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Beatles come to Rock Band on September 9th
The untitled Beatles project from Rock Band developer Harmonix has just gotten a title, and it includes the words "Rock" and "Band". As noted on the website teaser, The Beatles: Rock Band will be released on September 9th, 2009. That's 9/9/9, see? Number nine. Number nine. Number nine.
Originally, Harmonix and MTV insisted that it would be a standalone product without any sort of branding: "An unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles," they said. Now it's a Rock Band tie in. But note the order of the title. Compare The Beatles: Rock Band to Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica. I see who's wearing the pants there.
As the Associated Press notes in this unenthusiastic and slightly embarrassed video coverage: "The game marks a departure for the band, which has been slow to embrace new technology."
Look at the Beatles go! Rock Band on September 9th. What next, a podcast? iTunes? A Facebook page?
(Thanks to Dingus for the video link!)
By obonicus at 6:59 AM ON 03/06/09
Why are they talking about the band in the present tense? Half of the band's dead to begin with, and it's been broken up for nearly 40 years now.
By Chijts at 7:42 AM ON 03/06/09
Am I the only person who doesn't like The Beatles? I'm not saying they weren't good for music progression or whatever.
By Balasarius at 9:28 AM ON 03/06/09
@chijts: no.
I don't think the game will sell all that well, compared to how much Harmonix / MTV had to pay for the license. We are, after all, talking about 40-50 year old music, here. The Beatles are no longer relevant.
By edosan at 11:03 AM ON 03/06/09
Give them a break, man. Half of them are dead and the other half are too busy sitting on mountains of cash to have time to make a Facebook page.
By Baystreet at 3:10 PM ON 03/06/09
No longer relevant? I take it you're either one of those Metallica worshiping nearly brain-dead droolbags or you have an invalid haircut and it hurts when you smile. The Beatles are nothing if not relevant, bands that don't hold a candle to the Rutles are still ripping off and stealing blatantly from the Beatles, and getting rich doing so.
By DARCWALKER at 3:12 PM ON 03/06/09
MIchael jackson owns the rights to the beatles catalog doesnt hi?
By Tom Chick at 7:03 PM ON 03/06/09
Chij, aren't you a Brit? Aren't you people required by your monarchs to like The Beatles?
I agree with Balasaurius in that I have my reservations about how much crossover there is among Beatles die-hands and Rock Band fans. Yeah, they're musically important, but are they as commercially relevant as they need to be to sell videogames?
I don't know the answer, and like Chij, I'm not a huge fan, so I'm liable to underestimate the importance of The Beatles. But @ Mr. Baystreet, there's no need to accuse someone who questions the wisdom of this deal of being a "Metallica worshiping nearly brain-dead droolbag". I mean, yeah, this is the Internet, so don't forget to score points by slinging insults! But I still think it's a good question.
By Fudgehammer at 8:57 PM ON 03/06/09
I'm excited since I'm a fan of their music but yeah, it will be interesting to see how well this sells. Does the main gaming demographic care?
I think a bigger seller will be when/if U2 signs with Rock Band or Guitar Hero. I'm surprised they haven't already since they were all over the iPod. I think U2 bridges the age gap a bit better.
Also, I thought I read that Michael Jackson's ownership of the rights ended years ago and I think McCartney has them again.
By Dyltone at 1:59 PM ON 03/10/09
Look at that date!
Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9...
By mean old man at 7:58 PM ON 03/12/09
won't be a question of how well it sells, there are plenty of us "fans" that will gladly scoop it up so the "brain-dead droolbags" (nod to baystreet) don't even need to consider it. the question will be, what songs will be chosen for this epic endeavour. it will be a HUGE leap above alot of the worthless trash being offered in the DLC now.
mean old man:
won't be a question of how well it sells, there are plenty of us "fans" that will gladly scoop it up so the "brain-...More »