No Rock Band for Australia in 2007 [Archive] - Rock Band Forums // Rock Band®

Just_Sixteen

08-14-2007, 12:28 AM

Don't read too much into that. It isn't Harmonix speaking, in fact it's Harmonix's competetion.

It could be another working of the Activision/Neversoft/Red Octane spin machine.

I wouldn't believe anything you hear unless it comes from a Harmonix representative.

Nothing has been announced in regards to released date yet.
Check the edit at the bottom:

[UPDATE:] When contacted by GameSpot UK, an EA representative said, "We don't think [Rock Band] will be released in Q4." GameSpot will bring you further details as soon as they are available.
From EA's mouth. :(

Kaboobi

08-14-2007, 12:33 AM

If you've got a PS3, all games a region free so import away. If you have a 360...pray that they keep it region free.

TheRocker

08-14-2007, 12:36 AM

If you've got a PS3, all games a region free so import away. If you have a 360...pray that they keep it region free.

Forgot about that , theres still hope for Europe and Aussie

karlkaza

08-14-2007, 01:06 AM

oh man!
I have sum UK friends that are in my band!
PRAY!!!!!

Terranova

08-14-2007, 01:08 AM

If you've got a PS3, all games a region free so import away. If you have a 360...pray that they keep it region free.

I have a PS3 so was thinking of importing myself .. I will hold off until we in Europe get some confirmation from Harmonix / EA as to when in Europe it's likely to arrive if it's just a month or so later after the U.S then i would wait any more than it's import time, hopefully we will get some idea at Leipzig.

LoneSteele

08-14-2007, 01:34 AM

they said places outside the US may not get it either ... does this count canada to?

No, when dealing with distribution, Canada and the U.S are in the same boat. There are set distributors for North America who make the game available to retailers. But sometimes when talking about a games release they just say America and kind of forget about us Canucks. Rock Band WILL release in Canada simultaneously with the USA, guarentee it.

scroll33

08-14-2007, 01:35 AM

Well if it's true RedOctaine will be celebrating a big jump in sales in Europe and Oz.

SoraRikuVGM

08-14-2007, 02:48 AM

http://au.gamespot.com/news/6176612.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

this is a very sad day for me :(

I'll be waiting with all you guys, except I'll be waiting for a Wii version. D:<

Bakkster_Man

08-14-2007, 03:03 AM

If you've got a PS3, all games a region free so import away. If you have a 360...pray that they keep it region free.

Would there be a PAL/NTSC compatibility issue?

Coldplayer

08-14-2007, 04:11 AM

I don't think Harmonix will do this to us. I just see no reason for this. It's still not official, just speculation.
And well, Australia doesn't mean Austria. I can't wait until next year. And I don't think I have to. I have hope in HMX.

scroll33

08-14-2007, 04:50 AM

I would have brushed it off as rumour if EA hadn't jumped in saying they doubt Europe will see it in 2007...that pretty much strkes it off the Xmas list.

Rev0lver

08-14-2007, 04:52 AM

lolz pwnd.

PinkFloyd

08-14-2007, 05:40 AM

Well if it's true RedOctaine will be celebrating a big jump in sales in Europe and Oz.

They won't be counting my money though, the arrogance of Red Octane is sickening. They act liket they invented the genre, and keep breating life into it. Especially in this last interview "we'll continue to innovate"...
HOW? The guitars have been the same three gens running, the game hasn't exactly changed, the gameplay has only slightly improved (although that always was spot-on, thanks to a little company called Harmonix, maybe you heard of 'em).
I was considering a dual-buy, but the attitude of RO and the ridiculous pricepoint of $100/100 euro that's floating around, I'll hold out for Rock Band by any means necessary.

JimNasium

08-14-2007, 05:55 AM

If you've got a PS3, all games a region free so import away. If you have a 360...pray that they keep it region free.

