Guitar Hero:Beatles says copyright holders!

[RingoDot97]

LA times is reporting that one of the music execs at the copany which owns a large chunk of the copyrights for the Beatles catalog might be interested in pursuing a Guitar Hero: Beatles edition.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-beatles18mar18,1,3551914.story

"Martin N. "Marty" Bandier, the top executive at the music publishing company that owns the John Lennon- Paul McCartney copyrights, said he liked the idea of a dedicated Beatles edition of Guitar Hero, Activision Inc.'s hugely popular video-game franchise."

Now while Im hugely excited that they are lossening up on the Beatles catalog (now that the divorce mess is done with) with things like the American Idol beatles edition, Im concerned a bit over their choice of GH over our Dear Rockband!

Now while the Beatles catalog is absolutely fantastic, and would be fun to play in guitar, it would be a stretch to say that it is guitar focused music, like, say, aerosmith. Placing that catalog in GH strikes me as a very limiting move. If such a thing were to make its way to RB, Id be way more excited about singing a majority of the songs, or playing bass than playing guitar (with the exception of some of the great solos).

So what say you? Good thing? Bad Thing? Any HMX guys want to chime in and confirm they are releasing the whole beatles catalog on April 1st? :P

[Goshdarnit]

I was hopeful after the American Idol thing that we might get some Beatles in RB. I suppose the problem is going to be the lack of Masters though, which would mean cover versions. Which a lot of people will not like. But I'd settle for covers to play some classic Beatles. Like you, I agree that GH is not the best medium for the Beatles. Rock Band is.

[TheKrazyKatzzz]

As a person who does not own GH but has friends who like the Beatles, this is a bad thing.

As a person who only likes about 3 beatles songs, this could be a much worse thing.

[RingoDot97]

I was hopeful after the American Idol thing that we might get some Beatles in RB. I suppose the problem is going to be the lack of Masters though, which would mean cover versions. Which a lot of people will not like. But I'd settle for covers to play some classic Beatles. Like you, I agree that GH is not the best medium for the Beatles. Rock Band is.

I thought a lot of Abbey Road was recorded seperately.
Does GH have the same issue with seperate master tracks? Or can they just fake through it through audio tricks?

I too would be fine with some good covers, I suppose. Especially if given the option of that, or nothing at all :)

[face777]

Seeing as how we can only play Guitar Hero, I say hell yeah! GH *is* the best medium, as they at least know how to release games the world over. Especially importnt with a British band at the helm. RB is screwed in that manner.

Guitar Hero for the win.

[MarkHawk]

Seeing as how we can only play Guitar Hero, I say hell yeah! GH *is* the best medium, as they at least know how to release games the world over. Especially importnt with a British band at the helm. RB is screwed in that manner.

Guitar Hero for the win.

They need more units to build. Do you want a world of UK limited releases? It'll be Wii Release times A million!....

[chillzatl]

As a person who does not own GH but has friends who like the Beatles, this is a bad thing.

As a person who only likes about 3 beatles songs, this could be a much worse thing.

If you only like three Beatles songs, you have the musical range of a fruit fly.

[m00p]

As a person who does not own GH but has friends who like the Beatles, this is a bad thing.

As a person who only likes about 3 beatles songs, this could be a much worse thing.

ONLY 3?! I can name 100+ Good beatles guitar songs. This is great news!!!! Even if we dont get a themed guitar hero, at least were getting a themed rock band or DLC. Yess!!!

[DethBoxx]

When people like that say 'guitar hero' they mean 'that music game that's really popular'. They don't know or care whether it would be GH or RB, that is for different people to decide.

[chillzatl]

If you want The Beatles in Rock Band, go to www.sonyatv.com and let them know how you feel. As always, be nice.

http://www.sonyatv.com/index.php/contact

[Edgehopper]

When people like that say 'guitar hero' they mean 'that music game that's really popular'. They don't know or care whether it would be GH or RB, that is for different people to decide.

