The Beatles made their first foray into digital music today, announcing a video game in which fans will be able to play along to the Fab Four's hits.

Surviving band members have previously resisted new technology and, to the bewilderment of many fans, have not allowed the sale of their songs on digital music sites such as iTunes. But Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, all gave their blessing to the new game and will be involved in its development and design.

The game, which is scheduled for release next year, will be made by the creators of Rock Band, the best-selling video game that lets players live out their dreams of rock stardom, playing guitar or drums to tracks by the likes of David Bowie, The Who and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rock Band was released two years ago and has been a suprise success, selling about 3.5 million copies since.

The new game is expected to be similarly interactive, sending players “on a journey from the Beatles' first album, Please Please Me, to their last, Abbey Road”.

The deal between MTV Games, owners of the Rock Band franchise, and Apple Corps, the company established by the Beatles to oversee the band's business interests, was announced today after more than a year of negotiation.

The two surviving members of the band have been cautious about licensing their back catalogue. They have dabbled with offering album streams on their website and running trailers on YouTube, but today's move was their first real step into the world of digital music.

"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of the Beatles and their music.” said Sir Paul McCartney, who signed up to the game after being given demonstrations of Rock Band. “I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out."

Ringo Starr said: “The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that the Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerised world we live in. Let the games commence.”

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