That's a (apparently) 20 pound box you're shipping though......$$$$

ausfrot

08-14-2007, 06:23 AM

Id like to hear official work from HMX on this one

scroll33

08-14-2007, 07:11 AM

Id like to hear official work from HMX on this one

Yea come on HMX squash this dirty rumour...your silence is deafening :rolleyes:

GrayInvisible

08-14-2007, 07:13 AM

English is the main language for Australia. Why does it take so long to port?

AVC808

08-14-2007, 07:24 AM

Yea come on HMX squash this dirty rumour...your silence is deafening :rolleyes:

my guess is they'll hold out for Leipzig before making any official announcement.

ausfrot

08-14-2007, 07:40 AM

its not translation its because in australia its PAL not NTSC

Coldplayer

08-14-2007, 08:32 AM

Bakkster_Man

08-14-2007, 11:12 AM

I don't think the PAL - NTSC port is a problem. The only problem I can think of is, that they can't produce enough periphials th ship it to all countries. Or let's say, they can't produce fast enough.

Well, I hope that won't be the case. Please, see how desperate I am? I need this game! Why not releasing it in Europe first? Why do we always have to wait? :(

I think it's a bit of both. PAL and NTSC are different enough that the graphics will have to be retested, which isn't an incredibly short process. In addition, producing enough strats means they can't easily do a worldwide release.

noumenon

08-14-2007, 11:21 AM

Stop being whingy losers.

Sif you couldn't see a delay like this coming. It's not a case of 'OMG i dun care i belieeve in HMX' - I'm sure if they had anything to do with the distribution they'd love to see a world-wide simultaneous release. Unfortunately the logistics of such a thing for a package like Rock Band are no doubt highly challenging.

From the article I read about it it's plain old demand outstripping supply - much like the Wii upon release (not enough physical units to go around). So they're going to release it first in the US where they'll probably get most sales. Too bad for those of us in Aus and UK etc; as much as you're 'omg gonna DIE if you cant play it' you'll just have to sit on your effeminite hands and wait patiently.

God I hate fanboys. You make it sound like a bit of blind faith and a snap of the old fingers will lead to a simultaneous world release. Guess what geniuses; I'm sure everybody involved is doing everything possible to have the game released before the holiday season, because they want to sell as many units as possible. If they're forecasting it's not going to happen that's just the way it is.

scroll33

08-14-2007, 11:34 AM

I wonder if HDMI does away with the whole NTSC/PAL divide?

AKA_The_Joker

08-14-2007, 03:26 PM

I spoke to a leading supplier of EA Games in Australia who confirmed that a it was pushed back from November to early 2008. It has always annoyed me that in a global gaming community which promotes competition/rank that the U.S always get games released earlier. So when we eventually get the games we get owned by Americans who have had the privlege of 3-6 months extra experience.

AKA_The_Joker

08-14-2007, 03:43 PM

On that note is their anyway someone who controls this site can add other countries other than the US so we can adjust our profiles accordingly. Would be good to know what other forum users are from Australia so we can organise games when the game is finally released. I'm sure lag will be a problem when playing online with people from the US like it is with all games down here, but I imagine lag in a musical rhythm game being unplayable.

Slab_X

08-14-2007, 04:45 PM

I can't believe this. First Smash Bros. Brawl, now Rock Band. WTF!? I am feeling a combination of anger and sadness after seeing this news.

Australia is alot smaller than Europe, so getting a game out like this here would be a hell of alot easier I would think. At least I'll have GH3 to keep me busy in the meantime. I just hope we don't have to wait too ****ing long. As a PAL gamer, I am sick and tired of waiting.

scroll33

08-14-2007, 07:00 PM

It's a good business descision tho, better to have a strong showing with plenty of units in one region than a weak world wide release leaving every region short. All we need now is RO to do the same :rolleyes:

staind_1603

08-14-2007, 08:05 PM

UPDATE:

NO ROCK BAND FOR EUROPE EITHER!!!!!!!

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sad-pandas/rock-band-missing-europes-christmas-too-289522.php

sa_nick

08-14-2007, 08:32 PM

For over 2 months many sources have been saying that Rock Band will be released in 2008 down here in Australia. This source is just as credible as the others, which doesn't say much. It's still pretty damn possible though, which sucks.

