Beatles Game Will Pack No More Than 45 Songs, Licensing Was 'Very Rich' But 'Fair for the Artists'

October 31, 2008 10:09 AM

Yesterday's announcement of a standalone Beatles music game from Rock Band developer and Guitar Hero creator Harmonix was light on the details, but now Variety is reporting that the game will contain no more than 45 Beatles tunes.

Harmonix and studio owner MTV will be able to select those songs from The Beatles' 1962-69 discography, which begins with the group's first album "Please Please Me" and concludes with its last proper album, "Abbey Road."

"We signed a deal that would be considered very rich by the video game company but fair for the artists," noted Sony/ATV Music Publishing CEO Martin Bandier. "It will have online implications that will be enormous."

The as-yet-untitled Beatles video game will be released for unknown platforms in time for the 2009 holiday season, and will be compatible with existing Rock Band instruments. However, the game will not be released under the Rock Band brand, and Harmonix has not stated if any Beatles tunes will available within Rock Band.

The game is being produced with the full support of surviving Beatles members Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, with the families of deceased members John Lennon and George Harrison likewise pledging their support.

Chris Faylor

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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airmaus

 reply
October 31, 2008 10:28 AM

I wonder if Stu Sutcliff and Pete Best will be unlockable characters.
- Tawler
  
   reply
  October 31, 2008 10:42 AM
  
  I want Billy Preston. I don't even care that he played keyboards.
- AxeMan808
  
   reply
  October 31, 2008 2:00 PM
  
  Are you CRAZY!?! Those early Beatles' songs was MOSTLY saxophone!
  "Help" was originally called "Help Me, Man", "Ticket To Ride" was originally called "She's Got A Ticket To Ride, An' The Bitch Don't Care, Man"