Tag Archives: apple corp

Rhythm game sales may be down 46% in the US, but that hasn’t stopped MTV from shelling out mad money to bring in some overseas assistance. According to sources close to MTV’s deal with Beatles rights holders, MTV’s paying a minimum of $10 million and an expected $40 million in royalty fees to give the British sensations a virtual makeover.

“The royalty rates on this are not even comparable to anything that has been done before,” said chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Martin Bandier to The LA Times.

No kidding, Martin. More through the link.

Apple Corp said today it’s to release remastered versions of The Beatles music on September 9, the same day The Beatles: Rock Band ships.

Each of the CDs is to be packaged with replicated original UK album art.

Something else to spend hundreds of pounds on. You may as well.

Press release here.

The Beatles game eventually went to MTV because, from the sound of it, Sony Music wasn’t going to get what it wanted. And what it wanted, probably, was money.

“It was presented as if they were doing the music business a favor,” Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier told Reuters.

“It’s true you can choose other types of music, and somewhere along the line someone’s going to do it for free for the exposure … When it comes to the Beatles, the leverage changes. We’re very happy with the terms of our arrangement with MTV.”

MTV’s understanding of what Sony was after ultimately led to a “very rich” deal.

Game’s out at the end of next year.

Thanks, Kotaku.

According to this Variety piece, only 45 Beatles tracks are to be included in the newly announced Harmonix game.

From the piece:

Game developers will be able to select 45 songs from the Beatles catalog recorded during their 1962-69 tenure within EMI for inclusion in the game.

“The game is in development,” said Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones. “We don’t want to talk about how it will turn out a year from now. We’re in the process of creating the game.”

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon have been part of the conversations regarding the design, layout and rollout of the game. Discussions, both creative and financial, between Apple Corps and MTV began 17 months ago, and the first contracts were signed about four weeks ago. The game will not be part of the “Rock Band” franchise, which will release an AC/DC edition on Tuesday.

The game’s out at the end of next year. Thanks, EvilAvatar.

Speaking to Gamespot, Rock Band lead designer Dan Teasdale given some hints at just how much work’s been involved in getting Apple Corp to an announcement stage of the newly confirmed Beatles game. Sounds as though it hasn’t been easy.

“We started the process about 17 months ago, so it’s great to finally talk about it,” he said.

Harmonix PR chap John Drake added: “We’ve been in talks with them for a very, very, long time.

“[Apple Corps CEO] Jeff Jones was saying that they respected and appreciated what Harmonix does creatively for rhythm games… being pioneers in the field, bringing the full band experience, and we, of course, are colossal fans of the Beatles so there’s not too much to think about why it’s a great deal.”

Time isn’t an issue when you’re aiming this high, said Teasdale, who appeared to be “quite pleased” at the signing.

“The Beatles are amazing,” he said. “To make it clear, this isn’t a Rock Band game, this is a new experience for the Beatles. It’s a way to experience the Beatles’ music, it’s a way to bring this to a whole new audience as well as people who are huge fans of the Beatles.

“From our end it’s amazing… The Beatles are the biggest band in the world. They’re music legends, and to be able to bring that experience to everyone is a great honour.”

The game’s out next year. More through the link.

How much does it cost to make a Beatles game? A lot. We don’t know how much MTV had to pay to be able to work on an exclusive game based on the band’s music, but it wasn’t cheap, Sony Music boss Martin Bandier, told Variety.

“There have been mutterings from artists and songwriters that they are not being offered their fair share in videogames, but the gamemakers have the leverage,” he said. “In the world of rock, there are thousands of tracks that will work, but when you get into the world of unique artists, that leverage shifts, tremendously, to the artists and songwriters.

“We signed a deal that would be considered very rich by the videogame company but fair for the artists. It will have online implications that will be enormous.”

MTV and Apple Corp announced yesterday that a rhythm action game based on the Beatles’ music will release at the end of next year.

Plenty more on Variety, there.

The Beatles-MTV conference is starting now. We haven’t been invited to listen to it, because we’re scum, clearly, but keep your eyes open for news over the next half an hour.

MTV is expected to announce the inclusion of Beatles in Rock Band in the conference, as part of an “unprecedented global music project” between itself and Apple Corp.

Keep watching.