Channel 4 report on DJ Hero claims that musicians earn just one US Cent from every game sold
Could the video games industry be exploiting musicians; left with little option than to sell their wares super-cheap due to pressures from piracy?
That’s the question posed by a Channel 4 News report today, which reveals that a sale of a music game featuring a musician’s track earns them just one tenth of what an equivalent music CD would generate.
The feature reveals that musicians earn “around one [US] cent for each [game] sold”.
Tom Frederikse, media lawyer at Clintons solicitors told the programme:
“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.”
Advertisement
The flip-side of the argument is represented by beatboxer DJ DJ Shlomo, who is thankful for the exposure DJ Hero has given his music.
He adds: "Computer games is a fantastic way of people hearing your music – and they are actually paying for it.”
MCV doubts the fears over royalty payments extend to The Beatles: Rock Band – reportedly the most expensive licensing deal in the industry’s history.
However, the report signs off with an ominous prediction of war between the music and games trades:
“Computer games companies say it’s a free market and the rate they pay is fair,” says journalist Ben King. “But one of the big record labels has called for a better deal – others may soon follow.”
Activision boss Bobby Kotick launched a broadside from the games industry’s side of the fence last August – after Warner reportedly complained about poor royalty payments from music games.
DJ Hero hit No.20 in the UK ELSPA/GfK-ChartTrack All Formats Top 40 this morning.
Comments
And again games are blamed.
Surely it is the musicians' record labels that agree license fees with publishers/game developers and therefore it is down to the record labels to pay the royalties?
Maybe I'm wrong. Not really bothered about the rhythm music genre, but I'm sure it takes two to tango and it just seems the games industry is being made to look the baddies. Again.
Not so sure the report has all the facts
1 cent per game? I thought the artists got paid upfront for the use of thier music ingame. If the game sales are good then dividing that payment against sales, could give a figure of 1 cent. It's all spin.
For example Aerosmith made more money from GH Aerosmith than they did from any of thier albums. That's a story that's online so it's checkable and contradicts the C4 report.
erm...
I thought the same as techgamer above.... I was under the impression they made a substantial amount of money, e.g. the Aerosmith story which I've read somewhere aswell.
Surely these "Hero" games have peaked now?
lol, I just had this mental image of Bobby sat in his Activision office shouting in a eureka type moment: "Glockenspiel-HERO !!!"
I don't think so
I don't really think musicians are getting ripped off. First, there are lots of different artists and only musicians and actors are paid exorbitant sums of cash. If musicians are ripped off, think about all the programmers and graphic artists, etc. getting ripped off. They're getting paid much much less per game than the musicians... and theoretically for new artistic content whereas a band like Aerosmith is making $0.01 on music they created decades ago. The artists who created the game get their small paychecks.
Next, we're talking about music licensing in a video game vs. a CD or MP3. It's not like a console game is portable and you're buying music you can listen to anywhere.
Leave a Comment
HOT TOPICS
Religious leaders slam Modern Warfare 2 130
Microsoft hails its ‘killer weapon’ in battle with PS3 and Wii 38
Russia pulls Modern Warfare 2 from sale? 16
The Hut rebuffs AC2 date break claims 14
MW2 sales pass $550m worldwide 13
The Producers pulls out of Trilogy partnership 12
60% of UK 360s have failed 11
Xbox Live class action begins 10
Facebook hitting PS3 today 8
Call of Duty inspires new retailers 6
RELATED STORIES
Channel 4 creating its own games 6
Court dismisses DJ Hero lawsuit 1
Eminem and Jay-Z sign up for new game 1
Premium DJ Hero SKU to unite gaming and music retail 1
Activision sets sights on European market share 1
Music charts to add games 2
Activision Euro market share increases 1
DJ Hero sponsors Notting Hill Carnival 1
Heroic sponsorship deals for Activision 1
Win DJ Hero! 1
ABOUT US
MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets