An English artist has reacted to a purported provide from Rockstar Video games to incorporate his band Heaven 17’s 1983 tune „Temptation“ in Grand Theft Auto VI, saying the provide of $7,500 was „extraordinarily low.“
Martyn Ware, 68, said on social media that he was not too long ago contacted by his workforce to debate a proposal from Rockstar Video games about the potential for placing „Temptation“ in GTA VI. Ware mentioned he was „naturally excited in regards to the immense wealth that was about to go my manner,“ that’s, till he noticed the precise provide: $7,500.
Ware mentioned this quantity would have lined „a buyout of any future royalties from the game–forever.“ Ware went on to (incorrectly) state that GTA VI has already grossed $8.6 billion and that he believes he was low-balled as a result of having the tune in GTA VI may generate „publicity“ for the tune.
Ware’s response? „Go f**ok your self,“ he mentioned in regards to the provide.
To make sure, GTA VI is just not but launched and thus has generated $0. Ware is probably going referring to GTA V, which is among the many most profitable video video games of all time with greater than 250 million copies bought. It cleared $1 billion in revenue after simply 72 hours again in 2013. GTA VI is predicted to be a juggernaut as properly when it comes to items bought and income.
Ware’s social media posts went viral, and he later supplied numerous clarifications. Beginning off, the $7,500 provide was for his share alone–the tune has three credited writers, and they’d additionally obtain $7,500 for a complete of no less than $22,500. The opposite songwriters are Glenn Gregory and Ian Craig Marsh.
Ware labeled the provide „pathetic.“ He mentioned he attempted to engage in a counter-offer through his publisher, however Rockstar’s workforce refused, he mentioned. He mentioned had he been in a position to negotiate, he would have asked for £75,000, or no advance fee in change for a „affordable“ royalty on the variety of GTA VI copies bought.
He additionally pointed out that the „publicity“ angle would not have been agreeable to him, both, as even a million additional streams would have generated solely $1,000 every for the three songwriters.
GameSpot has contacted Rockstar Video games in an try and get extra particulars on this matter.
GTA VI is set for release in Fall 2025. Each main Rockstar Video games launch over the previous 10 years has been delayed past its original date.