Rumor: Rock Band Canadian release pushed back past Christmas, Boxing Day

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 9th 2007 at 11:30AM }

Ah, Canada. Our northern big brother has spawned some of our favorite musical groups of all time; Rush, Moxy Früvous, and, of course, Loverboy. Why, then, do Canadians seem to be getting the shaft over their release date for Rock Band? We would think it would be more popular than the NHL 2K series and Metric System Hero combined.

We reported (and MTV confirmed) about a month ago that Rock Band had been delayed until Dec. 17 in Canada, possibly due to sales regulations that required them to include English and French-Canadian text on the box and instructions, and also because of the shipping issues associated with moving a large number of boxes that are the size of a small car.

However, residents of America's Frosted Hat may be getting the game even later according to Best Buy Canada and Future Shop, who have a release date of Dec. 28 posted for the game. Even though French-Canadian is an ancient, dead language, we're pretty sure it's not taking them a month and a half just to translate an instruction booklet. We'll make sure and keep you updated when a final, final Canadian release date for the game is confirmed.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Tags: Canada, delay, Harmonix, MTV, Rock-Band, RockBand

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

babash @ Dec 9th 2007 11:42AM

nooooooooooo!!! man, and I was all excited to backup Santa on the drums...

Nicholas @ Dec 9th 2007 11:43AM

Will have to ask my friends how they got their hands on it then... I thought it was already out since so many people I know are already playing it (and yes, I am "French-Canadian").

Weird.

Drew @ Dec 9th 2007 1:31PM

A lot of the people I know who have it made a quick trip across the border to get theirs -- and at the time the Canadian dollar was quite a bit higher, so it was win-win!.

Dan @ Dec 9th 2007 11:44AM

As long as I have it for new years eve I'm happy. It's a bit too pricey for anyone to buy me for christmas anyways...

DVersion @ Dec 9th 2007 11:49AM

Ah! for the love of Rush! what the hell?
Our money is just as good, stupid box manufacturers!

Oh and America is our pants...our soiled pants...

Phi Nguyen @ Dec 9th 2007 12:44PM

Florida must be the willy then.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Dec 10th 2007 9:23AM

Pissing on Cuba.

Curtis Brunet @ Dec 9th 2007 11:50AM

This is terrible terrible news. I heard it earlier from my local Wal-Mart, but I was sure she was just confused. This is a sad sad day in Canada. :(

SmokestormX @ Dec 10th 2007 7:54AM

It's not just canada, it's the entired WORLD (except America), something fishy is going on I reckon..

themikey @ Dec 9th 2007 11:54AM

"America's Frosted Hat"? I don't think so.

I'm not sure if you've seen a map lately, but if you noticed, we're on top.

That's right, America.

You're *our* bitch.

Now stop shafting us with Rock Band or we'll donkey punch you with a hockey stick... eh.

T H @ Dec 9th 2007 12:08PM

If you never noticed, a hat is on top, hence the reference.. moron.

Typical.

uberartist @ Dec 9th 2007 12:35PM

Well, if you want to get technical, the hat usually is not larger than the person/thing wearing the hat, hence why the more appropriate comparison of pants was made. Eh!

T H @ Dec 9th 2007 3:52PM

"Eh".. still Canada.

Have fun playing Rock Band on Christmas!! :)

Trickob @ Dec 9th 2007 4:30PM

what about alaska?

Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 9th 2007 6:51PM

Alaska = tumor?

That sucks for Canada eh...

C-Jo @ Dec 9th 2007 11:55AM

Ridiculous. Keep the French packaging bullshit to everyone Ontario and east. I live in Vancouver and can't remember the last time I've seen a French person. Those assholes have been ruining our DVD packaging and delaying our games for years now.

Donald @ Dec 9th 2007 11:56AM

Everyone east of Ontario and west of New Brunswick

(fixed)

rasgueado @ Dec 9th 2007 3:35PM

Xenophobe.

Iceman[grrrr] @ Dec 20th 2007 5:27PM

Yeah like we care if the manual is only in English...
We gamers do not vote the laws, but the mothers of 3 y-o are shocked their kids can't read the manual. They asked for it. 20 years ago, I asked my mother to translate some manuals. If today's mothers can't read English, they shouldn't be allowed to ask for these things...

AirIntake @ Dec 9th 2007 11:56AM

This is complete fucking bullshit. I would like to actually be able to play Rock Band while my friends and I both have time off for the holidays. Thanks for nothing, Harmonix.

The Jaded @ Dec 9th 2007 12:11PM

I bet you dollars to donuts that this is because they're using a bunch of the guitars that they were going to ship to Canada as replacement guitars.

Stupidiot @ Dec 9th 2007 12:16PM

Pfft, Canada? Britain is practically the birthplace of rock, and we'd probably be lucky enough to see Rock Band by March...

lawlersauce @ Dec 9th 2007 12:49PM

America is the birthplace of rock, you buttplug!
The only rock worth mentioning from the UK is Led Zeppelin.