This is very true; I had the TV on in the background the other day when a TV news show came on after midnight, and then I hear, "...and they say the Guitar Hero night is more popular than the Giants games were!" I head to the living room, rewind the show (Yay TiVo) and see them talking about a Guitar Hero night at the Village Pourhouse in NYC, except that while the reporters are talking about Guitar Hero, we see people playing Rock Band. The name, "Rock Band" was actually never mentioned in the segment.

Anyways, I would buy a full "Rock Band: Beatles" disc, or a 30-pack of Beatles DLC, or however HMX wants to package it; I probably wouldn't buy Guitar Hero: Beatles (though I might buy KR: Beatles, if they weren't the godawful covers that Konami usually uses for the KR series--I'd buy Singstar: Beatles, if I had a PS2/PS3). Similar to Aerosmith, it's a band better known for its vocals than its guitar parts.

[murfinator]

If you want The Beatles in Rock Band, go to www.sonyatv.com and let them know how you feel. As always, be nice.

http://www.sonyatv.com/index.php/contact

I've already E-mailed Sony:D

Thats interesting how Guitar Hero is the universal term, I guess its the same way with the mp3 player being known an iPod no matter who manufactures it.

[instantdeath999]

I hope so. Hell, even a Beatles 6 pack would be great for me now

Here are some that I think would be fun, without using so many exotic instruments.

Help!
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (reprise)
Revolution
Back in the USSR
While my Guitar gently weeps
Ticket to Ride

And many others.

[skullpit]

I hate the Beatles so no matter where they end up, I won't be buying it.

[instantdeath999]

I hate the Beatles so no matter where they end up, I won't be buying it.

Eh, to each his own, though you are just begging for an argument.

Oh, and how could I forget I am the Walrus. Very fun to sing, I'm sure.

[phorty40]

guitar hero is a limitted game. its the beatles the FREAKING beatles. you NEED a whole band to properly enjoy them!

who wouldnt want to at the least sing to the beatles?

i mean seriously, come on!

i would rent a GH beatles edition but never consider buying it , why pay full price for one instrument gameplay anymore?

anyhow i agree GH is a universal term for rhythm/guitar peripheral based games.

so i dont see beatles songs not coming our way either.

[Sgt Pepper]

Exclusive bands= bad. Very bad. However, I'm also hopeful they are just using "Guitar Hero" to stand in for "rhythm/music game." It never does say exclusively GH, but...this doesn't look good at all if it turns out to be true. It would pit my hatred for the GH franchise (they were good back in the HMX days, but now they're just trying to run the whole genre into the ground) against my love for the Beatles.

Plus, these songs don't really even fit in GH at all. I think what Activision is doing at this point is pumping out as many sequels and big names as possible so they can bury HMX. But even if they do succeed, I think they'll find that their fan base has completely eroded. Their business practices are effective...but not in the long run.

[skullpit]

Eh, to each his own, though you are just begging for an argument.

I'm not begging for an argument any more than the jokers calling this weeks DLC the trash pack. But I guess that's ok.:rolleyes:

[instantdeath999]

I'm not begging for an argument any more than the jokers calling this weeks DLC the trash pack. But I guess that's ok.:rolleyes:

Well, I guess, even though I like the thrash pack and the beatles.. I'm probably in the minority.:p

[frostboy74]

Well, I guess, even though I like the thrash pack and the beatles.. I'm probably in the minority.:p

make that 2 - i love the thrash pack, would also buy the Beatles in a heartbeat

[Xero314-2]

Just a thought though, but do you think sony would force Beatles' songs to be PS3 exclusive. Normally I wouldn't argue this kind of thinking from different divisions of a large corporation (I gave valid arguments by Universal Music Group would not do the same), but Sony has been know to use their division together to drive profits.

For those that don't know it's Sony/ATV Music that is discussing allowing the Beatles music they hold the copyrights for to be released (which is not all the beatles catalog).

[toolbert]

Eh, to each his own, though you are just begging for an argument.



