Bronfman: Economics of music-based games don’t rock

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Despite strong sales of such music-based games as Guitar Hero and Rock Band, or maybe because of them, tensions are rising between record labels and video game publishers.

The labels get royalties for licensing their songs so Guitar Hero and Rock Band enthusiasts can jam along. Plus, the players often buy original versions of their favorites. But Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman and chief executive of Warner Music Group, has publicly complained that that’s not enough. And other music executives are quietly agreeing.

Read the full story for the game publishers’ response and more details about the economics of the popular games.

-- Chris Gaither