I say that not because of the graphics, or the gameplay, or the music. The reason it’s one of the best video games is that anyone can play and have fun.

At almost every party I’ve attended in the last few months, it’s as popular as alcohol. I’ve seen people that are experts at the game mingling with first time players, and with the addition of the no fail mode in “Rock Band 2,” it opens up the game to anyone that wants to try it with no pressure of bringing down the group. Hell, last weekend I watched a 6 year old playing drums with a group of adults and the kid wasn’t half bad.

Also, another aspect of the game that makes it great is the new songs that Harmonix releases every week. While there is no rhyme or reason as to what gets put out, at least you know new songs are coming, so it makes the reply value very high.

Now while I love the new songs, I don’t love some of the prices. As earlier this morning, I got this press release saying:

AC/DC comes exclusively to Rock Band beginning this November for the worldwide release of AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack by Harmonix. This exclusive deal with Columbia Records and AC/DC marks the first time ever the band has included an entire album for video game play, with 18 live tracks from their prolific live performances becoming available in one electrifying, standalone game.

AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will feature the master recordings from the best of the band's live performances. The live recording was specially remixed for Rock Band by Mike Fraser.  The game features 18 tracks, with more than 99 minutes of game play for each instrument:

"Thunderstruck"

"Shoot to Thrill"
"Back in Black"
"Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be"
"Heatseeker"
"Fire Your Guns"
"Jailbreak"
"The Jack"
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
"Moneytalks"
"Hells Bells"
"High Voltage"
"Whole Lotta Rosie"
"You Shook Me All Night Long"
"T.N.T."
"Let There Be Rock”
"Highway To Hell”
"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”

The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack will be available in the U.S. on November 2nd on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 and on November 16th for Wii. Pricing for AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii is $39.88 and $29.88 for the PlayStation 2.  

So let’s think about this… 18 new songs for $40 dollars.

I think this is very expensive considering the game costs $60 dollars and comes with over 80 songs and 20 free downloads.

I’m starting to wonder if the music industry is going to kill this great, easy moneymaking opportunity by starting to charge too much for additional songs.

After all, this is the same industry that charges almost $13-$15 dollars for a new CD, when the price should be under $10 dollars.

I’m of the opinion that everyone will make more money if the prices were lower and you make your profits by selling bulk. Look at me as an example. If the price was $20 dollars for all the songs I’d think about buying it as an impulse purchase. I play the game a lot, and I’d probably like these new songs. But for $40 dollars they can all kiss my ass. I don’t love AC/DC that much and for that price I’d rather buy other songs that I care more about.

Look, I love the game and don’t mind paying for more songs, I just implore everyone to look at what you’re charging. $40 dollars is too much.