Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX ANNOUNCE "THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND", WORLDWIDE RELEASE SET FOR 9/9/09

5th March 2009

New York, NY - March 5, 2009 - Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com). The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Wii home videogame console from Nintendo.

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals.

* Available on 9/9/09: The Beatles: Rock Band Software - Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $59.99 MSRP
* The Beatles: Rock Band Standalone Guitars - Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $99.99 MSRP
* The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii: $249.99 MSRP

Please note: Pricing outside of the US to be announced at a later date.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band. Electronic Arts will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix will be made available to fans over the next few months who participate in a pre-order campaign through major retailers. More details on The Beatles: Rock Band game and pre-order will be revealed in the coming months.

The Beatles

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Nice, coming sooner than we probably all thought.

Interesting date though 9 - 9 - 9. Think about it.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Because this is what the Beatles' catalog needs--not a Let it Be DVD, not remasters, not another outtakes collection following the response to that recently discovered (and fantastic) "Revolution 1" recording, not even the cartoon series on DVD...a video game.

Nice going, Apple. Perfect way to follow up the "behind the scenes of Love" DVD that nobody cared about.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Well! As someone who enjoys playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band, this is a pleasant surprise. I'll certainly be getting this.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Cool.....I'm definitely getting this one. I think this will seriously hurt 'Guitar Hero' as one would have to consider The Beatles catalogue as one of the holy grails of music for these types of games.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

That, and Activision seems hellbent on murdering their golden goose as quickly as they can by flooding the market with Guitar Hero spin-offs.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

I wonder how the finances of it work out: Harmonix/Rock Band seems to prefer the route of releasing a lot of downloadable content, whilst Activision/Guitar Hero prefers disc-based releases. Strictly speaking, I think DLCs actually cost more on song-to-dollar basis, but the difference I guess is that gamers can cherry-pick what they want to buy, which gives the perception of more value-for-money. Also, the expenditure is spread out over the various track releases, whereas a disc-release is a one-off bigger spend.

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

This will make for a very nice 53rd birthday present!

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Finally, Sitar Hero could be a reality!

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

FYI.

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 1, 2009 - 1:34pm.

Los Angeles - Surviving members of the Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were on hand at Microsoft's (NASD: MSFT) E3 press conference on Monday to introduce the upcoming video game "The Beatles: Rock Band" from Harmonix and MTV Games (NYSE: VIA). Set for release on Sept. 9, the game will include 45 Beatles tracks, and offer many others for download, including "All You Need Is Love" -- proceeds from sales of which will go to Doctors Without Borders. A video of the trailer for the game is available at the link below.

Related Links:
YouTube - Rock Band Beatles Trailer from E3 featuring Gameplay
The Beatles: Rock Band

Re: Apple Corps Ltd./MTV Harmonix Announce "The Beatles: Rock Band"

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