I have an idea for a game that features a well known heavy metal band. Not just their music but the musicians themselves in the game, however it’s not a music game.
I’m not going to go in to all the details, but should I even try to pursue this? Should I get in touch with their management? I’m thinking of a royalty share type deal but that’s probably not how these things work.
Anyone have any experience with anything similar?
If by “even try to pursue” you mean ask try and talk with them about it, then absolutely. The worst they can say is “No”, in which case you move on to a different project.
Very true. I suppose an email to their management wouldn’t hurt.
I think it could help to have a basic prototype as well. You said it isn’t a music game, so you can build a base game with just generic props to help convey your idea. If they decline then you can just re-purpose the prototype to another game, but it at least helps to give the impression you are serious about your inquiry and not someone asking to use them / their IP only to disappear.
Yeah that’s true. I’ve been playing around with a prototype, so I might just add a little more polish before I contact them.
You might be crazy. But you might be the cool kind of crazy.
If you have a spare 10 grand maybe they’ll sell you the rights to use their image under certain conditions like final refusal on the release of the game.
On the other hand maybe you should target a less indie famous band they might let you do it for free as it’s free publicity for them. They might even give you their songs to put on it.
How about call B*witched? They might even pay you £10.
10k? lol
I wouldn’t license jack for that, let alone a band.
For 10k you could probably hire them to do a voice over. 10k for a days work. Nice. Personally I wouldn’t get out of bed for under 100k.
If you think about it to get a number one single is about 10k sales. And maybe they get 1$ per sale. So even number one selling artists don’t really earn that much and they make money from licensing. They will license to pretty much anyone who will pay. It’s better to license to 10 developers who will pay 10k. Why don’t you license 50 cent the rapper. He’s broke. He needs the money.
Sources: made up out of my head.
Yes, I think. No, wait. What was the question?
Gigi
If the band is well known then I’m willing to bet they wouldn’t either.
You’d be surprised how little some bands get paid. All their living expenses get taken out of their salaries. So even though they are put up in 5 star hotels, by the end of the year they may not get paid very much. It’s these “little” 10k deals here and there that can make all the difference!
*Well-known?
They may only see a small portion, but I doubt he would be interacting with the members directly.
Good point.
If I was management for a famous heavy metal band, and a game developer came to me wanting to make a game using my band’s likeness, the first thing I’d ask is “Can I see a portfolio of other games your company has released”.
Why, because they will want to be associated with quality, and success.
If you haven’t released any high profile, successful games, that have been played by millions of players, chances are they won’t be happy associating themselves with you or your company.
Another factor to consider in these waters is the record company who owns the rights to the music. While you say your game has nothing to do with music, the record company may have a certain interest in retaining the rights to the use and likeness of each band member. and unless you are a well established company (with above mentioned portfolio), chances are they won’t even respond.
But hey, its worth a shot.
Have you seen some of the crap that Elvis has his face on? What about the Spice Girls?
Depending on your studio size and history. If you have a good track record of popular games, then approach a big band. Approach a few of them.
If not there are just as many local garage bands that work bars as there are indie developers. Spam them until you get a bite. For some of these guys any publicity is good publicity.
I am somewhat curious as to the game design that requires an actual band, but not their music.
All absolutely true, but since it costs nothing to ask then I still think the worst case outcome is benign enough that it’s worth a shot.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I still think I’m a bit crazy. My company has games on Steam, mobile & will have PS4/Vita and Xbox One releases soon.
The game needs the specific band to work, another band wouldn’t work for the context of the game
It could require their music but it isn’t a music game. Think Wu Tang: Shaolin Style.