14 DAY TRIAL // One of the interesting battles to watch in the just released NPD Group sales figures for videogames for the month of September was that between musical rivals Rock Band and Guitar Hero. The Beatles title from Harmonix and MTV Games came out on top, selling more than Guitar Hero 5 by about 20%.
Scott Guthrie, who is the general manager of MTV Games, told Gamasutra that “We outsold them two-to-one on a revenue basis and we outperformed on a unit basis as well, despite the fact that they had an eight-day advantage, and were giving away free software,” adding that “At the end of the day, The Beatles: Rock Band clearly outperformed them, and we're not done yet. We're anticipating a very successful holiday period.”
The statement suggests that most of those who picked up The Beatles Rock Band have spent the money required to get the game package with instruments and microphone stands, which generated more revenue for MTV Games, while those getting Guitar Hero 5 preferred to only buy the new videogame, using their old instruments to control it. It could be that people not fond of videogames are interested in The Beatles game, while Guitar Hero is more attractive for hardcore music simulation lovers.
MTV Games is also saying that if all platforms are taken into consideration, The Beatles Rock Band is the second videogame of September in terms of revenue, just behind Halo 3: ODST from Bungie, and the third when it comes to unit sales.
Scott Guthrie has also stated that MTV Games plans to continue pushing The Beatles Rock Band as the holiday season nears. With the more hardcore players having already picked up the title, the effort will shift to more casual players, who will be more interested in The Beatles songs and the extra content in the game than in the actual way the hits are played.