Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were back on stage together yesterday but only to promote a new video game.

The two surviving Beatles, along with (John Lennon's widow) Yoko Ono and (George Harrison's widow) Olivia Harrison, appeared at Microsoft's Electronic Entertainment Expo presentation at the University of Southern California.

Ono and Harrison were introduced briefly before McCartney and Starr appeared on stage for some quick banter. "Whoever thought we'd end up as androids?" joked McCartney.

In "The Beatles: Rock Band," a game developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games, players will be able to follow, and perform as, the members of the legendary music group, from their early days in 1963 Liverpool until their final rooftop performance, in London in 1969. Unlike its Rock Band predecessor, The Beatles edition will feature three-part vocal harmonies.

Forty-five Beatles songs will be available on the game's disc when "The Beatles: Rock Band" is released on Sept 9, including "I Am The Walrus," "Back In The USSR," "Here Comes The Sun," "Get Back," and "I Feel Fine".

Microsoft says "All You Need Is Love" will be released for download on the Xbox 360, with proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders.

(China Daily/Agencies June 3, 2009)