So would saying "you don't like the beatles??? well you have no musical taste!!" Yet, no one seems to get upset at the people who say that. I find it funny that Sony has some say in where the beatle songs go....what would be even funnier is if they made them a ps3 exclusive...still wouldn't buy them anyway, but it would be funny =3

[TheKrazyKatzzz]

If you only like three Beatles songs, you have the musical range of a fruit fly.

Thanks for telling me what the extent of my musical range is based on my preference for a single band. I'll have the butler get my jacket; you may return to your caviar.

[gmagnus]

Seeing as how we can only play Guitar Hero, I say hell yeah! GH *is* the best medium, as they at least know how to release games the world over. Especially importnt with a British band at the helm. RB is screwed in that manner.

Guitar Hero for the win.

No, they should do it for I Can Play Guitar since it's cheaper and more people can afford it!

Quantity over quality? No, thanks.

[fafa979]

grateful dead is good... but we're gonna lose out on aerosmith and the BEATLES? the girls i play with are gonna have a FIT

[fafa979]

i will have no problem playing beatle covers... just get me the songs dammit

[masacuna]

my question is, Are we going to see a war between the 2 companies to lock up rights for each game? if so, the loser is easily the customer as we will have to shell out for both if we like music from each. very troubling.

[MrMan5217]

I could easily see The Beatles on BOTH GH and RB. If I owned the rights I would never agree to an exclusive deal; I'd want to be flexible to pursue every avenue possible. So even if they do a GH game...I imagine there'd soon be a RB game.

In fact, I envision a day when virtually the entire catalog is available via a variety of rhythm games. GH and RB are phenomena; infectious phenomena. It is a new way to experience music and that is transcendental.

[RockBandRocker]

Beatles covers are still Beatles songs. I don't care for the Black Sabbath covers, but they are still Black Sabbath songs. The music/songs are what count in the game. I just want to see The Beatles in RockBand rather than GH. :)

[Vittorio E]

The only way we are going to see The Beatles on Rockband is through cover versions cause HMX said before The Beatles master tracks are not good enough to use

Hmm, that's strange...I know they used the masters for that "Love" thing that came out a couple years ago. All the songs were chopped up and mixed together differently and the individual parts all sounded amazing.

[holyground]

The problem with older masters isn't that they're not good enough, it's that the drums aren't seperated into individual tracks for parts of the kit. That's why GH can do masters (seperate guitar/bass masters) while RB has to do a cover.

What I want to see is a mixed cover. Be honest with yourself, if the cover is trying to be faithful, the only part that you'll notice is a cover is vocals. If they have clear vocal master tracks, I'd like them to be able to use the original vox, cover the instruments and call that a cover... or a remix or whatever. It'll never happen, but that would make me happiest.

[RockBandRocker]

I would rent a GH:Aerosmith or GH:Beatles game, but I would buy a RockBand:The Aerosmith Experience or RockBand:Beatle-Mania expansion packs. I think that most people would agree with me. You would check the game out, but you wouldn't pay $60 for it. Activision would loose money on a GH:Beatles game.

Hopefully though, with the state of the economy and all its lawsuits, Activision will go bankrupt before we ever see GH:Aerosmith. Aerosmith and The Beatles belong in RockBand. I actually saw a GH3 commercial tonight (I haven't seen one since November). I think that GH is dieing, and I WILL be attending the funeral. :)

[Sarge51]

The Beatles is like the grateful dead... Everyone else loves them, whereas I can't find any song at all that is semi-decent to listen to.

If there was a Beatles GH game, I hope it sells badly. As well as GH: Aerosmith. I hate the idea of one band being focused in GH.

[killer_roach]

Keep in mind, Activision's long-standing track record for games is to run their franchises into the ground, picking up as much short-term gain as they can. Let them shoot their wad with these expensive, splashy acquisitions... it just dooms it in the long run. Tony Hawk has been superceded by skate, Call of Duty will die out the moment they take Infinity Ward off the project again (which won't be long, I don't see them doing the annual installment thing that Activision wants), and Guitar Hero will give way to its competition.

[gamrrpol]

I think that GH is dieing, and I WILL be attending the funeral.

