I hope someone remembers that I scooped this a few months ago and postulated/wished they would do ric guitars/bass controllers for the game. Great to hear that that is probably going to be the reality!!!!!!

I love those games.

What is particularly good about rock band (and I think the new GH too) is that it teaches drumming, real drumming mind you, through training programs etc. I definatlely think that these games have sparked a wider interest in making music by people of all ages who play video games.

So I spent some time chatting with a few guys from Harmonix (Beatles Rock Band developer) at an afterparty at the Game Developer Conference here in San Francisco. I mentioned to them that I was an avid Rick owner and that I was hoping to see Rick branded controllers and/or in-game representation. While they were very tight lipped about the project (of course), the senior producer seemed to have more than casual passing knowledge of John Hall and reiterated the sentiment that it's going to be a wonderful Summer/Fall for Rickenbacker when I mentioned Mr Hall's coy comment above.

I also mentioned that if the sudden interest in Rickenbacker in response to The Beatles Rock Band game causes my backordered 4001c64 to be pushed out even longer (going on 1 year now), there will be violence.

Anyway, thebeatlesrockband.com has been updated and now includes Ringo's Black Oyster Pearl Ludwig and George's Country Gent. Check it out.

Oh yeah, I remember it now. It became a commentary on society's need for the game, instead of the game itself. It will be cool to see! Will there be "era appropriate" instruments? In other words, will we see a 4001? I hope so!

I can guarantee era appropriate instruments will be in the game and am almost certain that the controllers will be replicas of some guitars used by The Beatles. The question is, which ones?

A bit more news: No one at Harmonix would confirm or deny that the game will enable two singers (for harmony), but I have a strong suspicion that this is the case as they would give me a big smile everytime I would ask him about it. Also, it was mentioned that the game introduces a strong narrative aspect that hasn't been done in a rhythm game to date.

Now if they come up with a Who game, they can make Rick controllers that can break apart as you smash 'em, then just snap them back together and start all over again!

According to an article on joystiq.com, the Hofner bass and Ludwig-branded drums have been confirmed, but no guitar (so far):

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/the-b ... plica-bas/

The article also provides this little nugget:

"And we're also guessing that EA couldn't get the rights to a Rickenbacker guitar. Even if it is Paul McCartney's bass, the inclusion of a bass and no guitar seems odd!"

They're absolutely right: EA wouldn't be able to get permission to use a Rickenbacker instrument design.

Haha. So sly, John.

Without any Rickenbacker design in that game you can dump it in the trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give them permission!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE (Me)!!!

come on, you cannot be seriously be talking about a Beatles-Game if there isn't a Ricky in there!!!!!


BTW: I think they should make a Jump'n'Run Game of the beatles.... The Beatles running down the streets of London trying to avoid groupies and policemen...! What a wonderful game that would be! =D

I don't think it's up to EA to gain the rights to Rickenbacker.

Read all of Mr. Hall's comments again.