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The Beatles: Rock Band guitars confirmed, pre-order club announced
MTV Games and Harmonix have announced The Beatles: Rock Band will have two standalone guitars made available alongside the forthcoming Liverpudlian music rhythm game. The Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet, played by John Lennon and George Harrison allegedly throughout their respective careers, are set to go on sale when the game launches in September for $100 bucks a pop. For those of you playing along at home, that equates to $250 for the full "premium" bundle plus another $200 for both of these guitars, altogether adding up to a whopping $450 for you serious Beatles fans. We spoke with Mariana Agathoklis at MTV Games this morning who said, "These guitars are really for the hardcore fans."Additionally, the "pre-order club" has officially opened for business at the game's official site, allowing those who've already pre-ordered the game to access "breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage." The bad economy has us in a bit of a fiduciary bind -- maybe you fine folks pre-ordering the game would be so kind as to shoot us a tip when the hot scoops hit?Update: Mariana at MTV Games asked us to clarify that these guitars will be compatible with "all Rock Band instruments, as well as most Guitar Hero and other music game peripherals." We've also added an image of the guitars in question in a gallery below, direct from the pre-order site to your eye cavities.%Gallery-51667%
Rock Band Beatles footage spotted at Coachella [update]
If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times: Sneaking cameras into concerts is illegal, folks. And so it's with sheer bravado that we've posted the Paul McCartney performance from two days ago at Coachella in California, playing "Got to Get You Into My Life," above. You'll understand though -- we had to -- as you'll see on the Beatles-sized screen behind Mr. McCartney some awfully interesting Rock Band-esque characters backing him up. Though we can't confirm anything, and there certainly aren't any streaming note charts in sight, we're going all the way out on a limb here and guessing the footage may be our first glimpse at The Beatles: Rock Band (again, sans gameplay). We've asked publisher MTV Games for confirmation and will update this post when we hear back.Update: Thanks to commenter Comtar for pointing out official confirmation of The Beatles: Rock Band video during Mr. McCartney's set at Coachella, via McCartney's website: "It was a night of firsts and was the unexpected, unannounced world premiere of the images from the coming Beatle Rock Band game which played on vast screens throughout "Got To Get You Into My Life." Looks like it wasn't a rumor after all![Thanks, Adam!]
The Beatles: Rock Band limited edition bundle priced, detailed
Finally, a few whispers straight from the horse's mouth. While we've heard rumor after rumor regarding the actual hardware to be bundled in with the sure-to-be-hot The Beatles: Rock Band, MTV Games, Harmonix and EA have come forward today with a few succulent tidbits to keep you interested until the 09.09.09 launch. We're told that the Limited Edition Premium Bundle will include the game itself, a Höfner Bass (which will undoubtedly do Sir Paul McCartney and southpaws the world over no favors by being right handed), a microphone, a microphone stand, undisclosed "additional special content" and the real kicker -- a Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, complete with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head. The whole kit is slated to launch worldwide this September, with USers having to pay $249, Europeans paying €199 and Britons paying £179. Finally, we're told that North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the game will be eligible to join the The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club and "receive breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage directly from MTV Games and Harmonix." Oh, goody!
Beatles Rock Band features multi-mic support, harmonious performances?
Wouldn't it be great if you and your mop top-clad friends could all sing together in the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band? According to a rumor found in the latest issue of Game Informer, Harmonix is doing just that: including multiple-microphone support for players to harmonize on the tracks. Not much else is given, but a NeoGAF forum poster who last week claimed to have played an early version adds that three mics were being used -- one for each instrument -- and there was also a new harmony trainer mode to ensure your vocal talents were up to snuff. We'd advise a good bit of skepticism, no matter how much sense it seems to make or how many of you dreams would come true if this turned out legit. In the meantime, you can go back to deciding which of the Fab Four you're gonna pretend to be first when the game launches on September 9.[Via Joystiq]Read - Multi-mic supportRead - Harmony trainer
Rumor: Beatles Rock Band supports multiple mics, harmonies
From the pages of Game Informer, according to Destructoid, comes a rumor that the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band will support multiple microphones so that players can harmonize on vocal tracks. Apart from making sense, given the wide use of harmonies in Beatles music, the rumor raises a question: Where are we going to keep all this stuff? The sheer amount of equipment needed to supply four virtual rockers with both an instrument and a microphone begins to rival that of a real band. Here's hoping the next Rock Band accessory is a full-size van.
Beatles Rock Band bundle will boast Höfner bass, Ludwig-branded drums
Not really surprising to hear, but exciting none the less... according to a teaser email sent out to people on The Beatles: Rock Band mailing list -- the special edition bundle will include a custom branded Höfner bass and Ludwig drums. The email also mentions other "custom" content, which we are hoping will be either a Rickenbacker guitar like the one Lennon often used or a gigantic Harrison-esque moustache / beard combo. We're just going to have to wait it out together guys -- it's not expected until September 9th -- so let's chill and enjoy the video after the break.
