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I’ve Got a Driver, And That’s A Start: Now That Harmonix Has The Beatles, What Should a Fab Four Game Even Be?

Posted by John Constantine

I said it way back in June, and I’m happy to say it again today: FINALLY! Today’s co-hosted conference call from MTV and Apple Corps announcing that Harmonix will be developing a game devoted solely to Geroge, John, Paul, and Ringo is, not to be too cutesy or anything, music to my ears. There are really only two pieces of concrete news. First, Giles Martin, son of fifth-Beatle/production-pioneer George Martin and producer of the best Beatles mix tape ever made, Love, will be on music production for the still unnamed game. Shame George himself wasn’t confirmed (or Paul and Ringo for that matter), but Giles has already proven his mettle. The second, and more interesting for videogame-land, is that the game will not bear the Rock Band name, leaving the game to become its own unique artifact covering the group’s entire career. But this begs the question: what will The Beatles game be?

If The Beatles: The Game turns out to be just a four-piece band simulator with all the usual Harmonix trimmings, that would be absolutely swell. I can see it now, every era of the band accompanied by stylized graphic representations: black and white for pre-65, awash in psychedelics until ’69, and ending with the stark, humanist imagery that colored the band’s last couple of years. But part of me wonders if this would be a missed opportunity. The Beatles have a very rich multimedia history: A Hard Day’s Night is still a marvelously entertaining movie that plays off the boys’ natural charisma, Help (weird as it is) remains a winner, and Magical Mystery Tour has stayed, well, interesting. While I’ve only indulged in the soundtrack, Cirque du Soleil’s production of Love has a sterling reputation. And, hell, Yellow Submarine is beloved and the band had almost nothing to do with it. Videogames offer a new opportunity to explore the band’s music and cultural impact but I have no idea how to realize it. A Rocky Raccoon Platformer? Nah, too commercial. Sergeant Pepper’s RPG? Too Japanese. Eleanor Rigby Sims! Ugh, that’s appalling.

Nah, never mind. Just Beatles Rock Band for me thanks. Just make sure to include “You Won’t See Me” in the Rubber Soul portion, Harmonix.

(Link: UGO)

Related links:

The Magical Mystery Tour is Coming to Take You Away
Whatcha Playing: A Little Singin’, a Little Dancin’
Everyone Will be Able to Rock
Everyone Should Be Able to Rock
Why Dontcha Cry About It, Saddle Bags: Konami Sues Viacom Over Rock Band
The Economist Weighs in On Music Games

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Posted Oct 30 2008, 04:00 PM

Filed under: john constantine, guitar hero, rock band, love, the beatles, harmonix, mtv, ringo starr, paul mccartney, yellow submarine, a hard day’s night, george Harrison, apple corps, george martin, apple records, rubber soul, cirque du soleil, magical mystery tour, help

Comments

corky said:

I raised the boy up right. I'm just sayin'........

October 30, 2008 8:54 PM

Roto13 said:

I seriously think this is just going to be Rock Band with a new name so Harmonix can point at Activision and say "Well, at least we're not cashing in like those guys keep doing."

October 30, 2008 9:14 PM

Eric said:

Finally there will be some songs where the bass part is as interesting (if not more so) than the guitar. And can we please get 2 mics for vocal harmonies? Thank you, drive thru!

October 31, 2008 12:11 AM

Demaar said:

Oh man, it's not going to be Rock Band branded? That's great missed opportunity. I mean, I'm kinda happy, but it's a shame for the Rock Band brand.

That said, it definitely allows them more flexibility. By not going with the brand they can do more new and interesting things, like possibly have a linear story mode where you play each song as it was conceived or play each major concert they played in order or something like that.

That's just off the top of my head though. I expect something more :P

October 31, 2008 8:09 AM

Alex said:

I think the important thing is that it doesn't tread on the memory of The Beatles as people. I love the idea of using their songs, the music is part of the greater culture now, but I wouldn't put too much of their personas into the game itself...it shouldn't be a "Beatles simulator."

That said, it would be nice to play through the songs as they were written. It's amazing to listen to their growth as artists.

November 1, 2008 4:02 PM

Alex said:

Actually, they should just make the game "Beatlemania." Not the Beatles, but an incredible simulation.

November 1, 2008 4:15 PM

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