9/9/09 is the day the Beatles come to Rock Band

by: Dan - posted: 3/5/2009 11:46:00 AM

Despite some insinuations otherwise, MTV Games, Harmonix and Apple Ltd have announced today that they will be calling the Beatles Rhythm game The Beatles: Rock Band. Some of the juicy details are that the game will releases simultaneously worldwide on Wednesday, September 9th on the 360, PS3 and Wii, platforms. It will come in three flavors, with the standalone game costing $59.99 (ouch $10 premium for Wii), standalone guitars costing $99 and a limited edition band kit for $249. The peripherals will be modeled after instruments that the Beatles have used over the years, so if you are hard-core then those are for you, if not then the rest of the plastic lying around from previous RB and GH games will work. There are not any assets yet or word on whether new or previous DLC will be able to be used in the game.  I do find it interesting that the Wii users will be taking a bit of a bath on the pricing of the game.  Feel free to leave your opinions in the comments section.

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

New York, NY – March 5, 2008 – Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks, today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band. 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, PLAYSTATION3 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.

Please visit http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com.