Harmonix to develop Beatles Rock Band-style game

(The album cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Harmonix Music Systems, the Cambridge company that created Rock Band, will be part of a group developing a new interactive music video game based on the music of the Beatles, a legendary rock group of the 1960s.

The new game, which is expected to be available in time for the 2009 holiday shopping season, will cover the entire career of the Beatles "end-to-end," but not music that was made by individual members of the group when they pursued solo careers, Harmonix vice president Greg LoPiccolo said during a phone interview.

The Beatles disbanded in 1970.

LoPiccolo said that Harmonix has been working on the deal for 17 months.

Until now, the Beatles have resisted digital licensing of their music.

The group looking to publish a Beatles music video game includes Apple Corps Ltd. and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks, EMI Music said in a press release.

The press release included a statement from Sir Paul McCartney, who said: “The project is a fun idea which 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 press release also said: "The game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of the Beatles. The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing."

LoPiccolo, the Harmonix vice president, added that while the Beatles game will not be branded as a Rock Band game, it will be similar to Rock Band in some respects; it will also have new features specifically developed for the Beatles' music.
(By Michael Warshaw and Chris Reidy, Globe staff)