The Beatles and Video Games "Come Together"

I never saw it coming. Really. Despite the Beatles being the most universally acclaimed band in human history, getting permission to use their songs is harder than getting permission to sampe ABBA. As Billboard put it this past June, the Beatles' catalog is the holy grail of digital licensing. Somehow, MTV and Harmonix, the two groups responsible for the wildly successful Rock Band video game franchise, have managed to score rights to make an all Fab Four game independent of the rest of the Rock Band universe.


Maybe it was the whole Las Vegas Love show that softened the remaining Beatles and spouses up. Regardless, MTV/Harmonix and Apple Corp. Ltd. announced their decision yesterday morning explaining that the game is designed to take users on an "experiential journey" through the Beatles' career, music and vision. It will also include new types of interactive gameplay associated with the Beatles' imagery in addition to its music. Surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, are involved in the vision and creative direction. That means weeping plastic guitars and fake sitars.

The game is scheduled for release during the fourth quarter of 2009. Don't hold your breathe for Beatles music making its way onto iTunes as Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones said that this is not a precursor to the Beatles' catalog being released digitally.