@ParaParaKing: I'm not sure EA even knows where Australia is.

el_rezzo

So, what can we do? The PS3 people are lucky enough to have the option of importing (and at the bargain US prices too), and good for them, there are a couple of times they've really gotten the short end of the stick.

But what for those of us who have 360's? I'm torn.... I don't want to get my 360 modded. I like playing online. I get a satisfaction from paying for my games, which I doubt I'll continue to do if I got it modded.

Being a dickhead on the internet isn't going to get anyone to release it here. Is there some sort of deeply touching campaign that can be waged on EA, where we beg them to liberate us from Activision's poor DLC? Can we send them packages stuffed with photos of groups of friends, beers in hands, gathered around a tv, weeping gently, unable to cope with this deprivation any longer? Or just send them CDs of Aerosmith in order to show them the kind of rubbish that will become our only option? We need to really show EA what they're doing for us, inspire them to launch a new Rock Band tour: "Rock Band Give Back"(or something similar), where they drop the game from Hercules planes, truly giving relief to a nation in need.

penty85

How glad am I that I imported in November last year along with an NTSC 360 to play on...worth every penny, and that's a buttload of pennies considering I've purchased ALL the DLC.

saunderez

pwned

GuiltyDragon

@Evil Jim: Educate yourself.

Almost ALL Australian publisher and platform divisions are subsidiaries of their larger European counterparts. When a game's released in Europe, that's usually when its released here.

Except for this one...

Luke Plunkett

@khdownes:
@Zero_:
Yeah, I know. I'm just splitting hairs. We've gotta find some reason to laugh during these dark times.

Evil Jim

Looks like EA hates Australia even more than Europe.

ParaParaKing

@Kazzahdrane: It'll be released in Australia when they decide it's been out in Europe without selling any copies for long enough

brooza

I'd rather they didn't release it in Europe at all, at least then I could wistfully dream of a time when it will come. Instead of being enraged at the offensive pricing scheme.

PJK

To be fair, it's not like most of Europe is getting Rock Band either.

Oh sure, it'll be in stores. But not many gamers will own it, I'll wager.*

*not an actual promise of wagering against Rock Band.

Kazzahdrane

Considering how disgusted I am with neversoft and activision throwing money at guitarhero without any real change or improvement of the game itself at is core.

Rockband was the shining becon of light I was holding out for. Seems im wasting my time expecting to able to play the thing any time soon.

seriously not happy Jan right now.

trunk3h

@Evil Jim: We've generally had games the same time Europe has, as we get their versions.

Zero_

@Evil Jim:

But we are a PAL territory who doesn't speak a separate language, so there's is not reason why something shouldn't be released here along with the UK.

khdownes

Phew, 220 Euro, would've been what, something like 300+ AU? Daaaaamn

Zero_

Australia isn't a part of Europe anyway so there shouldn't be surprised at the exclusion.

Evil Jim

Drats... Ah well, time to just accept the fact that we aren't loved :( Maybe if they tried XXXX instead of VB/Fosters, they wouldn't hate us so much...

Laser_iCE

Well that sucks, I thought we had it bad....sorry aussies

excel_excel

@TheIrishNinja: They were making it up...or you were, since there are no GameStops in Aus, just EBGames :) No, really, they've done nothing but make shit up about it since the US launch. $500 isn't real, that's more than a 360.

Luke Plunkett

@TheIrishNinja:

Australians don't really get paid more than their counterparts in the US.

The minimum wage is higher, there are less "working poor", but the median household income is actually slightly lower.

Despite this, Australians have traditionally paid more for some products (including consumer electronics) due to the relatively small Aussie market. This is rapidly changing these days with free trade laws and parallel importing legislation.

Unfortunately, this liberalisation of trade has had virtually no impact on game prices. Region locking and tightly-controlled distribution channels have ensured that game prices are unaffected. As a result, we still pay the "PAL tax"... and it's worse than ever with the current exchange rate.

