Rock Band's peripheral prices in focus testing
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ May 12th 2007 at 12:46PM }
Time to get serious about pricing with the Rock Band peripherals. We hope to find out soon if a Rock Band funding jar needs to be set next to the PS3 jar. As we reported earlier this week, the sticker price of Rock Band currently on Gamestop's website, including all peripherals, rings up to between $300 - $350 USD. Although some make the arguement that you're only supposed to pick one peripheral and then the price isn't so bad, we prefer to get our games "whole," with the option of inviting friends, sorority houses and/or The Osmonds over to play.GameSpot reports that focus testing is currently being done to see where consumers will find "the price is right." Their "reliable" source says the focus-group was asked if a Rock Band bundle package with "a wireless guitar, a drum kit and a microphone" would be reasonable at $200. The idea wasn't "terribly popular." Around the $150 mark is where the focus-group apparenly got on the bus to funkytown. A Harmonix representative admits to the testing and told GameSpot, "We are conducting consumer focus groups for Rock Band but have not finalized any pricing or packaging details. Any speculation at this point is just that -- speculation."
Part of the focus testing also involved discussion over a Wii version of Rock Band, although Xbox 360 and PS3 are the only two systems currently slated. Either way, $200 or $150 for a bundle that includes Rock Band and 3 of the 4 peripherals isn't so awful. That second guitar missing from the bundle may or may not be a controversial added buy, but we still need to wait and hear official word. Still, $200 and under is a far less jagged little pill to swallow than the "estimated" $300 that Gamestop continues to list.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Diskoboy @ May 12th 2007 1:32PM
Bob Barker kicks ass!!!
Xanto @ May 12th 2007 1:52PM
Now if only Red Octane could follow suit and do focus groups on their damned DLC prices.
copa @ May 12th 2007 1:57PM
The key is that they are going to have to provide really satisfying solo experiences with each of the instruments. That way, people can shop for the game the way that they would Karaoke Revolution or Guitar Hero, and then pick up additional instruments later on if they're hooked.
I'm willing to pay $85, maybe $90, for game and a microphone for my wife when it comes out, since I already have two guitars. If it really delivers, then I'll save up for the drum kit and add that later.
copa @ May 12th 2007 2:00PM
Of course, we can see where this is heading. Rock Band 2 will be released in holiday of 2008. It will feature guitar, bass, drums, and microphones, plus keyboard. And three dance pads for the backup dancers. Plus two USB kneepads for the groupies. List price eight hundred dollars.
rom @ May 12th 2007 2:08PM
It has to be said *Ahem*...
"The price is wrong, bitch!"
ill trooper @ May 12th 2007 2:43PM
I heard that we'll be able to use the 'Steel Battalion' controller for all of this.
bounchfx @ May 12th 2007 3:06PM
Lol, seriously, 200$ for all in one sounds like a absolutely great deal. I say they offer each other package for ~80-90$ and then an all in one for 200.
Considering that each instrument alone will be 70 MINIMUM 200 for all sounds great.
However I do have a 360 guitar and believe that the 360 Headset should be used for mic.
If not then they are fucking ass holes.
Rubang B @ May 12th 2007 5:44PM
USB kneepads? Wow, the future of gaming IS NOW.
riddle.of.epicurus @ May 13th 2007 1:42AM
Seeing as I already have a GH2 X-plorer, I hope the bundle doesn't include a second guitar. Paying for things I don't need FTL.
jason @ May 13th 2007 12:22PM
This is the exact reason why we missed out on Beatmania for so long, and never even got to try Drumfreaks, Keyboardmania, Guitarfreaks and all of the cool Japan only, quirky games. American gamers are too damned cheap. I'll gladly fork over 200 for all of that.
Jacob @ May 15th 2007 6:31PM
When will the price be right?
Ryan @ May 13th 2007 6:57PM
Why not just let us CHOOSE which peripheral we want? If I only want to play guitar or drums, I only want to buy those controllers dammit!
Ryan @ May 13th 2007 6:58PM
Oh, and Bob Barker FTW
Negativecool @ May 13th 2007 11:32PM
I'm guessing these peripherals only cost a few bucks to make because they are basically asking people "how much are you willing to pay" instead of pricing it to offset production/distribution/etc and make a profit on the side. No, they're going all profit on this one. They're asking people "how much will you let us profit off of you, you stupid monkeys?"
Everyone should have said $10 for everything.
Aria @ May 21st 2007 3:45PM
What's most annoying to me is that I bought Guitar Hero I and II for the PS2. Hence, I have 2 guitars that will be completely useless if I buy Rock Band for a different platform, since I just don't have the money for a PS3.
Adam Williamson @ May 21st 2007 4:33PM
On #13: no, decent peripherals really don't come cheap.
The arcade version of Drummania uses a customized Yamaha DTXPlorer kit. Retail cost: $800. To keep a machine in good condition the arcade has to replace a sensor (cost: $25) or pad (cost: $80) every few months. This gives you a really nice feeling controller. OK, Yamaha are making some profit there, but profit in the musical instrument biz isn't astronomical.
The home version of Drummania, very smartly, lets you plug in said Yamaha DTXPlorer kit (again, retail cost $800). You can also use the 'home' controller, which is a tacky red plastic thing that costs $80. The fact that most serious DM players actually wind up forking out the $800 for the Yamaha kit tells you all you need to know about how good a drumkit you can make at a sale price of $80.
If this post was too hard to understand, here's the short version: cheap drum peripherals stink. I mean they really Fing stink. I'd be surprised if they can actually *do* a decent Rock Band drum controller for a total-kit price of $200, but if they can, you REALLY shouldn't bitch about the extra cash, because it's seriously freaking worth it.
Valarius @ May 21st 2007 4:19PM
The sad thing about this is that my little brother's actual Fender Squire came with an amplifier and all the cords for around $200.
I bring that up because *Aria* brings up the good point of compatibility. If someone made a PS2/X-Box controller adapter, they could plug Guitar Hero controllers into Rock Band.
And anyone who's actually using these games as a training program is just going to go out and buy a real guitar anyway.
jerry ku @ May 22nd 2007 7:10AM
I was interviewed for a game tester job on Rock Band at EA, but I didn't make the cut. I was SOOOO depressed that day. Can you imagine game testing Rock Band? Game testing is usually pretty grueling work, but testing Rock Band woulda been one of the best game testing jobs you could ever get, and just a great job in its own right. Imagine rocking out all day with 3 other testers. The only drawback would be if no one in your band could sing worth a damn :P
Anyway... now I'm a tester on the Sims again.... :|
joe @ Jun 23rd 2007 8:20PM
to 13. you can't use your ps2 guitars on the ps3 either. :(
joeymack @ Jun 26th 2007 2:36PM
Call me crazy, but I would gladly pay up to 300 bones for complete Rock Band package. That being said, I think $200 is a more realistic price. Given the fact that Guitar Hero II w/ Guitar sells for about $90, I think adding another $100 for a drum controller and mic is reasonable. Here's to hoping for a $200 or less price tag.
To prepare for the release of Rock Band, I wrote a couple of posts on my blog. Check them out if you get a chance. Thanks! :-)
http://www.tonightwemakesoap.com/2007/06/these-are-not-screenshots-youre-looking.html
http://www.tonightwemakesoap.com/2007/06/shredding-is-in-my-future.html