The Beatles: Rock Band features unreleased material
The hits and classics won't be the only tunes found in The Beatles: Rock Band, says George Harrison's son Dhani. He told Billboard.com that Harmonix's new game will feature Beatles material "that has never been heard, never been released." Dhani is apparently one of the prime movers for getting this game out in the first place, revealing that work on the title started two years ago. Dhani says The Beatles game will be "totally, historically accurate." Does that mean we're going to see a Yoko Ono scenario? Let us know, Dhani, before the game's September 9 release.[Via Destructoid]
The Beatles come to 'Rock Band,' instruments and all (update)
Do you love the Beatles? Do you love Rock Band? Are you ready to totally lose it? If you said yes, that's good -- because MTV Games and Harmonix have just announced a partnership with Apple Corps, Ltd. to bring the band's music and instruments to the Rock Band universe. According to the PR, the game (which apparently lets you do all kinds of awesome Beatles-related rocking) will also premiere with a set of new hardware "modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career." Right now they've just got a holder page up with a launch date of September 9th, but as soon as we get our eyes on the gear, we'll let you know.Update: Here's some more information to cleanse your pallet. The game, known henceforth as The Beatles: Rock Band, will be sold software-only for $60 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii (note the extra Hamilton over the usual Nintendo pricing). The standalone guitars will be sold separately for $100, and if you're opting for the Limited Edition Premium Bundle, featuring the game and all instruments, it'll set you back $250. No word on pricing outside of US just yet. Despite the Rock Band branding, it's considered a standalone title and no one is talking right now about any connectivity, downloadable content or transferring of songs between Beatles and other RB games. According to Joystiq, you'll be able to rock out to 45 songs from the band's 1962 to 1969 EMI catalog. Full press release after the break.
MTV's Beatles game to feature 'early days' and 'psychedelic' periods
In a brief interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sir Paul McCartney shed some light on the this year's upcoming Beatles music game. McCartney confirmed that the 45 Beatles tracks will come from "different periods of the band" and that gamers will be treated to "early days, Liverpool, then psychedelic, and on from there." Of course, we all know who the final boss is going to be.Ever since Harmonix announced plans to release a standalone Beatles music game, we've been kept in the dark regarding the game's details. So, even though we're still mostly fumbling around within its dimly lit development, Mr. McCartney has come to the rescue with a shimmer of informative light. Even if it's just a BIC lighter.[Via IGN]
NRK pulls Beatles podcast citing legal concerns
Lost in the din of yesterday's Macworld announcements and video was a story from NRK that they've pulled down the "Our Daily Beatles" podcast -- featuring all 212 songs available for free -- citing contractual obligations with an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. The three players in the debacle are NRK (Norway's publicly-funded broadcasting company), TONO (managers of the rights for Norwegian composers and writers), and IFPI (which represents the rights of international record companies). While NRK and TONO are happy with their contractual agreement to release the podcast, IFPI is not. NRK's contract with IFPI states that they can only create podcasts for shows aired on the radio in the last four weeks where music accounts for less than 70 percent of the show's length. Since "Our Daily Beatles" was aired in 2007 (and not 2001 as they originally stated, but that's neither here nor there) it falls outside the bounds of the agreement. NRK, rather than air the broadcast again to comply with IFPI's rules, instead decided to pull the podcast offline. NRK is negotiating with IFPI to update their contract to match the one they have with TONO. Their current agreement expired at the end of last year, but apparently NRK is still bound by its terms. NRK had originally posted the podcast on Sunday.
Harmonix 2009: The Beatles yes, Rock Band 3 no
We're quite glad to hear that Harmonix has opted not to pursue more disc-based Rock Band content this year. The business model that Harmonix has built for the rhythm game genre is -- at the moment -- close to perfection, and we wouldn't want to see another entry into the series disrupt this hegemony. Harmonix co-founder and CEO Alex Rigopolous revealed the news at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. "We've actually made a choice to break out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year," said Rigopolous. "[This is] partly because the annual cycle places limits on the choices you can make as a developer. We're trying to take a long term view."Instead of having Rock Band 3 this year, the company is putting focus on its Beatles game, which supposedly will have all-new gameplay previously unseen from Harmonix. That title is still due for a late 2009 release.[Via MTV Multiplayer]
NRK offers free podcast containing every Beatles song
The Beatles could have all their songs on iTunes, but not the way you might think: via a podcast describing the story behind each song, released by a Norwegian broadcasting company. NRK is podcasting its segment called "Our Daily Beatles" that chronologically tells a three-minute story of every Beatles song ever written -- 212 of them -- along with the song in its entirety. NRK offers its podcast of the segment here. According to its website, NRK says it has procured the rights to publish podcasts of all its previously-broadcast radio and television programs that contain less than 70 percent music. While not an ideal way to download the entire Beatles catalog specifically for the music, the podcast is free. Apple has been negotiating with Apple Corps and the various owners of the Beatles' catalog to offer the music on iTunes. Last word was in November, when Paul McCartney said that talks broke down. Thanks, Kenken! Update: Unfortunately, the podcast has been pulled offline, citing legal concerns.
