Comments on: To See the Future of the Recording Industry, Look to Pac-Man http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/ Tracking the Internet Evolution Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:26:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Ross Popoff-Walker http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-875934 Ross Popoff-Walker Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:13:28 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-875934 <p>I think the biggest strength of Rock Band is that it's a community with a built in platform: http://tinyurl.com/5e9far</p> I think the biggest strength of Rock Band is that it’s a community with a built in platform: (link)

]]> By: Games, Community and Music = Future of the Recording Industry http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-875933 Games, Community and Music = Future of the Recording Industry Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:12:07 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-875933 <p>[...] Back in January, GigaOm claimed this is because RockBand makes the whole DRM cotroversy a moot point... Games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Singstar take music beyond just the recording. This was the reasoning behind MTV’s purchase of Harmonix, and the subsequent release of Rock Band this holiday season. Marry this to Internet-connected consoles and storefronts like Microsoft’s XBox Live, and maybe music publishers can find ways to revitalize the musical experience. [...]</p> [...] Back in January, GigaOm claimed this is because RockBand makes the whole DRM cotroversy a moot point… Games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Singstar take music beyond just the recording. This was the reasoning behind MTV’s purchase of Harmonix, and the subsequent release of Rock Band this holiday season. Marry this to Internet-connected consoles and storefronts like Microsoft’s XBox Live, and maybe music publishers can find ways to revitalize the musical experience. [...]

]]> By: Uncle Indie You Rock Radio http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-864550 Uncle Indie You Rock Radio Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:04:48 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-864550 <p>There are a lot of opinions stated here on this blog. Very good ones, but you are missing some things. Having been directly involved in the Indie movement, the Internet, computer mainframes since 1979, radio, and currently creating a distribution vehicle the likes of which the world can not as of yet comprehend, I can tell you that there are going to be some big changes in the "industry," that is, the major label faction. They are going to tighten some screws, and trust me, Independent artists and the consumer will be very dumbfounded by what happens next.</p> <p>Having said that, from the home recording and Independent arena, I can tell you that these poor people are confused. They believe flopping Mp3's around the Internet is true distribution, I am telling you it is not. I have been unsuccessful in convincing them on a mass scale that this is true, however, through my most recent efforts at my station You Rock Radio, I have broken down some barriers. My recent show is testament to that, but you probably don't want me plugging, so I won't.</p> <p>What I can tell you is this, and this is me talking, it is my prediction. I believe, that in less than 10 years, the demand for QUALITY music will be so great that the major labels will not be able to supply that demand under their current doctrine. The reason is all that you mentioned in your article, which is a shining example of my point. Every electronic gizmo today plays music, and it is the MAIN marketing tool of EVERY new product from Automobiles to Zippo lighters!</p> <p>Unless the Independent field unites and comes to an organized methodology, they will allow the current regime to finally cap off the market and their lot will be left to boring websites and free downloads. Currently, there is no plan or strategy, and they will pay the cosequences very soon for lack of getting behind something in a united front.</p> <p>Most of you may not care... Now. But when the current industry once again dictates what you see and hear, with no diplomatic process or choice on your part other than which of "their" choices will you make, then people will understand what they have lost by not putting support behind this up and coming movement of highly talented people. And it will be a sad, sad day indeed.</p> <p>Support these artists, our future of choice depends on it!</p> There are a lot of opinions stated here on this blog. Very good ones, but you are missing some things. Having been directly involved in the Indie movement, the Internet, computer mainframes since 1979, radio, and currently creating a distribution vehicle the likes of which the world can not as of yet comprehend, I can tell you that there are going to be some big changes in the “industry,” that is, the major label faction. They are going to tighten some screws, and trust me, Independent artists and the consumer will be very dumbfounded by what happens next.

Having said that, from the home recording and Independent arena, I can tell you that these poor people are confused. They believe flopping Mp3’s around the Internet is true distribution, I am telling you it is not. I have been unsuccessful in convincing them on a mass scale that this is true, however, through my most recent efforts at my station You Rock Radio, I have broken down some barriers. My recent show is testament to that, but you probably don’t want me plugging, so I won’t.

What I can tell you is this, and this is me talking, it is my prediction. I believe, that in less than 10 years, the demand for QUALITY music will be so great that the major labels will not be able to supply that demand under their current doctrine. The reason is all that you mentioned in your article, which is a shining example of my point. Every electronic gizmo today plays music, and it is the MAIN marketing tool of EVERY new product from Automobiles to Zippo lighters!

Unless the Independent field unites and comes to an organized methodology, they will allow the current regime to finally cap off the market and their lot will be left to boring websites and free downloads. Currently, there is no plan or strategy, and they will pay the cosequences very soon for lack of getting behind something in a united front.

Most of you may not care… Now. But when the current industry once again dictates what you see and hear, with no diplomatic process or choice on your part other than which of “their” choices will you make, then people will understand what they have lost by not putting support behind this up and coming movement of highly talented people. And it will be a sad, sad day indeed.

Support these artists, our future of choice depends on it!

