Details on Harmonix's Beatles Game

[DoctorFinger]

We told you yesterday (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1889) that MTV and Apple Holding were likely going to announce the addition of the Beatles to the Rock Band platform. We were partly right. MTV and Harmonix are working on a Beatles game, but the as of now untitled effort will not be a part of Rock Band, and instead be a standalone product.

While it's confirmed that the game will be compatible with the Rock Band instruments, few other details were announced. The game is set for a Holiday 2009 release, and will incorporate songs from the band's first album to it's last. It's likely you'll be playing the original tracks: no remixes, remasters or covers.

Sources - MTV (http://mtvpress.com/press/release/the_beatles_inspire_new_music_video_game_apple_cor ps_ltd_mtv_and_harmonix_c/); Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/rock-band-the-beatles-now-official/).

[LordDon]

At the full $60 price point right? *sigh* I love me some Beatles but I'll probably end up waiting for a price drop on this.

[LarsenNET]

I only like a couple of Beatles songs so not having the ability to pick and choose what I want and not integrating into RB is a no sale at any price.

[Morangie]

This is highly disappointing.

[LongStepMantis]

I can think of a lot of bands worse than the Beatles for their own title, including the bands that already have one...but that doesn't mean they should make any of them. Forget track lists! Pretty soon you'll just have a separate game for every band. Bring money.

I'm not really trying to bitch...but this is another one of those "I don't like where this trend is going" moments.

[Borthcollective]

Probably the only way they could sign it was to give them an entire game.

[Mdot]

Considering fucking Metallica and Aerosmith have their own games, I think the Beatles are the only one that actually deserves one. Hell, I'd prefer it as DLC too, but if this is the only way to get some Beatles music in a game, I'll bite.

[Rock Bandit]

The Beatles are a kind of band that deserve to be the sole entire focus of an entire game. The Beatles were more than just music, they were an entire scene unto themselves.

Just imagine the way the game could progress:

Starting off in The Cavern as four leather-clad youths back from playing the worst dives in Hamburg. They could feature the Beatles' covers of the songs that inspired them (Long Tall Sally, Roll Over Beethoven, Twist & Shout).

The start of the British Invasion as they play the Ed Sullivan Show (featuring the songs they played during that stand.).

Their landmark show at Shea Stadium, a venue consisting of the world of Yellow Submarine, playing on the roof of Abbey Road studio. Possibilities! Endless! Exclamation point!

Also what has Harmonix told us about their method for developing games? They innovate, then they perfect. Well they've already innovated and perfected with Rock Band. It's time for them to innovate again and I'm jumping out of my skin with excitement to see what they do.

[MachEnergy]

I can think of a lot of bands worse than the Beatles for their own title...but that doesn't mean they should make any of them. Forget track lists! Pretty soon you'll just have a separate game for every band. Bring money.

I'm not really trying to bitch...but this is another one of those "I don't like where this trend is going" moments.

Agreed. They've already invested in establishing the infrastructure for ALL music. If they want an All-Beatles themed interface, fine, make the standalone game on disc. However, if they do not allow these tracks to be ripped and played in a RockBand game, they will be alienating the fans that got them where the are.

[roboninja]

The Beatles are a kind of band that deserve to be the sole entire focus of an entire game. The Beatles were more than just music, they were an entire scene unto themselves.

Just imagine the way the game could progress:

Starting off in The Cavern as four leather-clad youths back from playing the worst dives in Hamburg. They could feature the Beatles' covers of the songs that inspired them (Long Tall Sally, Roll Over Beethoven, Twist & Shout).

The start of the British Invasion as they play the Ed Sullivan Show (featuring the songs they played during that stand.).

Their landmark show at Shea Stadium, a venue consisting of the world of Yellow Submarine, playing on the roof of Abbey Road studio. Possibilities! Endless! Exclamation point!

Also what has Harmonix told us about their method for developing games? They innovate, then they perfect. Well they've already innovated and perfected with Rock Band. It's time for them to innovate again and I'm jumping out of my skin with excitement to see what they do.

While I agree with others in the "I do not like where this is leading" sense, that does sound rather cool.

