It was surprising to see a record label emerge from a video game maker a couple of years ago when EA launched their own record label. It’s equally interesting to see how new music based video games such as “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero” are driving digital downloads. In just two months since “Rock Band” was released, 2.5 million additional songs have been downloaded. Similarly, “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock” has sold over 5 million songs since November. According to Reuters:
The original “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero” games shipped with more than 50 licensed songs each, a mix of master recordings and covers. Since then, “Rock Band” has made new music available every week as either singles or in three-pack bundles that can be added as new playable levels for between 99 cents and $5.50. “Guitar Hero III” did the same, focusing on three-song bundles of new music and music featured in previous versions of the game.
As for which console is responsible for all the downloading, specific numbers have not been made available, but apparently the majority of downloads have been attributed to the Xbox. But bare in mind that the Xbox also sold about three times as many units as PlayStation 3.
While it’s unclear just how much of that profit is trickling down to the artists, MTV did announce that their Metallica three-pack of “Ride the Lightning,” “Blackened” and “And Justice for All” is the best-selling “Rock Band” download. We’re not quite sure how to react to this. Ironic?
Reuters: “Rock Band,” “Guitar Hero” drive digital song sales
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