For a game like Grand Theft Auto 6, which is confirmed to come out around this time next year, we sure don't know a lot about it. In fact, it's safe to say that we know more about the business side of things when it comes to GTA 6, than we do about the game itself.

That's because we've learned that Take-Two and Rockstar Games might ditch the traditional $70 price tag when the next GTA launches. Oh, and that the game has a reported budget of $2 billion.

Now, via a series of social media posts, we have somewhat of an idea of where some of that budget may be going. On Saturday, Martyn Ware, a member of synth-pop groups the Human League and Heaven 17, discussed the finances of having a song in a Grand Theft Auto game.

That's Not A Lot Of Money
Taking to Twitter, Ware noted how he had been contacted by his publishers on behalf of Rockstar in an effort to license "Temptation" in GTA 6.



As Ware wrote on Twitter, "Naturally excited about the immense wealth that was about to head my way, I scrolled to the bottom of the email re the offer."

I was recently contacted by my publishers on behalf of Rockstar Games re the possibility of using Temptation on the new Grand Theft Auto 6

Naturally excited about the immense wealth that was about to head my way, I scrolled to the bottom of the email re the offer…

— Martyn Ware 🦉 (@martynware) September 7, 2024

That is when he allegedly found out that the offer was $7,500 "for a buyout of any future royalties from the game - forever." Based off his spirited response, it sounds like Ware declined Rockstar's offer.

It's important to note that this is just one half of the story, and it's impossible to verify any of the details without seeing an actual contract proposition. More so, it's unclear if the alleged $7,500 is simply Ware's portion, since the song has multiple credits.

It's also unclear the purpose of the song (trailer, in-game radio, TV spot, etc.). That said, should these details be true, it stands to reason that Rockstar likely has a sliding scale when it comes to paying artists.



Over the years, GTA games have had the likes of Michael Jackson, Elton John and Dr. Dre, among other artists. $7,500 seems a little light for anyone of that caliber, so there's likely a scale in place. That's not to say that Ware isn't famous in his own right, having been part of two iconic groups.

Posted: Sep 11, 2024 7:14 pm
Related Forum: Grand Theft Auto Forum

Source: https://www.thegamer.com/artist-claims-rockstar-only-offered-7500-for-grand-theft-auto-6-song-rights/