As for importing, it is possible and the game should work on PS3... but who will ship a huge box like that? and more importantly, how much will it cost?

Brock_Landers

08-14-2007, 09:10 PM

Yeah, my retailers have been saying Jan 08 in NZ so I'm not too surprised if this is troof.

Will just have to throw pinecones at kids for the extra months :/

scroll33

08-14-2007, 09:42 PM

UPDATE:

NO ROCK BAND FOR EUROPE EITHER!!!!!!!

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sad-pandas/rock-band-missing-europes-christmas-too-289522.php

Hang on tho, that's not new news, Kotaku are just regurgitating what they read via Gamespot same as we did YESTERDAY. Not saying it's not true but it shouldn't be viewed as NEW news.

Terranova

08-14-2007, 11:38 PM

UPDATE:

NO ROCK BAND FOR EUROPE EITHER!!!!!!!

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sad-pandas/rock-band-missing-europes-christmas-too-289522.php

The EA rep said he THINKS that it wont arrive this year he didn't say it wouldn't it's still 4 months away a lot can happen in that time although I'm not going to hold my breath that it will be this year Europe is never that lucky.

anyway as i said in a previous post I'll wait for 100% confirmation from HMX /EA and see when it's due in the UK.. if it's to long then I will import I'm only interested in the guitar and drums plus the game of course so i'll just import the guitar and game and get the drums at a later date. it wont be to much to import most likely work out the same as buying it in the UK in the first place.

Coldplayer

08-15-2007, 12:12 AM

Whyy???!! Why are you doing this?? It was hard for me to wait until November, now I have to wait until 2008!?? And I have to look jealous at the USA...

I'm so sad right now. :( :mad:

Bakkster_Man

08-15-2007, 12:20 AM

To be fair though, they have a few hundred million more potential customers here in North America, and another couple hundred million in Europe. From a business standpoint, it's better to sell out in North America, especially when distribution doesn't have to leave the continent.

CraiZE

08-15-2007, 02:58 AM

European here, and we also got the stinky finger. Well, as much as I anticpiated Rock band and found the wait already way too long, I can now sadly announce to have thrown the towel and have lost my entire interest in the game (maybe it has to do with the setlist not being all that impressive so far compared to GH3).

With the release date set so far apart from our american fellows I will be taking my 200$ and give them to someone else (Bioshock, GH3, etc).

And don't get me wrong, this is not a decision out of anger or envy - But there are other games that deserve my money which come out around that time Rock Band should have.

If EA/Harmonix think its fun to f*ck with us and not bring out their game worldwide, well hey, I got the free choice of not giving them one single penny. I mean, in those 200 Buck package - you pay them to solve such issues - not to get some crappy excuse as of why they couldn't solve a problem.

I would have paid 200$ - not 100$ and given an excuse for the other 100, that doesn't work either. This will most likely be my last post also as I no longer see a reason to be on these boards.

Good luck to Harmonix - I prey for you that not all customers are like me.

Bobalicious93

08-15-2007, 04:47 AM

how i long for a developer who releases all of their games worldwide at THE SAME TIME!!!
its easy for americans to say "duhhh stop complaining they are doing the right thing they will have more sales here" YOU'RE GETTING THE F***ING GAME IN NOVEMBER!!!! WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL 2008 MOST LIKELY NOW.

Bakkster_Man

08-15-2007, 05:02 AM

If EA/Harmonix think its fun to f*ck with us and not bring out their game worldwide, well hey, I got the free choice of not giving them one single penny. I mean, in those 200 Buck package - you pay them to solve such issues - not to get some crappy excuse as of why they couldn't solve a problem.

how i long for a developer who releases all of their games worldwide at THE SAME TIME!!!
its easy for americans to say "duhhh stop complaining they are doing the right thing they will have more sales here" YOU'RE GETTING THE F***ING GAME IN NOVEMBER!!!! WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL 2008 MOST LIKELY NOW.

