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Beatles' music to feature in computer console game
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-01 10:45

NEW YORK: The Beatles are coming to a games console near you.

For the first time, the legendary group's music will be featured in the lucrative video game market in a deal with MTV Games and Harmonix, creators of the "Rock Band" series. The game is scheduled to make its debut in time for next year's holiday season.

Sir Paul McCartney said in a statement: "The project is a fun idea that broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out."

The game will not be titled "Rock Band", but will work with the existing instruments - a guitar, drums and microphone.

Game developers also plan to introduce a keyboard, which would be a first in the music game market.

"That's the plan," Marty Bandier, chief executive of Sony/ATV, a joint venture between Sony Corp and trusts benefiting Michael Jackson, which own the copyright on Beatles songs by John Lennon and McCartney, said.

Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix, said on Thursday: "I would say there will be interactive performances of The Beatles' music as well as new dimensions that you haven't seen from us before."

The video game has become a key and profitable market for established musical acts such as Metallica and Aerosmith to expose their music to a new generation of fans; some bands have even debuted their music via video games.

"The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that their legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in," Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said in a release.

"Let the games commence."

Grammy winner Giles Martin, son of The Beatles' producer George Martin, will serve as music producer, with input from McCartney; Starr; Yoko Ono, John Lennon's wife; and Olivia Harrison, George Harrison's wife.

The game will feature samples of music and imagery from throughout the band's career, from Please Please Me to Let It Be.

Talks on the game between MTV and Harmonix, master recordings owner EMI Group plc and The Beatles' company, Apple Corps, have been in the works for almost a year and a half, Paul DeGooyer, MTV's senior vice-president of electronic games and music, said.