U2 keen to appear in own Rock Band game

By Ellie Gibson Published 8 October, 2009

Impressed by The Beatles' efforts.

The members of popular beat combo U2 have said they would quite like to appear in a music game after all, actually.

They considered such a move about a year ago but later decided against it. "We definitely would like to be in there, but we felt some of the compromises weren't what we wanted," bassist Adam Clayton told USA Today.

"That could change. I love the idea that that’s where people are getting music, and we’d love to be in that world. We'll figure something out."

By the sounds of things, Bono, The Edge etc. have been inspired by the work of John, Paul, Ringo and so on.

"What The Beatles have done, where the animation is much more representative of them, is what we’re interested in, rather than the one-size-fits-all animation," Clayton said. "We didn’t want to be caricatured." Goodness no, who would take your giant pink sunglasses and names like The Edge seriously then?

What do you think, readers? Oh.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (84) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • telboy007 #1 2 years ago

    Oh good god no...

    Edit: having now read the first page of that thread and comment below I am now crying with laughter, cheers. :)
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 09:23

  • jim1975 #2 2 years ago

    if it comes with a punch bag with bono's face on to hit between songs. then its it day 1 for me

  • LazyDan #3 2 years ago

    The problem with Jesus is that he thinks he's Bono.

  • andromeda #4 2 years ago

    You have to be good to have a game dedicated to you.

    They just havent got the 'Edge'

  • Goodfella #5 2 years ago

    @ andromeda

    Tim Langdell will be on to you now.

  • jebus #6 2 years ago

    hahahaha

    Wouldn't it just be one track with a slighty (but no better) vocal and lyric?

  • insincere_dave #7 2 years ago

    I suggest that you actually listen to Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop before join your place as a sheep in the "U2 are shit" herd.

  • telboy007 #8 2 years ago

    But they are shit, end of.

  • budgietheii #9 2 years ago

    There's a difference between they are shit and they don't deserve the same quality of stand alone game as the beatles.
    Not everything has to be taken to it's extreme points.
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 09:53

  • Gl3n #10 2 years ago

    U2 are shit

  • viper_h #11 2 years ago

    Rock Band: JLS! Coming 2010!

  • insincere_dave #12 2 years ago

    In my experience people who write off U2 simply as "shit" tend to be the dullest, least interesting people I've had the displeasure of meeting. Forming opinions is different from acquiring opinions.

  • telboy007 #13 2 years ago

    No not JLS, that band who were put against Girls Aloud...hmm, one true voice? lol, if thats right I deserve to burn in hell.

  • stevetuck #14 2 years ago

    Does anyone else just hate U2 for no reason like i do?

  • Johnson #15 2 years ago

    At least with U2 they could avoid the awkward titling of The Beatles Rock Band. They'd just call it Cock Band and everyone would know who they meant.

  • Markusdragon #16 2 years ago

    Their music was quite good for a while, but they're tax-dodging, self-important gits, so they're shit.

  • Toothball #17 2 years ago

    I'd probably buy a U2 Rock Band game, as I really like playing pretty much anything in Rock Band. I don't really mind U2 on the whole. Not a fan, but I don't hate them.

  • peterfll #18 2 years ago

    I have some of their albums, was especially into Achtung Baby, Zooropa, Pop. They're also great live. However, I do think they probably have some of the biggest egos in the industry and are moosive hypocrites (yes, hello Bono, self-proclaimed charity god who hasn't paid any proper tax for years). So I can understand the hate.

  • jebus #19 2 years ago

    @insincere_daveI suggest that you actually listen to Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop before join your place as a sheep in the "U2 are shit" herd.

    I have done - that's the problem. Baa!!

  • insincere_dave #20 2 years ago

    In that case you just have a poor taste in music.

  • Johnsters #21 2 years ago

    @insincere_dave
    You need to move around in different social circles.
    The people I know who write off U2 as Shi*te are nice, well informed and musically aware :-)

    They have been living off the success of Joshua Tree and Actung for a long time now (both good albums), but whatever experimentation or diversion they take is either forced or is derivative of the current music climate.
    I don't hate them, they just try too hard and sound very light because of it. Last album was appalling and I have no idea why Q gave it 5 stars. 3 Max.

    (FYI, Most of my peer group are U2 fans so I tread lightly)

    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 10:16

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #22 2 years ago

    "Here, The Edge, that Beatles game has sold shitloads. Maybe we should do one of them after all."

