Beatles Rock Band tunes up Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper

Two more classic albums to join Abbey Road as downloadable content for Harmonix-developed rhythm game.

With The Beatles: Rock Band set to launch September 9, the game is just about ready for a mainstream media blitz. The inevitable flood of coverage kicked off in earnest today with an in-depth feature in The New York Times.

Sgt. Pepper features hits like "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and "A Day in the Life."

The feature primarily delves into the genesis of the game and how Harmonix is progressing under the strict oversight of the Fab Four's surviving members and widows. However, the Times also brought to light some news of the developer's downloadable content plans.

Previously, Harmonix had only confirmed that The Beatles' legendary Abbey Road would be released as a downloadable add-on to the game. According to The Times, the band's classics Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band would round out the first three full-album offerings.

Rubber Soul marked a turning point for the band with songs like "In My Life" and "Nowhere Man."

The article also goes into some detail about some of the changes made to the Rock Band formula in order to satisfy Beatles license-holder Apple Corps. For one thing, failing a song will no longer result in the player's character (in this game's case, The Beatles) being booed off stage. Poor performance will instead just bring up a failure screen. Additionally, the improvisational drum fill and big finish sections of previous Rock Band games have been done away with in order to faithfully re-create the songs as approved by Apple Corps.

When the game launches September 9, it will include 45 songs on the disc, from early tracks like "Twist and Shout" to Let It Be highlights like "Dig a Pony." Xbox 360 owners will be able to purchase "All You Need Is Love" on day one, with proceeds going to the Doctors Without Borders charity.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of The Beatles: Rock Band.

49 Comments

  • Proobie44

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 11:12 am PT

    Okay that's it I'm getting two jobs to get this game damn it.

  • Elvis4576

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 9:30 am PT

    i doubt metallica can beat over a billion albums.

  • railroberto2007

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 7:21 pm PT

    @ylwsubmarine

    you are wrong. metallica album sales passed up the beatles last year

  • Fanible

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    Only 45 songs for a full price $60 game seems extremely underwhelming.

    And yet, I'll still be buying it. I was hoping for AT LEAST 60 songs on the main game though.

  • Skreb-Masters

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 4:37 pm PT

    Will this DLC work with Rock Band? That's the question that determines whether I buy it or not.

  • ylwsubmarine

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 2:04 pm PT

    @railroberto2007
    Because basing a game off the most successful band of all time is a horrible mistake?

  • railroberto2007

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:52 pm PT

    not a guitar hero fanboy i have over 400 songs on rockband 2 atm i just think they are making a horrible mistake with the beatles game

  • Jamesp2005

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:27 am PT

    Just for the record, it never says when the albums will be released. For all we know they are still working on them and we won't seem them for months.

  • Regisland

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:06 am PT

    i hope this wins over GH 5 and Van Halen because i got sick of 100 ghs per year

  • Regisland

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:05 am PT

    @railroberto2007
    *coughs* guitar hero fanboy

  • meleknaz

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 9:22 am PT

    Bah, is this all a cunning ruse to get us to register with The New York Times? Just as well it's worth it.

    Despite the little niggles about the additional costs of DLC etc, I haven't anticipated a new game so much since KotoR2 (hmm, and we know how well that turned out). I'm quite reassured by the fact that Giles Martin is involved (particularly since his reinterpretation/remix of The Beatles' back catalogue for other new formats/media - eg the Cirque du Soleil Love stuff - has been utterly stunning) since I think it really shows how seriously this is being taken. Making it 'canon' and prepping it so tightly makes me hopeful this won't just be a shameless cash-in, rather a game filled with love for all the music (as well as, erm, cashing in). Either way, I feel slightly less aggrieved of being fleeced for all the DLC, the limited edition instruments and anything else they come up with along the way. It's certainly the first time I've ever taken a day off work for the launch of a game. Is that sad? Quite probably, but I actually don't care

  • railroberto2007 posted Aug 13, 2009 8:51 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    railroberto2007

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:51 am PT (hide)

    i cant believe people are actually going to buy this game

  • steveguttenberg

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:08 am PT

    No drum fills? And no animation showing the Beatles being booed? That reminds me of when car companies won't allow damage to appear on officially licensed cars in racing games.

  • Crazyguy105

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 7:57 am PT

    I might not buy the DLC but it's good to know it's there.

    I can't wait for this!

  • ohjtbehaaave

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:02 am PT

    It's getting ridiculous how games are purposely HOLDING BACK content to charge for the DLC. $60 bucks isn't enough anymore? A game like Beatles RB... Tiger 10(charging $7.50 a golf course) and a few others will run you $150 to get the full games experience! This greedy DLC scam type stuff will eventually kill the Gaming industry imo. I'm totally into this Beatles RB game.... but this holding back 2 classic albums to charge for later just makes me want to PUKE!!! Enough with the GREED!

