OFFICIAL - The Beatles: Rock Band press release discussion

[dragonflyr]

(i only read the last couple pages here .... but)

I am a gardcore Beatles fan and would love to play 40+ Beatle songs in a row ....
BUT, I completely understand the wish for exportable Beatles content.

I, too, would love to be able to play the songs in RB2. It just makes a lot of sense. It would be a big drag to be swapping disks all the time. It just would not be cool. It would bring a lot of "sessions" to a screeching halt.

So, as much as I look forward to the whole Beatles game and experience, I do hope the tunes are exportable.

just my 02

[KISSfan84]

Yes, it would be great to have the Beatles RB content for use in RB2, but seriously people, you're missing the point here. This is probably going to be a stand alone game with different venues, animations and overall gameplay. Quite possibly, the visuals (i.e. the John, Paul, George , and Ringo avatars, the instruments, and the overall look) are probably going to be different and hopefully even better than what we're used to. Think about it; HMX took a year off from an expected RB3 game to put The Beatles Rock Band together. I'm expecting to have my socks blown off by this game.
:cool:

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

And Your Bird Can Sing
The Word
What Goes On
Tax Man
Hey Jude
I Me Mine (Naked)
Don't Let Me Down (Naked)
I Feel Fine
Helter Skelter
Strawberry Fields

^ Must-haves!

[MidianGTX]

Obviously if you're not that much of a Beatles fan, you'd want the songs importable into RB2... but that's your problem. Wait for a game to come along with a band you're excited about enough to play a standalone game for. 45 tracks isn't necessarily small, and it's not as though you NEED to play Penny Lane followed directly after by Battery or something.

It's the same thing GH has done with their band-specific games, they're aimed at fans of the band... if you're not a fan don't buy it! The exact same way people who aren't into music/playing music don't by RB in the first place.

[HeavyHorse]

Although it'd be nice to have them exportable, I'm not expecting it considering how much thought is being put into the experience. Hell, they hesitated on even having the "Rock Band" name attached to the title. Overall, I'm definitely going to understand if they don't include an export option just because of how different this will be compared to other Rock Band games.

[Jet Blank]

The Fab Four are coming to Rock Band, and they've got a limited edition bundle to prove it.

Dubbed the Limited Edition Premium Bundle, it includes The Beatles: Rock Band game; a Höfner Bass controller, Beatlesque and Ludwig-branded Rock Band drums with classic pearl finish, a metal kick pedal and a vintage replica drumhead; plus a microphone with stand and, according to an email from retailer GameStop, "additional special content."

We're hoping that "additional special content" means "mop-top wigs".

The Beatles: Rock Band is available September 9 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii and priced at US$250.

http://kotaku.com/5211194/beatles-rock-band-bundle-detailed

[randrac]

Obviously if you're not that much of a Beatles fan, you'd want the songs importable into RB2... but that's your problem. Wait for a game to come along with a band you're excited about enough to play a standalone game for. 45 tracks isn't necessarily small, and it's not as though you NEED to play Penny Lane followed directly after by Battery or something.

It's the same thing GH has done with their band-specific games, they're aimed at fans of the band... if you're not a fan don't buy it! The exact same way people who aren't into music/playing music don't by RB in the first place.

The problem is that I am a fan of the band--they are not by any means my favorite band, but I do like many of their songs. But what I like isn't what matters--the fact is that Rock Band is a game that best plays with a group. And unless you have a group of diehard Beatles fans, someone is not going to want to play exclusively the Beatles. Thus, the game will tend to sit on the shelf, devaluing it as a purchase unless the songs are exportable to RB2. Exactly why the same holds for Guitar Hero's many iterations.

[KISSfan84]

The problem is that I am a fan of the band--they are not by any means my favorite band, but I do like many of their songs. But what I like isn't what matters--the fact is that Rock Band is a game that best plays with a group. And unless you have a group of diehard Beatles fans, someone is not going to want to play exclusively the Beatles. Thus, the game will tend to sit on the shelf, devaluing it as a purchase unless the songs are exportable to RB2. Exactly why the same holds for Guitar Hero's many iterations.

Why is it that everyone assumes that because the Beatles stopped making music almost 40 years ago, that their influence stopped with the 70's generation? Much of their catalog remains as influential and inspiring as it did when it was first produced. Don't think that this game is necessarily being targeted to the t'ween to 20 group; there are plenty of us old fogies out there that have children and have watched or listened to their kids playing Rock Band or play the game themselves and excel at it. Having the chance for that group of people (which is far larger that you think) to go out and play The Beatles Rock Band is going to be a no brainer for many. Besides, my kids (4 between the ages of 7 -14) are looking forward to this game almost as much as I am.
As far as the Guitar Hero franchise that includes the Aerosmith and now Metallica games, The Beatles Rock Band is going to blow them away, because it's going to be done right and won't be just another game with the same gameplay.
:cool:

[santoron]

I'll admit that I would like to play Beatles tracks in RB2, but I'm not really going to complain if I have to switch discs.
I'm fine either way.

I hate when people make it out like -that- is the reason why Activision's attempt at a GH series fails.
There are much better reasons why their attempt fails. Attacking them for disc switching is like complaining about the wardrobe in Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor.

:p I LoL'd at that last sentence, but the post rings true. Those with the incessant whining about "export or no buy" are missing a few key points that I'm sure have all been mentioned before in the 50+ pages we have going on the topic but bear repeating:

First, we have no idea if the tracks will be charted in the same way. We know the instruments are cross compatible, but it's never been indicated the the tracks actually play exactly the same as in RB2, which if they are different makes export moot.

Second, those talking about the lack of desire to play any one band for an extended period of time, as well as others saying they have no particular interest in the Beatles are exactly right: this game isn't intended for you. It's a Beatles only game, designed for Beatles fans who want to experience the Beatles in a way RB2 doesn't provide for any of its artists. This isn't a Rock Band knock-off ala GH(insert band here) or the ACDC track pack. This is a new game. They've repeatedly stated that this isn't part of the RB platform, and the only people who would resent the idea that a game they aren't interested in featuring a band they don't much care for won't give them songs they aren't dying to play are the kind of people that buy ALL the DLC whether they like the songs or not, just so they can tout their massive library around to others, and cannot bear to think someone might have a song they don't. It's some Pokemon like "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" thing and its silly. Save the 60 bucks, and keep beefing up the DLC library, or buy the game and play nicely. Either way, Harmonix thanks you in advance;)...