    "Aye, I could do with another biodegradable SUV and a hemp yatch."

  • M_of_the_sys #23 2 years ago

    There's not many good bands to choose from on Rock Band anyway.

  • MasterNameless #24 2 years ago

    "In that case you just have a poor taste in music. "

    So even the fans need to be excessively self-important too then eh? People do have different tastes you know. Their music is okay I guess, definitely not my sort of thing, good to know I have shit taste in music now then before I embarrass myself in public.
    Edited by 2 at 08/10/09 @ 14:33

  • mashk #25 2 years ago

    Bono is at a U2 concert when he asks the audience for some quiet. Then in the silence, he starts to slowly clap his hands. Holding the audience in total silence, he says into the microphone... "every time I clap my hands, a child in africa dies."
    A voice from near the front pierces the silence... "Well, fucking stop it then!"

  • Fab4 #26 2 years ago

    There's only one band I would buy Rock Band for, and that is Pink Floyd.

  • Beek4257 #27 2 years ago

    STEPS: Rock Band or no sale.

  • GreyScale #28 2 years ago

    'By the sounds of things, Bono, The Edge etc. have been inspired by the work of John, Paul, Ringo and so on.'

    EFA - 'By the sounds of things, Bono, The Edge etc. have been inspired by the amount of cash Beatles RB has generated without them having to lift a finger in effort'.

    I hate U2. I can't be arsed to type a long winded diatribe as to why, I think we all know - they are just a pack of arseholes.

  • jambo74 #29 2 years ago

    Rock band Megadeth or Guns 'n' Roses first please!

  • El-Dev #30 2 years ago

    I wonder if every song will last about 8minutes while Bono bangs on about the poor kids in Africa like he does at every U2 concert?

    Riddle me this Bono, will the kids in Africa be able to play RB:U2?

  • knocker #31 2 years ago

    Does anyone else just hate U2 for no reason like i do?

    Well, the lead singer is a pompous hypocrite, and their music is turgid stadium rock at it's most self-indulgent..

    But, other than that, no.

  • Nath_monn #32 2 years ago

    Awful news, it wouldn't suprise me if U2 were one the bands who jumped on the "music rythem games are for geeeks, learn a real guitar dude, like me the edge maaan" band wagon. I hope harmonix don't tarnish their amazing colours with such a dull and egotistical band! I think U2 would be more suited with guitar hero and activision, at least all parties involved then want the same outcome, fast cash money return!

    Ah well I won't be buying it, and let hope they release a gimmicky distorsion peddle so can really get edges guitar riffs down

    lame news!!

  • knocker #33 2 years ago

    I am waiting for Rockband: Deliverance.

    10 minutes of duelling banjos followed by 5* minutes of squealing like a little piggy. And that would still be less pain than the U2 version.

    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 10:48

  • shotgun44 #34 2 years ago

    I literally like any kind of music but U2 and Scooter are where I draw the line.

  • Goodfella #35 2 years ago

    I wonder if every song will last about 8minutes while Bono bangs on about the poor kids in Africa like he does at every U2 concert?

    I don't know but I find it quite nauseating that someone who is worth £500 million keeps banging on about it. Give them some of your unpaid taxes then and keep quiet.

  • M_of_the_sys #36 2 years ago

    @Fab4

    Does RB come with a keyboard and funny noise making machine thingy add on then?

  • Fab4 #37 2 years ago

    Yes, it would come with replica Mellotron....and a shitload of excellent tunes, I hasten to add ;)

  • Johnsters #38 2 years ago

    @Fab4

    and a shed load of mind altering drugs.......

    (not sure why the negatives - Everyone knows they were up to the eyeballs on drugs - you'd have to be to generate their output)
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 17:33

  • Goodfella #39 2 years ago

    I think I would actually sell my soul for a Pink Floyd Rock Band game.

  • lssl17 #40 2 years ago

    Newsflash:

    U2 in a ME 2 attempt to grab headlines and scavenge money!

  • jim1975 #41 2 years ago

    id like to see a beach boys rock band. i could get heavely addicted to cocaine and get so fat i can't fit through a door.

  • cianchristopher #42 2 years ago

    Y'all haters jus' hatin'! Quit y'all hatin' haters! I hate haters hatin' on that what they's jealous of!

