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KingBroly
Rank: ModeratorJoined: Apr 07
Wii Code:7772-0280-1154-0427
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“Piracy is such a difficult factor for [songwriters] to deal with – that it’s not a level playing field. They don’t have a core business that they can rely on as they used to. They’re forced to go to revenue streams they otherwise wouldn’t do. That really makes them negotiate at a disadvantage compared to the games companies.” - Tom Frederikse, media lawyer at Clintons solicitors
This is the topic of a UK news report that claims that musicians only get one penny for every music game sold that features their music. If so, I think that's a ridiculously low amount to pay someone that is bringing in gamers by the millions. I'm not saying they should get half of the game profits, but surely something more than a penny!
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I'd say this isn't so bad, actually I am surprised it is this good considering it is usually only one song per game. As shadow indicated, artists aren't really paid well for albums. When the piracy thing started becoming big in the late 90s Moby came out saying it wasn't a big deal because he only made about a penny an album sold and that most bigger artists made that much. The really big artists (Madonna, Metallica, etc) tend to make a little more but still not even $1, probably looking at best $.50 but probably not even that. $0.01 per song per game is a really good fee for what artists get, good job to the video game industry for paying better than the music industry.
I don't see this as being so bad.
One penny isn't much, but they are talking about a single song being contributed... no wonder an album (with ten or more songs) earns ten times as much money.
Also, the scale matters here. For a million selling game, you are talking about $10,000 per song contributed - and games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band have sold multiple millions.
Publicity is another matter to consider. Kids who enjoy the music they hear are more likely to buy an album later or attend a concert.
Finally, who are the ones complaining? Hint: it's not the artists... it's the RECORD LABELS who want more cash for royalties. No offense to the industry, but it's well documented that they are greedy bastards. I feel no pity when Warner Music complains about being treated unfairly while earning *merely* hundreds of thousands of dollars from other people's talent and effort.
One penny isn't much, but they are talking about a single song being contributed... no wonder an album (with ten or more songs) earns ten times as much money.
Also, the scale matters here. For a million selling game, you are talking about $10,000 per song contributed - and games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band have sold multiple millions.
Publicity is another matter to consider. Kids who enjoy the music they hear are more likely to buy an album later or attend a concert.
Finally, who are the ones complaining? Hint: it's not the artists... it's the RECORD LABELS who want more cash for royalties. No offense to the industry, but it's well documented that they are greedy bastards. I feel no pity when Warner Music complains about being treated unfairly while earning *merely* hundreds of thousands of dollars from other people's talent and effort.
I believe this is due to CD and mp3 sales rising when groups are included in music games. So, bands are probably trying to do it for free just to get the exposure for their music.
Then DMX needs to stop whining that he gets 2 cents because that's double what most people make.
This is probably the funniest rumor article I've read in awhile, its even more funny that people actually believe it.
DMX is a fool who doesn't understand how game development works, so of course he thinks he should get more money.
There are about 80 artists in the average music game so $8 of every game sold has to go to the bands. Making $100,000 for each million sold isn't bad, especially when you consider how much the publicity of being in the game will also bring them.
Why do the musician's care if they're only getting a penny? They're probably already stinkin' rich.
Ironic since I wouldn't pay a single penny to buy most of the songs in thee games 
lol DMX got paid handsomely. Oh and how come it's low now but when it was DMX he was whining (double standards much).
we're talking about $55-$65 rehash games,and all they are getting is one cent? sounds like big gaming business, not only screwing the consumer but the bands they rape.
if i'm shelling out $60 for A-A-A-B, B-B-B-B, C-C-B-A-C-A, then i expect some of that money to go to the music that made the game, not some jerkoff who can the same game over and over again.
but on the flip side, if you want to sell your wares then you need to get them into as many hands as possible so if bands have to lower themselves to get bent over the barrel and do rock band or geetar hero, then what's the big deal? think of it as advertising that might actually bring in some cash.
if i'm shelling out $60 for A-A-A-B, B-B-B-B, C-C-B-A-C-A, then i expect some of that money to go to the music that made the game, not some jerkoff who can the same game over and over again.
but on the flip side, if you want to sell your wares then you need to get them into as many hands as possible so if bands have to lower themselves to get bent over the barrel and do rock band or geetar hero, then what's the big deal? think of it as advertising that might actually bring in some cash.
I don't know why people make a big stink about the music industry like this is new.
Most money always came from things outside of their CDs.
A lot of artists are moving towards digital distribution now anyways, to the point where some artists are giving music out for free, and making hard copies for those who want it.
And example being Angels & Airwaves, but they've made Modlife, which is a whole new outlet for bands to make money off of their fans directly without all the middlemen in the way.
Most money always came from things outside of their CDs.
A lot of artists are moving towards digital distribution now anyways, to the point where some artists are giving music out for free, and making hard copies for those who want it.
And example being Angels & Airwaves, but they've made Modlife, which is a whole new outlet for bands to make money off of their fans directly without all the middlemen in the way.
Er... that sounds quite reasonable to me. If the game sells 1 million you make £100 000 for tickinfg a box that said "Yeah you can use my song".
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Of course, the Beatles were vastly underpaid.