John Lennon eerily returns to push OLPC cause
John Lennon may have departed this planet 28 years ago, but that's not to say he can't still have an impact. With the assistance of technology and the consent of Yoko Ono, the heralded Beatle has returned in a new OLPC spot. In the ad, the late musician proclaims: "Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want." If this sounds like just the inspiration you needed to get your donation on, hop on past the break to see the vid in its entirety.[Via Laptop Mag]
Beatles-on-iTunes talks 'stalled' says Paul
Talks between Apple, Inc., Apple Corps, and EMI to bring the Beatles catalogue to the iTunes Store have "stalled," according to a statement by Paul McCartney to the Associated Press. McCartney said, "The last word I got back was it's stalled at the whole moment, the whole process." He told the BBC that "heavy negotiations" were in progress with EMI, who said they were "working hard to secure agreement with Apple Corps." My ill-informed, Captain Obvious guess? Someone's holding out for more money. The AP oddly suggested that the holdup is related to a trademark dispute between Apple Corps and Apple, Inc. which was settled in court last year. McCartney continued, "I really hope it will happen because I think it should." [Via Cult of Mac.]
Paul McCartney: Beatles on iTunes stalled, I'm not dead
In a new twist to the wearisome saga of the Beatles digitizing their music catalog for iTunes (or any digital service, for that matter), Paul McCartney says that the negotiations have "stalled." McCartney said, "It's between EMI and the Beatles, I think," before adding, "I really hope it will happen because I think it should." While an EMI spokeswoman sounded hopeful about the matter getting resolved, we'll just assume this is all Yoko's fault in keeping with tradition.
Harmonix talks the game that is not Rock Band: Beatles
First of all, don't call it Rock Band: Beatles. Harmonix's John Drake and Dan Teasdale don't like it. No, in fact, this is a completely separate game. How do we know? We've read the latest interview where Teasdale and Drake talk about the upcoming game.While they don't specifically say it will be on Wii, they do mention the game coming to multiple consoles and, let's face it, ignoring the Wii's base is foolish. They've been working on the game for 17 months before it was even confirmed as real, so they've had plenty of time to work on all versions of the game. But, considering the company's inability to take the console seriously in the past, should we even expect the game to release on the Wii? Or would we get another gimped port?Sadly, a great deal of the interview talks about Rock Band 2, so we don't really have much more to go on concerning this upcoming Beatles-based music game. They did say that the game would be encompassing the entire Beatles catalog, so that's something!
MTV won Beatles rights with 'flexibility,' songs won't be Rock Band-compatible
With such a dearth of information surrounding MTV's Beatles music game, we're trying to keep track of all the little details that have unfurled since last Thursday's revelation. According to sources close to Reuters, MTV Networks won the rights because it showed "more flexibility" than Guitar Hero World Tour publisher Activision Blizzard, whose CEO Bobby Kotick has repeatedly asserted that music publishers should be paying his company for inclusion in game.That flexibility, we suspect, has to do with Rock Band branding, or the lack thereof. Although we've known that the Beatles game would share headlines with MTV/Harmonix's successful music series, Reuters notes rather matter-of-factly that "none of the Fab Four's songs will be available for download on the existing Rock Band franchise." (The recently-released AC-DC Track Pack allows you to transfer songs to your hard drive to play in Rock Band.) Given there's still quite a bit of time until the game's planned "holiday 2009" release, we'll hold out hope that Apple Corps changes its tune.
Sorry, Rock Banders, no Beatles for you
When it was revealed via conference call that MTV had scored the rights to the Beatles for an upcoming game, many questions arose. What music would the game include? Would it be a Rock Band spin-off? Would it work with any of the Rock Band games? Well, sadly, we have an answer on that last one.According to Reuters, there won't be any compatibility between the upcoming Beatles-specific game and the Rock Band games from Harmonix. There won't even be a chance to download the Beatles songs into a Rock Band game. Hopefully, down the line, we'll get hope that this will change. For the time being, however, just look forward to the Beatles-specific game and be sure to tell us what you're looking forward to playing.
Beatles game will have 45 songs
We've got some small details for you regarding the Harmonix game starring the Beatles, the band who is too good to play with the rest of the class in Rock Band. Unveiled just yesterday, the yet-to-be named title will feature 45 songs from their EMI years of 1962 to 1969. Former Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles will be overseeing the catalog's transition into the new medium, but didn't elaborate on whether the recordings will the remastered. The deal also cost a pretty penny, as noted by Martin Bandier, chairman-CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. "We signed a deal that would be considered very rich by the video game company but fair for the artists."Let's commence the wild guessing -- which songs do you think will be chosen?[Via Joystiq]
45 songs headed to Beatles game
A new detail regarding the Harmonix Beatles game came to light today. According to a report in Variety (lots of news from them lately), Harmonix "will be able to select 45 songs from the Beatles catalog recorded during their 1962-69 tenure within EMI" for the game (does that mean Let It Be is off the table?). The article also reports that the chosen songs will be overseen by Giles Martin and his father George, who was previously the Beatles' producer. It remains unknown whether or not the original recordings will be remastered or reworked for the game, with Giles Martin noting, "We are trying to present the songs as they were played, adhering to the (original) mix."Of course, the only real question is which 45 songs will be appearing in the game. Feel free to post your favorites in the comments.[Via Joystiq]