Third, the tone of many of these posts seems to infer that Harmonix has the final say about whether the songs (if compatible) will be exportable, and that doesn't seem very likely. It's a no brainer that more features/flexibility = good thing, and even though exportability isn't a dealbreaker for me, I certainly would utilize it if it were available! Harmonix recognizes the importance of expanding the Rock Band platform and if they had the final say, I see no reason they wouldn't. It would boost sales, keep their customers happy, and boost the Platform's profile. But we are talking the Beatles here, and the have been famously protective of their music. It seems obvious to me that if we don't have exportability (and compatability isn't an issue) that the Beatles made the decision, not Harmonix. What's the alternative? They go to Neversoft, make a crappy game, and the songs dont export anyhow :). If the Beatles don't want their music on GH or RB, and are insisting their music stays on their game... well I'm just glad they chose the right developer.

[HyeJinx1984]

Obviously if you're not that much of a Beatles fan, you'd want the songs importable into RB2... but that's your problem. Wait for a game to come along with a band you're excited about enough to play a standalone game for

I am a HUGE Metallica fan, I rented GH:M from GameFly, but refuse to buy it because 1) Do not support Nevervision, and 2) Want to keep my rhythm game experience to one organized platform, in this case the Rock Band platform.

[Nevyn]

Were any pictures of the instruments released yet? I can't seem to find any.

[triforce179]

Were any pictures of the instruments released yet? I can't seem to find any.

As far as I'm concerned, no. Though pictures should come in the following weeks and months.

To give my 2 cents on why the price is so steep, I'm guessing that they will include 2 guitars and 1 bass, probably John Lennon's Rickenbacker, (according to Wikipedia) George Harrison's Gretsch Country Gentleman and (confirmed by GameStop) Paul McCartney's Hofner Bass. Also according to GameStop, the drum set will be Beatles branded, which hopefully means more than a bass drum cover with the logo on it. Considering all that, the $250 price point seems reasonable.

I'm not that big of a Beatles fan, but you don't have to be a big fan to recognize their greatness. I have high hopes for this game, especially since its going to be a Rock Band game made by Harmonix, who are veterans in the music game genre. I'm looking forward to some gameplay and hopefully some sort of demo soon.

EDIT: I hope the Hofner bass is lefty for authenticity's sake. Also because I am a lefty myself.

[santoron]

As far as I'm concerned, no. Though pictures should come in the following weeks and months.

To give my 2 cents on why the price is so steep, I'm guessing that they will include 2 guitars and 1 bass, probably John Lennon's Rickenbacker, (according to Wikipedia) George Harrison's Gretsch Country Gentleman and (confirmed by GameStop) Paul McCartney's Hofner Bass. Also according to GameStop, the drum set will be Beatles branded, which hopefully means more than a bass drum cover with the logo on it. Considering all that, the $250 price point seems reasonable.


I wouldn't get my hopes up for 2 guitars and a bass in the box. The Kokatu article only mentions the Hofner Bass as part of the 250 Bundle. Add to that the confirmed price of 99.99 for standalone Beatles guitars and it makes it even less likely.

$250 is a bit of a sticker shock, but makes sense when you think about the extras put into the box as compared to the 190 dollar RB2 bundle. You are getting (if the Kokatu article is to be believed) a metal kick pedal, stylized drums (hoping for more than rb2 drums painted pearl with a vinyl drumhead... but even that is more than we got in RB2) and a microphone stand. It also stands to reason that the additional licencing fees going to Hofner, Ludwig, Rickenbacker, ect. has something to do with the premium prices.

My hope is that we have the cymbals included in the package this time around. If we do, along with everything else mentioned in the Kokatu article, the price scales nicely with the leaner RB2 bundle.

[ArchangelZero]

It's probably the three guitars and the drum set. (Ringo's set has been confirmed)

[KISSfan84]

It's probably the three guitars and the drum set. (Ringo's set has been confirmed)

Not gonna happen. Places like Wal-Mart, EB Games, and GameStop complain enough about having to give up premium space for big bundle boxes; adding 2 more guitars will only add to the size.

Also, see this:
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product%5FID=74157
:cool:

[triforce179]

I wouldn't get my hopes up for 2 guitars and a bass in the box. The Kokatu article only mentions the Hofner Bass as part of the 250 Bundle. Add to that the confirmed price of 99.99 for standalone Beatles guitars and it makes it even less likely.

$250 is a bit of a sticker shock, but makes sense when you think about the extras put into the box as compared to the 190 dollar RB2 bundle. You are getting (if the Kokatu article is to be believed) a metal kick pedal, stylized drums (hoping for more than rb2 drums painted pearl with a vinyl drumhead... but even that is more than we got in RB2) and a microphone stand. It also stands to reason that the additional licencing fees going to Hofner, Ludwig, Rickenbacker, ect. has something to do with the premium prices.

My hope is that we have the cymbals included in the package this time around. If we do, along with everything else mentioned in the Kokatu article, the price scales nicely with the leaner RB2 bundle.

I guess that also makes sense. Though it still would be odd to only have the Hofner as the controller considering it is a bass. That's like Rock Band 2 Special Edition shipping with a Fender Precision or Fender Jazz only. And ya I guess its right to call that the $100 standalone guitars are the Rickenbacker and the Gretsch (notice how the press release says Standalone Guitars).

As for the drum set, I'm hoping that they do come with the cymbals too (but I do hope that if they continue to do that with the drums in Rock Band 3, the prices won't be this high. Either that or integrate the cymbals into the set). Also that the drum heads will be more solid than RB2's. My set has the drum heads bubbling up in the center, and the ones in my Blockbuster are pretty much ripped off. I'm hoping for the solidity of RB1's with quietness a little better than RB2's. And drum hits that aren't either loud or regular. Instead (borrowing from World Tour) having the ability to reflect the actual velocity of your hits in the game. Cosmetic changes would be fine too.

Oh and just a thought, since there is a mic stand, maybe the game have a certain functionality that makes it possible for someone to sing and play guitar without going cross-eyed looking at two places at once? It would add an authentic feel to playing the game. Since we're on that topic, why not add backing vocals to the mix? It would put good use to my Rock Band mic collection that I'm starting to amass.

[santoron]

I guess that also makes sense. Though it still would be odd to only have the Hofner as the controller considering it is a bass. That's like Rock Band 2 Special Edition shipping with a Fender Precision or Fender Jazz only. And ya I guess its right to call that the $100 standalone guitars are the Rickenbacker and the Gretsch (notice how the press release says Standalone Guitars).

As for the drum set, I'm hoping that they do come with the cymbals too (but I do hope that if they continue to do that with the drums in Rock Band 3, the prices won't be this high. Either that or integrate the cymbals into the set). Also that the drum heads will be more solid than RB2's. My set has the drum heads bubbling up in the center, and the ones in my Blockbuster are pretty much ripped off. I'm hoping for the solidity of RB1's with quietness a little better than RB2's. And drum hits that aren't either loud or regular. Instead (borrowing from World Tour) having the ability to reflect the actual velocity of your hits in the game. Cosmetic changes would be fine too.

