| Royalty Free Music > Music News > Royalty Free Music For Video Games: Why Developers Are Feeling The Crunch
September 4th, 2008
Video game sales have soared this year. According to data released by NPD group, a market research firm, video games generated more than $9.5 billion in revenue from January through July 2008, 35% more than the same time period in 2007. Although games such as Grand Theft Auto IV , Super Smash Bros. Brawl , and Wii Fit account for a significant portion of total video game sales in 2008, music-related games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero have become increasingly popular, representing 15% of total video game revenue so far this year. Music-related games have had a significant impact on the video game industry, contributing to 32% of the industry's growth from 2007 to 2008. Not surprisingly, many music companies have begun to reexamine their licensing deals with video game developers. Currently, music for video games is licensed in a manner similar to movie soundtracks: music companies receive a per-unit royalty for each song as well as a percentage from music downloads. Last month, Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr. questioned the industry's current licensing structure for music for video games, indicating that he would cease licensing music to video game developers if they did not change their licensing terms. Bronfman and other music industry executives want to model their licensing deals after the NFL's partnership with Electronic Arts for its Madden NFL game, licensing names, likenesses, and other assets. These licensing partnerships yield royalties of more than 30% of the game's total revenue, substantially more than music companies currently receive from video game developers.
If music companies win this battle, video game developers could face financial difficulties. Some developers cannot afford to lose 30% of their revenue to music companies, which may force them to either eliminate music from their games or seek other options. Royalty free music from RoyaltyFreeMusic.com is an easy and inexpensive alternative to licensing music for video games from music companies such as Warner Music Group. Our catalog of high quality video game soundtrack music contains selections to fit any type of game. From stealing cars to fighting villains to scoring touchdowns, royalty free music from RoyaltyFreeMusic.com can set the stage for action in any video game. Add an element of terror to video games involving zombies and other creepy personalities with Ambient Drama Part 1 . This frightening collection of music for video games is certain to create an environment of suspense and engage gamers of all ages. Fuel up sports-themed games with Suckerpunch , an adrenaline-loaded compilation of rap and hardcore rock. Suckerpunch is a video game soundtrack on steroids, perfect for accompanying slam dunks, homeruns, touchdowns, and more.
Many video game soundtracks include alternate versions of the same song. RoyaltyFreeMusic.com offers a variety of albums that contain multiple variations of songs. For crime-themed games in need of some attitude, don't miss Nuclear Blues . With alternate versions of blues rock tracks, this collection will add a hard-living vibe to any video game soundtrack. If you're looking for offbeat music to accent a comedic or role-playing video game, listen to Voicebox . This slightly goofy compilation of music features variations of several tracks created using the human voice as an instrument, the perfect soundtrack for video games that transport gamers to fantasy worlds. No matter the game, with more than 10,000 royalty free music tracks, you're certain to find the perfect music for video games in the RoyaltyFreeMusic.com library .
|
|
| FEATURED ALBUMS |
|
|
 |
 |
|
Are you a Composer, Musician, Band, Flash or Video Artist that would like to be featured on Royalty Free Music.com? If so, click here
|
 |
|
