I... can't believe how many people are saying the price will be an issue, especially considering the runaway success (and consequently, the opening of the rhythm game genre to the more casual market) of the Guitar Hero series.

You can play Rock Band with a Guitar Hero guitar, for one.

$200 is the cost of the game, a guitar, a mic, and drums. It's actually a pretty solid deal.

EDIT: I'm also shocked that people are calling Rock Band a copycat of Guitar Hero. First and foremost, Guitar Hero was put together by Harmonix, who are, shockingly enough, the same people making Rock Band now (strangely enough, Activision seems to be suggesting that Harmonix is now stealing the idea of Guitar Hero from them for Rock Band).

And honestly, across the rhythm game scene, there have been mumblings for years about people wanting to see a combination of various rhythm styles. This one combines Guitar Hero, Karaoke Revolution, and Drummania.

I'm paying only $59 for a guitar, some of my friends are getting the game. Many of my friends are splitting the cost of a $200 bundle pack.

And I guarantee you that people are interested in the downloadable songs.

EDIT 2: For the sake of describing the amount of pull in this, I'm going to be lead guitar in four separate Rock Band bands, and am aware of about a dozen more on campus that are being put together when the game comes out. 

There's no way this game flops.

I have two room mates. All three of us have Xbox 360s and we each bought a copy of the Guitar Hero 2 when it came out. We've been talking about Rockband ever since and we're going to buy two complete sets. No matter the price.

Yes, there are lots of parents that purchase Guitar Hero for their children...but I would have to say that the majority market on the Guitar Hero franchise is the 20 - 35 age range. They can afford it. And they will buy it.

Besides, for most kids "Christmas" means a big present. For those younger Guitar Heroes out there, what better big present is there? He/She and his/her buddies can start their own band without having to spend money on actual instruments.

I don't think Rock Band will be thaaat big , because the franchise isn't known - Guitar Hero 3 will outsell it least 3:1 is my prediction , but ofcourse you are free to disagree with me.

Honestly, Lafiel, the majority of the "Guitar Hero Gamers" have no idea that Rockband is a serperate franchise...