Oh and just a thought, since there is a mic stand, maybe the game have a certain functionality that makes it possible for someone to sing and play guitar without going cross-eyed looking at two places at once? It would add an authentic feel to playing the game. Since we're on that topic, why not add backing vocals to the mix? It would put good use to my Rock Band mic collection that I'm starting to amass.

I'm also a bit surprised that they'd select the Hofner, except that its the most "Iconic" of the guitars. It's certainly the one I'd want if I could only have one, and its up there with the Ringo's Ludwig "The Beatles" drumface as a symbol of the band. Since there is no difference in the functionality of a Bass or Guitar controller I guess it makes little difference (although I always thought the double strummer on the Fender bass seemed cool). And, after all, most of us have been using guitar controllers for bass for some time. Perhaps turnabout's fair play :). It also prolly didn't hurt that Paul's still kicking while George and John are gone when it came time to decide who's instrument made the bundle lol.

As far as drums are concerned, it's all speculation of course, but you'd think with all the work going into a Ringo set they wouldn't force you to buy standard RB2 drumkit looking cymbals. Would certainly clash with the pearl finish mentioned on Gamestop. Time will tell but I've got my fingers crossed.

In the other Beatles thread in the Rock Band forums, a couple of sources have been quoted saying that harmonies are indeed part of the game, one mentioned a trainer to teach your bandmates to harmonize, and another mentioned the ability to connect 3 mics at the same time. All rumors until official word comes out, but many people, myself included, thought of the Beatles harmonies when they thought of this game. I'm hoping these "sources" know what they are talking about!

[DethBoxx]

I called the harmony vox thing back in March, it really is essential IMO.
Super excited for this game!

[Haribokart]

If this has the export feature, me and my regular 'band' of RB playing friends (15+) will all buy a copy each, play through the game then export the songs to RB2 for multiplayer sessions. If not then one of us will buy it, play through the 'story' and probably never play it again. I love the idea but it's the mutiplayer fun that keeps us all coming back and having the tunes seperate from our RB1/2/DLC songs would not work for us.

[TheOzone]

MTV GAMES, HARMONIX AND EA REVEAL CONTENTS AND EUROPEAN PRICING FOR THE BEATLES™: ROCK BAND® LIMITED EDITION PREMIUM BUNDLE

Reserve Your Copy and Become Eligible to Join The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club to Receive Access to Breaking News, Exclusive Game Elements Including Art and Behind-The-Scenes Footage, and More Beginning in May

New York, NY – April 16, 2009 – Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today revealed the first details surrounding The Beatles: Rock Band (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com) Limited Edition Premium Bundle which will include:

• The Beatles: Rock Band software
• Höfner Bass controller: Large scale replica of the Bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney
• Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums with classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head
• Microphone
• Microphone Stand
• Additional special content

In addition to the previously announced US MSRP of $249.99, The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle will retail in continental Europe for MSRP €199.00 and for MSRP £179.00 in the UK.

North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the game will be eligible to join the The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club and receive breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage directly from MTV Games and Harmonix. New material will be released regularly starting in May and leading up to the game’s launch on 9/9/09.

As previously announced, 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.

Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo on 09/09/2009, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band® instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.

To learn more about pre-ordering The Beatles: Rock Band, please visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

For The Beatles: Rock Band front of box art and additional art assets, please visit www.mtvpress.com.

####


About Apple Corps. Ltd.
Apple Corps Ltd. was founded by The Beatles in 1968 to look after the group's own affairs. The London-based company has administered the catalogue of The Beatles releases of the 1960s that have sold to date more than 600 million records, tapes and CDs. Since the 1990s Apple has piloted new Beatles projects that have become benchmarks for pioneering accomplishment and which have included The Beatles Anthology projects, the 28 million-selling album The Beatles 1 and the The Beatles LOVE show and CD. Further information on The Beatles' projects can be found at www.thebeatles.com.

About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com.

About Electronic Arts Inc.
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS Freestyle TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

© 2009 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and The Beatles: Rock Band are developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Guitar Hero is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. “PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

‘Hofner' and the design of the Hofner bass guitar are the trademarks of KARL HÖFNER GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. All rights reserved.

Ludwig is a registered trademark of Conn-Selmer, Inc.http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135202

1 bass guitar, but comes with a microphone stand.

[LiveWire008]

I'm glad HMX decided to skip RB3 this year. Lately, I've been getting kind of burned out by RB, and I need to take a break (been playing almost every day for at least two hours since RB1 launched, not to mention I was an early adopter of GH1...) With the constant flow of DLC, there'll be some nice stuff waiting for me when I'm ready to come back, and with RB3 not coming out this year (not that I expect a whole ton of groundbreaking new features from the Beatles game) at least RB: The Beatles will feel more like a "new" game with a fresh presentation since they're treating the license with the respect it deserves.

That said, I'm still super excited for this game. Can't wait to see what the new instruments look like, and I might even consider picking up the bundle since I'm still rocking my RB1 drums, and I never picked up a bass controller. It'd be nice if the price comes down a bit on appeal (not bloody likely though) ... don't know how much "additional special content" really justifies the $60 price hike over the RB2 bundle (insert Yoko joke here). A mic stand is nice, but it doesn't cost $60. All I have to say is it better be more than the drum sticks of Ringo's choice...

[sao]

I'm hoping there is a way to import the music so you can play it on a rb2, simply for the purpose if you have friends over, not everyone wants to sit and strictly play all beatles songs for an hour or two.

I can live with a standalone game no matter what, and this will be a blastttttt to play.

[ThunderCurls]

Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo on 09/09/2009

Haha yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.

[ArchangelZero]

I'm hoping there is a way to import the music so you can play it on a rb2, simply for the purpose if you have friends over, not everyone wants to sit and strictly play all beatles songs for an hour or two.

I can live with a standalone game no matter what, and this will be a blastttttt to play.

There will be no import option as the songs have to re-liscensed to be imported, and I don't think can have it liscensed for use in RB.

[JetWolf]

There will be no import option as the songs have to re-liscensed to be imported, and I don't think can have it liscensed for use in RB.

We don't yet know about importing, whether positive or negative. The only thing we know about the game is what's in that press release, which declined to comment on the importing issue -- which makes sense, as it's not really what the release is about. I'm sure we'll know more on this in the coming months, but until then it's all speculation.

