Heard the latest track from Grand Theft Auto?
The biggest music event of the week was not that Coldplay downplay, but rather the release of Grand Theft Auto IV.
With publishers Take-Two Interactive/Rockstar Games claiming pre-order sales of $360 million - easily besting the $170 million banked by Halo 3 in 2007 - GTA IV is expected to become the biggest selling game of all time.
Many music-business analysts have been taking a close look at the economics behind the music content used in the game.
Around 200 tracks are used in GTA IV. Rockstar Games music supervisor Ivan Pavlovich told Billboard magazine that it took his team more than 18 months to get the rights to what is the largest soundtrack of any videogame to date.
Pavlovich did not disclose the amounts paid per track, but Billboard estimates Rockstar’s spend at around $5,000 per composition and another $5,000 per master recording per track, pushing the total music budget for the game to about $2 million.
While many labels and musicians have seen placement in games as more about promotion than money (and indeed, many acts would regard a $10,000 synch fee as being a bit on the low side), Rockstar’s willingness to splash the cash may well entice hitherto reluctant acts to license their music for use in the future. However, bigger names, and larger fees, may not be as attractive to Rockstar.
As it is, GTA ’s latest soundtrack is an eclectic mix of eastern European pop music, Jamaican dancehall, global funk and new tracks from hip-hop DJ Green Lantern, as well as hits from Smashing Pumpkins, Queen, The Who and others.
But aside from calculating synch fees, those left in the record industry should also be wondering why a new music release will never generate the same amount of anticipation, media attention and over-the-counter sales as GTA IV .
When it comes to entertainment, value for money and excitement, it seems none of pop’s megastars can compete with a fictional eastern European immigrant called Niko Bellic finding his way around Liberty City.
Off topic Jim. but FYI.
“Tune in and view highlights from the press conference held by musician and iconoclast Tom Waits to announce his summer tour “Glitter and Doom” on Monday, May 5 at http://www.tomwaits.com beginning at 6am EST.
Not only is Tom announcing a tour, but a website as well !
This is one of several announcements coming in the next week.”
Comment by Ivor | May 2, 2008 at 9:45 amAlso interesting to see the likes of Iggy Pop, Juliette Lewis, Francois K and Ricky Gervais getting involved as DJs and guests in the in-game radio shows, I’m sure they were handsomely rewarded for their efforts!
Comment by flynnduism | May 2, 2008 at 9:49 amivor - i thought you were going to tell me that the main GTAIV character was based on Tom Waits
flynnduism - well, that Billboard article said that Bobby Konders went off to Jamaica to get the dancehall tracks re-recorded for the game so I’d imagine there was a sizable budget in addition to the $2 million for rights. Still, with those first day sales, Rockstar can afford them.
The next step for Rockstar? What about a Rockstar GTA console? Own the hardware and the software
Comment by Jim Carroll | May 2, 2008 at 10:11 amUnfortunately they ripped off dub genius Scientist for the ‘GTA: San Andreas’ K-Jah soundtrack: http://underseacommunity.com/2008/01/13/rockstar-games-ripped-off-scientist/
A crying shame — Scientist made some of the best dub recorded.
Comment by Justin Mason | May 2, 2008 at 10:23 amWe’ve come a long way. The last time I played a video game the soundtrack sounded like something Mr Nintendo hummed over the phone from his limo
Comment by Peter | May 2, 2008 at 11:25 amI reckon the next step for a game like GTA is to bring the single player experience to the multiplayer level, where you can roam the city, do missions and develop your character in an online environment in a world of warcraft manner…
and that you can update the radio stations and in game entertainment by subscribing and paying for songs.
also expect more in game-product placement as the marketers start to milk this cash cow dry!
Comment by flynnduism | May 2, 2008 at 11:36 amThe next step for Rockstar? What about a Rockstar GTA console? Own the hardware and the software
Consoles are a different kettle of fish. Sega went under and Nintendo nearly became a games-only company until the revived their innovative streak. Long term, only companies with the muscle and hardware connections like Sony and Microsoft can compete in the hardware market. Sony because of their own manufacturing power and Microsoft because of their links with Intel etc.
I think Rockstar are sitting pretty right now. They’ve a lot of expansion in games to come yet.
Comment by Steve K | May 2, 2008 at 11:38 amJim, you didnt mention the new distribution aspect of the soundtrack in this game. Users can tag music on the in-game phone and then go to amazon and preview and purchase songs from their list of tagged songs. According to your reference, it “is the first time that the industry will be able to track the direct cause-and-effect relationship between including a song on the soundtrack and its subsequent sale.”
Comment by leaveitout | May 2, 2008 at 11:42 amleaveitout - see next post and especially the comments which follow it.
Comment by Jim Carroll | May 2, 2008 at 11:47 amAnyone else notice the custom tracks? I got into a jeep with rims yesterday and there was someone rapping about making it out alive from Liberty City. An excellent touch.
The Bas Rutten TV show is also excellent. And many other details.
GTA IV - a more exciting replacement for real life.
Comment by Karl | May 3, 2008 at 10:56 pm