  • KrissAkabusi #43 2 years ago

    U2 are arseholes, but they do have a really good catalogue of music, right up to the current day. Sad as fuck that they want to do it now cus they see how much the Beatles one has coined in though.

  • cianchristopher #44 2 years ago

    Pink Floyd aren't suited to Rock Band!

    Unless you like strumming three notes then standing around for ten minutes waiting for the song to come full circle...

  • Fab4 #45 2 years ago

    They could probably make a mini-game out of trying to work out how to set up The Edge's effect rack

  • local_celebrity #46 2 years ago

    It's a BEAU-TI-FULL DAYYYYY!

    And Edge still has his hat on.

  • vegard #47 2 years ago

    still waiting for a Rock Band: The Dillinger Escape Plan.

    my fingers would fall off

  • skullstorm #48 2 years ago

    It should be called:

    "U2 can be a stuck up, pseudo altruistic front twat or the man with the silly hat and the amazing 2 chordz"

  • Stiggy #49 2 years ago

    "This a song that Charles Manson stole from Rock Band: The Beatles, were stealing it back"..cue Helter Skelter.

  • Ashcroft #50 2 years ago

    No no no no no no no no no no no no

  • sickpuppysoftware #51 2 years ago

    Will the game turn the gamma down to simulate wearing stupid sunglasses all the time and feature a finger clicking African killing minigame?

  • NorfolkNClue #52 2 years ago

    Britesparc:"Here, The Edge, that Beatles game has sold shitloads. Maybe we should do one of them after all."
    "Aye, I could do with another biodegradable SUV and a hemp yatch.",

    This.
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 12:50

  • Freek #53 2 years ago

    @sickpuppysoftware

    Better still: it will come with replica sunglasses, for the full effect!

  • TSYNDMonkfish #54 2 years ago

    U2 rockband? no thanks

    The Smiths? Yes please.

  • Doctor_What #55 2 years ago

    Yes, they have huge egos, yes, their recent output has been pretty pedestrian, but Joshua Tree is still one of the greatest rock (or pop-rock if you fancy being snobbish) albums of al time.

    You can't have a whole Rock Band of just the Joshua Tree, but I'd happily download and play that whole album. Achtung Baby and Zooropa are pretty top notch too.

    It's a real shame that their egos have made people forget that 15 years ago U2 were bloody great, but then if I got the daliy adulation and sales that they've probably had solidly for the past 30 years then I'd probably be a egotistical twat too.

    I really wonder about people sometimes: is it really so easy to feel massively impassioned about a person who's not harmed you, you've never met, and who is only trying (albeit with varying success) to entertain people and improve the situation of others? Apparently it is.

  • RobotRocker #56 2 years ago

    Bono tends to walk the fine line between confidence and arrogance so its easy to see why people get riled up about him.

    I think Claytons point is that they don't want to be just in the game as another feature on the track list. They would rather have their song stand out like Beatles Rock Band's Dreamscapes or Guitar Hero: World Tour's Tool venue.

    Of course, since the Beatles have their own game. Now every big name band wants one too so I can see where people are getting the idea. I'd imagine we will see Dreamscapes replace music videos in Rock Band 3 then...

  • Discalceaterabbit #57 2 years ago

    Will it be released with a special edition guitar, that only has two buttons?

  • bratmandu #58 2 years ago

    @ TSYNDMonkfish

    Smiths (and Morrissey) Rockband is the single ONLY thing that would make me ever pick up a plastic guitar again.

    Gave up on rhythm action games after I bought Rockband, only to immediately hear RB2 was coming out and my crap drums were obsolete.

    To the U2 haters - say what you like about the band members, but they have with millions of fans, sellout concerts every tour, and multiple number 1 hits in a decades long career. Regarding tax - the Irish govt. gives tax breaks to all Irish artists, which is thousands of bands (http://ww w.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jun/18... Regarding the Africa thing - shouldn't people with money and recognition do what they can to help out?

    I ain't the biggest U2 fan, but I find people who criticise without valid reasons are idiots, who probably listen to nu-metal, hip hop or rap - which are all abominations (and yes, I've listened to a lot of those things to verify this claim!).