Sorry you guys feel that way. As an engineer, I can tell you a lot of these decisions are about tradeoffs. Maybe to get both PAL and NTSC versions tested for simultaneous release it would have pushed it back to after the holiday season for everybody. Maybe the production facilities have a limited throughput and making enough to supply 3 continents-worth of demand would push everybody back another full month.

Assuming this is the case, does it really make good business sense to delay the primary market so that the smaller markets get a simultaneous release? Maybe the choice was made to release in the US for the holiday, as opposed to everywhere in January. I'm not saying I know what's going on in HMXs heads, but I doubt this decision was made out of spite.

If you guys really feel spited, I'm sorry. You can feel free to not buy RB when it does reach you, but I doubt that will really make you feel any better about the situation.

Coldplayer

08-15-2007, 05:10 AM

LoneSteele

08-15-2007, 05:24 AM

I understand you guys, I mean, I feel so sad about it too. I'm also a little dissapointed by one of my favourite developers. Maybe HMX can't help it, maybe it's EAs fault, who knows it.

But I'd like to finally hear an official word on this. I want a release date.

Jesus, it is no ones fault! The fact of the matter is that it just wouldn't be possible to finish the game, localize it for all markets, press enough disks, and manufacture enough peripherals to supply three continents worth of consumers.

Look at what happened with all three of the next-gen consoles. They ALL tried simultaneous worldwide releases essentially, all the major markets that is... and look how that worked out. Supply was minimal and price-gauging took place. The only people hurt was the consumer. The fact of the matter is that the game is developed/manufactured in North America, so its just EASIER to get it to that market first, regardless of the fact that it makes the most business sense (Harmonix IS a company after all with the goal to make money!).

Listen, I feel for you, I really do, but there really isn't much that can be done, even if HMX/EA wanted (which they no doubt do). In a perfect world, we'd all be playing Rock Band in the coming months, but that is not this world. At least you 360 owners can be held over with the plethora of good games coming out in the near future!

Bakkster_Man

08-15-2007, 05:29 AM

Jesus, it is no ones fault! The fact of the matter is that it just wouldn't be possible to finish the game, localize it for all markets, press enough disks, and manufacture enough peripherals to supply three continents worth of consumers.

Exactly, worldwide release doesn't get the game out any quicker in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, it just gets it out later in America...

CraiZE

08-15-2007, 06:26 AM

You know, if you are american, this couldn't bother you less.

But Europeans and Australians have been continously getting things about 6-12months later as industry standard - and that since day 1. This generation has had its "almost" worldwide launches and practically all games come out on the same day worldwide nowadays.

I find it more frustrating that the game is being delayed then there being short supply. The "localisation" is in no way an excuse as none of their previous games actually were localized. They were plain english (there is no german or french version of any of their previous products!). Plus, localisation is quite an easy task that only takes a few hours to be done (for a game like rockband, im not talking about RPG's here).

Moving on, I feel left behind from a company that I was willing to support with my hard earned money. If I am secondary choice to them why should they be my primary choice?

There is only so much time you can wait on a game until you do stop caring about it and move on. The idea of rockband sounds nice but with the current setlist, the high price, the release date being pushed to a non-holiday season so that all of us who do go to school/HS/college won't even have the time to spend on the game is just ridiculous.

For 200$, i do wish the game to come out during a period where i can invest time into it, and unless it doesnt come out til x-mas 2008 (where my interest would have been completely lost anyhow), i wont have much time on my hands to play rockband, so paying 200$ for it would be a waste as I could barely enjoy it (regardless of the setlist).

I wonder how some of you would react if the game came out in EU/AUS and not in the US, I highly doubt that the "I feel sad for you" comments would be of any help, you'd be darn pi**ed off too.

I for one will not be supporting Harmonix or any of their future products anymore with the loudest voice I can - my money (they will not get). I hope some other company who gets things done the right way will just copycat them ignoring Guitar Hero's setlist so we get those songs too.

Im not wishing bankrupcy upon Harmonix (or anything bad for that matter), but seeing how they ignore EU/AUS, it definately is not a company I wish to support in the long run, as I do not support non-worldwide releases (no matter the publisher/game) as of this console generation.

