“Apple Corps Ltd. and MTV to announce an exclusive agreement to develop a global music project,” was all the invitation to today’s press event said. Enough, to make everybody curious. How could a has-been in the music world (MTV, that is) reinvigorate the business?
Well, by going into game mode with “Rock Band”. Everybody is on board: EMI Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Harrisongs, Apple Corps, Harmonix, MTV Games.
Van Toffler, President of MTV, gave special thanks to Jeff Jones, the new CEO of Apple Corps, who seems to be the one who finally got the Fab Four to go digital.
But here is the downer: The new product will NOT be available for this holiday season. The press conference gave only little detail about the specifics of the deal. Apparently this Beatles “Rock Band” will be ready for next year’s holiday season. As of now, MTV and Apple Corps won’t even say, if there will be downloadable Beatles content for existing “Rock Band” versions. Jeff Jones said, they are still negotiating the details for digital distribution of Beatles songs.
The game will include songs recorded between 1962 and 1969 and it seems possible the entire catalog will be used. The game itself is still in development and will most likely be a stand-alone product. Not even clear, if it will be a “Rock Band” item. But compatibility should not be a problem.
This is what the press release says:
The game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles. The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.
Standard answer during the conference call: “We don’t give information on this, yet.”
All the excitement about this? Considering the age of most Beatles fans, it will have to be quite some game to lure the older demographic into the gaming world.
[...] to McCartney, Apple Corps. and EMI failed to come to terms yet again. But hey, they did manage to license this forthcoming game from [...]