Rock Band in Hight Demand?

[Snowwolf]

Do you guy's think Rock Band is going to be the hottest video game for the X-mas season? The reason I ask is at my GameStop in Myrtle Beach SC, they said that there are only 6 Pre-orders. They aren't going to have a midnight release because of that. If the game is in such High demand why do you think only 6 Pre-orders? I thought this game would have like 50+ orders taken. Do you think this game is going to be hard to find for people who did not pre-order it? Your thoughts?

[Hitman84]

One of my Local GS' has stopped taking pre-orders, found out while I was up there to to throw some cash on mine.

[admanimal]

It's probably hard to say exactly how great the demand is going to be, since it is kind of a new franchise and it is on the expensive side. But the impression I get is that the supply will be short in any case, so they might be hard to find after the first week.

[Murderous_Urges]

Anyone think there will be a delay for thoose of us who preordered?

[AdamBomb629]

Anyone think there will be a delay for thoose of us who preordered?

Not in the U.S.

[defmonkey]

High Demand? Thats a tough question. Even though EA has stated that Rock Band will be sold out this Holiday season, this is a new product and a bit pricey.

I think its gonna sell well, its gonna be the word of mouth. All the people that bought the game, will bring it to their friends houses and they'll want to buy it.

All it has to do is snowball.

[Murderous_Urges]

Not in the U.S.

Well I'm safe.


Off topic:
How do you do the signatures?

[TreoRock_]

I have a good feeling that Rock Band is gonna be sold out. It is not an inexpensive game but for all the things you get for $170 It is something very appealing for all ages.

[SmokaCola]

Well I'm safe.


Off topic:
How do you do the signatures?


USER CP -> Edit Signature -> Go to head line and put...


< img src= http://www.yoursig./signature.gif >

No spaces though except between img and src


And I already pre-ordered my copy, so hopefully there is enough to go around for the people who have pre-ordered.

[jmiscavish]

Do you guy's think Rock Band is going to be the hottest video game for the X-mas season? The reason I ask is at my GameStop in Myrtle Beach SC, they said that there are only 6 Pre-orders. They aren't going to have a midnight release because of that. If the game is in such High demand why do you think only 6 Pre-orders? I thought this game would have like 50+ orders taken. Do you think this game is going to be hard to find for people who did not pre-order it? Your thoughts?
I agree. I think the "shortage" is a fabrication by EA to drive sluggish preorders. I preordered a week ago because I heard about the shortage, but my Ebgames had plenty of product to go around. We're not having a midnight release party, either.

This game will be absolutely amazing, but I do think the price is scaring many a family off. If you're a middle class family with 3 kids, you could maybe splurge on RB. Then, it might have to count as the present for all three of them. Regardless of the the awesomeness of RB, I'm not sure how many families would be able to do that.

[HeXcoda]

The shortage is SORT of a hoax, I'd hazard.

The real part is that there is a short supply because they have to manufacture all this plastic crap and stuff it in a box -- it's not like running off a few thousand DVD copies, as you'd do for some other game. Manfacturing is an expensive process, particularly with this much stuff in a single SKU. So, they can only make so many kits before the ship date. It's the same problem as the Wii had, they couldn't keep up with demand.

The hoax part is that EA may have projected X number of units desired, but deliberately only produced Y in order to hedge their bets. They know this game is long-term survival based. That means they need Y units out there to spread word of mouth, so that when they DO have X number ready to go, the demand is there. Better that than to make a huge amount, have the game flop, and then be sitting on a bunch of unsold hardware. If you can get the first wave out and wow people, the second wave will be ready to snap up the remainder... especially if they wouldn't have bought the first wave due to the scary price tag. They need coaxing from early adopters.

[Snowwolf]

I have noticed that it is not being advertised where I am anyway's it is not in BestBuy or my Walmart as a demo where I live. I believe it also came to the BestBuy's and Walmarts as demos to late, you can't pre-order it anymore. They should have done this a while back to get the hype up. It seems to me GHIII had alot more games sold and Pre-ordered there were like 50 people in line at my Gamestop, as compared to 6 pre-orders for Rock Band. Now the number 6 is comming from the mouth of a gamestop employee so take it for what it is worth.