Thankfully, personal importing is hassle-free in Australia. We don't pay any duties or taxes on imported goods under $1000. So that's the way many of us are going. I rarely buy games locally these days.

Marlor

Ok, so, this is mad. Really, really mad.

I am one of those who simply cannot wait. After reading about the crazy prices for the UK...and stealing the idea from another poster, could this work...

-When RB comes out in Europe, would the UK release work in my New Zealand Xbox?

-If yes, what about DLC?

The idea of getting just the drums, and using a frankenstine setup for the mic and guitar works for me. Plus, its less money for EA.

Any advice appreciated! And yes I cannot spell 'Frakenstine' See, I did it differently again. Bah.

Crab_Botherer

Suck my balls EA.

Passa

luke, you left out the part that its around $500. i was in australia few weeks back, and that's the price i was given around a local gamestop.
...unless they were hustling me...

and before anyone says it: no, the aussie dollar isnt far off the US dollar. they just pay more for everything, and get paid more as well.

TheIrishNinja

You hear that sound?

You hear it?

That's the sound of Yahtzee screaming "FUCK YOU" till he can no longer breath.

CyN1caL

@Zero_: try closer to 400!

juliopalio

Sigh. Rock band is THE REASON I bought a 360 at christmas. I was cashed up and figured it was an investment for the future greatness.

This news is really unacceptable, at least give us a viable import option.

Honestly EA, this is pathetic.

Spiffmeister

This is exactly what I reported yesterday in the European announce article.

Just to reiterate what has been said there is NO DEAL YET INKED by EA for Australia. Which sucks.
And I can personally tell you right now, the talk between EA and retailers has been ridiculous.

Believe the astronomical prices you are hearing. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED around $350 AS AN EARLY ESTIMATE. And yes like Europe we will likely get the separate game ($99.95) and Accessory Pack ($249.95).

Please keep in mind these are early prices and are not set in stone, but after reading yesterdays article I'd begin to suspect they would be pretty close.

My question to you all once again, is can anyone recommend a cheap and reliable site for PAL games?

Y2Jason

What. The. Fuck.

This is getting ridiculous.

Why did it have to the game I've been anticipating the most since it was announced that had to suffer from these fucking crazy delays and pricing issues? Why couldn't it be some shit like Army Of Two that nobody actually cares about that was threatened to not be released here EVER?

I guess I'll have to wait until I move to Canada in 2 years to finally get to play this game. Great job EA.

Ten0101

@penty85: They don't, period. If the developer region locks the game then you are quite literally, fucked. I have not heard of anyone being able to remove the region protection, even if it WERE possible, you wouldn't be able to go online as you'd be using a backup that isn't a 1:1 copy of your original.

There is nothing else in your post to address, I already said the best way for us to get Rock Band (Import the game from Europe and buy the instruments from the US).

Libo

@Libo:
Yeah it can. Perhaps there are some that don't, but it most certainly can.

I really thought there were better things in my post to reply to than that.

penty85

@penty85: What's the point of getting a 360 modded? It doesn't circumvent any region protection. The only way we will be able to play the game is by importing a PAL copy from Europe. I'd get it for PS3, but I bought a GH3 guitar for the 360 for use with Rock Band (this is before I knew that the US copy would not work on PAL consoles).

Libo

@GuiltyDragon: BANNED!

Witzbold

Hardly anyone is going to buy at those prices. 100,000 copies (instrument packs + game)I'll wager.

SAKY

You're better off without it, at least you don't have the dilema of whether to sell your soul to the devi...erm, I mean...pay an extortionate ammount of money for one game, the choice is made for you and you get to keep your morals, and your money.

Zoe256

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THAT I AM PISSED OFF.

RaptorShadow

Awwww... The irony of my constant nagging for the European and Australian release territories to be separate has back fired...

deathwombat

@Witzbold: earning that $200 :)

SAKY

So, this importing scene you speak of. Perhaps it is time to start seriously looking at getting my games from the UK. Any ideas where to start?

beeawwb

Well, the will get Rock Band in Australia, that's for sure.

