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Rock Band Dated For Australia (Bonus Reasonable Pricing Included)
Posted by Luke Plunkett at 5:30 PM on September 22, 2008
The future of Rock Band's release in Australia has long been up in the air. We've heard that it was coming late, that it wasn't coming at all, all kinds of things. Today, the wait/conjecture can finally be put to rest, with EA confirming that the game will indeed be seeing an official Australian release. And only a year after the American one! The game will be out on November 7, and - we're guessing because EA are now shipping Rock Band 2 elsewhere and have some leftover bundles lying around - it's going to be a lot cheaper than expected. While Europeans were kicked in the nuts, left with both outrageous pricing and quirky bundling options, Australia will be getting the all-in-one box for a "reasonable" AUD$250 (USD$208).
Also available will be a drums-and-game bundle for AUD$180 and a guitar-and-game bundle for AUD$140 (which matches Guitar Hero's pricing). As for the standalone game, it'll be AUD$100 on 360 and PS3, AUD$90 on Wii and AUD$70 on PS2. It's claimed 200 songs will be ready for download when it does launch, so it looks like most - if not all - of the Rock Band Store will be making the jump down under as well.
EA Finally Sets A Date For Rock Band In Australia [IGN]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Adam
Posted September 22, 2008 10:24 PM
All EA are doing is dumping RB1 bundles they now can't sell anywhere else on us Aussies and calling it a good deal. And it was clearly part of their plan all along, to wring out the most from RB1 at our expense. It's a shabby and cynical marketing ploy. I hope everyone stays well away from RB and teaches them a well-deserved lesson. A new low, EA.
sumpunk
Posted September 22, 2008 10:47 PM
I don't care how cheap they make this game, i will never buy it. EA decided to leave AU out for so long and have now decided to release year old rubbish to us? roflmao! I will never buy another EA game again!
Junk game. Junk peripherals. EA can jam it all.
Bring on GH:WT. At least we won't get left out of that release for a year.
I mean come on EA you think you can release your left overs on us as you're releasing a brand new RB2 to the U.S? I don't think so!!
I am seriously sick of companies thinking the US is the only country in the world!!
sumpunk
Posted September 22, 2008 10:55 PM
I don't care how cheap they make this game, i will never buy it. EA decided to leave AU out for so long and have now decided to release year old rubbish to us? roflmao! I will never buy another EA game again!
Junk game. Junk peripherals. EA can jam it all.
Bring on GH:WT. At least we won't get left out of that release for a year.
I mean come on EA you think you can release your left overs on us as you're releasing a brand new RB2 to the U.S? I don't think so!!
I am seriously sick of companies thinking the US is the only country in the world!!
Chairman7
Posted September 23, 2008 6:52 AM
Great - I just went through the process of importing this the other day!
Simon
Posted September 23, 2008 8:07 AM
While I imported Rock Band on the ps3 last year when it was initially released in the US, I'm still pretty happy about this. It will be so nice to see the game I've spent much of this past year playing finally show up on store shelves.
I've gone far too long feeling like I'm the only ps3 Rock Band gamer in Perth to feel bad about this. Not that I won't have moved on to Rock Band 2 by the time it arrives :)
Cam
Posted September 23, 2008 9:35 AM
I'll buy the game, but only after i get confirmation that it will work with the GH:WT instruments. I'm not going to waste my money on rubbish periphals that they can no longer sell in the US.
Only reason I'm going to buy it is because the GH:WT songs are crap in comparison to RB.
Dexxie
Posted September 23, 2008 2:24 PM
I won't be buying it at retail, that's for sure.
I might pick it from a trade-in bin one day that assures that EA don't make any money from it.
After over a year of the game being out, and RB2 being out in the states as well, it's just really a really poor effort, that I won't be rewarding.
LoopyChew
Posted 6:30 PM 22/9/08
@tylerstyle: What're you talking about? Rock Band 1 has been available in Germany since May. It, France, and UK were the Big Three countries in the initial EUR release.
LoopyChew
tylerstyle
Posted 6:24 PM 22/9/08
Rock Band ONE is coming out here in Germany on Thursday... And yes. I will buy it, just because I can't wait any longer. And NO, I can't import RB 2, when it comes out, because you can't use European DLC with American Versions of the Game.
They screwed everything up, from beginning, to end.
The only thing, they did manage, was the American release. The rest of the world is just pure out of luck.
tylerstyle
†ЙОSЧЭЯДТЦ†
Posted 6:21 PM 22/9/08
Too bad I've lost all interest. GHWT here I come!
†ЙОSЧЭЯДТЦ†
Soyerzz
Posted 6:19 PM 22/9/08
Im guessing thats NZ $300, Not to bad.