[Hotcod]

Like other have said i think it's more a case of them being forced to make a game to get the tracks... given that having the tracks in rock band would be a huge blow in the market war with guitar hero i can't see any other reason why they wouldn't want to do it. That said i think now they have the tracks in a game it would be strange not to see them come to rock band at some point

[Disgustipated]

Damn it. I do not want Harmonix to become like Activision/Nevershit and start making Rock Band spin-offs. Wasn't Guitar Hero: Aerosmith a terrible enough abortion?

[Cupelix]

Everything Rock Bandit saidThat's pretty much exactly what I imagine the game to be. I think it will be presented as a chronological trip through the lifetime of The Beatles. Every once in awhile I listen to all their albums in order while driving in my car, and I find that gives you a really great appreciation for how they developed.

As I noted in the other thread, I too will be really pissed if I can't export the songs for use in RB2. For parties, you need to be able to pop in one disc and get to all your songs at once!

[Purple Santa]

The Beatles are a kind of band that deserve to be the sole entire focus of an entire game. The Beatles were more than just music, they were an entire scene unto themselves.

Just imagine the way the game could progress:

Starting off in The Cavern as four leather-clad youths back from playing the worst dives in Hamburg. They could feature the Beatles' covers of the songs that inspired them (Long Tall Sally, Roll Over Beethoven, Twist & Shout).

The start of the British Invasion as they play the Ed Sullivan Show (featuring the songs they played during that stand.).

Their landmark show at Shea Stadium, a venue consisting of the world of Yellow Submarine, playing on the roof of Abbey Road studio. Possibilities! Endless! Exclamation point!

Also what has Harmonix told us about their method for developing games? They innovate, then they perfect. Well they've already innovated and perfected with Rock Band. It's time for them to innovate again and I'm jumping out of my skin with excitement to see what they do.

I am just imagining your scenarios with GH III type graphics and cartoon like carciatures...not sure if that would be really funny or just plain awful funny...but I am picturing the bad break up wtih Yoko in there somewhere all this "miming" of a band break up...

I'm still looking forward to this...I don't care if this is following some dark path of greed....I game therefore I follow the path to play...not the first hobby i'm involved in that involved "greed"...

[divinechaos]

*sigh*

It better be a part of Rock Band someday because spending $60 to play one band's songs isn't something my wallet will approve. C'mon Harmonix, you're better than this.

[DylonCorp]

As a Wii owner who thinks that he is going GH4 and not RB2, and loves The Beatles, this is fantastic news. If you don't believe that the songs of the band deserves it's own game, don't buy it!

I assure you, that was the method I used for GH: Aerobortion.

[TrackZero]

I only like a couple of Beatles songs so not having the ability to pick and choose what I want and not integrating into RB is a no sale at any price.

Agreed. Very lame. I don't think they realize that the market they're targeting (in general with this) isn't old enough to hold the Beatles on some uber-god pedestal and put up with this type of bullshit. They're just a band, put out the DLC like everyone else. Hell, even if you want to make a whole new mode/character models/new instruments/etc to go with it and price it at $30 or so, I could go for that. But you integrate it directly into the existing platform, you don't make concessions like this.

[DylonCorp]

Agreed. Very lame. I don't think they realize that the market they're targeting (in general with this) isn't old enough to hold the Beatles on some uber-god pedestal and put up with this type of bullshit.

But the market that they'd be targeting with a Beatles game is going to be putting them on a pedestal. Don't underestimate how deep into the casual market GH/RB have tapped.

My mom plays GH when she comes over. Mom.

[TrackZero]

But the market that they'd be targeting with a Beatles game is going to be putting them on a pedestal. Don't underestimate how deep into the casual market GH/RB have tapped.

My mom plays GH when she comes over. Mom.

Well my parents don't, and they're fairly young (they only had me when they were 18ish). Wii bowling is as far as they'll go.

[Johan]

It'll sell .

[DylonCorp]

Well my parents don't, and they're fairly young (they only had me when they were 18ish). Wii bowling is as far as they'll go.