  • zmbi_gmr

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 4:50 am PT

    @capedbear
    i agree. the youth are still into great classic music, and that is just awesome imo. my wife is so excited for this that she has reserved the limited edition for the PS3. lets hope that album dl's of all their greats are released on all 3 systems. i don't want to to see Sony get one album while Xbox gets a different album, etc... regardless, the Beatles are just fantastic, and this is going to be very cool. very cool indeed!!!

  • poordude1089

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 2:11 am PT

    If there are no fills then how is a drummer supposed to use star power?

  • atm0073

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 2:00 am PT

    Sweet.

  • tomskews

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:56 am PT

    Awesome. I'm still hoping for Revolver and The White Album, though. She Said, She Said, Sexy Sadie and Tomorrow Never Knows would be awesome.

  • Beastcake

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:48 am PT

    Big Rock endings do away for 3 singers? Worth it.

  • Vincent1333

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 12:55 am PT

    Still on the fence about this game. It looks great, but the track list is a bit small for a full $60 game. I also don't like the drum fills being removed, they are a lot of fun and I am disappointed to see them go. If I can squeeze out the money I will buy this, else it is a rent for me.

  • lightwarrior179

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 12:42 am PT

    Rubber Soul,Sgt.Pepper and Abbey Road do round up three of my favorite Beatles album. But still I am keenly waiting for the announcement of a Revolver add-on. My favorite Beatles album.

  • personmann

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 11:44 pm PT

    Norwegian Wood!!

  • capedbear

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    I grew up with their music (yep this makes me older than the average Gamespotter) and I'm amazed that so many people today are still thrilled by their music. I guess I won't be the only one buying this game and I'll be able to play online with a little help from my friends

  • smbius

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 10:15 pm PT

    This is going to be fun.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 9:52 pm PT

    Its looking like i am going to have to buy this game

  • Savvy30039

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:53 pm PT

    YES! I was hoping for Rubber Soul, but I figured Revolver had a better shot... Here's hoping they eventually release that too!

  • flammable_zeus

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:39 pm PT

    If they've already got it there then there's no reason it shouldn't be in the game at launch. This is money-grubbing at its worst.

  • blazin640 posted Aug 12, 2009 8:22 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    blazin640

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:22 pm PT (hide)

    the beatles huh? I dont mean to ruin this topic or be rude, but some of their music wasn't original and they still got popular when the people who actually made those type of songs didn't get popular, though some other bands do this, I just wanted to let everyone know.

  • dr-venkman

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:21 pm PT

    To Beatles fans (Like I) this will be the best game ever. Through synchronocity, so far 3 of my 4 favorite albums will now be fully available as DLC. Lets get Revolver in the mix and I'm set for good.

    Officially guaranteed, Karaoke at my apartment 4 days a week!

  • munchlax99

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:20 pm PT

    at least the money goes to charity and not their wallets

  • mikeyvp87

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 8:20 pm PT

    To be fair to EA and Harmonix securing that Beatles license must have cost a ton. This isn't going to be like any Rock Band before it. Absolutely everything in this game screams of polish and care.

  • rockwii13

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 7:35 pm PT

    I hope the albums only cost like maybe $10 each, because we're already paying $60. I'm huge Beatles fan, so I hope I don't have to spend too much money. There's just too many things coming out!

  • g1rldraco7

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 7:31 pm PT

    No wonder it's this price. Cool!

  • Sir_Hobo

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    For 60 bucks for the game alone, these should be included in it. Now they have to steal more of my money for me to get my fix.

  • MarioRPGer

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 7:01 pm PT

    this game=awesome

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    thats cool man

  • ylwsubmarine

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 6:17 pm PT

    YES. I was hoping for I'm Looking Through You.

  • Azwethinkweiz89

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 6:13 pm PT

    That's cool. Can we get it for free if I re-buy the remasters
    Two birds one stone.

  • Narutofan30

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 6:06 pm PT

    Nice every body wanted one of these Albums now we got BOTH!!!! WHITE ALBUM NEXT PLEASE!

  • lamprey263

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 6:03 pm PT

    well, just as long as they have Sgt Pepper right off as a full downloadable album I'll be satisfied for the time being

  • Apocolypse_Cow

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:38 pm PT

    PLEASE let Revolver be downloadable, too!

  • bleigh316

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:28 pm PT

    It actually sounds like if the band fails, instead of the band being booed, it will just go to a failure screen. I sure hope HMX kept the feel of cooperative play and didn't go the GH route.

  • OrionNM

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:26 pm PT

    I will buy all those albums, but it really seems as though they should be in the game to start with to me...

  • AstroChimp83

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:09 pm PT

    YES. If I can sing harmony on "Michelle" and "Norwegian Wood" with some friends, it will be a good night.

  • colebob

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:07 pm PT

    Got to get this into my life.

  • Agent_Fryin

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 5:02 pm PT

    So they are taking the GH:WT stand of "if one person fails everyone fails"? Cause I felt as though that broke the cooperative feel of playing in a band. Oh well

  • luigigreen

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:38 pm PT

    Sgt. Peppers is just so amazing.... Definaently getting that.

  • n33d2skate

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:23 pm PT

    AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!

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