News
Rock Band Street Date Broken
That "Do Not Sell" Sticker Doesn't Mean Anything, Does It?
by Sarah
Just three days ago, I reported that the Mass Effect street date was broken by K-Mart. Naturally, we had a copy in our office the next day. The trend continues, as it has been reported that Circuit City has broken the Rock Band street date.
Though the game is not supposed to launch until November 20, Circuit City appears to have gotten a jump on the competition by ignoring the giant “DO NOT SELL” warnings and handing out the bundles to anyone who walks in with $170.
Meanwhile, my friends at GameStop and all other stores that actually follow the rules continue to look like complete jackasses and lose customers. As for me, I’ll be debating between my loyalty to my friends and my need to rock out immediately. Where is the nearest Circuit City, anyway?
Though the game is not supposed to launch until November 20, Circuit City appears to have gotten a jump on the competition by ignoring the giant “DO NOT SELL” warnings and handing out the bundles to anyone who walks in with $170.
Meanwhile, my friends at GameStop and all other stores that actually follow the rules continue to look like complete jackasses and lose customers. As for me, I’ll be debating between my loyalty to my friends and my need to rock out immediately. Where is the nearest Circuit City, anyway?
Comments
so why on earth is there no type of punishment for this kind of crap???? you break a rule, you should get punished. I think that particular retailer that breaks the street date shouldn't be able to order more
Street dates are pretty retarded if you ask me. If it's in the store, ready to go, why the hell can't I buy it? Who is that hurting? Is Harmonix somehow unknowingly hurt by this?
I love it when stores break street dates. It felt great playing Bioshock 3 days early. (thanks Coop) I sometimes think game companies do this on purpose for the free extra hype. Who knows....either way, I am a fan. Give me my games as soon as humanly possible.
The question becomes: do I risk having my XBL account deactivated by picking this up?
More companies should follow Insomniac's lead with Ratchet and Clank and let the stores sell the game whenever they get it in.
Hi Sarah , Hope all is going well. The closest Circuit City to us is in Deptford New Jersey. Keep up the good work.
Street dates are all about advertising. Who would want to put out a ad that says "Rock Band! Coming out sometime at the end of november, check stores periodically to see if its in stock!"
Phil, true, but it's not like it's a big deal if the ad says "Out November 22nd" and it comes out before that. Should still be there on the 22nd. Rock Band may be a bad example given it's limited supply.
Games shouldn't be released by street date. They should follow with the operating system & software industries. Release to manufacturer (RTM) is the concept & Release to Retailer (RTR) is the way it should be. Gamers should earn this respect for such to happen since we are the ones who support their jobs. It's all about courtesy & respect since we give so much to them for the games, why not give it back in a Gold to Store leap?
I think that the reason that street dates even exist is more than just "free extra hype." It's most likely something to do with budgeting. Sure, it's great that stores sometimes(well, it seems more accurate now to say "often") break the street dates, but that means extra work on the developer's part, having to track down the sales that have transpired before the release date, in other words, before they have had time to adjust their accounting books.
Of course I could also be wrong and have too much faith in the game companies.
"Why can't I have my game now?!?!?" Well how about it's not when Harmonix wants it released. Their reasons are their own and not for someone else to chose when and where to follow.
If you don't agree with their processes and procedures then, and this is the tough part boys and girls, don't buy their products.
And there are repercussions for breaking steet date. When the time comes for second shipment and higher allocations, those who do what the publishers ask get more product and faster.
@Bossman: couldn't have said it better myself. Once again, we're back on that whole entitled gamer thing...