Whichever problems they have that cause the delay, I could care less. Its not my problem - its theirs. I pay them to deal with those problems, not for them to use em as excuse for a delay.

Sorry, but I am majorly dissapointed in Harmonix by pushing their decision of ignoring me as well as all other Europeans / Australians as customers on to me. I will not support such a company in any way.

scroll33

08-15-2007, 06:33 AM

/ Prays GHIII isn't delayed. If RO run into a similar issues they would be very wise to bin the USA release in favour of PAL territories :)

Coldplayer

08-15-2007, 06:44 AM

Well. that the previous games were not localized is not true. The games all had german text, but this game almost has no text. That won't take long.
The only excuse I see is that they can't produce enough. That's probably it.

And CraiZE, I'm sad and angry just like you, but we're not paying for a " certain release date that has to meet it's deadline" we pay for the game when it's there.

It can't be helped anyway. If they are not able to make it they won't make it.

I just want that game...

whofan

08-15-2007, 06:47 AM

Ummmmmm, if you're so deadset against buying the game, why are you posting here? It doesn't make any sense.

Yes, I understand your frustration (somethings don't come out in Canada until several months after the American release date, very frustrating! So I do truly understand your frustration), HOWEVER you do have realize that there are a tonne of logistics to sort out with a worldwide release here. Supply of disks, peripherials, materials, etc. is of primary concern. Localization should not be underestimated as a "mere hours" task in that some programming may be necessary, ensuring the game complies with local regulations, local ratings board decisions, etc. This is not an overnight task and it can go VERY wrong, VERY quickly.

All you have to do is look at Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony's examples for the classic example of a botched worldwide launch. All three consoles had nearly, if not actual, synchronised worldwide launches and all 3 were not available for long periods of time due to various issues, including supply. That created A LOT of bad press for the companies and I'm sure Harmonix wishes to avoid that situation altogether.

They aren't ignoring you, they're insuring that they'll have enough supply to ensure that you can purchase the game when you want it.

Would you rather have the game "released" worldwide but never be able to find a copy because it's sold out everywhere for months and months? I know I wouldn't. I'd rather them wait and create ample supply before releasing it in my jurisdiction.

On top of all of this, Harmonix is a company, out to make profit. Therefore, what makes the most sense, release the game in America first, where the market is biggest, or release in a variety of smaller markets? I don't think I need to tell you what ALL companies would do.

There is no need to be upset with Harmonix over this decision, it's just good business and common sense. Think about the situation from the point of view of an employee of Harmonix and tell me I'm wrong.

This is not a slight or insult to Europeans or Australians, it's just reality, and if you can't accept that, well, there's no helping you really.

Bakkster_Man

08-15-2007, 06:48 AM

I find it more frustrating that the game is being delayed then there being short supply. The "localisation" is in no way an excuse as none of their previous games actually were localized. They were plain english (there is no german or french version of any of their previous products!). Plus, localisation is quite an easy task that only takes a few hours to be done (for a game like rockband, im not talking about RPG's here).

I think you vastly underestimate the time difference between a local and global release. It's not a question of language, it's a question of technology (PAL/NTSC) and distribution. Regardless, even language localization requires days of translation, plus all the proofreading in the new language.

There is only so much time you can wait on a game until you do stop caring about it and move on. The idea of rockband sounds nice but with the current setlist, the high price, the release date being pushed to a non-holiday season so that all of us who do go to school/HS/college won't even have the time to spend on the game is just ridiculous.

We're not talking Duke Nukem Forever, here. RB was just announced and shown. If you can't wait 6 months then one of two things happened: either you're incredibly impatient, or you got excited too early and burned yourself out. Neither is Harmonix's fault. A lot of games are announced even earlier in development, a year or more.

I'm sorry that you don't feel like waiting for RB, but if you are seriously that flustered that you might have to wait 2 more months (oh noes!), then have fun trying to find games that either only get announced right before release or stop learning about games in development. Games take time to make, so either learn to deal with it or stop playing games altogether.

Meanwhile, the rest of us will just wait for the release date and enjoy our game.