USA! USA! USA!

Sihylm @ Dec 9th 2007 1:09PM

I agree with this.

"Oh noes canada get it a month late!111"

Europe always gets shafted by gaming companies.

Mike @ Dec 9th 2007 2:48PM

Lawlersauce is right, Led Zep is the only worthwhile contribution Britain made to the rock scene! Well, that and the Beatles.. Rolling Stones.. hm, Pink Floyd.. The Who.. Deep Purple.. Status Quo.. The Clash.. Def Leppard.. Iron Maiden.. Black Sabbath.. huh.. wait a minute, what I was talking about again?

mike @ Dec 9th 2007 7:23PM

thats not the point about Uk getting the game in march. The uk has a different release schedual for their games. The games are also not even ntsc, completely different.

In canada, our games are EACTLY the same as American games, except the packaging contains french. The disc itself is the same pressed disc the americans get. Because of this, typically every game release date in the US is the same day release here in canada. So even a 1 day delay for a games release is big news here.

ZenGaijin @ Dec 9th 2007 12:17PM

There, goes, Chirstmas.

DudeGuyMan @ Dec 9th 2007 12:17PM

I hate the english/french packaging. What a waste of space. At least before, they used to shrinkwrap an extra insert and manual (making it optional) but now it is forced on the default packaging. I think it was this that ruined it for everyone:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/12/10/quebec_menaces_sony_and_nintendo/

Mike @ Dec 9th 2007 12:19PM

Hi there!

Whilst the delay for the release of Rock Band in Canada is unfortunate, we would like to remind everyone over there that WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A GODDAMN RELEASE DATE FOR THE THING YET OUTSIDE OF "Q1 2008"

Warm regards,

Europe & Australia

The Jaded @ Dec 9th 2007 12:54PM

Hi Mike, here's a quick tip:

If you want to sound snarky while posting a comment on a blog don't use "Whilst". At the very least it makes you seem like you're two internet memes behind the curve. And that isn't even factoring in that it was a dumb replacement for the perfectly functional word "While" to begin with.

Also, I know that at least a certain subset of the readership will automatically start reading your message in Shaw Elliot's "Hero of the Web" voice as soon as they see "Whilst".

Mike @ Dec 9th 2007 1:35PM

Hi the Jaded,

"Whilst" is still commonly used in the British English dialect in place of "While", however in the future I will take care to Americanize (see, I've started doing it already!) my language to prevent upsetting the majority of the readership with my preposterous words. Apologies!

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Dec 10th 2007 9:27AM

Yeah! and while your at it, start spelling "aluminum" right.

tc @ Dec 9th 2007 12:32PM

crazy canadians cry concerning coming christmas crisis

i hereby declare this alliteration sunday

Billiam247 @ Dec 9th 2007 1:02PM

Bang in some onomatopoeia and you're in business.

baby sea tuna @ Dec 9th 2007 1:02PM

I suppose you Canadians could import one from, well, me. Cause I've still got one left...

AirIntake @ Dec 9th 2007 1:13PM

I would be happy to import one from you. Wow, that sounds dirty.

DarkInnate @ Dec 9th 2007 1:36PM

French-Canadian is not an ancient dead langugage. According to Wikipedia, 84.5% of Quebec speaks French as a dominant language. That would make around 6,465,095 people speaking it. Not bad for a "dead" language. As a French-Canadian, I find these comments offensive. While I understand English perfectly, I prefer to have my games translated in my native language. It's my right. If you have a problem with that, whine to your government (which will do nothing) or support Quebec independence, so that you can finally speak your shit and us, ours.

BTW I agree with Elroy, it doesn't take that long to translate a box and an instructions booklet. So quit blaming French-Canadians for all of your problems, 'cause that's just bull.

Synner @ Dec 9th 2007 1:50PM

Is French Canadian different from regular French? Why can't they release Canada when they do Europe and just send some French ones to Quebec?

Sangohan2 @ Dec 9th 2007 1:51PM

Exactly ! How can you say such things about French-Canadian language
? I think it's a lack of respect toward your readers... Would you go
and say this for Belgium too and write that their french is dead ? It's
not because we are living aside english speaking nations that we are
dead !

And ayway, who can still believe that the french translation is the
true reason for the delay when you see that 98% of other games are out
in same time in Canada and States, with french on the box ?

C-Jo @ Dec 9th 2007 1:59PM

Please explain to me how you it's your "right" to have a videogame created in another country translated into your language? If English games are unappealing to you, it's your right to not purchase them. It sounds like what you need is more French developed games.

Basically, because Quebec is the whiny little stepchild of Canada, the rest of the country is subject to unacceptably hideous game/DVD packaging and delays.

sheppy2.0 @ Dec 9th 2007 2:23PM

I hate to agree with C-Jo here but the man has a point. The game has a huge "singing" aspect to it and one must imagine the need to translate the words and vocal track to accomidate those laws. I mean, let's put it this way. While the US only got five iterations of Karaoke Revolution (one with built in DDR... WHY?!?!), Japan saw damn near twenty. Now, this did annoy me. But never did I claim it is my "right" to have access to those games. I cannot read Japanese, I can barely speak it but only if I have the words in front of me, this game would be unplayable. Possibly as unplayable as english Rock Band would be for a french-canadian. In essence...