Soyerzz
Kirbysuperstar
Posted 6:18 PM 22/9/08
They can keep it. Too little too late, IMHO.
Kirbysuperstar
Jojuinc
Posted 6:15 PM 22/9/08
@Bardiel18: Maybe as DLC?
Jojuinc
The Magnificen7
Posted 6:03 PM 22/9/08
@Motivated: If you are in Australia, you have proven you can wait.
Also, Canada kicks ass too, Rabbit.
The Magnificen7
Shinryoma
Posted 6:02 PM 22/9/08
@Bardiel18: What Euro songs? O.o
Shinryoma
The Magnificen7
Posted 6:01 PM 22/9/08
@TrjnRabbit: I was thinking Kangaroos and Koalas. And Kookaburras. However you spell that. I would only spend time on the beaches, and New Zealand is wicked awesome. I have been to Fiji, just didn't make the jump to NZ or Oz. I will. Someday.
The Magnificen7
Motivated
Posted 6:00 PM 22/9/08
So, how long do I have to wait for Peter Moore to leave EA and give an interview to The Guardian explaining what the hell EA is thinking by doing this?
It's okay... I can wait.
Motivated
syl1985
Posted 6:00 PM 22/9/08
That price is actually very reasonable... but hey WHAT ABOUT ROCK BAND 2 DRUMS!!! :'(
can't have everything I s'pose!
syl1985
Bardiel18
Posted 5:59 PM 22/9/08
@Jojuinc: Screw that, we've waited long enough as it is. I'd rather we got those Euro songs instead of waiting and being dicked around for a few extra months just to add Aussie bands.
Bardiel18
toejam316
Posted 5:58 PM 22/9/08
@TrjnRabbit: HEY HEY HEY. WE AREN'T LIKE CANADA. WE ARE JUST AS AWESOME AS AUSTRALIANS. WE HAVE RETARDED BIRDS.
toejam316
Jestersage
Posted 5:58 PM 22/9/08
@4Degrees: It's still after GHWT, and it's not RB2...
And I stand correct on RB is easy. Except for one or two songs, I can easily do experts, while I am still stuck on Basic for GuitarFreaks and Hard on GH3.
Jestersage
Jojuinc
Posted 5:55 PM 22/9/08
So now that it's finally coming out in Australia, can we please get some more Australian artists in the game? e.g. INXS and Billy Thorpe.
Jojuinc
TrjnRabbit
Posted 5:53 PM 22/9/08
@The Magnificen7:
Don't believe the marketing, we have most of the world's deadly animals, the majority of our country is desert and our Canada is called New Zealand.
That being said, with RB1 about to come out here, I need to finally sort out buying RB2 so I can hire RB1 and put the songs across.
TrjnRabbit
Finstern
Posted 5:51 PM 22/9/08
Thats about the same price as the european version, only thing thats reasonable is that aussies are used to paying outrageous prices for games.
Finstern
BlackMage66652
Posted 5:44 PM 22/9/08
Holy crap, I thought this was about RB2 then I gave it more thought as to where the "Two years after" came from. Poor Aussies.
BlackMage66652
Garo
Posted 5:43 PM 22/9/08
@TheIrishNinja: Yes and @piecat: yes :D
Garo
The Magnificen7
Posted 5:42 PM 22/9/08
This sucks, but at least you guys get to console yourselves with your year round gorgeous weather, awesomely cool wild-life and bikini clad women with the most adorable accents.
...
How much is a flight to Sydney?
The Magnificen7
icegoat
Posted 5:40 PM 22/9/08
shit, rofl'd, past tense
icegoat
icegoat
Posted 5:40 PM 22/9/08
wow i rofl hardcore once i realized the article was talking about rock band 1 not 2
icegoat
4Degrees
Posted 5:38 PM 22/9/08
I wonder if anyone will actually buy this now. With Rock Band 2 already out and Guitar Hero: World Tour just around the corner.
Seems like a desperate attemp to win some customer before GHWT is released.
4Degrees
piecat
Posted 5:38 PM 22/9/08
@TheIrishNinja:
Then rent part 1, export songs, and return.
piecat
TheIrishNinja
Posted 5:36 PM 22/9/08
ProTip: hold out for part 2.
TheIrishNinja
AxelMinami
Posted 5:34 PM 22/9/08
Worst, publisher, ever...
AxelMinami
QC8472
Posted 5:33 PM 22/9/08
good for the players there =D
I just hope you guys get RB2 soon too :)
QC8472
osteofight
Posted 5:33 PM 22/9/08
As a Mac gamer in the 90's, I was used to getting ports of PC games 2 years after the fact. Welcome to the club, 'mate =).
osteofight
DavidRS
Posted 7:05 PM 22/9/08
@4Degrees: Or for those who prefer Australian-format dates:
RB1: 7/Nov/08
GH:WT: 12/Nov/08
@TheIrishNinja: From what I've heard (take with a wheelbarrow of salt), it could be out in February here.
