We are all waiting for the release of GTA6. We are all aware of the money that Rockstar makes with each new installment of its flagship franchise. It is impossible not to know that it is the best-selling game in the world, the income it generates, and why it is the most successful cultural product in the history of humanity. However, something is hindering Rockstar’s negotiations with the artists they work with.
At least this appears to be the case, according to Martyn Ware, a member of the group Heaven 17, a band best known for being a founding member of The Human League. The group gained some popularity in the 80s thanks to their song Temptation. Although they never achieved the success of bands like New Order, The Psychedelic Furs, or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, they had some influence in the scene. It’s logical that Rockstar is interested in their most popular song, but it hasn’t sat well with the Martyn Ware.
It’s been reported that he received an email from Rockstar Games offering to have Temptation appear in GTA6. He was offered $7,500 in exchange for all rights to the song, with no possibility of obtaining royalties.
As is evident, the figure has seemed insulting. With previous titles making billions of dollars, $7,500 for the license of a single song is, at the very least, a rather poor offer. Rockstar licensed more than 240 songs for their previous release, GTA5. And that probably won’t prevent them from getting a similar figure for this new release, even if it seems to be having problems.
Of course, the value of work always has a subjective component. What is undeniable is that paying less than 0.0001% for the song license is insulting. That is why we will not be the ones to judge Martyn Ware, nor will we defend Rockstar Games. We are sure they will have no trouble finding other musicians willing to accept their offer, whatever it may be. And it is positive that Ware is aware of the value of his work, which is not paid with any amount of exposure.