  • jim1975 #59 2 years ago

    @ the U2 fans

    even though i think bono would be better suited in a game called Cock Band. i do agree U2 have made some of my fav songs of all time and their Zoo TV live at sydney is stunning, anybody that thinks U2 suck needs to check it out on youtube http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=bhr5KqyjfLc

  • Beano #60 2 years ago

    A U2 version of Rock Band? Well... since U2 have only made 4-5 good songs, this will be a very short game.

  • WJF #61 2 years ago

    While I'm not a fan of U2, I do think they've got a big enough back catalogue of interesting songs (not always good) to fill a full price release. Let's face it, their musical style, while remaining fairly stationary, does shift around through the decades...more than, say, Metallica (-1 -1 -1 -1 /post rating drops below threshold. Post hidden)

    My main concern though is the scoring of the guitar part. I can't remember a single U2 song in which the rhythm is more than up-down-up-down-up-down for the majority of the song. Making a note chart of Edge(tm)'s guitar work without inducing knuckle-crippling RSI is going to be very tricky to pull off without having to make stuff up (which always angers people about these games).

  • Gecks #62 2 years ago

    @bratmandu
    "I ain't the biggest U2 fan, but I find people who criticise without valid reasons are idiots, who probably listen to nu-metal, hip hop or rap - which are all abominations (and yes, I've listened to a lot of those things to verify this claim!)."

    yes, all hip hop is shit. *golf clap*

    souls of mischief, public enemy, de la soul, q-tip, saul williams, etc. i have hardly listened to any hip hop but there is obvious quality out there if you care to look beyond the pop-rap in the charts. writing off an entire genre is a mugs game. fuck - even 'emo' used to be a seal of quality (sunny day real estate, drive like jehu).
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 15:32

  • Dop #63 2 years ago

    Will there be a level where Bono climbs up his own arse?

  • bratmandu #64 2 years ago

    @ Gecks

    writing off an entire genre is a mugs game

    Not when the genre is hip hop, rap, nu-metal or emo. I've been exposed to a lot of that stuff, from through friends and working in bars over the last 10 years where that stuff is played. Never, EVER, in ten years, have I heard any decent hip hop - it's garbage. I'm allowed my own opinion on the matter.

    If posters here don't like U2, why would they be in this forum? The only reason is to trash talk U2, one of the most sucessful bands of all time.

  • GeezaTap #65 2 years ago

    Bring back dance mats, incorporate them into the mix and lets have Happy Mondays Rock Band.

  • bratmandu #66 2 years ago

    Shook Bez's hand two weeks ago!

  • vegard #67 2 years ago

    "If posters here don't like U2, why would they be in this forum? The only reason is to trash talk U2, one of the most sucessful bands of all time."

    just maybe some people feel that U2 would be a boring band to use in a Rock Band game? i'm not saying U2 are shit, but your logic that success equals quality is flawed.

  • bratmandu #68 2 years ago

    @ vegard

    That's a fair enough point, success does not always equal quality, however, what you have to understand that U2 have had 10 number 1 albums (uk), and in terms of time albums have spent at number one, U2 are behind only The Beatles, Queen, and Elvis - that's pretty good going.

    I understand a lot of people think U2's back catalogue is boring, but I don't see any evidence or justification for this. The difference in sound and style between albums is quite varied, but there are a lot of sheep who just refuse to see this because Southpark dictates their life decisions.
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 16:43

  • ronuds #69 2 years ago

    The difference between the Beatles and U2 is that The Beatles have music worth listening to, and thus, worth making a game for.

    The only way I'd buy a U2 music game is if with every push of a fret, it showed a picture of Bono being punched in the face - glasses on, of course.

    And why does Bono wear dark glasses all the time? My mother always taught me that was a sign of someone suspicious.

  • Gecks #70 2 years ago

    @bratmandu
    "Not when the genre is hip hop, rap, nu-metal or emo. I've been exposed to a lot of that stuff, from through friends and working in bars over the last 10 years where that stuff is played. Never, EVER, in ten years, have I heard any decent hip hop - it's garbage. I'm allowed my own opinion on the matter. "

    perhaps a more informed opinion would be 'music genres aren't necessarily wholly represented by their respective bars and clubs', or 'my friends listen to some amount of shite' :)

  • ronuds #71 2 years ago

    Bratmandu is criticizing people for mocking U2 without justification, but then goes on to trash whole GENRES of music simply because "he feels" it's an abomination.

    Hypocrite!!!

