Grand Theft Auto 6 will be one of the biggest games to come out of this generation, if not ever. Take-Two Interactive knows this and pretty much every other video game company is aware of how important GTA 6 is for the entire video game industry. In fact, Sony already did its due diligence by partnering with Take-Two and Rockstar Games way before the launch of the game, with rumors of Sony bundling GTA 6 with the PS5 Pro.
With so many eyes already on GTA 6 at least a year ahead of its release, you’d think an artist would be honored to have their music included in the upcoming sequel, even if the fee is minimal, like, let’s say, $7500.
But, if you ask Marty Ware, co-founder of the band Heaven 17, this sum isn’t close to being enough to secure one of their songs for GTA 6.
Ware took to social media to express his outrage at the amount offered by Rockstar for the use of their song “Temptation” in GTA 6. The 68-year-old English musician is claiming that the developers had approached his publishers with a proposition for a licensure deal. However, the offer left much to be desired, as Ware wasn’t too happy with the amount on the table. Rockstar’s “insulting” offer was for the permanent buyout of all future royalties from the song’s inclusion in the game.
The controversy has shed light on the complex relationship between the video game industry and music licensing. While video games, particularly those of GTA’s caliber, can provide significant exposure for artists, many argue that this exposure shouldn’t come at the expense of fair compensation. The Grand Theft Auto franchise is known for its iconic soundtracks, which have introduced players to music from genres they wouldn’t have been otherwise exposed to if not for the series. The incident raises a lot of questions, particularly on whether the financial success of the franchise is being adequately shared with the artists who contribute to its atmospheric and immersive experience.
It’s somewhat fair to criticize Rockstar for offering only so much money when Grand Theft Auto 5 has already generated over $8 billion in revenue since its release, which is enough to make it one of the most profitable video games of all time. GTA 6 will be just as successful as GTA 5 based on current projections. Given these staggering figures, you could argue that Rockstar should offer more substantial compensation to artists whose music helps create the rich, immersive world that players have come to expect from the series.
Then again, exposure in a GTA game is different if invaluable for artists, particularly lesser-known ones. The potential increase in streaming numbers, album sales, and overall visibility could far outweigh the initial licensing fee. You could argue that the value of having your song in a GTA game is akin to the Super Bowl halftime show, where artists perform without direct payment due to the massive promotional value of the exposure.
Not to mention, Rockstar could always take their offer somewhere else. It’s unlikely all this negative attention will force Rockstar to adjust its licensing strategy. The allure of being featured in one of gaming’s most iconic franchises will always attract artists.
Then again, maybe we’re wrong, and this could be the start of a bigger conversation about the relationship between the gaming and music industries.
For now, we’ll have to wait for more GTA 6 news, which, according to rumors, will come soon after the PlayStation 5 Pro, with its shockingly high price point, is revealed later this month.