Coldplayer

08-15-2007, 06:50 AM

In terms of console launch. If that's the problem, I don't care. Only people who tried to buy a console days after the launch had problems. I got all my consoles at launch day.
If Rockband comes out, I'll bet there at launch day and I'm sure I get the game. I don't care if you can't get it anymore a day later.

whofan

08-15-2007, 06:56 AM

What if you can't find it launch day though, or if you're too busy (family emergency or other last minute thing comes up)?

The point is, Harmonix doesn't want to just service those that get to the game stores quickly, they want to be able to serve EVERYONE who wants the game regardless of when you get to the store. If I can't get to the store until the launch evening due to work I shouldn't have to be told "Sorry buddy, but we sold out within an hour. Should have been here earlier when we sold off the 3 we got." That's not fair to the consumers.

Think past the rabid fanboy state of mind of "I'm going to be lined up outside the store for 4 days to ensure I get it" and think about everyone who have other priorities (School, Work, etc) and still want this game. Even if you preorder it, you're not necessarily guarenteed one if they don't get enough in to even fill preorders unless you're there at 6:00 AM. I wouldn't want to see that happen, would you?

*Note: This is not a flame against anyone here, especially not Coldplayer or CraiZE I'm just pleading for some sanity to these conversations. Far too many people are jumping the gun with an emotional response instead of a well thought out one.

Coldplayer

08-15-2007, 08:25 AM

Yeah, you're right, there is a small possibility that I can't get it at launch. And then I have to wait. But does it matter if I have to wait because I could not get it at launch or if I have to wait because the game isn't out yet? It's the same thing, but if it comes out, I still have the chance to get it at launch.

Anyway. I'm tired of this, we can't change it anyway. Let's wait for an official statement by HMX. (and an official release date)

twodave

08-15-2007, 01:31 PM

Sadly, those of us in NZ/AU are used to getting a lot of things late. Not everything, but a lot of things.

Some games are day-1 here (World of Warcraft shipped in NZ the day it shipped in the US), most are a week, and anything bigger like a console is a month. Even the Wii despite huge shortages world-wide was not that late to be available here.

So I think it's pretty reasonable to expect an early-November US release to be a early-December NZ/AU release given it's not disimilar to a console. 2008 is much more of a disappointment and given other distributors seem to keep it limited to about a month, it's not really justifiable.

Will wait for HMX official releases of course :)

(Aside: Localisation should be a non-issue for NZ/AU, one pass in PAL for SD playback is all that is required, HD is HD.)

sa_nick

08-15-2007, 06:59 PM

Here in Australia we get Crysis 40 hours b4 the U.S.

Thats 1 win for Aust, 50 billion for US

Terranova

08-15-2007, 07:46 PM

I don't know why anyone else isn't thinking of importing if they want to get the game that badly.. i don't know where everyone is from but I would guess importing into the UK including the shipping would most likely work out the same as getting it in the UK in the first place.. the only downside i would see would be having to wait for the Euro release and the Euro PS store/ Xbox Live updates to be able to download any DLC.. but the disc content should be enough until then so i see no reason not to import.

KillerIsMe

08-15-2007, 08:49 PM

Man this is so weak... I really hope this isn't true, I'm looking forward to this too much...
Official statement Harmonix?

PurpleHaze

08-15-2007, 09:36 PM

I would guess importing into the UK including the shipping would most likely work out the same as getting it in the UK in the first place..Slightly off topic, but this really presses my buttons (and this is directed at the games industry, not the poster). It is absolutely absurd that it is almost definitely cheaper to buy it in the US and pay for the shipping yourself, rather than buy it in the UK. If the rumored 200 dollar price is true - then, at the current exchange rate, that should be a UK price of 100 pounds, but anyone in the UK will know from experience that it'll be much higher than that. This is why the industry loves region restrictions - because it locks customers into inflated regional pricing. How they keep getting away with it year after year is beyond me.

Bakkster_Man

08-15-2007, 11:57 PM

This is why the industry loves region restrictions - because it locks customers into inflated regional pricing. How they keep getting away with it year after year is beyond me.