[ryguyvi]

Sorry Apples, but something that hasn't been said much in the 20 pages here is that as far as the game itself goes, some of us aren't interested in the rise of the Beatles.

As the comment earlier wrote so aptly, yes. There are those of us under twenty-five who know virtually nothing about the Beatles, nor are they very inclined to figure it out. At least to that crowd, the export feature is everything, because I don't play a music game to listen to the storyline. I play it to solely to listen to the music. Not to appreciate it, but to enjoy it. (Which in my mind is a completely separate thing.)

Like other people said, its why my Guitar Hero games have sat in a disc folder and been played once each with the exception of GH3 which has been played... twice? Thrice? Long enough to beat it once and never go back.

It's why I haven't played RttH or Enter Sandman since RB2 was released. As good as the music is, there's so much music on RB2 in such a wider variety that it isn't worthwhile to me to even pull these games out anymore. I have ~600 songs with hundreds more coming, enough that if I were to play the game every day for the rest of the year for an hour I may very well never play the same song twice in a random setlist. And that's what I love about the Rock Band franchise. I can place music I hate and still enjoy it because its something new and fresh every time. Keeping things growing in a giant library keeps the game from becomming stagnant.

And to the flip side of the ranom setlist, comes the make a setlist. I like being able to choose songs I love, and having my friends be able to choose songs they love, so that when we do a four person band with a four-make-a-setlist, we each get to choose what we want. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not going to like every Beatles song there is. And I'm sure none of my friends will like all of them either; we're going to want to be able to pick our favorites, mix them with the rest of our favorites from the RB2 library, and roll out a day worth of rocking to what we love. (Which constitutes right now about 50 out of 600).

That's the brilliance of Rock Band; if you're feeling adventorous, you can hit the mystery button and see where it takes you. Get something new every time, if you invest the money into keeping a large DLC library. But if you're feeling something entirely different, its right there waiting for you, the same ole' songs you know and love. You don't have to search for them between five or six different stand alone games like in the GH series.

We don't give a damn about the effort to swap discs. My xbox sits approximately one foot from the chair in which I play it in and the discs sit within six inches of the xbox. What matters is the fluidity; the ability to mix and match what we like and what we haven't tried yet, to play music we love and exclude what we don't from a giant set. (Which is why I think the AC/DC track was a huge success for my band; we definitely don't like all of those songs, but some of them are classic and you just can't pass them up.)

Cheers; keep it friendly. Export for Beatles! <3

this needs to be quoted again cause i feel the same way. none of my GH games get any play. Harmonix has it right giving the ability for all Rockband games to merge into one giant list. I hope they keep this trend.

[Sayburr]

About the new press release... when will the official site be updated to give us the information on pre-releases. The press release says to go there but for me it still just has the placeholder on it.

[deadpool247]

I'm thinking of getting this for the Wii. I can't get XBox Live to work for some reason, but I know the online play for my Wii works just fine.

For those with Rock Band for the Wii -- how do the graphics look?

[Ramirez16]

Yeah I want to know also. I want to preorder but not sure where yet and how the "Preorder Club" is going to work out. I'll just wait until next month I guess.

[ArchangelZero]

I'm thinking of getting this for the Wii. I can't get XBox Live to work for some reason, but I know the online play for my Wii works just fine.

For those with Rock Band for the Wii -- how do the graphics look?

Graphics are...all right...

Check out my vid of Jeremy to decide for yourself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKH0xRSzJLA

[deadpool247]

Thanks. The Wii version looks good, not great.

But since I'm currently having troubles getting XBox Live to work (NO CLUE what's going on), I may have to get the Wii version.

[ArchangelZero]

Is your Xbox hooked up properly?

Or do you have subscription set up?

[deadpool247]

I have yet to get a gamer card.

But everything is properly hooked up.

I had the username established when I first got the system, but nothing is working. I try to go online, but it locks me out, saying I need to put in my username and stuff. >.<

[Sargehalo51]

I will definatly be pre-ordering...I want the whole thing, export or not. IMO, The Beatles are the greatest band ever and I would be happy to play their songs all day long.

[ArchangelZero]

I have yet to get a gamer card.

But everything is properly hooked up.

I had the username established when I first got the system, but nothing is working. I try to go online, but it locks me out, saying I need to put in my username and stuff. >.<

Did you reregister? You may need to get a gamer card for it...

[FrogKid28]

:[ no guitar???

[Mex]

There will be no import option as the songs have to re-liscensed to be imported, and I don't think can have it liscensed for use in RB.

They did it for the AC/DC disc. So it's obviously possible. We have to wait for official word though.

I'll buy the disc either way but I hope it's exportable.

EDIT: The AC/DC disc was not a true export, it was a download with a code from the book. I hope they can do the same for Beatles RB

[Inception777]

Now that I have the Ion/Kickbox/KD8/Pearl Eliminator I don't think I'll order the bundle. It doesn't seem worth it to me and plus the drums aren't going to be very complex. I think I'll spend most of my time singing and playing guitar/bass. It's dissapointing that we won't get the replica Epiphone guitar John Lennon played.

[nolanandrew]

That wouldn't explain why the standalone guitar is $100. There's something fancy about these gee-tars that they're not telling us.

Yep. It's that Yoko gets to pocket the extra $30 or so.

[nolanandrew]

Folks,

We all realize that compatibility/disc swapping is a major hot button issue. But this press release doesn't speak to that. In fact, nothing does.

Suggest keeping to discussion we do know about instead of baseless guessing we don't.

I love this.

"Folks, we just sent out a press release that says virtually nothing, except some stuff about instruments and pricing. I myself have speculated on what the instruments and pricing means, even though the press release doesn't clarify that. In fact, nothing does.

But you guys simply can't discuss the number one most important/controversial issue about this title, because HMX hasn't said anything about it yet, and they don't want everyone talking about that facet.

So continue to guess at track listings and what color the drum pedal will be. That's kosher. For god's sake, don't speculate about our signature business model (building a music library) on a thread dedicated to a product that will be released five months from now. That's a paddlin'."

[santoron]

this needs to be quoted again cause i feel the same way. none of my GH games get any play. Harmonix has it right giving the ability for all Rockband games to merge into one giant list. I hope they keep this trend.

Couldn't agree more that it's a great feature, and one that puts Rockband head and shoulders above GH for longevity of the title. But it must be re-iterated: the Beatles game, from the moment it was announced, was advertised as a completely separate franchise from Rockband, built from the ground up as a completely new game. I expected RB2 to let me import my RB1 songs. I'll demand my RB2 library be compatible with RB3. But I'm not angry that Amplitude songs didn't import into RB, because that's not a Rockband game.