]]> By: Bitcurrent » Blog Archive » GigaOm writing for January and a Pipes feed http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-861644 Bitcurrent » Blog Archive » GigaOm writing for January and a Pipes feed Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:50:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-861644 <p>[...] To see the future of the recording industry, look to Pac-Man [...]</p> [...] To see the future of the recording industry, look to Pac-Man [...]

]]> By: carethics http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-850698 carethics Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:10:15 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-850698 <p>As content creators with a focus on new and emerging media, we understand the challenges surrounding the monetization ability of digital content. In this light the debate around protecting content from ‘unauthorised’ downloads / usage has intrigued me right from the beginning both as a consumer as well as a creator. While iTunes and more recently even sections of Bollywood have been able to sell DRM protected content and reaped moderate benefits, introducing the idea of ‘paid’ digital media to consumers, DRM implementation is still hobbled by lack of universal standards, high costs and overstated efficacy. As a pioneer in Short Form Content (SFC) business in India, we have evaluated DRM specifically in our context (SFC) as opposed to the holy grail of digital content. And we believe, A new medium needs a new idiom. The success of the quirky creative endeavors has been fuelled by a viral internet platform. The content creators allow (via their web sites / channels] users to carry (embed) their work and share it with the rest of the cyber world without paying a penny.</p> <p>This massive traffic and organized distribution has created new markets and made it easier to access the old ones. For some amateurs there may not be much after a short spate of viewership but a serialized, well marketed amateur video can evolve into a brand. I strongly feel Internet is a beautiful medium to help content travel to various markets and demographics. Instead of locking it down be prepared to re-purpose / re-orient your product to any distribution channels such as Mobile or even Print.</p> <p>(comments posted by: saurabh@phonethics.in)</p> As content creators with a focus on new and emerging media, we understand the challenges surrounding the monetization ability of digital content. In this light the debate around protecting content from ‘unauthorised’ downloads / usage has intrigued me right from the beginning both as a consumer as well as a creator.
While iTunes and more recently even sections of Bollywood have been able to sell DRM protected content and reaped moderate benefits, introducing the idea of ‘paid’ digital media to consumers, DRM implementation is still hobbled by lack of universal standards, high costs and overstated efficacy. As a pioneer in Short Form Content (SFC) business in India, we have evaluated DRM specifically in our context (SFC) as opposed to the holy grail of digital content. And we believe, A new medium needs a new idiom. The success of the quirky creative endeavors has been fuelled by a viral internet platform. The content creators allow (via their web sites / channels] users to carry (embed) their work and share it with the rest of the cyber world without paying a penny.

This massive traffic and organized distribution has created new markets and made it easier to access the old ones. For some amateurs there may not be much after a short spate of viewership but a serialized, well marketed amateur video can evolve into a brand. I strongly feel Internet is a beautiful medium to help content travel to various markets and demographics. Instead of locking it down be prepared to re-purpose / re-orient your product to any distribution channels such as Mobile or even Print.

(comments posted by: saurabh@phonethics.in)

]]> By: michaelportent http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-838272 michaelportent Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:57:16 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-838272 <p>Honestly, I hope you're wrong, David. Merch and Live Events are currently the way artists on major labels make their money. It would be sad to see the artists gain some headway in actually making money off the music, only to lose their ground on the merch and live event sales.</p> <p>I don't give a damn about the greedy labels, let them wallow and crumble in a pit of their own making.</p> Honestly, I hope you’re wrong, David. Merch and Live Events are currently the way artists on major labels make their money. It would be sad to see the artists gain some headway in actually making money off the music, only to lose their ground on the merch and live event sales.

I don’t give a damn about the greedy labels, let them wallow and crumble in a pit of their own making.

]]> By: David Mullings http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-837847 David Mullings Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:58:55 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-837847 <p>As a gamer and someone with connections to the music industry I must second the opinions that the labels have been greedy and have not focused on the 'experience' connected to music.</p> <p>Your videogame analogy was excellent and spot-on.</p> <p>If the labels were to lower the cost of music, they would be able to sell more because of the value proposition. Consumers cannot help but compare the cost of CDs to the cost of Movies and other media.</p> <p>Lastly, labels will transform into companies that manage the experience - live events, merchandise, etc.</p> As a gamer and someone with connections to the music industry I must second the opinions that the labels have been greedy and have not focused on the ‘experience’ connected to music.

Your videogame analogy was excellent and spot-on.

If the labels were to lower the cost of music, they would be able to sell more because of the value proposition. Consumers cannot help but compare the cost of CDs to the cost of Movies and other media.

Lastly, labels will transform into companies that manage the experience - live events, merchandise, etc.

