Are you sitting down? If not, you might want to change that before you read this. According to a newly-minted Web site, the Rock Band game featuring the music of The Beatles — now officially titled The Beatles: Rock Band — will be out on September 9, 2009, which happens to be the tenth anniversary of the Dreamcast.
A press release (hit the jump) confirms that the Harmonix/MTV/Apple Corps/EA collaboration will have a simultaneous release in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories” for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii — a first for the Rock Band series. As previously mentioned, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band peripherals as well as “other current” controllers.
The press release also notes that the game will sell alongside “a limited number” of new peripherals that are “modeled” on instruments that the Fab Four themselves used. In North America, the standalone game will retail for $59.99; a guitar bundle will sell for $99.99; and a “Limited Edition Premium Bundle” will run you $249.99.
Giles Martin, who co-produced the LOVE project with his father, original Beatles producer George Martin, is working on the game as its Music Producer. Currently, the game’s official site allows you to sign up to be notified about pre-order options, which the press release assures will provide “exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix.”
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m ecstatic to hear this. I’m really looking forward to this game, and I found it even more heartening that the game’s title is “The Beatles: Rock Band” — the latter portion seems to indicate some interoperability with the first two Rock Band titles, whereas most people presumed that there would be none. Either way, I can’t wait!
APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX ANNOUNCE “THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND”, WORLDWIDE RELEASE SET FOR 9/9/09
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(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM) 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 MSRPPlease 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(R). 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.
