Following uproar amongst gamers earlier on this week, after Electronic Arts and Harmonix announced that the cost of their upcoming music/rhythm-based title Rock Band will be twice as much in Europe as it is in North America, the head of its creator’s product development team has spoken out to try to explain matters, stating that the title’s price is “not magically going to get cheaper.”

Greg LoPiccolo wrote his message to gamers on Rock Band’s official message board, admitting that the developer was “not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe”; that they are “incredibly sensitive to pricing issues, painfully aware that the higher the price we charge and “strongly motivated to keep the price as low as possible.”

LoPiccolo refused to reveal Rock Band’s full pricing structure for Europe (because it would probably get him fired), but did admit that he was “shocked to learn how much it costs us to ship an Rock Band peripherals box to Europe. It’s way more than you’d expect.”

Once again, the issue of VAT in Europe was highlighted - the Harmonix man explaining that it was unfair to directly compare the prices of Rock Band in North America and Europe:

“The European SRP incorporates the VAT tax, but AFAIK, there aren’t any further taxes piled on at retail. In the US, the SRP doesn’t include state and local sales taxes…” he writes, adding …another key distinction between the US and Europe: games generally sell for the SRP at all retail outlets in the US… It is my understanding that European SRP incorporates a hefty retail markup, but that European retailers are free to discount if they so choose. So European retail customers have a reasonable chance of paying less than the SRP.

LoPiccolo reiterated that Harmonix and EA weren’t “gouging” European consumers, but that the price was “not magically going to get cheaper.” He concluded by explaining that in his opinion, once we’ve all had a chance to play it, we’ll all agree that Rock Band is worth its hefty price tag.

Hmm, we’re not quite as positive about that as you are, Mr. LoPiccolo. For those who missed it, Rock Band (if you want the game, drum kit, guitar and microphone) will cost £180 GBP / 240 EUR in comparison to $169 USD (85 GBP / 107 EUR) in the United States. Harmonix’s Rob Kay has already attempted to defend the price point.