Now, the addition of Rockband to the back-end of this game's title has me and others hopeful that song export might be in the works, and I believe if the Beatles will allow it, it absolutely will happen. But I'm also prepared for it not to be possible, either because the charts aren't compatible or the Beatles elected not to make it available.

I was thinking about this earlier at work today... IF the note charts are compatible and IF the Beatles were amenable to allowing the disc's songs to export to the RB platform and IF the Beatles game will have DLC of it's own, that would mean all Beatles DLC would be compatible to the RB franchise without needing to buy the actual Beatles game itself. Considering the band preferred their own game over going the DLC in RB route to begin with I could see them having some objections about that...:(

[santoron]

Now that I have the Ion/Kickbox/KD8/Pearl Eliminator I don't think I'll order the bundle. It doesn't seem worth it to me and plus the drums aren't going to be very complex. I think I'll spend most of my time singing and playing guitar/bass. It's dissapointing that we won't get the replica Epiphone guitar John Lennon played.

An earlier press release stated they'd be making replica instruments for each of the Fab Four, it's just the the Hofner is the one going into the bundle. And since your not going that route you may still get your wish! I know a lot of posts mentioned his Rickenbacker a likely choice but I can't say they have any real reason to believe one is coming more than the other.

[UnleashF-5Fury]

Is it just me, or does the press release not make clear whether these songs will be able to be imported into Rock Band 2, like the AC/DC disc, or whether they'll have to be played separately?

I'd love to drop a whole disc of Beatles songs into the library I've already got, but I'm not really interested in playing them in a standalone game independent of the rest of my tracks.

i have been hearing for a while that the game will be stand alone only. that the songs will only be able to be played on the disc and that was the only way HMX got the rights to the songs. don't quote me because things are always subject 2 change but that's what I'm hearing. i don't like the Beatles enough to buy the a stand alone game only or the bundle


Harmonix produces the interactive Rock Band video game, but the Beatles game will not fall under the Rock Band brand.

"This game is not just a Rock Band expansion pack. It is a new, full game title production built from the ground up," Harmonix co-founder Alex Rigopulos said during a Thursday morning conference call. FULL ARTICLE http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2333603,00.asp

[miche.cs]

I've said it in other threads. I'm not bothered about it being importable or not. I only have a 20gb HD and it's quickly running out of space:D Although I appreciated importing the RB1 songs into RB2, to me, the beatles game is going to be something very seperate. Let's face it, if your not a big fan of the Beatles, there's really no point shelling out for the game anyway, songs being able to import or not. You'd buy it, import the tunes, trade the disc and then probably hardly ever play them. Colour me ignorant, but I don't get the point.

[DrumStix]

Awesome sauce!

[Clamorous]

I notice the box art for RB:TB has the pay and play logo[Wii] in the corner, current DLC supported? HMX? :]

[Jet Blank]

Will the bass controller be wireless?

[Winstelz]

I cant wait for this one!!! I love the beatles my mom loves them and so does my brother and we all play enough as it is anyway. Come Sept. will never put the guitars down again!!! I cant even began to imagine all the great songs that they can use for this. I also cant wait to the instruments also.

[Maxxxers]

will be a fun game

[Maxxxers]

i really hope that this will be the first game that will be exported to RB2 Wii!

[reinheaven]

i hope there is more improvement for the wii
exactly for wii speak :rolleyes:

[Dante1847]

can we get more discussion on this thread. it's the Beatles for christ's sake

[IErrantVentureI]

Lol. All the Beatles discussion is in the Rock Band section of the forums.

[deadpool247]

It had been some time since I had asked this, but...

Did anyone else come up with potential achievements/trophies that can be in this game?

I found my old list of achievements.

[Maxxxers]

i wonder if this game will be able to export to rock band 2 on Wii?

that would be awesome

[Beach Kitty]

no way i'm getting this unless it exists

[TheKitchenMan]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but could the RB behind the name be not for export of the songs, but for import of the current catalog? Basically, making TB:RB into RB 2.5. That way when RB3 is released, everything then can be loaded into it.
That gives The Beatles their time in the sun and the game doesn't become a play one time and put on the shelf kind of game. The reason I say this is because I'm sure when they re-licensed the RB1 games, they got permission to use them for all future RB titles. Now, since TB:RB has RB in the title, it is considered a RB game and eligible to import the platform.

[skaterforlife05]

no way i'm getting this unless it exists

so you wouldnt get it if it didnt exist?

[Blaufeld]

so you wouldnt get it if it didnt exist?

Of course he would not get it, if it doesn't exist. Tough, it would be cool getting non-existent things, like anti-grav boots or self-aware toasters or a cat that doesn't regurgitate hair...

[KISSfan84]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but could the RB behind the name be not for export of the songs, but for import of the current catalog? Basically, making TB:RB into RB 2.5. That way when RB3 is released, everything then can be loaded into it.
That gives The Beatles their time in the sun and the game doesn't become a play one time and put on the shelf kind of game. The reason I say this is because I'm sure when they re-licensed the RB1 games, they got permission to use them for all future RB titles. Now, since TB:RB has RB in the title, it is considered a RB game and eligible to import the platform.

I definitely believe that some of the gameplay aspects might make it to RB3, but I seriously doubt that this game will be exportable to RB1-2 or vice-versa. So many people have been ranting they want exportability, but truthfully, I think it would take away from what the game is supposed to be, which is AN EXPERIENCE. This game isn't going to be about set lists or tiers or how many Gold Stars you can get. It's about playing some of the best music ever recorded by one of the most influential bands in history through a progression of their career. What we'll see more than likely (hopefully) is a steady stream of Beatles DLC for TB:RB and maybe RB2, though I wouldn't get my hopes up for the latter. And I wouldn't care, as long as it was available for TB:RB.
:cool:

[TheKitchenMan]

To update this thread, there has been a change to the main http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com game site. The Hofner made an appearance and the link to pre-order is up, but doesn't appear to be functional. Also, has the game logo with 09/09/09 under it. Game has been rated T for Teen.

[KISSfan84]

To update this thread, there has been a change to the main http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com game site. The Hofner made an appearance and the link to pre-order is up, but doesn't appear to be functional. Also, has the game logo with 09/09/09 under it. Game has been rated T for Teen.

