I’ve read plenty of news over the last few months regarding the future of the music industry. It’s interesting to see how many different opinions of how it’s all going to shake out there actually are, and by smart people.
The other night, I was playing RockBand with some folks from work, and I realized that one opinion above the others may be right. I think the nerds/gamers/slackers are going to save music. Here’s why:
One strong opinion is that record companies are going to have to move past the MP3 and the CD as their tangible asset. I couldn’t agree more, but when it comes to music, the only thing next was video, and that’s been done on DVDs (quite successfully) for years now. So that wasn’t anything new. I think RockBand/Guitar Hero solve that problem.
I remember just how much fun I was having, rocking out with my friends to tunes that I may or may not have been interested in had I been in a different environment. Why was I having fun? Because these music games are interactive, immersive, and addicting.
Songs are being sold for $1.99 over the PSN and Xbox Live Platforms. It’s basically the track plus some code that sits on top of the framework. Probably an additional $50,000 in development per track. Selling these tracks at double the price of iTunes, the lables are able to make more money, the artist get’s more money, and the consumer ultimately wins.
Interactivity is the future of the record industry, whether it’s in games like these, or other technological advances that make it easier and more satisfying to enjoy music.
1 response so far ↓
1 Zach O. // Sep 17, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I would have to agree with Sean and say that it will help but not save. If anything myspace, purevolume and virb have helped small indie bands get found out faster. Joesph does have a great point about getting music on TV too. Look at The Hills. That show now shows you the artist and song being played throughout the show. I think the record company has been spoiled with everyone buying the CDs and now they complaining because they can’t make as much as they used to. The record biz is about distribution and now small indie labels and bands can do it themselves and not rely on the “death star” record labels.
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