Are you sitting down? If not, you might want to change that before you read this. According to a newly-minted Web site, the Rock Band game featuring the music of The Beatles -- now officially titled The Beatles: Rock Band -- will be out on September 9, 2009, which happens to be the tenth anniversary of the Dreamcast.
A press release (hit the jump) confirms that the Harmonix/MTV/Apple Corps/EA collaboration will have a simultaneous release in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories” for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii -- a first for the Rock Band series. As previously mentioned, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band peripherals as well as “other current” controllers.
The press release also notes that the game will sell alongside “a limited number” of new peripherals that are “modeled” on instruments that the Fab Four themselves used. In North America, the standalone game will retail for $59.99; a guitar bundle will sell for $99.99; and a “Limited Edition Premium Bundle” will run you $249.99.
Giles Martin, who co-produced the LOVE project with his father, original Beatles producer George Martin, is working on the game as its Music Producer. Currently, the game’s official site allows you to sign up to be notified about pre-order options, which the press release assures will provide “exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix.”
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m ecstatic to hear this. I’m really looking forward to this game, and I found it even more heartening that the game’s title is “The Beatles: Rock Band” -- the latter portion seems to indicate some interoperability with the first two Rock Band titles, whereas most people presumed that there would be none. Either way, I can’t wait!
APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX ANNOUNCE "THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND", WORLDWIDE RELEASE SET FOR 9/9/09
New York, NY - March 5, 2009 - 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(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM) 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:
-- The Beatles: Rock Band Software -- Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $59.99 MSRP
-- The Beatles: Rock Band Standalone Guitars -- Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $99.99 MSRP
-- The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $249.99 MSRP
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.
Samit Sarkar is a founding Destructoid editor and go-to Sports guy. Samit was the son of the Duke of Knees, rescued from a burning village in the afghan desert by a golden condor. He is an ace Backgammon player and lost both legs in a whaling tour. He lives for free in a nursery in Scotland where he teaches monks how to capture butterflies without hurting them.
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Contest:
9:55 AM on 03.05.2009
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...Right? :(
"The Beatles, who broke up four decades before video games were invented, have been slow in embracing new technology: their music is still not available for sale on iTunes."
I didn't know they broke up in the 1930s!
I think you're the only one who is on crazy pills. Don't worry though, a common side-effect of taking them is to think everyone else is.
I'll supply the obligatory argument here that if it wasn't for bands like the Beatles pioneering the way, you wouldn't have your beloved Nickelback or Hinder.
But I'm guessing based on MrSadistic's username that his tastes run more towards Pantera, Mastodon, and the like. Not a dig, I like those bands too.
But not liking the Beatles is pre-qualification for sterilization. We don't need you poisoning our gene-pool with your non-Beatles musical taste. =D
Though, without them, we wouldn't have Beatallica.
And to say that they (beatles) give way to shitty bands like Nickelback and Hinder just strengthens my dislike.
Anyone else remember 9.9.99, the day the Dreamcast was released? It feels like it was just yesterday.
That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the header image.
As for the inevitable firestorm about whether the Beatles are good or not, all I'll say is that I like them, critics tend to agree. If you don't like them then that's absolutely fine as well.
Personally, I think the biggest crush for me will be when they announce a setlist, because then I'll immediately see a good 5-10 songs that DIDN'T make the cut and it'll drive me crazy.
I fully expect to see...
Revolution
Hey Jude
Twist and Shout
Hard Days Night
Help
Get Back
Helter Skelter
Let It Be
And probably a lot of earlier tracks (which I'm really not looking for). I prefer more of the later, denser tracks they produced from like '66 on.
For me, the Beatles didn't even really start making significant music until Revolver, TBH.
Whatever, I'll still get it, I just already have come to terms that this title will have some small built in disappointments just because they won't put in EVERYTHING I want.
Oh, what? A Beatles game? Heh, whatever.
We hope you will enjoy our game.
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And yes, Bango Skankm, I too thought of Revolution 9...
I was saying exactly what Samit said: "to each his/her own, I say. But I'd hope that if you don't like The Beatles, you can at least appreciate the tremendous impact and influence they've had on music."
I just said it in a wise-ass way.
Pappadukes: wtf dude. Hinder and Nickelback are absolutely nothing like The Beatles. Only about half of The Beatles' career was spent as a bubbly pop band. They quickly evolved after Help.
+ ten awesome points for this game.
Choices...choices...
Yeah. Thereabouts. It was very gradual. I think there were seeds of that in Help! too. But definitely Rubber Soul. Although I've gone back and listened to the 63-64 stuff lately and really enjoyed it in a way I haven't since the very first time I found a Beatles tape in my parents' stuff.
That better mean Rock Band 2 by then too.