They are just holding their breath waiting to see how the "budget" bundle does in Europe, then release in AUS for 400$.

Mateuderos

@Passa: Okay.. I would have calmed down a bit and that, but I've heard from a forum I visit that the AU release is going to cost MORE. If that's even possible.

A tidy $300 for the Instrument Pack.. then a lovely $120 for the game. Please, shoot me.

For $420 I could buy a fucking Wii.

Passa

@beeawwb:

It's much cheaper to get your games from the US (or via Hong Kong) if you can. Sites like CD Universe and Play Asia are a good start.

It might require some region-related stuffing about (e.g. modchipping your Wii or checking the compatibility of individual NTSC 360 games), but it's worth it in the end.

Marlor

@Passa: I just heard from a forum I visit that President Bush is a space alien.

Just saying...

TRT-X

I think modding your 360 just became the safest option :o

Ragarnok

@Passa: If I had 420 dollars to spend I'd find it impossible to resist using it on anything but .

Maybe now all the fanboys will realize the stupidity of having such ridiculous, blinding faith in a company. Probably not though, there's always something new to collectively orgasm to.

Bobby McPresscott

EA: What Australia? You thought you were special?

Digitalguardian VII: Revival! A Commenter's Comeback!

It's an evil plan to take over the world!

First: Piss off the Wii owners

Second: The Europeans

Third: The Australians!

Forth: The world!

Well... this is not taking over it, but making it angry... but hey Microsoft rules the world and everybody hates'em so it works too! =0D

Enycma

@Luke Plunkett: heh, you says eb, i says gamestop.
im glad to hear that though; they were all quite certain it was $500 and that did seem un-fucking-reasonable.

@Marlor: huh, that sucks. i was comparing what i made with my friends there and they seemed to make at least a few dollars an hour more, but i guess that's not a good gauge.
still, your bit at the end there is good news, i dont think my friend there even knew that - he's debating buying a US 360 now that GTA is getting gimped, but do you have a better method?

TheIrishNinja

So, I'm set for importing it now (just the drums) - but I would love to know, will DLC work for me in New Zealand?

I mean, MS points are a universal currency, right?

Crab_Botherer

Well, the last nail in the coffin for this game in PAL territories.

BTW, when are you gonna get rid of Kotaku Australia? It's nothing but an annoying speedbump on the way to the real Kotaku.

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

@TheIrishNinja: and before anyone says it: no, the aussie dollar isnt far off the US dollar. they just pay more for everything, and get paid more as well.

Depends on what industry. A friend of mine in Oakland is earning 1.5x my salary as a full time employee, while I'm an independent contractor. We both work in IT.

I've given up on buying Rock Bank anyway. At least until they sort out the GHIII/RB guitar incompatibilities on PS3.

Doshu

Hoo boy, this doesn't look good. At this rate, Australia will have to pay the equivalent of $700-800US for the whole thing when it releases next year.

I'd better not be right.

Zero_Beat

Things like this and a lack of an R18+ rating in Australia are going to severely damage the industry here. Everyone I know is importing GTA4 because of the edits made for the Aussie release and now we're going to have to mod our machines and import Rock Band.

Boo - this really does make us look backwards compared to the rest of the world.

bw81

The European release ain't correct either. We contacted EA in Holland and they said it was only for France, Germany and England. They didn't have prices or a date for Holland. :(

Kiekebeest

@TheIrishNinja:

If I was him, I'd wait and see whether the US or Asian version is compatible with Australian 360s. If it is, then it's as simple as just importing the game and playing it on an Australian 360. If not, things are more difficult.

A US 360 is always an option, but there will be a very big question over what happens when it gets the inevitable RRoD.

Marlor

RocK_M

@RocK_M: Thankfully I've got family in the UK, so I'm going to pay them the cash and get them to ship to me here in New Zealand - the one thing noone can answer is the status of DLC - will I be able to Download songs? Or will MS detect I shouldnt be playong rock band, and lock me out? I really want to get my hands on the DLC....

I guess I'll know for sure next month.

Crab_Botherer