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Rumored Beatles game invokes mixed reactions
By Ryan Burns
Apple Corps, a company created by music legends The Beatles to handle their business interests, has reportedly been talking with both Activision and MTV Games. Activision and MTV Games are the developers in charge of the Guitar Hero series and Rock Band respectively. Rumors fly about possible Beatles-themed games, tipping a hat to Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.
An MTV Games spokesman did not confirm or deny the rumors, saying only, “We are talking to virtually every major rock artist all the time about ways we might get them involved in Rock Band.”
Apple Corps has been notoriously hesitant to use its licensing power in the past. For years, Apple Corps’ reluctance staved off the CD format. The Beatles music is not available online through iTunes, an almost essential step for bands nowadays.
Perhaps the caution is for fear of exploiting the music. Considering the board controlling Apple Corps includes Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon, the idea may not be much of a stretch.
Many bands have made their music playable in Rock Band, but The Beatles hits have been absent. However, in April 2007, Jeff Jones became the new chief executive of Apple Corps. Before gaining the position, Jones was famous for helping to reissue old records to enormous success.
Said Jones of his position: “The music the Beatles created remains as vital and relevant as the day it was recorded. The multiple opportunities to reach music lovers, both new and old, with the Beatles’ spectacular body of work makes this position incredibly challenging and exciting.”
The new chief executive’s influence may be enough for Beatles fans to see A Hard Day’s Night coming to a console near them, but is that what fans want? The New York Times says “no.”
In a recent editorial, The Times had this to say: “For fans of a certain age, those of us who literally grew up with the Beatles, the idea [of a Beatles-themed video game] produces a certain sense of loss.”
Originally Published: Issue 692 - July 9, 2008
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