Commentary on Euro Pricing Flamefest

[ToasterJ]

ThiBest: I was under the impression that DLC would cost the same for all territories. Would you please kindly present evidence to the contrary?

Legoftime: HMXGLo has not presented a complete list of applicable taxes, tarriffs, or other applicable fees, nor does shipping account for all of the difference. However, rest assured that the difference is accounted for somewhere, because their production model would have to take into account the effects of the prices on demand. (see my previous post) MoneyGrabbing bastards (or simply profit maximizing firms) would see this and charge as little as possible for their elastic good.

HMXGLo pointed out that they are aware of the consequences of the price difference, and aware that fewer people will buy the game as a result. However, until it is cheaper to produce and sell Rock Band in Europe, there's probably absolutely nothing they can do, or surely they would. After all, that would be the best way to be Profit maxi... im sorry, moneygrabbing bastards

[NathanRandom]

I and i'm sure many others really appreciate the fact you came here and tried to iron some things out. The sig stays, but i'm alot less bitter about the price than i was at first. I still feel it's a lot more money that i personally am prepared to spend, and perhaps more than it should be priced, but it should be known that the game will only be around £135. Whether or not the HUGE SRP was just to get gamers angry, then when the £130ish price point is revelaed they feel they're not being robbed as much i don't know.

[LZ_69]

To recap my main point: we’re not gouging you, primarily because doing so doesn’t serve our interests. We can only build our franchise if you buy our games. You may conclude that Rock Band isn’t worth the price charged, and that is your prerogative. But it’s not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so.

Final point: is it worth the money? You can all be the judge of that once you’ve had a chance to play it for yourselves.

For those who are too lazy or DUMB, to read into what HMXGLo went out of his way to say, just read this paragraph. (note what I highlighted).

[ciabb64]

Appreciate the info.

I understand the complex costs involved, I also understand a mark up in the price. Although I find it hard to believe that an RRP of £180 is the lowest price that could be set.

I mean $360 roughly for a six month old game, when it only costs around $169 over in the states, hell I've seen it even cheaper on a few online retailers due to it being out for a while, yet we have to pay 200 dollars more, roughly £100. now im sorry but a 100% price increase is not due to tax, and I don't think that shipping cost would even make up the remaining amount. I mean Rock band Costs more than an xbox 360 Arcade here, and is the same price as a Nintendo Wii.

As disappointed I am with the pricing I will still be buying it as I luckily have enough money to do so, although will probably need to trade in a few games to help lower the cost. But at its current price, I don't see it being bought by those other than the die hard fans. Oh well, as a fan I have no control over this, all I can say is that I am disappointed.

Heres hoping its worth it.

[Mosch]

You're looking at the PS2 version with all peripherals. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions both cost 180 USD.

Not quite correct.

It's not as if I could not afford the game, I just feel ripped off by the price. If a game requires me to have studied economics before I can appreciate what a bargain it really is... that's just strange.
And LZ_69, thank you for contributing contempt and illusions of superiority to the thread. You're really furthering a great discussion!

[Ultrace]

As of right now its only being released in UK, Germany and France. As far as I know these 3 country do NOT represent the entire Europe! What about Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Polen, Spain and every other country? THIS IS NOT A EU RELEASE ATM!

Yes, and the North American release did not include Mexico or Canada. So there is a definite parallel to draw from. There will probably be other European countries receiving the game at a later date.

[LZ_69]

Not quite correct.

It's not as if I could not afford the game, I just feel ripped off by the price. If a game requires me to have studied economics before I can appreciate what a bargain it really is... that's just strange.
And LZ_69, thank you for contributing contempt and illusions of superiority to the thread. You're really furthering a great discussion!

Yeah...sorry about that. I don't know, too much strees lately I guess.

[mushyman]

For those who are to lazy or DUMB, to read into what HMXGLo went out of his way to say, just read this paragraph. (note what I highlighted).

The trouble is, this price point will kill basically all mass market appeal. They will get some sales from people like me, who are hopelessly addicted to Guitar Hero and who have plenty of disposable income, but I doubt many more people will buy.

Hi all! I've been lurking for a while, and have been watching this all blow up with interest. An interesting read, Greg, and thanks for a least some info on the price decisions. Here's my take:

Tax: This is very true, and always overlooked in discussions of this type. In many cases this can make all the difference between what looks like a massive rip-off, and a price that seems reasonable. Sadly the other factors are overloading the effect here.

Retailer markup: While it is true that it is often possible to get good discounts on games here in the UK, this is generally as part of a bundle deal, or through online only stores where it is expected that the price will be competitively lower. What price is the general public really going to be able to pick this up for? I'd be quite surprised if the effect could be considered as more than around £20-25 of the MRSP, overall.

Shipping: The unknown. I can certainly believe that the shipping is significantly higher in the EU, but to be as much as, or more than £50 per unit? This seems like a lot to me. We can only assume that HMX and EA are interested in selling this as cheaply as they can, but..... hoo boy. Where's that lube again?

The two big unanswered questions, so far, are why no game + instrument bundle? And why only UK, France and Germany initially? I would assume that a game + instruments bundle would enable some amount to be shaved off the price, but there could well be unknown factors, such as tax complications bundling a video game with a differently classified product, or similar, which means this isn't the case.

At the end of the day it is what it is I suppose - if this is truly the minimum price point HMX/EA consider viable I guess that's it. It's a shame because I would love to see lots of people discover the "Rock Band experience" as I am sure it is fantastic, but I just don't think anyone who is not already emotionally invested in this genre will see this as anything other than a huge rip-off. And of course, the poor Euros who won't be able to buy in May are still stuck in limbo!

[Mosch]

Didn't expect that No need to be sorry, we've all flamed our part

[thibest78]

ThiBest: I was under the impression that DLC would cost the same for all territories. Would you please kindly present evidence to the contrary?

Well look the last pack's announcement, "Each track is $.99 (80 Microsoft Points) or $2.99 (240 Microsoft points) for the whole pack. " but in Rock Band Launches in Three EU Territories's topic "Each track will be available for 160 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360."

So europeans will have to pay twice for the same song in this example.
But you will tell me : No but this example isn't representative because other songs cost 160 MS points.
Yeah it's right but 160 MS points in US = 1,99 $ and in Europe 160 MS points = 1,99 EUR whereas 1,99 $ = 1,26401 EUR.

So, europeans will really pay more than americans and the shipping costs excuse isn't OK with this fact.

Sorry for my approximative english, i try to be the most comprehensible with my own words