are into games. That's why they are advertising on QVC and I'm willing to bet we'll start seeing the game thrown in with the advertising for the new Love releases on channels like ABC, CBS and NBC.

Mind share is the only reason that Guitar Hero sells more. Guitar Hero is the name associated with this type of experience and in most people's mind it's the only game. Not because of it's quality but because it owns the majority of the mind share.

But if you get out there with the Beatles people may learn to differentiate between Rock Band and Guitar Hero because they'll know that it was these guys that did the Beatles game. If your Grandma knows the difference because of the Beatles then that's a good strike against Guitar Hero even if they don't take any of their audience.

I can see the musicians that still scoff at Rock Band looking at this game differently after this is released, especially if it is as artistic and respectful as it seems to be.

[Andyy]

I think its in reaction to all music games lagging badly, both franchises sales are down, which is disappointing mostly for GH since they've had so many releases this year, whilst RB are content with DLC sales and the upcoming Beatles and Lego games.

It's concerning for GH since RB have made about a quarter of the effort GH have with games, yet still survive in sales, they feel they have to push the competition by giving away games in order to make sales look better.

[Nightmarez]

So is the band actually letting them do this? I mean, I'm not an expert on sales and whoe gets what, but I'm pretty sure the band gets a certain cut, and giving away their game for free is kinda...cheap. For VH atleast. I wonder if they regret going to Activision now...

That depends on the deal, they could have made it where they recieved a flat cut right off the top from Activision, which means they get get paid X amount no matter how many units are sold.

or if they took points meaning they get X% of all sales made.

So with the game being given away I am betting that they took the cut off the top and not the points. Meaning Activision has already paid what they had to pay to VH. Which may be good for VH depending on how well GH:A and GH:M sold, their flat cut may be higher than the possibile points would have gotten them.

[Nate86]

I do a have a theory as to why they are doing this, I am thinking with Rock Band having most of the good songs from GH5 up for DL (Kings of Leon, Gorillaz, etc..) and the only songs worth playing on GH5 for me are Cash, Tom Petty, Mellencamp, and Bon Jovi and from VH Foriegner and Killswitch Engage

or another reason could be GH5 preorders are not as good as TBRB so Activision is trying to up the ante

[YCFan282]

GH5 is not getting any advertising at all, while TB:RB is getting a fair share

this is just a Neversoft ad plea

[Apples]

The funny thing is I haven't seen this advertised very much, if at all. Meaning the only people who are going to take advantage are the hardcore following... many of which would have bought both games anyway.

[JoeLUFC4eva]

gh5 does have arctic monkeys and muse but that is about it
rock band ftw!

[nicko68]

Yeah, getting a free game is cool. And I like some songs on GH5 (Plug In Baby -- Muse), but the way I see it, Rock Band either has or will offer all of those songs eventually.

Rock Band still hasn't caught up with all the tracks on GHWT's disc.

[nicko68]

The key to victory against Guitar Hero is to just buy Beatles Rock Band and not buy Guitar Hero 5 because it's gonna suck

Victory? Are we at war?

[DookieMan]

Actually Apples it's only been 4 years.

Less actually.

GH1 - Nov 05
GH2 - Nov 06
GH3 - Oct 07
GhWT - Oct 08
GH5 - Sep 09.

5 main titles, and 5 offshoot titles in 4 years.

YIKES.

Technically, they are each in 5 separate years. But, it has only been 4 years in total.

[vcalzone]

Victory? Are we at war?
I hope not, because the Gretsch won't help against the Gene Simmons axe bass.

[i_c_weiner]

Actually, here's the entire list of all Guitar Hero games (including DJ Hero):

GH - Nov 2005
GH2 - Nov 2006
GH80s - Jul 2007
GH3 - Oct 2007
GH:OT - Jun 2008
GH:A - Jun 2008
GHWT - Sep 2008
GH:OTD - Nov 2008
GH:M - Mar 2009
GHSH - Jun 2009
GH:OTMH - Jun 2009
GH5 - Sep 2009
DJH - Oct 2009
BH - Nov 2009
GH:VH - Dec 2009

That's 15 games in 49 months. That's a game about every three months! Also there's about 950 unique songs to the series.

Now for Rock Band:
RB - Nov 2007
RB2 - Sep 2008
RBAC/DC - Sep 2008
RBU - Jun 2009
TB:RB - Sep 2009
LRB - Nov 2009

I didn't include track packs because they can be downloaded anyway. That's 6 games in 36 months, or a game per 6 months. I'd say there will be about 900 unique songs that will be available in the Rock Band series through the end of the year including TBRB DLC. However, on RB2 through the end of this year, you could be play 800 unique songs due to exportability of RB and RBAC/DC (for 360 and PS3) and DLC. 800 songs for one game versus 950 for 15. I think Rock Band already won.