    Anyway, I think most of the hate for U2 is due to Bono. The guy's an idiot, plain and simple. Nobody cares about his political views, yet he feels the need to be in the middle of as many issues as he can. Just sing, please...that's all anyone ever asked from you. And the fact that U2 THEMSELVES are saying a U2 Rock Band is something that should be made says a lot about their arrogance.

  • Murton #72 2 years ago

    I don't suppose that Blackberry ad deal expires soon eh Bono?

    If U2 weren't seriously shit this would probably be a good idea, but as they are...

  • Johnsters #73 2 years ago

    Dare I say it. If you like U2, you'll probably buy Rock Band Nickelback, Robbie Williams and Phil Collins too!
    Collins would be good for drums though.

    I saw U2 on the Pop Mart tour at Wembley. I did enjoy it but as I said on the first page of posts nothing good since Actung (though Lemon is a great song - Zooropa too). The last 3 albums are just money making exercises which works (half decent singles with forgettable fillers) . If you are a fan, which there are many of (millions), you'll follow the hype, buy album, see concert etc. The BBC got ripped to sh*t recently for the amount of promotion they gave what ultimately is a mediocre album played by creative has-beens. Hype. It's sometimes a very bad thing.
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 17:54

  • HuggyAtHome #74 2 years ago

    Bonio and the ledge can feck off.

  • bratmandu #75 2 years ago

    @ Gecks and ronuds

    Calling those 'genres' is a stretch. And it's not just that I 'feel' they suck, it's 10 years of listening, trying to understand why other people like it, and reaching the conclusion that a bunch of samples and scratching records isn't music. Is 10 years not enough?

    Again, it's good fun talking down Bono, but what are the arguments against the quality of U2's music and why there shouldn't be a U2 Rockband - that he wears shades?? So people in a band shouldn't have a trademark look? What else - using his celebrity status to raise awareness of third world poverty, aids, and oppression? His campaigning for and donating to charities? Yea, what a prick. If you're gonna talk about people in bands who act like dicks - there's far FAR worse out there.

  • sam_w #76 2 years ago

    Keep them out please!

  • Drakron #77 2 years ago

    "If posters here don't like U2, why would they be in this forum?"

    Article comment section actually and its Eurogamer, not Euromusic and even less U2fansite.

    Its understandable that people that visit this site for gaming news will comment on this because liking U2 is not a requirement to play videogames.

    Also I could say I can understand The Beatles, heck I could understand the Queen and the Rolling Stones but U2? No.
    This looks like ego to me as if U2 thinks they are as good as The Beatles and they are NOT.

  • ecureuil #78 2 years ago

    U2 are fucking shite.

  • ronuds #79 2 years ago

    @ Bratmandu

    I think it's a little arrogant to consider U2 music anything other than popular music designed to appeal to the masses, which to many would also be considered "shit" and not deserving of its own genre.

    There is obviously enough interest in these other types of music for it to be given a name, and to act like your opinions on the matter count more than any other is a bit ridiculous. Listening for 10 years doesn't make you the authority on the subject. I've listened to gangsta rap for 10 years, and I think it sucks too. That doesn't make it any less valid a type of music, just because of my opinion.

    I mean, seriously, U2 is pop music - which is probably one of the least respected types in the industry. They make songs designed to be "catchy" - not necessarily good. They can basically fit in the same category as such hacks as Beyonce. Their earlier music was much more respectable.

  • ph101 #80 2 years ago

    People just hate success. Yeah Bono is up his arse and sickeningly sincere, and the rest of the band seemingly devoid of personality, but they have had some good tunes over some time. I'm not a U2 fanathon but I refuse to slate them just because they have done well. As to rock band. Spare me. Play a proper game that involves more than sequencial tapping, or learn to play a real instrument if you want to have some self worth.

  • bdgr #81 2 years ago

    as long as it has...

    hello hello, I'm in a place called Birmingham!!!

  • davisorle #82 2 years ago

    Make a Slipknot Rock Band and ill pay for it as much as needed. Beatles and now U2..? Wtf my dad doesnt play anymoreand Im not into "old" music the least so maybe they should change tactics a bit with this thing? Im not a kiddo but im not 40-55 either... ( no offence )

  • jambo74 #83 2 years ago

    Let them make it - then watch it fail as nobody buys it.
    More entertaining that way.

  • covfan #84 2 years ago

    Bring on Rock Band - Cliff Richard!