Harmonix, who have demonstrated their ability to make a music game that is more than a simple progression of songs, are hoping to create a title that will take "players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of [The Beatles'] legendary career." The surviving members of the band, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, are backing the game. "The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music," said McCartney.
Like earlier Rock Band titles, consumers will have the option of purchasing the game by itself (for $59.99), or in a bundle (for $249.99). Interestingly, the standalone game would be the first Wii title, without a peripheral, to retail above the $49.99 price ceiling of new Wii software. Peripherals based on the instruments used by The Beatles will also be produced, including guitars, which will retail for $99.99. The Beatles: Rock Band will be playable with past Rock Band controllers as well as with peripherals made for other music games.
Apple Corps Ltd., MTV and Harmonix Announce 'The Beatles: Rock Band,' Worldwide Release Set for 9/9/09
NEW YORK, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com). The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii home videogame console from Nintendo.
The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.
The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals.
Available on 9/9/09:
Please note: Pricing outside of the US to be announced at a later date.
The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band(R). Electronic Arts will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.
Exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix will be made available to fans over the next few months who participate in a pre-order campaign through major retailers. More details on The Beatles: Rock Band game and pre-order will be revealed in the coming months.
Please visit http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com.
I wonder if this will actually include two guitars and one bass (in addition to the world's smallest Rock Band drum kit)?
I've never heard a bad Beatles song, just some aren't as good as others.
There are a couple of stinkers on the White Album.
1UP asked MTV Games to comment on the pricing, but the company would only confirm the pricing in yesterday's announcement was accurate. The disc-only version of The Beatles: Rock Band will be sold at $59.99 on Wii.
"I don't think $60 will become the standard," said Pacific Crest Securities senior research analyst Evan Wilson to 1UP over e-mail. "Many games have actually started to go the other way -- launching at $40 instead of $50. They [MTV Games] think the market will bear a higher price due to the attractiveness of the content."
Not just bigger than Jesus; much, much better too!
still a better deal than paying for them at 2 bucks a pop for DLC.
I think the only other band that deserves a full band game is Led Zeppelin.
still a better deal than paying for them at 2 bucks a pop for DLC.
That's debatable since with DLC you can pick what songs you are interested in, with retail music games you're stuck with whats on the disc so you may like about 33 - 50% of the songs on the disc and then you might not even touch the rest which can be considered a bad value.
still a better deal than paying for them at 2 bucks a pop for DLC.
That's debatable since with DLC you can pick what songs you are interested in, with retail music games you're stuck with whats on the disc so you may like about 33 - 50% of the songs on the disc and then you might not even touch the rest which can be considered a bad value.