This is the 3rd post I've seen saying this, but I'm seeing the same stuff that's been there for the past few weeks...
:cool:

[TheKitchenMan]

I definitely believe that some of the gameplay aspects might make it to RB3, but I seriously doubt that this game will be exportable to RB1-2 or vice-versa. So many people have been ranting they want exportability, but truthfully, I think it would take away from what the game is supposed to be, which is AN EXPERIENCE. This game isn't going to be about set lists or tiers or how many Gold Stars you can get. It's about playing some of the best music ever recorded by one of the most influential bands in history through a progression of their career. What we'll see more than likely (hopefully) is a steady stream of Beatles DLC for TB:RB and maybe RB2, though I wouldn't get my hopes up for the latter. And I wouldn't care, as long as it was available for TB:RB.
:cool:

I know that my post was quite speculative, but there is that little bity part of me that keeps saying, "There has got to be a reason they changed their initial statement that the game would not bear the Rock Band name." I totally agree with you about the experience factor of the game and I personally would not want to hurt that in anyway. But, after I've had that experience, what next? As much as I LOVE The Beatles, even I will probably go back to RB2 for my 330+ songs I have on there.

Another thought I had on this was that once you finished the game, you get your unlock code to import from/export to(whatever is decided) the rest of the platform. Paul even said in an interview that came out today that, "It's going to be really jam packed with goodies. You've got the basic "Rock Band" game with Beatles songs and then you have also got loads of goodies. If you get to a certain level, you get prizes -- photos, snippets and much more."

The reason I thought import the rest of the catalog is because of the new harmony vocal feature that is on TB:RB. If export was allowed to RB2, then you would lose the harmony feature unless HMX incorporates it into the update, coming later this summer, that will allow the LiPS wireless mics to be used in RB.

[TheKitchenMan]

This is the 3rd post I've seen saying this, but I'm seeing the same stuff that's been there for the past few weeks...
:cool:

Maybe try refreshing the page manually.

[KISSfan84]

I know that my post was quite speculative, but there is that little bity part of me that keeps saying, "There has got to be a reason they changed their initial statement that the game would not bear the Rock Band name." I totally agree with you about the experience factor of the game and I personally would not want to hurt that in anyway. But, after I've had that experience, what next? As much as I LOVE The Beatles, even I will probably go back to RB2 for my 330+ songs I have on there.

Another thought I had on this was that once you finished the game, you get your unlock code to import from/export to(whatever is decided) the rest of the platform. Paul even said in an interview that came out today that, "It's going to be really jam packed with goodies. You've got the basic "Rock Band" game with Beatles songs and then you have also got loads of goodies. If you get to a certain level, you get prizes -- photos, snippets and much more."

The reason I thought import the rest of the catalog is because of the new harmony vocal feature that is on TB:RB. If export was allowed to RB2, then you would lose the harmony feature unless HMX incorporates it into the update, coming later this summer, that will allow the LiPS wireless mics to be used in RB.

I believe "Rock Band" was added to the title for product recognition and marketability.
I'm pretty sure that the "goodies" that Paul is referring to is just in-game content.
As for harmonies and patches: I'm not sure how they're incorporating harmonies, but I'm betting that it's not something HMX is going to patch for RB2, if for no other reason than not that many songs would require it. I'm not even sure that a patch is the answer any way; it may entail re-doing all the vocal tracks, which is definitely not going to happen.
:cool:

[KISSfan84]

Maybe try refreshing the page manually.

lol..thx, that did the trick.
:cool:

[TheKitchenMan]

As for harmonies and patches: I'm not sure how they're incorporating harmonies, but I'm betting that it's not something HMX is going to patch for RB2, if for no other reason than not that many songs would require it. I'm not even sure that a patch is the answer any way; it may entail re-doing all the vocal tracks, which is definitely not going to happen.
:cool:

Yeah, I have been wondering about that one myself. Only thing I could come up with is that the songs that are already currently out will only have the one track available to sing. I too would highly doubt that HMX is going to revisit their entire catalog and add multiple vocals to the songs that would need it. But, from whatever point on, the new tracks will have the 3-part harmonies when applicable.

[egomatic]

Just my two cents for HMX, without import one way or the other I'm gonna be passing. I love the Beatles, but after spending a ton of money on two games, DLC, and the ION kit, playlist consolidation is pretty important to me.

Hope ya come through :)

[AndywinXp]

Just my two cents for HMX, without import one way or the other I'm gonna be passing. I love the Beatles, but after spending a ton of money on two games, DLC, and the ION kit, playlist consolidation is pretty important to me.

Hope ya come through :)

Excuse me, what does "Just my two cents" mean? (I'm italian)

[ktmason]

Maybe this has been discussed before, but here is a question.

One that could flat PISS me off..........

WILL THE HOFNER CONTROLLER ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN THE BUNDLE?????

If it is.........How many of you will be flat mad???

[Elegy]

Excuse me, what does "Just my two cents" mean? (I'm italian)

It's just basically saying that "I want to give my input on this".


-

Really, really looking forward to 09/09/09 Now. I'm going to save up a bunch of money, and end up blowing it on this, but it will SO be worth it.

[primo1854]

Is it just me, or does the press release not make clear whether these songs will be able to be imported into Rock Band 2, like the AC/DC disc, or whether they'll have to be played separately?

I'd love to drop a whole disc of Beatles songs into the library I've already got, but I'm not really interested in playing them in a standalone game independent of the rest of my tracks.

No they don't say that it's going to be importable. And I agree with 100%on not wanting to play them in a standalone game. I've invested too much money into Rock Band 2 and would like to add these songs to the collection I already have. If they are not importable, I will pass, and that's too bad cause I really love The Beatles!! Please HMX don't become like Guitar Hero and start releasing separate standalone games. Disk hopping sucks!!!:mad:

[TurdFergusonn]

All this import/export breuhaha is annoying. It's a Beatles game. It's about the Beatles, and it should be just Beatles music.

[CycoMiko138]

No they don't say that it's going to be importable. And I agree with 100%on not wanting to play them in a standalone game. I've invested too much money into Rock Band 2 and would like to add these songs to the collection I already have. If they are not importable, I will pass, and that's too bad cause I really love The Beatles!! Please HMX don't become like Guitar Hero and start releasing separate standalone games. Disk hopping sucks!!!:mad:

Different game mechanics kinda makes importability a problem, which is not the case with Guitar Hero. There are no 3-part harmonies in RB2.

[navanb]

Demo of game play
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14294513/the-beatles/videos/beatles_rb_demo_e3.html

[navanb]

thank you hmx this game looks amazing!!! Absolutely love the beatles:d

[Winstelz]

after seeing that e3 snip and the trailer i am even more excited to get this when it comes out......I could careless if its compatiable or not if they have enough songs on this disc it will rarely be a shelf warmer for me just because this will be an awesome game with awesome songs and one the best bands ever.

[Runch]

Just saw the trailer, and it definitely looks cool. However, despite reports to the contrary, this is not a revolutionary new Beatles gameplay experience - It's still just Rock Band.

