eBay and the lemming effect

[talented_rocker]

I can't help but wonder how many enterprising eBay profiteers are stuck with copies of RockBand now that the feeding frenzy in the US and especially Canada is nearing an end. There are likely some bargains to be had in the coming days!

And on a related note, after waving money at Harmonix in a desperate attempt to make them rich, gnashing teeth in forums over shipping delays (like Harmonix even gives a rats ass knowing how many people as so desperate to have this thing) or even paying the outrageous premium on eBay JUST to get the thing before Xmas (again, a whole thesis waiting to be written - lots of buyers paid $100 and more above retail), was it worth it? Is the game really all that and worth the exorbitant price?

Just wondering. My kid wants it and while I refused to jump off the cliff with everyone else just to get it first, it does look like fun but I seriously question the price tag.

[Parodygm]

As a team game, it's outstanding. If your thing is going to be playing a co-operative band, preferably locally but also online to a lesser extent, then it's well worth the investment if you're generally interested in the rhythm game concept.

Even just considering solo mode, the drums alone blow Guitar Hero out of the water.

Oh and for the record, and I bought it at release for PS3 from the store at retail price.

[Wanny1]

I can't help but wonder how many enterprising eBay profiteers are stuck with copies of RockBand now that the feeding frenzy in the US and especially Canada is nearing an end. There are likely some bargains to be had in the coming days!

And on a related note, after waving money at Harmonix in a desperate attempt to make them rich, gnashing teeth in forums over shipping delays (like Harmonix even gives a rats ass knowing how many people as so desperate to have this thing) or even paying the outrageous premium on eBay JUST to get the thing before Xmas (again, a whole thesis waiting to be written - lots of buyers paid $100 and more above retail), was it worth it? Is the game really all that and worth the exorbitant price?

Just wondering. My kid wants it and while I refused to jump off the cliff with everyone else just to get it first, it does look like fun but I seriously question the price tag.

I'm a canadian and I bought it on Ebay. I paid 280$ EVERYTHING included. I have no broken pheripherals so far and the game is a blast. I'm soloing the drums a lot and play with people online. Worth it because no stores has it here.

[Bergzilla]

Yeah, I'm in Canada, and none of the stores have the bundles here yet. So I wouldn't say it's quite over yet.

[shelion]

I first played GH at a friend's house on his XBOX. Really fun game but since he only had one controller, only one person could play at a time. When we heard about Rock Band, we couldn't wait to get it because now 4 could play at a time. This is one of the best features of the game. The character creation and world tour features are also very cool but forming a band and rocking out with friends is what makes it an outstanding game, in my opinion. I bought the game for myself in fact, though I have a PS2.

Just to give some backstory-my PS2 console is a friend's that's on longterm loan because he bought a PS3. I own an original Playstation, purchased a year or two after they came out. I actually own maybe 6 games, including Rock Band. I don't spend money on video games, as a general rule, because they just aren't that important to me. That being said, I couldn't wait to shell out $160 for Rock Band because the game just rocks! I especially like the drums and vocals.

Considering the controllers that come with it, I think the price tag is pretty reasonable, for what you get. And, it looks like I'll be upgrading to a PS3 so that I can get the character and band world tour features. So I'm going to be spending another $460 (console plus game disk) to play the game. That's how much fun it is. If you can, try to find somewhere you can play it. That way, you'll be able to better decide if you want to spend the money.

[ftmsanchez]

I first played GH at a friend's house on his XBOX. Really fun game but since he only had one controller, only one person could play at a time. When we heard about Rock Band, we couldn't wait to get it because now 4 could play at a time. This is one of the best features of the game. The character creation and world tour features are also very cool but forming a band and rocking out with friends is what makes it an outstanding game, in my opinion. I bought the game for myself in fact, though I have a PS2.

Just to give some backstory-my PS2 console is a friend's that's on longterm loan because he bought a PS3. I own an original Playstation, purchased a year or two after they came out. I actually own maybe 6 games, including Rock Band. I don't spend money on video games, as a general rule, because they just aren't that important to me. That being said, I couldn't wait to shell out $160 for Rock Band because the game just rocks! I especially like the drums and vocals.

Considering the controllers that come with it, I think the price tag is pretty reasonable, for what you get. And, it looks like I'll be upgrading to a PS3 so that I can get the character and band world tour features. So I'm going to be spending another $460 (console plus game disk) to play the game. That's how much fun it is. If you can, try to find somewhere you can play it. That way, you'll be able to better decide if you want to spend the money.

Since you don't seem to be someone who buys games a lot , you'd be better off w/ a 360 considering how much cheaper it would run you.