DavidRS
4Degrees
Posted 6:51 PM 22/9/08
@Jestersage:
Rock Band 1: 11/07/08
GH:WT: 11/12/08
4Degrees
Scty
Posted 6:38 PM 22/9/08
Well at least you guys are getting a better deal than us kiwi's. Hope they get their shit together and release rock band 2 down here, even just the disc.
Scty
tylerstyle
Posted 6:35 PM 22/9/08
@LoopyChew: PS3, my good Loopy, PS3.
For the 360 it's available since then. No other platform... For PS3, PS2 and Wii, it's coming this Thursday.
tylerstyle
fadecy
Posted 7:22 PM 22/9/08
I have one abreviation for you guys, GHWT.
Honestly. Screw you harmonix/mtv games/ea. Although I will still be buying skate 2 and mirrors edge, probably...
I took relish in watching rockband tumble down the UK charts ^__^
fadecy
f0cus
Posted 7:09 PM 22/9/08
Better late than never? NO.
FAIL.
f0cus
King of Fun UK
Posted 7:09 PM 22/9/08
Wait a second, that's cheaper than we got it in the UK. Bah that sucks :(.
King of Fun UK
Disgruntled Aussie Gamer
Posted 8:10 PM 22/9/08
This is good. I think I'll still be holding out for RB2, though.
Disgruntled Aussie Gamer
freakout
Posted 7:53 PM 22/9/08
Don't know about fellow Aussies, but I've been playing on an import UK copy for the last coupla months now... and it's still cheaper than the official Oz release. Don't be ripped off, folks!
(Also, Thumbmonkey.com has used RB1 drum sets going for very reasonable prices and shipping rates. I got mine for AUD$100. If you've already got GH3 guitars, you're set.)
freakout
Eiger
Posted 8:37 PM 22/9/08
Aussies: Wait for RB2.
It'll be worth it. Swear.
Eiger
zef
Posted 9:02 PM 22/9/08
I'm not impressed. By releasing RB1 now they intend to make us pay for RB1 (obviously) but also RB2 when it is released.
After waiting this long and given that RB2 will have been released by the time we get RB1 I think it stinks. I'd rather buy RB2 (with updated instruments) and export RB1 songs for $5 (from a rented or borrowed copy).
I want someone to ask them when RB2 will be released down under. Bloody nerve.
zef
Naryoril
Posted 8:55 PM 22/9/08
ok, NOW i'm interested about the next lousy excuse about the europe pricing. i hope they say "shipping costs" or "VAT" which is 15% at the most (don't know if australia has a vat).
Naryoril
Jojuinc
Posted 8:55 PM 22/9/08
@Eiger: Yeah, it's totally worth it. Screw GHWT!
Jojuinc
tylerstyle
Posted 9:35 PM 22/9/08
@zef: I seriously doubt, anyone, be it EA, Harmonix, or MTV/Games will go out and tell you (or anyone else), when RB2 will be released outside of the US.
It was the same with RB1. They won't tell, untill some miraculous Press release, a month before the release is issued...
My guess is, that somewhere in the spring season (March, not earlier), some form of Press release is issued. A release this year, could be counted as a miracle, if you ask me.
tylerstyle
tylerstyle
Posted 10:26 PM 22/9/08
@TRT-X: And why shouldn't they? Putting all the release and corporate crap aside that is being shoveled in our direction here in Europe, it still is one game made of pure awesome.
How could we let that just slip by? I for one just can't. Even knowing and rightfully ranting about it, while I go out and get it.
It's THE music game in my opinion and I wanted it, since it was first announced. How could I not buy it? Seriously?
tylerstyle
TRT-X
Posted 10:07 PM 22/9/08
@zef: Funny, I don't see anybody putting a gun to your head to buy this.
HMX isn't "making" you do anything. If you choose to buy RB1 knowing full well there's a sequel that will eventually come, that's your own fault.
I get the feeling that all the Aussie whining is going to be similar to UK whining. They'll whine about price or whine about the late release...but in the end they'll all still go out and buy it.
TRT-X
BathTubNZ
Posted 10:06 PM 22/9/08
Yay, EA are dumping the crappy old hardware on the AU/NZ market right before GHWT comes out, try to make a last few dollars with the out of date hardware before everyone catches on.