[WhiffleBallTony]

Abbey Road? I'm in.

[jayou521]

This looks beyond awesome. I can't wait!

[Llamaaction]

I'm so excited right now.

[TheOzone]

After today, I don't care about import/export, I'll happily switch discs for this if it'll end up with the full Beatles discography.

[sophmorejohn]

Are wii and ps3 owners going to get all you need is love eventually? If not that really sucks.

[BathTub]

licensing costs must have been huge to have to drop back to 45 songs (less than half the total for EB2) and the bundle price took quite a jump.

[Mckmason]

To be honest, i would love to see Ringo drum "All That Remains" song "This Calling" hahaha or Paul or John scream the vocals to "Bullet for my valentine" 's "Waking the Demon" haha

[craven_trio]

After today, I don't care about import/export, I'll happily switch discs for this if it'll end up with the full Beatles discography.

The more money I spend on the software (got to be at least another $200 to sepnd on a full Beatles DLC collection! so many full albums, so many iconic singles not even on albums, so many B sides...) the MORE I want it to be playable along with my other tracks (that I'm scared to add up how much I spent on). At least the hardware is compatible.

The trailers and gameplay videos have exceeded my already very high expectations, but I still dream of my integrated Quickplay (even if only The Beatles are seen for their own songs, and you aren't allowed to play their songs with your own characters... in fact seeing how good the gameplay looks I think that might be the only way it would work) and choice of segregated Tours all from the main menu. Could still be an incredible announcement, or surprise last minute RB2 patch before release, or there's always RB3 (could be as early as Q1 2010 I guess?).


licensing costs must have been huge to have to drop back to 45 songs (less than half the total for EB2) and the bundle price took quite a jump.

I'm sort of glad they aren't trying to compete in the music game arms race of releasing as many titles as possible and a new numbered title every single year with an even bigger track list than last year which is of course an even bigger track list than your competitor's from ths year....

But I really expect the drop to 45 songs is to encourage the extremely profitable DLC sales (or expansion discs). If any well known track (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_(The_Beatles_album)#Track_listing) is not in the 45, it will be a very popular download. They are going to be 45 amazing songs in what looks like a really tight and polished Tour mode which is a very good thing, but at a $60 disc and $2 per DLC song it would cost you $186 to reach the number of tracks officially part of RB2.

edit: Of course RB1 also had 45 tracks so you could say the same $186 fact about it at release

[typhoons]

I will definitely buy Beatles:Rockband if it is downloadable into Rockband2. If it isn't, then no purchase for me. If they make it downloable into a future release of Rockband, then I will pick up Beatles at that point. I just don't want to flip discs back and forth.

[whofan]

You know what? The more I see of this, the more I really don't care if it exports/is compatible with RB2 or RB3.

This, quite simply, is the game I have been waiting for for a LONG time. My only hope is that eventually the Entire catalogue comes out (including "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love").

[carlos_el]

The only song I desperately want in the game is "Rain." Epic drums and bass in that song.

[Rockox]

I don't care if this is exportable to RB2. This is going to be huge either way. Did anyone see the videos from E3? Some songs have three vocal tracks going (main melody, 2 harmony)!! This is going to be intricate and kinda tricky to pull off well.

[JackBNimble]

I think people who say they don't care about exportability are lying to themselves.
Sooner or later people will grow tierd of having to swap disc to play something other then the Beatles especially when you're playing online.

It looks like a great game but I think everyone involved in this game totally bombed on this one.

Wouldn't it be nice to be playing RB on a friday night with your buddies and play all the music you love? But now you have a choice ....you either get to play all the Beatles you want untill you're sick , or RB and how ever much DLC you have.

It sure would have been nice to play the Beatles next to the rest of my music.(I play online alot so this is an issue for me)

I think ill stick to my RB library, it's a better investment.

[craven_trio]

having to swap disc to play something other then the Beatles especially when you're playing online.

Who says The Beatles has online gameplay?

[JackBNimble]

Who says The Beatles has online gameplay?

Well you got me there.

But why wouldn't it ?

[craven_trio]

Well you got me there.

But why wouldn't?

Maybe Paul is scared his android will catch an internet virus :eek:

Or The Beatles think it's too impersonal and you should only play multiplayer in person.

Quite conspicuous that there has been no mention of it at all, not even in the press fact pack that mentioned every existing RB2 feature, and it is a new standalone title so doesn't necessarily have every RB1 feature... (edit: wow, just checked it again pdf (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com/inc/img/press/pdfs/E3_Beatles_Gameplay_Fact_Sheet_5_30.pdf) and it even mentions "Rock Band modes Tug of War and Score Duel!" but nothing about online play at all)

Anyone noticed any interviews or anything from E3 where anyone even thought to ask?

[JackBNimble]

Maybe Paul is scared his android will catch an internet virus :eek:

Or The Beatles think it's too impersonal and you should only play multiplayer in person.

Quite conspicuous that there has been no mention of it at all, not even in the press fact pack that mentioned every existing RB2 feature, and it is a new standalone title so doesn't necessarily have every RB1 feature... (edit: wow, just checked it again pdf (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com/inc/img/press/pdfs/E3_Beatles_Gameplay_Fact_Sheet_5_30.pdf) and it even mentions "Rock Band modes Tug of War and Score Duel!" but nothing about online play at all)

Anyone noticed any interviews or anything from E3 where anyone even thought to ask?

Wow...there's a big enough stink about the export issue! I wonder what kind of up roar there will be (if any) if there is no online game play?

But then again Die Hard Beatles fans are willing to bend over .

[cherokeesam]

Maybe Paul is scared his android will catch an internet virus :eek:

Or The Beatles think it's too impersonal and you should only play multiplayer in person.

Quite conspicuous that there has been no mention of it at all, not even in the press fact pack that mentioned every existing RB2 feature, and it is a new standalone title so doesn't necessarily have every RB1 feature... (edit: wow, just checked it again pdf (http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com/inc/img/press/pdfs/E3_Beatles_Gameplay_Fact_Sheet_5_30.pdf) and it even mentions "Rock Band modes Tug of War and Score Duel!" but nothing about online play at all)

Anyone noticed any interviews or anything from E3 where anyone even thought to ask?

What kind of online play could you even muster....?

They've said specifically at E3 that there's no customization in this game at all, so you're stuck with four characters, period. So an online session would feature a Drum duel between....um, Ringo Starr and Ringo Starr.

Online Band Mode would be simply four people fighting over who gets to play as John, Paul, George or Ringo.

[craven_trio]

What kind of online play could you even muster....?

They've said specifically at E3 that there's no customization in this game at all, so you're stuck with four characters, period. So an online session would feature a Drum duel between....um, Ringo Starr and Ringo Starr.

