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Activision's CEO thinks maybe music industry should pay them for music licenses photo

In response to Warner Music CEO Edgar Bronfman's notion that videogame companies may not be paying enough for licensed music, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick bites back. 

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kotick takes off the gloves and calls the comments not "respectful of how much we've done to bring new audiences into the market." 

"When you look at the impact it can have on an Aerosmith, Van Halen, or Metallica," he says, "it's really significant, so much so that you sort of question whether or not, in the case of those kinds of products, you should be paying any money at all and whether it should be the reverse."

Damn, Kotick -- way to bust out the pimp hand, son. In support of his assertion, the CEO notes the fat sacks of cash the recent Guitar Hero: Aerosmith had made for the aging rockers.

You know, now that I think about it, maybe Activision Blizzard should be paying us for playing their games, God damn it. OK, that doesn't make any sense -- but these bill collectors won't stop calling and I'm totally desperate.

[Via Gamasutra]








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11 comments | showing # 1 to 11
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John B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 14:26
John B
I absolutely agree several bands have admitted that their sales have jumped incredibly since being put on Rock Band/Guitar Hero. If anything Activision should be charging the studios some advertising rates. I know that I've purchased songs that I never would have purchased before because I didn't even know about the song until I played the game. Sounds like advertising to me!

And now that Warner is starting to be a bunch of cocks by saying that they're going to increase their licensing rate to any rhythm game, that's even more opportunity for lesser known bands to get some advertisements via rhythm games.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 14:39
Darren Nakamura
Oh snap! I kind of agree though. What John B said.
nanowerx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 14:46
nanowerx
Activision didnt do shit to revitalize the music industry....sorry, Harmonix got the ball rolling on that one, they just whored out a name. Then they want the music industry to pay them? They are quite greedy and it shows
falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 14:47
falinter
I've been thinking this since Guitar Hero Rock the 80's
John B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 14:59
John B
@nanowerx:

And the studios aren't?? As I mentioned, Activision has already said that they're going to raise their rates to license their artists to rhythm games. Is that not greedy as well? Don't just accuse Activision of greed when there's more than enough to go around.

Meanwhile, struggling bands who would love to give their music to Activision/EA for free (and who deserve the advertising) are being ignored.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 15:28
Syn
*ring*
"Where you at bitch!?"

I'm out makin' yo money!

"That's right grandma!"
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 15:57
CelicaCrazed
Actually I'm sure that they could pull off charging bands to put their music in the game. They may loose out on some of the older bands but I think the game could help out some indie bands and provide a more varied sound.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 16:06
Syn
It would totally ruin any hopes of the games getting any good music. Only the mainstream bands would be able to afford it. Leaving bands that don't make music videos or get radio play out. Not cool.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 16:19
gamadaya
Given that Guitar Hero relies exclusively on licensed songs to exist, while music labels only marginally rely on Guitar Hero, I think Bronfman can safely tell Kotick to go fuck himself.
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/26/2008 16:54
Maurice Tan
I think upcoming bands should totally get free DLC on XBL/PSN for promotion. I mean, why not?
Chuzzle's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2008 09:59
Chuzzle
@MotoRobo

I'm sure EA would love to know their title and DLC is helping cover the cost of the competitions' game.
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