[Smokey_Lemon]

Here is what I think is going to happen:

I think there are a lot of people who know RB is coming out on the 20th. I already pre-ordered my copy before EA game out and said there would be a shortage. I think HeXcoda is dead on with his theory. The gaming industry could easily knock out millions of DVD's in a very short period of time. On the other hand, making, testing, packing and all the other fun stuff that is involved takes time. So we ask ourselves, "Why don't they just start packing it up really early so there is not a shortage?" Good question and I think HeXcoda (2nd message up) explains it well. You want to test the market waters first before you put your eggs in one basket. RB is going to be huge without a doubt. We all know this. Me and my buddy play GH co-op, but after a while it gets boring. I love it, don't get me wrong, but I want to play the drums and he wouldn't mind singing. It brings it to the next level. I think there will be a shortage and I think it will be hard to get one. For people who can't get their hands on one....listen to what people are saying in these forums. Stick to Bestbuy, Walmart, Target, etc. Even though I preordered with Gamestop. Those big chains have all the buying power, way more than Gamestop, EB, etc. Get in early and you got RB, but If you didn't...I don't think you need to camp overnight or anything drastic, just get there when the store opens. All in all, RB will be what Tickle Me Elmo was years ago during the holiday season.

[Shoeless]

I think HexCoda has the right idea. The real money that is going to be made here is when the separate instrument bundles start coming out next year. This Whole Enchilada deal is really only to appeal to enthusiasts and early adopters. The average consumer is going to balk at the price point; that's more than the PS2, when you stop and think about it. And a lot of people want to just play the drums and use their existing GH Guitars, so most of the interest is going to be in the drum only bundle.

This first launch wave is, as HexCoda puts it, the "Wow Crowd." The reviewers will give their say, the hardcore music gamer niche will go nuts over it, and, like Guitar Hero before it, the trickle effect will really gain momentum a few months later. I believe it was only after Christmas that Guitar Hero really took the world by fire. When it had its original launch in November of 2005, it was the darling of the critics, and a few brave souls that plonked down the cash for it, but obviously the world at large wasn't interested. Now, two years later, we have South Park doing an episode on the game. It'll take time. They don't NEED high numbers for Christmas, they need evangelists, and when the word of mouth has taken effect, they'll need high numbers for the remainder of 2008.

[Smokey_Lemon]

Very well stated Shoeless. I just don't understand why people "balk" at the bundle price. Your average new release is $59.99. Guitar Hero 3 is going for $89.99 (guitar and disc) Rock Band is going for $169.99 (Guitar, Drums, Mic & Disc) (Wireless guitar PS3 & USB hub for 360)

Why is everyone confused OR uncomfortable with the price??!!

[metalfenix]

Well, amazon is not helping too much with the shortage hoax. Look, this message is from amazon regarding Rockband:


Rock Band purchase policy
Rock Band is in very high demand and the initial industry supply will be limited. Amazon.com is accepting pre-orders for this item; however, we will not be able to fulfill all pre-orders immediately when the item is released. We will fulfill orders as inventory becomes available, and we expect that all pre-orders will be fulfilled by mid-December. The estimated delivery date for these pre-orders may not be accurate when the order is placed, but we will fulfill pre-orders as quickly as possible as we receive inventory of this item. PURCHASE LIMIT: In an effort to provide as many customers as possible with the opportunity to purchase Rock Band, we are limiting the number of Rock Band customers can purchase. As a result, each household may only purchase up to 1 copy of Rock Band. Once inventory is available, we will evaluate the purchase limit policy and implement changes as needed.

My pre-order in Amazon was made on October 30th, A delay will drive me mad :mad::mad:

[Transbrak]

Rock Band is a sure fire thing for EA therefore if they get it out before the hollidays it makes there numbers look better, even more so when the president of EA says you cant have it, makes people want it even more, (Think cartmanland) I personally see a shortage untill maybe the first week of december and then more units will trickle in, it may be hard to get but not impossible

(either way I've got my preorder :D )

[Armageddon1212]

I really hope they aren't completely in short supply until the end of the fiscal year.(march '08)
My parents would not preorder it, so i will have to drive around to a lot of stores and see if they have any. The only problem is that i have Behind the Wheel after school and i wont be able to hunt for Rock Band until really late at night. :(

[masterx1918]

so you guys don't think that us with pre-orders have anything to worry about?

