EDIT: Seems that the game will be a new, dedicated game separated from the Rock Band series. I apologize for the misunderstanding
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20886
Harmonix, MTV, Apple Corps Announce Beatles Music Game
A conference call today attended by Gamasutra revealed that a "dedicated, custom" video game framed around the Beatles songs is on its way.
"Today we're announcing an exclusive partnership with Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix to create a brand-new video game featuring the iconic music of The Beatles," said Van Toffler, MTV music, films and logo group president.
"We're not in the business of producing standalone games for every artist that's out there... but [for] a monumental band like The Beatles, it's the perfect confluence."
Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones noted that the title will mark the first time Beatles music has ever been signed on for representation in a video game format. "In MTV and Harmonix, we see partners that admire the Beatles and Apple's original spirit and vision," said Jones.
The announcement comes following a joint announcement teased by MTV Games and rights-holder Apple Corps yesterday which prompted many to speculate that Beatles songs would be arriving in Rock Band, but a stand-alone exclusive music title takes a step beyond the rumors.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Harmonix's Alex Rigopoulos.
"We have been up and running on this project for some time now... and I want to make it clear that this game is not just a Rock Band song expansion pack."
"It will be a new, full-blown, custom game title production built from the ground up," he stressed.
Rigopoulos clarified that the new game would not be under the Rock Band banner but would be its own individual title -- and said that interoperability with Rock Band instruments is "something we're not ready to talk about yet," though he did say it would be "an interactive music-making game [with] interactive performance of the Beatles' music."
He promised further details on the title in the coming months, and did not comment on whether or not Beatles music would also be coming to the existing Rock Band franchise.
Few details on the nature and content of the gameplay itself were revealed on the conference call, but a simultaneous worldwide release next year was confirmed.
And though Rigopolous declined to confirm how many Beatles songs would be included in the game, it looks like the aim is to incorporate as many as possible: "Certainly it is our intention to address the entire span of the Beatles catalog over their entire career."
Questions regarding whether or not the game would contain a competitive element versus a focus on simply engaging with the music were not addressed. Nor did any of the participants on the conference call disclose financial details of the partnership.
The official press announcement released today says the game was "creatively conceived" with input from remaining Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Star, along with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, the wives of late band members John Lennon and George Harrison. Beatles LOVE project co-producer Giles Martin will also serve as music producer for the project.
"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out," said McCartney.
"It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership," added Starr.
"The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in. Let the games commence."
"It’s cool," said Ono of the game. "I love it, and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation for many decades."
The original article was
http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=26653056&tag=latestheadlines;title;1
Source: See below.
What we heard: This may be the shortest rumor ever to shake up the game industry. This afternoon, MTV issued a press release alerting the world to a major announcement coming tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. They did so via a widely e-mailed press release with no actual body text and simply a headline: "Apple Corps Ltd. and MTV to Announce Exclusive Agreement to Develop Unprecedented Global Music Project."
How could one line cause such instant--and widespread--attention? Because, as made famous by its epic 30-year legal battle with iPod-maker Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer), Apple Corps Ltd. is the company whose main purpose is to manage and publish all forms of media related to a certain seminal 1960s rock quartet known as The Beatles.
One of the most influential bands in the history of modern music, the Beatles have sold billions of dollars' worth of records since their formation in 1960. The remain a major musical presence and multimedia phenomenon 46 years after they first gained popularity in the UK in 1962 and 38 years after they split up in 1970. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed the quartet--of whom two members survive--atop their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The official story: See above.
Bogus or not bogus?: Given that the only non-Apple press contacts on the announcement are for MTV Games and MTV Games' product catalog is all Rock Band-related (other than Phase on the iPod), this is looking not bogus. Guess Paul McCartney heard good things from Roger Daltrey on the legends-of-rock cocktail scene following The Who's E3 appearance. Now would they please give Led Zepplin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant a call?
[UPDATE] Well that was quick. Citing "several people familiar with the matter" the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) is now reporting that "The Beatles have licensed songs to MTV Networks' Rock Band videogame series." The article offers no further details on which songs will be licensed or whether they will be available as downloadable content, a boxed product like the AC/DC Track Pack, or as a stand-alone game a la Guitar Hero: Metallica.
Damn, I wanted them in Guitar Hero, but at least it's good to know that they'll appear in a music game finally, now that means I have to get a guitar for playing RB sometime. I hope it's a separate game, just a couple of downloadable tracks won't do the Fab Four justice, they're the best, they deserve their own game. I'm looking forward to see how the music will be released
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