Heaven 17 founder tells Rockstar ‘go f yourself’ over GTA 6 offer
The founder of synth-pop band Heaven 17 has a defiant response to Rockstar Games wanting to use one of his songs in GTA 6.
07th Sep 2024 19:15
Images via Rockstar Games
Heaven 17 founder tells Rockstar ‘go f yourself’ over GTA 6 offer
The founder of synth-pop band Heaven 17 has a defiant response to Rockstar Games wanting to use one of his songs in GTA 6.
07th Sep 2024 19:15
Images via Rockstar Games
Even though things might've gone a little quiet on the next Grand Theft Auto, we know GTA 6 is out there somewhere. Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive have downplayed concerns that the game will be delayed, locking in the next GTA for 2025.
You can't blame fans for getting a little twitchy, as we've only had one trailer (in December 2023), confirming rumours like a female protagonist and return to Vice City. Although there's plenty of buzz that a second trailer could soon be on the way, we know at least one song which won't be featured.
Heaven 17 co-founder tells Rockstar, 'Go f**k yourself
Despite the first GTA 6 trailer confirming we're heading to a modernised Vice City instead of the '80s setting from 2002's GTA: Vice City, we're expecting plenty of music from the era of big shoulder pads and Buck's Fizz. However, Heaven 17 co-founder Martyn Ware has a defiant message for Rockstar Games.
Known as a founder of both Heaven 17 and The Human League, you'll recognise the song "Temptation" from many '80s-themed nightclubs. Being asked to be on the GTA 6 soundtrack should be like all your Christmases coming at once, but posting on X, Ware has laughed off Rockstar's offer.
With GTA 6 already being touted as one of the most important gaming releases of all time, there's clearly plenty of money flying behind the scenes. Considering GTA V is the most profitable entertainment product of all time and has made around $8.5 billion, Ware isn't impressed with the $7,500 he was offered to use "Temptation" in the game.
It's unclear whether the song would be featured in the trailer or more substantially, but looking at how Tom Petty's "Love Is A Long Road" soared up the charts, it could've been a lucrative deal. Although the finer details are unclear, Ware seemingly suggests that the partnership means Rockstar would've owned all future royalties for the song.
The clearly enraged musician signed off his outraged tweet, saying, "Ah, but think of the exposure… Go f**k yourself." Even though we know licensing music for big games is a legal minefield, Ware is insulted by the minuscule offer of $7,500 he was reportedly offered. Hey, maybe Rockstar missed a nought (or two) off the end.
While GTA 6 is expected to have a stacked soundtrack of '80s hits, we're sorry that you won't be blasting "Temptation, (keep climbin' higher and higher) temptation, (adorable creatures) temptation" out of your car speakers as Jason and Lucia climb the slippery ladder of Vice City's criminal empires.
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Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
