Music and dance game sales up 80% in the US

by Blake Snow { Jan 16th 2007 at 1:15AM }

Reuters explores the close and growing ties of commercial music in video games not to mention the rise in popularity of music- and dance-related titles in the US.

The general consensus and experience by many American musicians is that being featured on a game soundtrack can do more for their bottom line than most mainstream press can. "To be featured in a video game is probably the greatest way to reach a large audience right now," said former Jane's Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, Dave Navarro. Both Ludacris and Dan "The Automator" also attest to the positive effects of in-game music on their respective careers.

More interesting from the article, perhaps, is the fact that according to recent NPD data, music and dance games grew by 80% over last year in the US despite making up only a small percentage of the total. "I'm turning Japanese. I think I'm turning Japanese. I really think so." Well, not exactly. Reuters reminds us that music-based games and in-game soundtracks are no where near as popular in the US as they are in Japan; the country is host to crowd-packing Final Fantasy concerts on a regular basis. Insane.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Koloblican @ Jan 16th 2007 6:48PM

I would see a FF concert if I had the chance. Naobo (I think thats how you spell it _>) is one of my favorite composers. His music is beautiful. I unfortunatly dont have any music games but they are suprisingly fun, like Luminous.

Probot @ Jan 16th 2007 1:44AM

"More interesting from the article, perhaps, is the fact that according to recent NPD data, music and dance games grew by 80% over last year in the US despite making up only a small percentage of the total."

I'm sure that's technically true, but I'd bet Guitar Hero (and the sequel) are bringing up the average for the entire genre.

As for game soundtracks helping musicians, I can think of a good handful of bands that I first heard on various Tony Hawk games.

Tim @ Jan 16th 2007 1:44AM

Two Words: Guitar Hero.

alexanderwales @ Jan 16th 2007 2:12AM

So why do videogame makers still have to pay the original content creators? It's not like having your song in a videogame is going to make fewer people buy your song, even if the song sucks.

Hell, the "Mad World" commercial spiked sales of that song long after it was out of the spotlight.

Cold-hearted bastard @ Jan 16th 2007 2:48AM

Yeah, it's all Guitar Hero. I seriously doubt the spike is due to a sudden interest in Donkey Konga.

Paul Draper Music @ Jan 16th 2007 3:55AM

Hey I've got donkey konga (somewhere), I dusted off the bongos the other day but never got round to playing it (well my cube is permenantly retired for my xbox360 now; so roll on Guitar Hero).

jchensor @ Jan 16th 2007 4:21AM

Seems almost topical and nicely timed with my multi-part article about rhythm games on my blog. Pardon the shameless plug, but click on my name to check out the first three parts (next part should be coming soon, as soon as work and "24" stops eating up my time... ^_^).

s256 @ Jan 16th 2007 7:14AM

The world needs more difficult rhythm games.

Wait, I mean the world needs to play the more difficult rhythm games.

Passing difficult songs on IIDX will give you a rush like you wouldn't believe.. and that Full Combo effect.. your first AAA.

Music games should all be about SCORING. You achieve your goals and feel a sense of accomplishment!

One to five stars is okay, but AAA's take so much more practice and, as a result, are more fun to get.

It's so much harder to fail in Guitar Hero.

Well, I spent like 5 minutes on this randomly typing, so I'll post it anyway.