Report: Rockstar offered just $7.5K to use a 80’s pop classic in GTA6
Martyn Wear from Heaven 17 has revealed that Rockstar asked to use the classic track “Temptation” in Grand Theft Auto 6, and he was initially excited. The excitement soon faded when he saw what they were offering., “IT WAS $7500 – for a buyout of any future royalties from the game – forever…”
In other words Heaven 17 would get just $7500 and that’s it, doesn’t matter how many copies of the game were sold. To explain why Martyn is annoyed you need to know how the music industry works, specifically compilation albums. If you get a track signed to a compilation you get a one off fee no matter how many copies are sold, and then a (very small) percentage of every copy over a certain number. For example you may get 10k up front, and then a percentage after 50,000 sales.
GTA V has sold over 200 million copies and the radio stations are essentially compilation albums, albeit in game, so you can see Martyn’s side of the argument, artists should get paid for their work.
Sadly many people online are attacking Martyn saying he should be grateful for the “exposure” of being in a high profile game. To reiterate the well worn saying, exposure does not pay bills.
Have a bop to the original version of Temptation below or if you’re feeling epic, try the 11 minute Brothers in Rhythm Remix.
Source: Twitter
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