BathTubNZ
el_rezzo
Posted 10:57 PM 22/9/08
Cheaper than expected but I have already decided to pick up GH:WT. Maybe if they decided to release RB2 for that price, and sold RB1 standalone for under $50AUD I would think about it. EA pissed me off for too long for this to change my mind, shining light for EA is Skate 2 (it better not suck).
el_rezzo
BStu
Posted 10:45 PM 22/9/08
So, have we dated the Zero Punctuation review yet?
BStu
Scipher
Posted 10:43 PM 22/9/08
@TRT-X: Heh. Or ignore Rock Band altogether. As RB is unknown to the general public, but Guitar Hero is the rhythm game brand, RB will be seen as the imposter/copycat to GHWT. Following this the casuals will go with GHWT, with some hardcores picking up RB. Ironic, but afterall it was EA's choice not to broaden distribution, and now Activision is poised to be seen as the "trail-blazer" of the band games. In light of this, some hardcores will buy GHWT instead of RB, voting with their cash to "punish" EA for treating the oz market with contempt.
I myself haven't decided yet, as I'm waiting for the reviews, but regardless it's going to be a very interesting holiday period ;-)
Scipher
Deviocity
Posted 12:15 AM 23/9/08
@el_rezzo: $50 dollars AUD?! No games on next-generation systems in Australia cost that much at retail new! Not even some launch titles!
Deviocity
Deviocity
Posted 12:13 AM 23/9/08
@Jestersage: Rock Band is harder for me. GH1 and 2 I could do hard... in Rockband, once I got into the hard songs I was going nuts with rage and hand cramps.
It's not that hard to import it... cheaper too. That's what I'm going to do. I don't think I'm going to buy another aussie game again, especially with completely region-free consoles like the PS3 (I have an AU version) and my XBox 360 is american, as that is where I lived when I bought it.
Deviocity
Numanoid
Posted 1:28 AM 23/9/08
is it cross platform or only the 360 version?
In the UK we only just got the PS3 one the other week- no one bought it due to
a) Rock Band 2 is now OUT in the US
b) GH4 comes out soon, with instruments infinitely superior to RB1's.
EA fail.
Numanoid
pangiz
Posted 1:11 AM 23/9/08
Im glad to see that the price is low at least, but it is very disappointing to see it released so late.. We can only hope that RB2 comes sooner.
pangiz
TRT-X
Posted 1:59 AM 23/9/08
@Numanoid: Do we know that the Aussie bundles will include the old RB1 peripherals? I mean, there's an assumption that they will...but is this actually confirmed by fact?
TRT-X
TRT-X
Posted 1:58 AM 23/9/08
@tylerstyle: All the ranting, raving, and internet postings in the world won't mean squat if said ranters, ravers, and posters go out and buy the game anyway.
The wallet speaks louder than any words. Guitar Hero: World Tour is doing things that are pissing me off. But instead of begrudingly buying the game, I'm actually going to practice what I preach and not buy it.
Words mean nothing if there's no conviction behind them.
TRT-X
EmpressInYellow
Posted 3:31 AM 23/9/08
@fadecy: "I have one abreviation for you guys, GHWT."
If you were looking for an acronym that also means "Me-Too Knockoff Game", then you have most certainly succeeded.
You know, I don't even have that much of a stake in this ridiculous "war of the fan-boys". I just find the amount of ire directed at -Harmonix- to be both mind-boggling and laughable. Yes, I'm sure they delayed its release into Australia -deliberately- to make you angry. After all, if there's one thing companies love, it's going out of their way to make their potential customers upset.
EmpressInYellow
Kung
Posted 4:44 AM 23/9/08
Its been one hell of a wait and one that has been getting me down for awhile. I only got the game about a 2 weeks ago and I don't even have the instruments yet.
Kung
Sentry459
Posted 8:11 AM 23/9/08
Would prefer RB2 right now, esp considering the long wait for the game. Oh well might get the game stand alone and use it with the GHWT equipment.
Sentry459
JennifARGH
Posted 8:47 AM 23/9/08
AUD$250? Now that's more like it. I think I've just put this back on my list, if it weren't for Rock Band 2 coming out shortly.
JennifARGH
Aprocalypse
Posted 1:46 PM 23/9/08
@TRT-X: "They'll whine about price or whine about the late release...but in the end they'll all still go out and buy it."
Yes, because if we want the thing we want, there's another option? There's absolutely nothing Australians or Europeans can really do about late releases or stupidly high prices, except import. Importing then lowers the sales of the region, which then means that a release is less likely in this region anyways, as if we hadn't bought the game at all (which, as an option, just means the region is treated worse too).
What's the magic solution you see to think exists to fix this problem then, eh?
Aprocalypse
FaizIsa
Posted 10:49 AM 23/9/08
By Australia do they mean South East Asia too? Singapore to be exact.
FaizIsa