Comments on: The Beatles Will Be A Rock Band In “Rock Band”

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:12:23 +0000

@Chris Molanphy: Yeah. I think they want the whole shebang: Beatles-branded iPod with a cut of the sales, different pricing, everything. Honestly, if I were in Steve Jobs' position I'd make this exception. This is the one exception to make.

By: Chris Molanphy

Chris Molanphy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:44:35 +0000

What all this signals is that the Fabs know they hold serious cards, and they want special treatment on everything. So if they say, "We want this to be more special than Rock Band, and we can't look like we're following the likes of Aerosmith or AC/DC," the MTV and Harmonix people will happily oblige.

I'd love to be wrong about this, but this ties in neatly with my theory that the reason we still aren't seeing Beatles music on iTunes is they're holding out for a special deal from Jobs et al. (more money, album pricing, who knows?), and he's not willing to set any precedents, even with them.

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:28:11 +0000

@Jay-C: Agreed.

By: Jay-C

Jay-C — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:06:13 +0000

Although there is this:

"People are having so much fun playing Rock Band. Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate," said Olivia Harrison. "If you like the music, it doesn't take much persuasion to get you to play."

By: Jay-C

Jay-C — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:59:17 +0000

I get the feeling that after six months of development, they gonna just say “Screw it, call it Rock Band: Beatles”

By: Marth

Marth — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:46:48 +0000

I’d lay down the cash if it comes with a McCartney Hofner bass.

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:34:16 +0000

Every single song used? "It will span their career."

UK release date the same as US? It will be worldwide release, though no date.

Jeff Jones of Apple Corps says they are working on the details of the digital Beatles catalog and has no announcement regarding it. Hmmm...

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:32:11 +0000

Is it immersion and interaction or competition? They can't say just yet.

Why no Rock Band branding? They say they are forging into new creative terrain. It's a Beatles game and a "new creative exploration and celebration of their legacy." Uh-oh. Can't we just have Rock Band: Beatles?

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:27:33 +0000

They reiterate: this is a Beatles game first and foremost and not a Harmonix/Rock Band/MTV game. No information on new peripherals and whether it works with existing Rock Band gear and stuff. What if it's not a music game?

No specific platforms announced either. They shelve the iTunes question.

By: Lucas Jensen

Lucas Jensen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:24:37 +0000

The visual imagery of the Beatles is a big part of this project.

Kotaku is asking again about Rock Band and again gets shot down.

Stephen Totilo of MTV asks if you will be able to play as the Beatles. They aren't saying. Also, MTV and Harmonix were innovators and won out over Activision because of that and Harmonix's dialogue and musical approach to artists. No Beatles for Guitar Hero anytime soon.