Did Inflexibility Cost Activision A Shot At Beatles Game?

[DoctorFinger]

Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4A004520081101?feedType=RSS&feedName=entertainmentNews) has published a pretty interesting story on the behind the scenes maneuvering that resulted in last week's announcement (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1924) of a stand alone Beatles game from EA, MTV and Harmonix. Of particular interest is the notion that Guitar Hero IP owner Activision Blizzard may have torpedoed their chances at securing the Beatles' catalog by playing hardball.None involved would discuss the specific terms of the deal, but sources hinted that MTV showed more flexibility than Activision, whose CEO, Bobby Kotick, has said that the music industry should be paying for the opportunity to have music included in "Guitar Hero."

"It was presented as if they were doing the music business a favor," Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier said. "It's true you can choose other types of music, and somewhere along the line someone's going to do it for free for the exposure ... When it comes to the Beatles, the leverage changes. We're very happy with the terms of our arrangement with MTV."This is a reference to a quote attributed to Kotick this summer, where he countered RIAA efforts to increase the licensing fees for games by opining that maybe the labels should be paying to include their games in Guitar Hero rather than the other way around.

If that inflexibility cost ActiBlizzard a shot at a Beatles game, then maybe it will teach them a lesson. But before anyone gets up in arms over this, remember how almost universally most of us viewed Kotick's riposte at the time as a positive.

Sources - Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4A004520081101?feedType=RSS&feedName=entertainmentNews); Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20926).

[muddi900]

The title sounds like a South Park joke, only more retarded. Change the title please.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Well, he's right, but if the competition sacrifices those ideals, you're screwed.

[KingGorilla]

The differences between how Harmonix and Neversoft(heavily Activision influenced) have handled the song content are very different. Looking at the catalogs, you can see smaller named bands getting a break in the) store, free or one dollar songs. I think you can see a real difference in philosophy when RB is made by musicians and Guitar Hero is just another job for the Neversoft guys.

[cppcrusader]

Wait a minute, people viewed Kotick's comments as positive? I seem to remember everybody viewing those comments as arrogance that would inevitably bite them on the ass.

[National Kato]

Kotick's comments are arrogance. Bandier's comments I agree with.

[KingGorilla]

Was that quote, now that I think of it, before the take over bu Vivendi? IE before most of the GH catalogue became gratis as they were VU signed artists?

[DoctorFinger]

Wait a minute, people viewed Kotick's comments as positive? I seem to remember everybody viewing those comments as arrogance that would inevitably bite them on the ass.Remember, it was in response to an RIAA flack saying that since these music games are now so popular, they may begin jack up the fees on the song licenses. Kotick's quote was arrogant, but since he was sticking it to the record labels most people (I think) were a bit more kindly disposed towards them.

[AgtFox]

Actually, it I was Activision Blizzard I'd probably be happy I didn't get the Beatles game. From everything I'm hearing it cost MTV a lot of money in order to get it. Apple Corps and the surviving Beatles (and their estates in the case of the dead ones) have always had a high dollar amount with letting the catalog be licensed.

This is also supposedly the reason the Beatles are not on iTunes as of yet, the big dollar amount.

[fitbabits]

The title sounds like a South Park joke, only more retarded. Change the title please.
Kinda like your username, then?

See how easy that is?

[Food Nipple]

From what I hear, this is more than just a track pack or what Neversoft did with Aerosmith. Harmonix's pitch was a music game about the Beatles, not a Rock Band game with Beatles songs. In fact, there's a good chance it won't be labeled "Rock Band" at all. One of the big stipulations in the agreement was that the tracks in this game can't be exported to RB.

[LordDon]

Fuck RIAA, Kotick was right even if it cost them the game. I don't think RIAA has been right on anything since they became aware of the file extension mp3.

[MagGnome]

Actually, it I was Activision Blizzard I'd probably be happy I didn't get the Beatles game. From everything I'm hearing it cost MTV a lot of money in order to get it. Apple Corps and the surviving Beatles (and their estates in the case of the dead ones) have always had a high dollar amount with letting the catalog be licensed.

This is also supposedly the reason the Beatles are not on iTunes as of yet, the big dollar amount.

The lawsuit between Apple Computer and Apple Corp. probably had something to do with it as well. Those two companies are not are not on friendly terms.

I have to say kudos to MTV for this coup. I'm sure they paid through the nose for it, but at this point I'm glad to see Activision miss out on an opportunity.

[Chaos Machine]

the demographics that like the Beatles are not the same ones that are going out and buying millions of copies of rockband and guitar hero, first of all they are on the softer side of rock, their songs arent technically challenging to play, and their music doesnt have the powerful guitar solos that are a staple of rock rhythm games. I cant think of one person i know that would rather have a beatles edition of RB/GH over say... led zeppelin. I bet mtv is going to get fucked in the ass on this deal.

[AgtFox]

The lawsuit between Apple Computer and Apple Corp. probably had something to do with it as well. Those two companies are not are not on friendly terms.
Although somewhat true, the lawsuit was finished in February 2007 with McCartney talking about the Beatles catalog being available on iTunes in early 2008...still waiting.

[MagGnome]

Although somewhat true, the lawsuit was finished in February 2007 with McCartney talking about the Beatles catalog being available on iTunes in early 2008...still waiting.

I agree that the holdout at this point is ridiculous. A lot of the studios that decided to "punish" Apple by withdrawing/withholding their catalogues ended up going back after they realized that they were missing out on a lot of money - NBC for example.

I'm really surprised that the Beatles have held out for this long.

[pomeroy]

I'm really surprised that the Beatles have held out for this long.

Well, at least they have the leverage. When bands like AC/DC and Kid Rock hold out, I'm just confused.

[MagGnome]

Well, at least they have the leverage. When bands like AC/DC and Kid Rock hold out, I'm just confused.

Haha, that's very true! Some bands will just hold out until no one remembers them and it's too late.