Music in the Games Market

I know we're just going to take a little aside here, but we've spoken a lot about film, TV, and ads.

The Importance of Music in Gaming

Music and Its Evolution

Tell me about the games market. A lot of music goes into the games market. How important is that?

Good publishers are connecting with game manufacturers.

• Historical Context:

  • About 15 years ago, they stopped paying royalties on sales because:
    • Sales were minimal at first.
    • Then, they skyrocketed into the millions and tens of millions.
    • Popular titles like PS4 games and Grand Theft Auto changed the landscape.

• Shift in Compensation:

  • Suddenly, manufacturers thought, "Oops, we can't keep paying royalties."
  • It shifted to more of an upfront payment model.

Cinematic Music

The music within games is becoming more cinematic due to advancements in technology:

• Visuals are nearing lifelike quality.
• The music must reflect this high standard.
• There is significant financial opportunity if you can get in.

The Volume of Music Needed

In terms of volume, video games require far more music than other mediums:

• Music Duration:

  • Advertisements might last a few seconds.
  • TV programs are typically much shorter.
  • Video games can go on for hours.

• Production Time:

  • Some games have minimal music loops, while others need unique pieces for different scenes.
  • I've known people to work on one Hollywood trailer for three months.

Licensing vs. Bespoke Music

But, you know, I've always been aware of games like Grand Theft Auto that had a radio station in the car. This introduced opportunities to play artist-based music, which is licensed.

• Key Differences:
  • This is different than bespoke music.
  • In licensing scenarios, game manufacturers hold all the cards.

Market Dynamics

• They were going to sell millions of these games.
• They acted as gatekeepers in this market.
• Consequently, they could even ask for payment from artists because of the expected massive audience.

Conclusion

It's a bit like YouTube now; the focus is on exploitation and reaching as many eyes and ears as possible with your music. That's what games do nowadays.