I do think Activision's short-sidedness and the development of more robust rhythm games (Rock Band) mean the GH franchise has significant challenges. But right now, today, GH is the most formidable gaming brand in existence. The franchise did over $1Billion in sales in 2007. That number could easily double in 2008. Even if Activision completely screws it up GH (in some form) will be around a while. Non-gamers know about GH, which means you have a lot of uninformed people picking the game up.

[asalemi]

You guys are all sore because HMX cant get premium bands like the Beatles and instead opt for Trash Packs and Bethoveens C*&^ . This is a no lose situation for GH. The Beatles are the most popular band and innovative band ever.

I like RB but the music is starting to get really stale.. Start putting out stuff people want and know instead of aiming for niche groups and putting out the most ******ed 2 weeks of DLC ever. Looks like HMX is out of artists if you ask me.. Looks like we will be seing more Konks and Vagiant ..

[Hanover]

Most of the Beatles Albums have been Remastered already, so I dont see why we couldnt get the real music.

But without drums, I have no interest. Not being able to SING the Beatles songs? Makes it pointless.


I was hopeful after the American Idol thing that we might get some Beatles in RB. I suppose the problem is going to be the lack of Masters though, which would mean cover versions. Which a lot of people will not like. But I'd settle for covers to play some classic Beatles. Like you, I agree that GH is not the best medium for the Beatles. Rock Band is.

[Hanover]

The Beatles went through so many transitions, Im not sure if anyone could say they hated all their music. Personally, I only like a handful of their early tunes (some of it's kinda schmaltzy), but I love almost everything they did after Rubber Soul.

By the way, I did a biography on the Beatles in college and a bio on Paul McCartney in high school.


I hate the Beatles so no matter where they end up, I won't be buying it.

[kotran]

So RB is getting stale? It seems to me that Activision is just being a blabber mouth to try and sell their product. So what if they have Aerosmith? Are they releasing it next week? No. It's still about three months away.

If they have the Beatles (which I don't see being enjoyable in GH anyway due to missing what I feel is lots of guitar complexity), they aren't going to release something from them probably for at least three to six months either.

It's all talk but we haven't seen it. Who knows, perhaps RB has HUGE exclusives as well. They're just not spending the effort to blab about it, because right now their product is doing fine. They aren't feeling the pressure of a competitor like Activision is.

Sure keeping secrets is frustrating to those of us that would really like to see the huge songs (the players of the game), but it is business, and they have reasons for keeping us in the dark.

As to the DLC debate in RB, Harmonix has never stated that you will like the DLC every week. I seem to remember seeing something that Sean may have said once that we may get a couple weeks of music to expand our music knowledge even if the majority of us don't like it, and then a week or two of music for the masses. Then back and forth that way. Heck, I wasn't too thrilled last week at first, but I have really come to like Black Tide. I also wasn't thrilled about the Grateful Dead or the Thrash Pack, and I chose not to get them, but I have trust and faith that good stuff (in my taste) is coming again.

[DarkEternal37]

I would be legitimately upset if PS3 got an exclusive Beatles deal.

(letting that sink in cause this next part isn't what you're expecting)


(almost sunk in)


(we're ready I think...)

Cause that would be a waste of a PS3 exclusive that we could actually get something good for! Oh snap he went there!

[m00p]

The only way we are going to see The Beatles on Rockband is through cover versions cause HMX said before The Beatles master tracks are not good enough to use

Errr, WRONG. Revolution 1, Revolver, With the Beatles would work. the only masters the beatles have that cannot be used would be the songs on the beatles album "Love". Those songs off a different album though, would be much much different.

[Sarge51]

Keep in mind, Activision's long-standing track record for games is to run their franchises into the ground, picking up as much short-term gain as they can..... and Guitar Hero will give way to its competition.

In a way, it's such a sad thing to see. GH used to be great, and it'll tear my heart open to see it tear down into pieces. The only good thing about this GH: Aerosmith thing has to be the three guitarists. Other than that, meh. I just hope it goes down quickly. Rock Band, hope you can out-live GH.