Beatles game planned as iTunes scrap continues

A Rock Band game featuring The Beatles will be released this on PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

NEW YORK - Rock Band is getting the perhaps greatest rock group of all time: The Beatles.

The Beatles' management said that a Beatles version of the Rock Band video game will debut in September. In addition, they'll sell accompanying instruments modelled after the ones used by the band.

This is the first time Rock Band has based a game on one group, according to MTV Games. It has not yet been determined what Beatles songs will be included in the edition, available for Xbox360, Playstation 3, and Wii video game consoles.

Representatives of the Beatles and Rock Band had been planning a collaboration for months, but initially, the final project was not supposed to be a Rock Band game, but another type of game compatible with the instruments used for the popular series.

But MTV Games said in a statement: "As we moved through the creative process, it just seemed to make sense to clearly highlight the association between The Beatles game and the critically acclaimed Rock Band franchise.

The game is being developed by Harmonix and will utilise and build upon the core foundation of Rock Band to create a brand new and innovative Beatles experience."

Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin, is developing the product. The Beatles, who broke up nearly four decades ago, have been slow in embracing new technology: their music is still not available for sale on iTunes.

The band's management, Apple Corps Ltd., is partners in the project with MTV Games and Harmonix.

- AP