Martyn Ware, co-founder of the British new wave band Heaven 17, recently made headlines with a bold decision. The band turned down an offer from Rockstar Games to include their hit song “Temptation” in Grand Theft Auto 6. The offer? $22,500 for the rights to use the song indefinitely, split among the three songwriters.
Ware’s reaction was blunt: “Go fuck yourself.” His frustration stems from the fact that Grand Theft Auto V reportedly raked in around $8.6 billion in gross revenue. Given the massive success of the franchise, Ware felt the offer was far too low, especially considering the indefinite rights Rockstar was requesting.
The decision to reject the offer highlights a common dilemma in the music industry. Many artists are faced with the choice between a guaranteed upfront payment or the potential for future royalties. For Ware and Heaven 17, the risk of receiving no further compensation if the song gains popularity through the game wasn’t worth it.
Ware’s stance is rooted in a desire for fair compensation. He wasn’t willing to gamble on future exposure potentially leading to financial gain, especially when the upfront offer didn’t seem to reflect the song’s true value.
To our fellow composers and artists: Would you have accepted this offer or held out for something better?