[cjkuhlenbeck]

They're about the same in price, dont start the console war, please. I own a PS3 and a 360 and i paid the same for both (actually a bit more, considering ive dumped alot in xbox live gold accounts)

[Superkebabi]

Well, I'm a Canadian, and I got it for 179.99 plus shipping, so I basically paid sale price for it, and trust me, you will definatly have a blast with this game when/if you get it.

[DesiredFX]

Since you don't seem to be someone who buys games a lot , you'd be better off w/ a 360 considering how much cheaper it would run you.

You kind of missed his point: he has a PS2 and has gotten Rock Band for the PS2.

The PS2 instruments are identical to the PS3 instruments, so if he were to upgrade to the PS3, he would spend the price of the PS3 plus $60 on the game.

If he were to go to the 360, he would spend the price of the 360, plus $170 for the game and he would have a set of drums and a guitar controller that wouldn't work with it.

[Ventura]

or even paying the outrageous premium on eBay JUST to get the thing before Xmas (again, a whole thesis waiting to be written - lots of buyers paid $100 and more above retail), was it worth it? Is the game really all that and worth the exorbitant price?

That's a very good question actually.

I bought two PS3 bundles and had em both shipped to Australia. Paid on average about $210 for each bundle, then at least another $110 for USPS shipping out here.

All in all, it's come up to just over $750AU. You could probably say I've spent more on owning Rock Band than anyone else, and I live down under.

For most people, it would probably be a huge waste of time. But I live for games like this, and what else would I be doing with my time? Playing Guitar Hero 3? Please.

There was a magical moment back on Boxing day when I had my mum and her boyfriend around. I was on drums, my fiance was on lead guitar, my mum was on bass, and her boyfriend was singing. It was just a great time for me, and Rock Band made it possible.

While I regret many of the things I purchase (and lord knows I spend a lot of money on stuff like this), Rock Band isn't one of those things.

[sillystou]

All in all, it's come up to just over $750AU. You could probably say I've spent more on owning Rock Band than anyone else, and I live down under.


Damn dude! I think that this makes you one of the people who wanted Rockband the most on this forum hehe How much does that make in American dollars? Whatever it is, it's a LOT for a video game hehe Hope you aren't bored with it in 2 weeks!

[Ventura]

Damn dude! I think that this makes you one of the people who wanted Rockband the most on this forum hehe How much does that make in American dollars? Whatever it is, it's a LOT for a video game hehe Hope you aren't bored with it in 2 weeks!

Yeah it's a lot of money eh. $750au equates to about $655 of your American dollars right now.

Great game though, and once the hardware issues are fully ironed out and it's released locally everywhere, it's just going to own the world in 2008.

[AdamBomb629]

I bought two extra copies on release date, one extra PS3, one extra 360. I sold the PS3 on ebay for $239 + $40 UPS and the 360 went unsold (but I returned it to Wal-Mart on the 30th day).

[icantwaitforrockband]

The price is perfect It's a much better value than guitar hero at 110 here in Canada. 60 more bucks for a mic and drums. And better guitar and song IMO. Much better and more DLC now and to come! Get it dude. But there is no way I would've paid more than retail. I don't beleive in it. Not that it wouldn't have been worth it, but I can wait a month or two to save a 1000 bucks.

[Faldrok]

...was it worth it? Is the game really all that and worth the exorbitant price?

Just wondering. My kid wants it and while I refused to jump off the cliff with everyone else just to get it first, it does look like fun but I seriously question the price tag.

Well, since it's after Christmas now, you don't have to worry about paying an "exorbitant price" -- if you're in the US, it should be fairly easy (If not now, in a weeks time when the stores restock, definitely) to find the game for any console at regular retail price, if not for sale. I know of someone who bought the bundle for about $15 cheaper at his local Target.

So, like everyone else has said, yes -- it's a great game. Your kid will love it, and you probably will too!

[shelion]

Since you don't seem to be someone who buys games a lot , you'd be better off w/ a 360 considering how much cheaper it would run you.

I have a friend with a 360 and he told me the same thing. Then I did the math:

360 console $350 + Rock Band bundle $170 = $520
PS3 console $400 + Rock Band disc $60 = $460

As someone else pointed out, my current controllers will work on a PS3 so I just have to buy the game disc. I'm not an economist or a mathematician but I'm pretty sure that $460 is less than $520. ;)

[talented_rocker]

Hmm, so it's either a whole bunch of Harmonix employees answering these posts or a great game.

The reasonable cynic in me will accept something in the middle ;)

I still shake my head at the price and those who paid way more than retail but it looks like it might be worth the coin for this one if the feedback here is any indication.

Thanks