04-09-2008, 05:40 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-09-2008, 05:44 AM by [wcip]Angel.)
Accordig to Gamespot, Rock Band will be released in Europe in May.
That is, for the Xbox360.
I've eagerly awaited the arrival of "Rock Band" for what seems like an eternity now, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. You'll understand then, why European consumers might be a bit dismayed to learn that:
1. It's not a universal European launch. Wii/PS3-versions won't be out until the summer. This is a full 6 month *after* the US release by the way. (So much for the PS3 campaign promise of having region-free games on the PS3 allowing for worldwide-release simultaneous release!)
2. Whereas Rock Band retails for a manageable $169.99 (862 Norwegian kroner) in the US, over here they're charging $265 (1.334 Norwegian kroner).
3. European SKUs won't even contain the actual game (!). That's right! $265 for the drum kit, microphone and 1 guitar (which also doesn't make any sense by the way), and the game isn't even included in the price. By the time Rock Band is actually released over here, they'll be able to bleed us for another $110 for the actual game. That's $375 for a playable 3-instrument version of Rock Band, compared to the US's $169,99.
I realise that one of the main reasons for the huge price difference is the current market and the value of currencies. That being said, not including the game in the package is a major poop in the eye on behalf of the publisher. I'm not going to get into the asinine idea of releasing a 4-player rock band game with 3 instruments here, (as I've vented on that issue before), but what the hell are we supposed to do without the actual game?
[/rant]
So under this crushing wave of frustration, I ask the Lounge: Do you see any problems with ordering a US version of Rock Band? Seeing as the European model is a) Delayed, b) Overpriced, c) Minus an actual game, I am seriously considering ordering Rock Band from the 'states.
I can come up with a few issues though:
1. Finding an actual store that will ship big packages internationally. Amazon refuses to sell Rock Band to European customers. Are there any alternatives?
2. Electricity. US and Norwegian voltage outputs vary. We have 220 volts in our sockets. I don't know what you good people have to power up your electrical teapots and whatnot, but I may need some sort of power adapter. Even then it's not guaranteed to work... is it? I'm about as practical as a penguin in a.. an unfinished simile.
3. Compatibility: Yes, PS3-games are supposed to be region-free, but there's also the whole NTSC vs PAL thing. Does that still apply? I remember that was one of the reasons I couldn't order PS2 games from the US.
That is, for the Xbox360.
I've eagerly awaited the arrival of "Rock Band" for what seems like an eternity now, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. You'll understand then, why European consumers might be a bit dismayed to learn that:
1. It's not a universal European launch. Wii/PS3-versions won't be out until the summer. This is a full 6 month *after* the US release by the way. (So much for the PS3 campaign promise of having region-free games on the PS3 allowing for worldwide-release simultaneous release!)
2. Whereas Rock Band retails for a manageable $169.99 (862 Norwegian kroner) in the US, over here they're charging $265 (1.334 Norwegian kroner).
3. European SKUs won't even contain the actual game (!). That's right! $265 for the drum kit, microphone and 1 guitar (which also doesn't make any sense by the way), and the game isn't even included in the price. By the time Rock Band is actually released over here, they'll be able to bleed us for another $110 for the actual game. That's $375 for a playable 3-instrument version of Rock Band, compared to the US's $169,99.
I realise that one of the main reasons for the huge price difference is the current market and the value of currencies. That being said, not including the game in the package is a major poop in the eye on behalf of the publisher. I'm not going to get into the asinine idea of releasing a 4-player rock band game with 3 instruments here, (as I've vented on that issue before), but what the hell are we supposed to do without the actual game?
[/rant]
So under this crushing wave of frustration, I ask the Lounge: Do you see any problems with ordering a US version of Rock Band? Seeing as the European model is a) Delayed, b) Overpriced, c) Minus an actual game, I am seriously considering ordering Rock Band from the 'states.
I can come up with a few issues though:
1. Finding an actual store that will ship big packages internationally. Amazon refuses to sell Rock Band to European customers. Are there any alternatives?
2. Electricity. US and Norwegian voltage outputs vary. We have 220 volts in our sockets. I don't know what you good people have to power up your electrical teapots and whatnot, but I may need some sort of power adapter. Even then it's not guaranteed to work... is it? I'm about as practical as a penguin in a.. an unfinished simile.
3. Compatibility: Yes, PS3-games are supposed to be region-free, but there's also the whole NTSC vs PAL thing. Does that still apply? I remember that was one of the reasons I couldn't order PS2 games from the US.
