Why the Music Industry Hates Guitar Hero

In Jeff Howe’s Why the Music Industry Hates Guitar Hero, he shows the need for change in the relationship between the music industry and music videogame companies. He explains that music videogames have become an industry of their own by pulling in over $2.3 billion in the last three years. He also explains that the music industry, specifically Edgar Bronfman who is the CEO of the Warner Music Group has been fighting this newfound industry to attain more money that they believe they are owed for the usage of their licensed music. It is clear that this article is overall aimed at consumers-those who actually purchase and use things such as the games in question and who also purchase music. It is aimed at them to show and explain to consumers the problem and the possible solutions for this war of sorts that is currently occurring between the two industries.

Howe begins the article by making a clear presentation of the problem at hand and presenting his argument that this war is “a fight that no one can win”. He goes on to back his argument by making a comparison. He compares this situation to what happened with Hollywood and the VCR years ago, a comparison that the audience (tech savvy consumers who read the magazine Wired, that this article is featured in) will understand and be able to relate to. He then goes on to suggest a potential solution-that the music videogames use cover version of songs from the Warner catalog. However, he explains that CEO Bronfman has already blocked this potential move out of fear that there will be a repeat of when the record labels “got ripped off when MTV was sold in 1985” and then again when Apple denied them control over pricing on iTunes. He goes on to show that Bronfman’s feelings on the issue can be understood by making a comparison to how the football league collects 30 percent of gross revenue on Electronic Art’s Madden NFL (another comparison that readers will surely be able to relate to). From here, he takes his final stance explaining, “there’s better money to be made by playing together” and proposes his potential solution. He does this by giving a fairly detailed explanation of what he has in mind and backing it up with an example of a case study.

Overall, he explains and makes it clear that this suggested reinvention would stop “petty haggling over fees” and bring the music industry in to this century. He brings the reader in by showing how important it is for a change between the two industries and backs it up with relatable examples and scenarios. He brings it together by providing a possible and reasonable solution, with information and a relatable case study to back it up. Howe did an excellent job with this article.