Because people keep buying it. If the market operates at the higher price point, then they'll keep it. Unless everyone there decides not to buy games at that price, it'll stay.

Macro Economics, yeah!

Bobalicious93

08-16-2007, 01:17 AM

I wonder how some of you would react if the game came out in EU/AUS and not in the US, I highly doubt that the "I feel sad for you" comments would be of any help, you'd be darn pi**ed off too.

Exactly what im trying to say

Bobalicious93

08-16-2007, 01:22 AM

Slightly off topic, but this really presses my buttons (and this is directed at the games industry, not the poster). It is absolutely absurd that it is almost definitely cheaper to buy it in the US and pay for the shipping yourself, rather than buy it in the UK. If the rumored 200 dollar price is true - then, at the current exchange rate, that should be a UK price of 100 pounds, but anyone in the UK will know from experience that it'll be much higher than that. This is why the industry loves region restrictions - because it locks customers into inflated regional pricing. How they keep getting away with it year after year is beyond me.

and it will be even more expensive here.

what it should be:(using converter)
200 USD
100 BP
145 Euro

What it probably will be:
200 USD
150-170 BP
230-250 Euro

PurpleHaze

08-16-2007, 01:47 AM

Because people keep buying it. If the market operates at the higher price point, then they'll keep it. Unless everyone there decides not to buy games at that price, it'll stay.

Macro Economics, yeah!That's all well and good if the consumer, or more importantly the retailers, have a choice. However, in these cases, not only is there no choice, but the choices have been deliberately and artificially restricted - and that essentially is price fixing, which is the point when government legislation should be stepping in.

Bakkster_Man

08-16-2007, 04:36 AM

That's all well and good if the consumer, or more importantly the retailers, have a choice. However, in these cases, not only is there no choice, but the choices have been deliberately and artificially restricted - and that essentially is price fixing, which is the point when government legislation should be stepping in.

You do have a choice. This is not gas or food, this is a luxury item. If the price is too high for what you will spend, then don't buy it. It seems the games market is artificially inflated because there are people who will buy games no matter the cost.

http://www.debunking-economics.com/Maths/Present_for_Sraffa_files/image002.gif
Since the market will try to meet the central point, if your demand curve becomes vertical (x-number of units sold no matter the price), the market price will tend to reach higher. It's not the companies that are causing this, it is the consumers. There's no motivation for game companies to charge less than this market price, if people buy the games then that's the price.

PurpleHaze

08-16-2007, 05:32 AM

You do have a choice. This is not gas or food, this is a luxury item. If the price is too high for what you will spend, then don't buy it. It seems the games market is artificially inflated because there are people who will buy games no matter the cost.If the only choices in the entire market were "Price X" or "opt out" - then fair enough. That isn't the case - there's "Price X" in one country, "Price Y" in another country, and "Price Z" in another country - and the industry is deliberately restricting access to those choices in order to artificially maintain the difference between them. It's effectively no different than abusing a monopolistic position, and as Microsoft know all too well, the law certainly doesn't approve of that. ;)

Bakkster_Man

08-16-2007, 06:05 AM

If the only choices in the entire market were "Price X" or "opt out" - then fair enough.

That's not the market choice, that's YOUR choice: buy or don't buy. My argument is that a larger number of brits/aussies/NZers are willing to pay those higher prices, shifting the demand curve to the right.

That isn't the case - there's "Price X" in one country, "Price Y" in another country, and "Price Z" in another country - and the industry is deliberately restricting access to those choices in order to artificially maintain the difference between them. It's effectively no different than abusing a monopolistic position, and as Microsoft know all too well, the law certainly doesn't approve of that. ;)

The reason for prices X, Y, and Z is demand X, Y, and Z. If demand in Y is higher than in X, then price Y will be greater than price X, assuming supply is the same. Of course, supply Y and Z will be slightly higher, due to export costs.

I don't think that monopolistic forces are the result of the price difference, I think it's just the economic pressures. If you can give me a good economic reason for them to drop the prices, I'll agree with you. As it stands, I don't think they have a supply surplus that requires a price drop to fix, nor do I think they would increase their sales enough by lowering the price to still increase their profit.