For mine it's Tennis. She loves how the players spasms match her own. Terrifying

It'll sell.

Like it was bundled with a dongle.

[Sl1pstream]

Damn it. I do not want Harmonix to become like Activision/Nevershit and start making Rock Band spin-offs. Wasn't Guitar Hero: Aerosmith a terrible enough abortion?

The Beatles >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Aerosmith

Really, if there's one band that deserves their own game, it's The Beatles.

[crazyD]

Fix the page break!

[Rock Bandit]

I'm honestly shocked how little credit Harmonix is getting here. Being a stand-alone game they're not constricted by an preconcieved notion how this game will look or behave. The people who brought you Amplitude/Frequency/Guitar Hero/Guitar Hero II/Rock Band/Rock Band II are being given free reign to make a Beatles game using their music and style. This is not about getting to play Hey Jude at a party with friends, this is about the best music/rythym game developers in the world getting the keys to the greatest, biggest, most influental musical act of all time. If all we were getting was a re-skinned Rock Band with mod hair cuts do you think we wouldn't be seeing this for another year? I for one have faith in Harmonix. They have yet to make a single game that dissapoints (don't fucking bring up Rocks The 80's, that's about as canonical as The Star Wars Christmas Special). Just imagine what they can do to bring the Beatles music and visuals to life.

_PgRznuRseA

When we wanted to interact with music in ways we never have before, Harmonix was there!

When mere mortals cried out to feel like living room rock gods, Harmonix was there!

When our belly was full of guitar gluttony and we longed for something greater, Harmonix was there!

And now we stand at the doorstep of those who even the rock gods bow to. I know you're hesitant to go forward but do not fear, Harmonix will be there!

[Sl1pstream]

Fix the page break!

I did that on purpose! :D

[MagGnome]

That's the first time I've seen someone break the page at CoG. Thanks a lot Slippy! :p

I could actually see myself picking up this game, as I love the Beatles. I don't have any of the plastic instruments though. :/

It would be fantastic if this included the entire Beatles catalog, but I doubt that it will.

[Disgustipated]

Hey bitches.

http://www.iiofpitt.org/UserFiles/File/Common%20Ground%20June%202007/yellow_submarine.gif

It's on.

[mister slim]

Holiday 2009? I wonder if Rock Band: The Beatles (or The Beatles: Rock Band more likely) is intended to replace Rock Band 3?

[Kagger]

Holiday 2009? I wonder if Rock Band: The Beatles (or The Beatles: Rock Band more likely) is intended to replace Rock Band 3?

I suppose this is going to coincide with the release of the remastered Beatle's Albums?

[DoctorFinger]

It will not have Rock Band anywhere in the name, so I doubt highly it'll affect RB3

[Spigot]

Am I the only person who pines for the days when Harmonix said that they'd make Rock Band a platform and not crank out yearly releases?

I'm actually somewhat interested in this if it goes the way Rock Bandit laid it out. I like the Beatles but I'm not some star struck devotee. I respect their place in the industry and enjoy their songs and it would be neat to play them in a Rock Band-ish kind of way.

I guess I'm still one of those grumpy people who think that the improvements in Rock Band 2 should have been delivered via a patch and the song list could have been doled out as DLC for the next 3 years. If we do see a Rock Band 3 next year, I'll cry.

[Grunter]

If the bundle includes a bowl cut wig and stove pipe pants, then I'm in!

[jeffbax]

I'm buying it.

[TrackZero]

Am I the only person who pines for the days when Harmonix said that they'd make Rock Band a platform and not crank out yearly releases?

I'm actually somewhat interested in this if it goes the way Rock Bandit laid it out. I like the Beatles but I'm not some star struck devotee. I respect their place in the industry and enjoy their songs and it would be neat to play them in a Rock Band-ish kind of way.

I guess I'm still one of those grumpy people who think that the improvements in Rock Band 2 should have been delivered via a patch and the song list could have been doled out as DLC for the next 3 years. If we do see a Rock Band 3 next year, I'll cry.