Online Band Mode would be simply four people fighting over who gets to play as John, Paul, George or Ringo.

Online band quickplay. Same as local quickplay. Upto 4 (or 6) people go online and play the same song at the same time and maybe chat to each other.

Or online career quickplay... every band is called "The Beatles" and has the same members, but every "career" is in a different state at different times and you could sub in someone else's just like you do in RB2. This might be a much more basic linear story mode (although enhanced by being bery Beatlesy) compared to RB2 BWT... but people would probably feel the need to play it online the same as the feel the need to play quickplay online.

Or duels etc. done exactly as they do locally (to my surprise they are already confirmed for local play at least... even if that means Ringo vs Ringo) but against an online opponent instead of a local opponent.

Basically every RB2 online idea could definitely transfer over, but with no mention of it I wonder if it will be there.

[pupsdaddy]

Just listened to Paperback Writer....

bass, guitar, drums, vocals.... every single part is going to be hella fun.
Can't wait for this one.

[Chewie7213]

Preordered this today and now I'm listening to Abbey Road and its giving me the chills. I almost come to tears each time I watch the gameplay trailer. Sept can't come soon enough.

[Beatle.Kitten]

Preordered this today and now I'm listening to Abbey Road and its giving me the chills. I almost come to tears each time I watch the gameplay trailer. Sept can't come soon enough.

Amen totally.

And yeah as for the other posts, it's beyond highly unlikely that it wouldn't have online play. I mean they just wouldn't do that. That seems obvious to me.

And all this yammering about to export or not to export, we should all just be darn grateful that this game even came into existence. Do you realize how insanely bizarre it is that this ever came into being? It's unheard of. I think we've all just gotten used to the idea now, but it's truly amazing. I'm just thankful we're getting this, to demand more would be preposterous.

[kitlerc]

For those that care, here is a picture of The Beatles drums and Hofner at E3.

[Beatle.Kitten]

Source: http://www.origin.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4322944.html?page=1
Crispy Gamer: When Harmonix's Beatles game was first announced, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos promised, "This game is not just a Rock Band song expansion pack." How exactly is this not a Rock Band expansion pack?

Chris Foster: It's interesting; at the time, we knew ... the decision to acknowledge that it was a Rock Band game was one that came from both [the Beatles'] Apple [Corp.] and MTV. For the core gameplay, clearly there are significant changes, most notably the vocal harmony. But what's key is that it's a game really about the Beatles and telling their story. We don't have the World Tour in there from Rock Band. It's not about cash and stars and fans; they kind of had all the cash and fans they needed from the get-go. It's not just about going through a bunch of live venues. It's not the exact same game mechanics, like, again, with vocal harmony, so there was a real interest to make it its own thing and give it the care and attention it needed. That's what was intended by the original statement.

Crispy Gamer: So Alex's statement was misconstrued a little bit?

Foster: I think so... I think maybe it was a mixed message but, you know, it's Rock Band.

Crispy Gamer: How does the game let you "tell the story" of the Beatles? You play in different locations from their career ... is that all there is to it?

Foster: There's more to it than that, although at E3 we're not talking too much about the story, that one secret corner of the game. But if you look at the venues you'll see we take you from the Cavern Club to the Apple Corp. rooftop and all the iconic live venues in-between—Ed Sullivan Theater, Shea Stadium, Budokan. Then, one of the key differences is that middle section in the studio years, where we take them to Abbey Road Studio Two and we use the dreamscapes to give you the psychedelic interpretation of all these different songs.

Crispy Gamer: Is the whole Beatles catalog going to be available as downloadable content eventually?

Foster: All that we've announced at this point is our first DLC album, which is "Abbey Road," and the Xbox Live exclusive "All You Need is Love" for Doctors Without Borders.

Crispy Gamer: Is the goal eventually to have it all available?

Foster: It would certainly be awesome to have it all out there, but we haven't announced any specific plans.

Crispy Gamer: It's been reported that the songs from The Beatles: Rock Band aren't going to integrate with the other Rock Band games...

Foster: Yeah, there are a few reasons for that. One is that we've got new gameplay, with vocal harmony, which doesn't exist in Rock Band 2 and couldn't be easily put into it. And then we've got the way that we're treating a lot of the venues and environments. Dreamscapes don't have an analogue in Rock Band 2. Although we did music videos in Rock Band 2, these are going significantly further.
This is sort of a special case for us—the idea that the Beatles have the material, the weight, the impact to support their own game—so we decided to go for that. There's something about the fact that this game shows the band, and shows the performance, your performance, with the band, in these places—there's a real power to that. I think this music is so iconic, this band is so iconic, that it's uniquely suited to keep them together and sort of give that experience at all times.

[Fury_Chief]

I was wondering if the Micheal Jackson death would have any effect on the release date since he owned the rights to the songs.

[ig0tTouReTTes]

I was wondering if the Micheal Jackson death would have any effect on the release date since he owned the rights to the songs.

That would SUCK.

[TheStudent]

Didn't Micheal Jackson Give The Songs Back To Paul? I Heard That On The Radio One Time.

[LibertineStripes]

I think people who say they don't care about exportability are lying to themselves.
Sooner or later people will grow tierd of having to swap disc to play something other then the Beatles especially when you're playing online.

It looks like a great game but I think everyone involved in this game totally bombed on this one.

Wouldn't it be nice to be playing RB on a friday night with your buddies and play all the music you love? But now you have a choice ....you either get to play all the Beatles you want untill you're sick , or RB and how ever much DLC you have.

It sure would have been nice to play the Beatles next to the rest of my music.(I play online alot so this is an issue for me)

I think ill stick to my RB library, it's a better investment.

It takes maybe a minute to swap discs. Refill your drink or something during the transition.

[whguy94]

will the guitar hero world tour drums work with this?

[Maxxxers]

will the guitar hero world tour drums work with this?

it depends on which engine it uses. if it uses the rock band 1 engine, then no, if the rock band 2 engine then yes.

[whguy94]

i found this on another forum:
"The game will be compatible with all Rock Band™ instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphone."

...that one word is so annoying

[Blaufeld]

I think people who say they don't care about exportability are lying to themselves.
Sooner or later people will grow tierd of having to swap disc to play something other then the Beatles

I don't think so. See, next month we will have a birthday party in wich we will play a setlist with about 20 songs from RB2, GH:Metallica and GH:WT.
No probs swapping discs - even when, later, we will give the instruments to the guests to play any song from any of the game, as they'll like.


I think ill stick to my RB library, it's a better investment.Then go on. I think of it as playing a fun game, not as an investment... :D