The Temptation of Fair Compensation: Martyn Ware vs Rockstar Games

The recent dispute between Martyn Ware of the iconic 80s band Heaven 17 and Rockstar Games over the use of the 1983 hit Temptation in Grand Theft Auto 6 brings to light some deep-rooted issues in how artists are compensated for their creative work.

Ware was approached with an offer of $7,500 for the use of Heaven 17’s track Temptation in GTA 6. Divided among three co-writers, the total sum of $22,500 seems minuscule when compared to the $8.6 billion GTA V grossed. Ware's frustration is palpable. Even more offensive is that this would have been a permanent buyout, meaning Ware and his fellow songwriters would see no further earnings as GTA 6 continues to rake in profits.

IT WAS $7500 - for a buyout of any future royalties from the game - forever…

To put this in context, Grand Theft Auto 6 grossed, wait for it…

$8.6 BILLION

Ah, but think of the exposure…

Go fuck yourself

— Martyn Ware 🦉 (@martynware) September 7, 2024

The argument of exposure leading to greater royalties through streaming is a weak one. Ware himself pointed out that even if Temptation garnered an extra million streams due to its inclusion in the game, it would only translate to around $1,000 per songwriter—an amount that’s almost insulting when you consider the scale of GTA’s success​.

The crux of the problem lies in the structure of sync deals—agreements that allow music to be used in media like video games, films, and TV shows. These deals can vary wildly, with no clear benchmark for what constitutes fair compensation. As Alex Tarrand, a sync licensing expert, noted, there’s no transparency in the industry. Fees for music can range from a few thousand dollars for indie tracks to millions for major artists. Without transparency, both sides are left guessing, often leading to situations like this, where one side feels massively undervalued.

What’s clear from this situation is that the industry’s approach to licensing music needs an overhaul. Games like GTA are defined by their soundtracks, yet the people behind the music often get the short end of the stick. This dispute should serve as a wake-up call for both artists and companies. It’s time we acknowledge that music in games is not a mere afterthought—it’s a fundamental part of the storytelling experience. Musicians like Ware, who have contributed to shaping pop culture, deserve more than token payments in exchange for lifetime rights to their work.