Original Story:The PS2, PS3, and Wii versions of Harmonix's multiplayer rhythm title Rock Band will launch on August 29 in Europe, according to a report from VideoGamer.

The launch date grants Microsoft's Xbox 360 console a full three months of Rock Band exclusivity in the territory, scheduled to kick off on May 23. European release details were issued by publisher EA last week, which also revealed that the game would be sold for GBP 49.99 / EUR 69.99, with an Instrument Pack—containing a drum kit, guitar and microphone—going for an additional GBP 129.99 / EUR 169.99.

At current exchange rates, the game and instrument pack will run gamers a staggering $356.77 / $378.36, compared to the North American kit's $169.99 suggested retail price. An additional guitar for a four-piece band bumps the price to $472.29 / $502.98 at current rates.

Responding to consumer outrage over the pricing, Harmonix product development VP Greg LoPiccolo dismissed allegations of price gouging on the company's official forums.

"We're not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe," wrote LoPiccolo. "We are incredibly sensitive to pricing issues. We are painfully aware that the higher the price we charge, the less copies we'll sell... [Price gouging] doesn't serve our interests. We can only build our franchise if you buy our games."

While LoPiccolo did not discuss details of the game's pricing structure, he noted that the higher shipping costs and inclusion of taxes in the game's European SRP were partially to blame for the higher cost.

"The fact of the matter is, the costs of releasing in Europe are far higher than in the US, in some ways uniquely so for Rock Band compared to other game titles, because of the size of the peripherals," LoPiccolo added. "But it's not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so."