"Steve Evans" wrote in message
Post by Steve EvansThey are indeed from rock band,
<rant >
Rock Band - possibly the biggest white elephant I have ever had the
misfortune to encounter.
Bought the game and instrument pack on the day of UK release from Game(TM).
Knew the plastic guitar was gonna be crap so left it in the box and used the
one from guitar hero instead.
no66y jnr most interested in the drums anyways.
The Rock Band drum kit lasted maybe 2 weeks or so before it started to
develop faults (the pad sensors stopped working)
Returned it to Game(TM) for replacement - given the 3rd degree by staff
claiming misuse etc - we said it had just been used
to play the supplied songs either from the game disc or legitimately
purchased and downloaded from xbox live shop thing (at not inconsiderable
cost I may add).
Finally the gave us a replacement. That lasted about 2 weeks also -
returned. They had no more as they had all been given out as replacements
for faulty kits and EA hadn't send any more so we got a refund.
Trotted off to HMV(TM) and bought the rock band instrument pack from them.
The drums again lasted about 2 weeks, returned, got replacement after acrid
comments from staff about misuse.
The replacement lasted less than two weeks IIRC. Returned, they had no more
in stock as all been given out as replacements for faulty drums (sounds
familiar huh?). Got refund.
Went round to Gamestation(TM) bought rock band instrument pack.
Drums lasted a similar amount of time. Returned. Lots of insinuating
questions from staff about misuse etc. We pointed out same facts as above.
After much humming and ahh'ing and sly looks, they eventually (reluctantly)
gave a replacement. That was last week.
The replacement worked fine....... for about an hour!
Told jnr he's have to wait as we didn't have time to take back again. He
decided to play on using them even though they didn't work properly - as it
was better than nothing.
Today, the blue pad cracked - right across the middle. The kit is now
totally useless.
Phoned EA customer support to clarify our position as we'd recalled our last
encounter with Gamestation(TM)
EA Customer support assured us that the retailer would offer a replacement
as part of the EA warranty agreement which retailers have signed up to.
EA guy was aware of drum kit issues and wasn't surprised when we said the
drum pad was cracked.
Phoned Gamestation(TM) who refused to do anything as jnr must have broken
them through misuse! I described my call to EA customer support.
Gamestation(TM) said they would also phone EA customer support to clarify -
they didn't.
Lots of nasty phone calls later - including trading standards (who told us
we were in the right)and gamestation(TM) head office who stated that the
drums in rock band are not "drums" but a game accessory and as such are not
supposed to be hit too hard. Even when we pointed out that the box the damn
things came in says "drum kit" they were adamant it wasn't a "drum kit" and
shouldn't be used as such.
Suffice to say Gamestation(TM) phoned us at about 5pm to say that they would
finally give us a full refund but we are not allowed to shop in there ever
again, we are banned - just like shoplifters and thieves.
So, tomorrow morning, I have to packed this damn lot up yet again, carry the
box (which weighs 9 kilo by the way) across town (after paying yet more car
parking ) and take it gamestation(TM) so they can treat me like a leper and
ban me from their shop.
At this point, I should say, I do not play rock band (I've tried, I'm
rubbish) the only person who has used it is no66y jnr who is high
functioning autistic. He has only used it connected to the xbox and he had
only played it with official songs provided by EA (who made the game and the
peripherals).
The instrument pack alone costs £129.99
So basically, the xobox drum kit produced by EA is of inferior quality, not
fit for purpose and will not stand up to playing the songs released by EA
themselves.
I hate rock band, I hate it with a passion - I despised every second I have
had to haul that damn bulky 9 kilo box across town and back in the sun, the
wind and the rain. I hate the accusing looks and snide comments from staff
at the various game shops.
Its crap, really really crap - its just one big white elephant.
The game itself is great - fantastic even - its just the peripherals that
have been produced are simply not up to the job and are bound to fail.
EA knows it, everyone knows it - but I'm still banned from Gamestation(TM)
along with the shoplifters and thieves.
</rant>
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