If something is not offered in your native language at the same time as IT's native language, this isn't your fucking right. Be glad it's coming at all as many developers would notmally take the "fuck those people" route. Hey, you put high legal pressure on conforming to your native language, don't be suprised when they pass you by.

sinergy @ Dec 9th 2007 2:31PM

Quebec needs to vote for another separation. Canada doesn't need you!! Thanks for nothing.

Synner @ Dec 9th 2007 2:31PM

Personally, I think all nations should have a National Language. I'm pissed at all the shit I see here in the states in Spanish. No one put things into Italian or German for my grandparents to have an easier time, and I think that maybe the French Canadians should be Bilingual at the very least.

That said, to dismiss the people wishing to maintain their cultural roots as whiny stepchildren is rude.

And while they should at least attempt to assimilate and learn the language that the majority of the country uses, they also need to probably come to terms that not even the Canadian government is pussified enough to let a portion of their tax base just decide that they are another country.

I wish that my Family had at least taught their children the language of their forebears, but the reality is, you should try to fit in in order to be a productive member of the land in which you live. When special considerations are made to every person who is different, it takes away the spirit of community and rather than make a nation and community strong and unified, it divides people.

And it is only smart business to market to as many types of people as you can, just think if Japanse developers decided that if you wanted to play MGS or Final Fantasy, you damn well better learn Japanese.

You sound like a complete dickwad C-jo

Synner @ Dec 9th 2007 2:39PM

Sheppy,

Your point about the singing is correct except for the fact that these songs are played in their native languages around the world.

So I think it is more likely the packaging and such that needs translated. I remember seeing Celine Dion in an interview (my wife is a big fan to all you smartasses out there) where she said the first time she sang a song in English, she didn't even understand what she was singing, because she spoke only French. So I don't think that is the issue.

The Karaoke revolution/singstar thing totally pisses me off, because they are marketing songs in my language, released in my country overseas, but I can't play them because of region restrictions. How stupid is that?

I'm so glad at least Sony is releasing the SingStar games here.

sheppy2.0 @ Dec 9th 2007 2:51PM

"And it is only smart business to market to as many types of people as you can, just think if Japanse developers decided that if you wanted to play MGS or Final Fantasy, you damn well better learn Japanese."

Wow, interesting point. I mean, obviously these series are known for releasing same day in both japanese and English. Wait, what? MGS4 is the first game from both of those series to be attempting simulataneous release? Well that certainly doesn't fit well into this comparison at all, does it?

After all, Rock Band for Canadians isn't cancelled, just delayed. And supposedly it's because of language difficulties. You are correct in saying if they want to make money, they'll release in multiple languages. That's what they are doing. But nowhere does it say that it's your "right" to have games and media translated to your region. I'm a big import gamer, I will readily admit that.

So should I start knocking down doors in Japan talking about how it's my right to listen to Mad Capsule Market, M-Flo, and Shina Ringo albums in full english? Can I start breaking down doors at Atlus declaring it is my right to enjoy Super Robot Wars in full english with all the original content and hey, while I'm at it, I should be busting down doors at Sega declaring it's my "right" to play Sakura Wars in enlgish for the first time in my life. And hey, why not some english redubs for all my Beatmania songs? And I don't know about you, but I'd much prefer to play Ouendon with all that Japanese text translated to English. Hey, it's my "right." Yeah?

Oh wait, no it's not. Damn, I guess it's back to playing some of my favorite games in Japanese again.

Synner @ Dec 9th 2007 3:17PM

I never said it was their right to have it translated, only that it is understandable that they would want to be able to read the manuals and whatnot.

Did you even read my post?

And it is a worldwide release game, it isn't like they are releasing FFXXX or whatever in your country and making you read it in Japanese.

I would imagine that the French Canadians would be just as happy to just receive some of the French Translated ones from the european release. Why are you acting like this is a big battle?

sheppy2.0 @ Dec 9th 2007 3:46PM

I dunno. I just hate it when someone uses a phrase like "it's my right" when they have no clue what their rights are.

I mean, this whole Rock Band with French Support could have valid grounding on the delay in Canada being BS if, in fact, France had a Rock band release already. It would make no sense. But they haven't. Only the US has had Rock Band released. So delaying to add in another language isn't exactly firing off my "conspiracy" synapses.

phoenix1337 @ Dec 9th 2007 1:38PM

Lame.

Synner @ Dec 9th 2007 1:47PM

Any of you Canadians want it bad enough, I'm sure it can be found on ebay. It's weird what with all these consoles not being region encoded nowadays that people here don't just start some kind of group for people to purchase stuff in their area, then airmail it to those stuck waiting.

I think this would be a great idea for anyone who needs it for a Christmas present especially.