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.
