How Video Game Soundtracks Can Change Artists' Lives
At the end of September, gamers got their hands on one of the world's most popular sports games: EA Sports FC.
It's the soccer game series that — until 2022 — was called FIFA, and it's loved by millions.
Many enjoy playing with friends or controlling their favorite team. But the game's music is also a big part of the experience.
This year's soundtrack includes 117 songs by artists from 27 countries. Some of the world's biggest stars, like Coldplay and Charli XCX, are on the list.
But there are also lots of less well-known artists, including Japanese rapper Jumadiba and Scottish singer Kaeto.
Getting music on the soundtrack can change artists' lives. In 2022, the UK band Glass Animals quickly became global stars after their song "Heat Waves" was included on the FIFA game soundtrack.
It became the most popular FIFA song of all time.
Glass Animals made money from the exposure FIFA gave them. But not all artists think video game companies offer a fair deal.
Recently, Martyn Ware, from the English band Heaven 17, said on X that he had turned down an offer from Rockstar Games to have the group's 1983 song "Temptation" on another game, Grand Theft Auto 6.
He said he and two of the other songwriters had been offered $22,500 between them.
Ware said this was much too low, especially because the Grand Theft Auto games make billions of dollars.
Less famous artists may get paid much less, but they know having their music on a big video game could help them get new fans.