You of all people, I'm so confused. Brock, you trade-in all your games constantly anyways. It's to your advantage that they release it on disc. If it was all DLC, you'd never be able to trade in your copy of Spider-Man Web Of Shadows a week after you bought it at EB Games to get more songs.

(You should see the smile on my face right now after typing that out....ohhh, such a fun burn.)

[TrackZero]

For mine it's Tennis. She loves how the players spasms match her own. Terrifying.


Hah! Fair enough. Now, if this was some kind of Peter Gabriel game, my mom would be all over it. *shudder*

[DylonCorp]

Hah! Fair enough. Now, if this was some kind of Peter Gabriel game, my mom would be all over it. *shudder*

She wants to be my sledge hammer? Why don't she just call my name?

[mister slim]

Am I the only person who pines for the days when Harmonix said that they'd make Rock Band a platform and not crank out yearly releases?

I'm actually somewhat interested in this if it goes the way Rock Bandit laid it out. I like the Beatles but I'm not some star struck devotee. I respect their place in the industry and enjoy their songs and it would be neat to play them in a Rock Band-ish kind of way.

I guess I'm still one of those grumpy people who think that the improvements in Rock Band 2 should have been delivered via a patch and the song list could have been doled out as DLC for the next 3 years. If we do see a Rock Band 3 next year, I'll cry.

As long as the upgrades are substantial and the song pricing is so favorable, I'm okay with a yearly disc. I mean, it would be like $200 to buy all the Rock Band 2 songs as DLC. I don't think Harmonix would have been able to make as many changes or integrate them as elegantly if they just did a patch. The Rock Band 2 music store is so much smoother than the patched-in Rock Band 1 store.

[MosBen]

Yeah, throw me in with the disappointed crowd. Still, maybe there will be a way to load the tracks into RB2, or maybe after the game is released and has sold a bunch then Harmonix can release some track packs for RB.

[Spigot]

You of all people, I'm so confused. Brock, you trade-in all your games constantly anyways. It's to your advantage that they release it on disc. If it was all DLC, you'd never be able to trade in your copy of Spider-Man Web Of Shadows a week after you bought it at EB Games to get more songs.

(You should see the smile on my face right now after typing that out....ohhh, such a fun burn.)Hey! I need to trade stuff in to fuel my need for more expensive launch day titles!

I guess that if you price out what the song lists would have cost it is a little more cost effective to have a yearly song-list on disc for a fraction of the price.

I guess I was just hoping that we could somehow avoid turning music games into a yearly iteration a la sports games.

If the Beatles game is done right, I could handle it, but I shudder to think of the day they come out with My Chemical Romance Hero or some such nonsense... esp. with my beloved Dire Straits sitting unrepresented on any game platform.

[TrackZero]

Hey! I need to trade stuff in to fuel my need for more expensive launch day titles!

I guess that if you price out what the song lists would have cost it is a little more cost effective to have a yearly song-list on disc for a fraction of the price.

I guess I was just hoping that we could somehow avoid turning music games into a yearly iteration a la sports games.

If the Beatles game is done right, I could handle it, but I shudder to think of the day they come out with My Chemical Romance Hero or some such nonsense... esp. with my beloved Dire Straits sitting unrepresented on any game platform.

So long as the music games can share existing content between them, that's what matters to me. For example, if they release this Beatles game, in whatever presentation. Let me take the tracks from it and just play them in Rock Band (1 or 2) as well. That'd make me happy.

[Bone]

I subscribe to Rock Bandit's newsletter. I would love a really creative take on the history of the Beatles. Include a trip to India with the Maharishi for some transcendental meditation. Maybe an acid trip or two :)

Seriously though, this could be great. And like others have said, you don't like it, don't buy it. The Beatles have done... OK... and don't really need to sell their songs piecemeal for inclusion in RB or GH.

Also... if you only like one or two of their songs, then you haven't dug in deep enough. Tell me the Beatles songs you like and I'll give you ten or more that fit the bill.

[Spigot]

I want a Beatles version of Amplitude :)

[Variable Gear]

I want a Beatles pack for download. I do not want, or don't want, this shit. Way to dilute the platform, EA!