Yeah, it sucks, but it sucks because of market pressures, not because The Video Game Industry is price gouging.

Also, do GB/AU/NZ have VAT?

PurpleHaze

08-16-2007, 10:45 AM

The reason for prices X, Y, and Z is demand X, Y, and Z. If demand in Y is higher than in X, then price Y will be greater than price X, assuming supply is the same. Of course, supply Y and Z will be slightly higher, due to export costs.

I don't think that monopolistic forces are the result of the price difference, I think it's just the economic pressures. If you can give me a good economic reason for them to drop the prices, I'll agree with you. As it stands, I don't think they have a supply surplus that requires a price drop to fix, nor do I think they would increase their sales enough by lowering the price to still increase their profit.You're basically arguing from their point of view, and on that basis it's hard to disagree - why should they change a model that's working well for them. However, is it "fair" - that's a very un-economic and emotive word, but that's what it boils down to for the consumer. Maybe I'm being naive here, but when it comes down to matters like "fairness", then isn't that when governments should step in to protect their peoples' rights - because, as you have explained, the market itself certainly has no economic motivation to correct the problem.

Ultimately, all I can do is give my reaction as a consumer, I'm certainly no expert in economics, and to me it seems grossly wrong - and that should count for something, even though it seemingly doesn't.

twodave

08-16-2007, 11:38 AM

The market price is entirely what the market will tolerate, given the way the price in the shops isn't influenced by exchange rate much at all.

Games in NZ are usually $100-120, for a game that is US$50-60, and that was true even when the exchange rate was as high as 1NZD=0.80USD, where it should be nowhere near $120 for a game.

I call this the "local screw-you factor". :)

Importing is an option but finding decent online stores who will ship to NZ gets interesting. Thankfully it's no longer illegal to parallel import so an enterprising game store could just units imported separately to whatever EA does, but that's not hugely common.

If it's going to be January for sure, I will wait. If it's later than that, and I can land it myself for no more than a few dollars over retail, then I'll import.

noumenon

08-16-2007, 05:12 PM

This is hilarious watching some of you throw your toys down and have a good old whingy, sooky temper tantrum.

Please try not to get moralistic and indignant about this. I can't stand that crap; 'if HMX doesn't care about me as a consumer then I don't care about them'. PPPPPPPFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTT. Yes, I'm sure this is happening intentionally because they just like their US customers more. That's also why the game is very likely to be cheaper in US compared to UK/AUS.

Get over yourselves. Firstly, this probably has nothing to do with HMX. This is a logistical distribution and manufacturing issue. HMX makes the game and that's it. It would be the publisher and distributors that might be more responsible (EA, MTV etc).

And stop taking it so personally you losers. God, it's not because HMX omg hatez u, it's because this is a product being released to consumers to make money. They can't do a world-wide release, so they're releasing it first into the most lucrative and logistically straight-forward market.

And OMG I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA!!!!1

staind_1603

08-16-2007, 06:49 PM

And OMG I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA!!!!1

ur profile says usa :|

mrmooz

08-16-2007, 07:06 PM

ur profile says usa :|

When becoming a member they give you only american cities to choose from. You will notice mine says Alabama when im from sydney. But it doesn't really matter does it.

Coldplayer

08-17-2007, 03:13 AM

U know what really pisses me off?

If Rockband really comes out months later in Europe, than the US already get loads of DLC, as promised by HMX (every week after the release, right?), when we don't even have the original game. And what's going to happen with all that DLC?? They probably will only release it on the american XBL Marketplace. So will we get all that stuff that already came out on the US marketplace altogether on the same day when the game comes out in Europe? Maybe one day after the release? Or will we never get it? Or will we get it later than the US every time then? I mean, we'll get what the US got week for week, and the US already get brandnew songs?

That's just... argh... it makes me so sad.

Please HMX, try to get it out here soon too. I can live with one or two weeks later than in the US, but 2008?? That would also make DLC more complicated...

RockBand.com