[Mimglow]

The biggest indicator that there is in fact a shortage is what happened to the Canadian launch date. Don't buy the BS spin that it's a French-language packaging issue - EA has been shipping games to Canada for years, this did not sneak up on them.

Knowing that there would be shortages, EA decided it would be better (and more profitable because of the duty fees and strong Canadian dollar) to satisfy the US demand as much as possible instead of honouring their Nov. 20th promise to Canada. Canada will not see RB this year (despite rumours that the date is now Dec. 20th). Futureshop.ca have already changed their release date to January.

This is why I think there will be a shortage.

[logicalnoise]

The biggest indicator that there is in fact a shortage is what happened to the Canadian launch date. Don't buy the BS spin that it's a French-language packaging issue - EA has been shipping games to Canada for years, this did not sneak up on them.

Knowing that there would be shortages, EA decided it would be better (and more profitable because of the duty fees and strong Canadian dollar) to satisfy the US demand as much as possible instead of honouring their Nov. 20th promise to Canada. Canada will not see RB this year (despite rumours that the date is now Dec. 20th). Futureshop.ca have already changed their release date to January.

This is why I think there will be a shortage.

yes it could be allll that or what HMXsean said, issues with adding multi languages to the packaging and manual. Honestly Sean is a lot more reputable than you.

[weehawk]

I bailed out on my Amazon pre-order just because of this. I did it before they made this announcement, because I knew it was coming. I went to my local Gamestop and they said they'd have no problem getting it to me on 11/20. I live in a small NC town, and there's not a huge demand for it here. I dont think Amazon is going to come close to filling all of it's pre-orders at launch. People are going to get screwed. This game will start slowly and then build big after Thanksgiving. If you want it, get that pre-order in with someone local.




Well, amazon is not helping too much with the shortage hoax. Look, this message is from amazon regarding Rockband:



My pre-order in Amazon was made on October 30th, A delay will drive me mad :mad::mad:

[Smidget]

I'll be one of those at BestBuy (I know I know, shame on me) because I am sure the first shipment is going to sell out immediately and I somewhat doubt the second shipment is going to be large enough to satisfy all the gamers who missed it on release day + all the parents who have kids screaming for it for Christmas.

[ATVMAN29]

i called my walmart and they have two large boxes of ps3 versions of the game, they said they hadn't gotten 360 ones yet so maybe more for the 360? the ones they had were only for the midnight release and i was the first one to call about them, and that was last night.

[smmcfly1]

The biggest indicator that there is in fact a shortage is what happened to the Canadian launch date. Don't buy the BS spin that it's a French-language packaging issue - EA has been shipping games to Canada for years, this did not sneak up on them.

Knowing that there would be shortages, EA decided it would be better (and more profitable because of the duty fees and strong Canadian dollar) to satisfy the US demand as much as possible instead of honouring their Nov. 20th promise to Canada. Canada will not see RB this year (despite rumours that the date is now Dec. 20th). Futureshop.ca have already changed their release date to January.

This is why I think there will be a shortage.

The release date you are talking about changed was for the PS2 version!!!!!! It still shows Dec. for the 360 and PS3

[Mimglow]

The release date you are talking about changed was for the PS2 version!!!!!! It still shows Dec. for the 360 and PS3

You're right...but I swear they had temporarily changed it to January a few days ago, because I would never be on the PS2 page.

My apologies!

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10096824&catid=

[ATVMAN29]

well now the new guy at my walmart deined that they have them haha, nice try buddy!

[Mimglow]

yes it could be allll that or what HMXsean said, issues with adding multi languages to the packaging and manual. Honestly Sean is a lot more reputable than you.

It's not a question of reputation, it's a question of common sense. HMX Sean can only say what he is mandated to say. It doesn't make it the truth. He's just doing his job.

[hardyfoster]

it's in high demand among those who have already heard about it,
but there are ALOT of people who won't hear about it until a friend takes it to their house, etc. it'll spread and be in high demand.

i think the price is dirt cheap for everything you're getting. people may see the price and think that's too much, but they overlook that it's pretty much a one time purchase and never ending product. (DLC).
then it comes with 3 instruments....(think 3 games). ($50.00 * 3=150.00). So actually, you're really not paying THAT much more for the game.

as far as demographics, of course it won't be in demand everywhere. small towns, retirement areas, etc,etc