]]> By: thehandsomedevil http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-836408 thehandsomedevil Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:24:46 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-836408 <p>Nice post, if you have a chance take a minute to read the previous poster's blog post on RCRD LBL here: http://tinyurl.com/348wh3</p> Nice post, if you have a chance take a minute to read the previous poster’s blog post on RCRD LBL here: (link)

]]> By: How not to think about Video Online « Gordon Mattey’s Blog http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-835614 How not to think about Video Online « Gordon Mattey’s Blog Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:13:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-835614 <p>[...] the music industry, DRM (anti-piracy tech) is now irrelevant as it only protects a fraction of the music experience and limits exposure of bands. Revolutionaries like RCRD LBL are giving away music for free. Beyond [...]</p> [...] the music industry, DRM (anti-piracy tech) is now irrelevant as it only protects a fraction of the music experience and limits exposure of bands. Revolutionaries like RCRD LBL are giving away music for free. Beyond [...]

]]> By: The Mad Reader http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834602 The Mad Reader Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:36:49 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834602 <p>I have dabbled a bit with the "easy-to-use software that makes everyone an instant engineer" and, as JB put it, it is in no way as good as the real stuff. It's OK for fun mixing and, in my case, turning one-off LPs into a near CD-quality compilations for a family who recently lost their musician-grandfather. They loved it of course, but it was not a masterpiece by any means.</p> I have dabbled a bit with the “easy-to-use software that makes everyone an instant engineer” and, as JB put it, it is in no way as good as the real stuff. It’s OK for fun mixing and, in my case, turning one-off LPs into a near CD-quality compilations for a family who recently lost their musician-grandfather. They loved it of course, but it was not a masterpiece by any means.

]]> By: links for 2008-01-08 at The New Reader http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834368 links for 2008-01-08 at The New Reader Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:24:02 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834368 <p>[...] To See the Future of the Recording Industry, Look to Pac-Man - GigaOM (tags: media music videogames publishing) [...]</p> [...] To See the Future of the Recording Industry, Look to Pac-Man - GigaOM (tags: media music videogames publishing) [...]

]]> By: Kaiyzen http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834177 Kaiyzen Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:40:18 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-834177 <p>Its great to see a tech blog writer actually contribute a point of view that is actually on point for once.</p> <p>You have are pretty correct that it is about the experience that is being sold and not just the songs. One thing you didnt really touch on that I thought you would is the packaging and artwork aspect. It follows right in line with your arcade games analogy coming in "better packaging" with a motorcycle to ride or whatever. The packaging and artowork aspect that goes along with the songs is what will help a handfull of artists maintain their vision and not just rely on single iTunes purchase and ring tone sales for revenue.</p> <p>This still doesnt have too much effect on the top tier pop performers.., but those artists that try to focus more on the total experience will always continue to win fans over.</p> Its great to see a tech blog writer actually contribute a point of view that is actually on point for once.

You have are pretty correct that it is about the experience that is being sold and not just the songs. One thing you didnt really touch on that I thought you would is the packaging and artwork aspect. It follows right in line with your arcade games analogy coming in “better packaging” with a motorcycle to ride or whatever. The packaging and artowork aspect that goes along with the songs is what will help a handfull of artists maintain their vision and not just rely on single iTunes purchase and ring tone sales for revenue.

This still doesnt have too much effect on the top tier pop performers.., but those artists that try to focus more on the total experience will always continue to win fans over.

]]> By: Zachary http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833727 Zachary Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:02:43 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833727 <p>We created a SquidNote group get-well card for Om Malik and I'd like you to sign it too. Click this link to add your message.</p> <p>http://squidnote.com/c/m7VpDLvvhD9?m=c</p> <p>Please sign it right away. The card is going out on Tuesday, Jan 8 @ 5pm, CST.</p> We created a SquidNote group get-well card for Om Malik and I’d like you to sign it too. Click this link to add your message.

(link)

Please sign it right away. The card is going out on Tuesday, Jan 8 @ 5pm, CST.

]]> By: Karl Lehenbauer http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833686 Karl Lehenbauer Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:47:24 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833686 <p>You used to be able to play audio at home, but not video. Radio. Records. That was a technological limitation, and that time has passed.</p> <p>Now that movies cost $20, who wants to pay $20 for a CD? Movie prices dropped from as high as $200 to being rarely over $25, and that industry has thrived.</p> <p>A lot of the record industry's woes are self-inflicted -- for instance, to raising prices at all times regardless of the ever-decreasing costs of the underlying technology.</p> You used to be able to play audio at home, but not video. Radio. Records. That was a technological limitation, and that time has passed.

Now that movies cost $20, who wants to pay $20 for a CD? Movie prices dropped from as high as $200 to being rarely over $25, and that industry has thrived.

A lot of the record industry’s woes are self-inflicted — for instance, to raising prices at all times regardless of the ever-decreasing costs of the underlying technology.

]]> By: mjgraves http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833403 mjgraves Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:36:42 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-833403 <p>Consider also as a parallel the evolution from payphones to cell phones.</p> <p>Michael</p> Consider also as a parallel the evolution from payphones to cell phones.

Michael

]]> By: Jose Miguel Cansado http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-832601 Jose Miguel Cansado Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:53:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2008/01/07/what-the-video-arcade-tells-us-about-the-recording-industry/#comment-832601 <p>Alistair, very good analogy with video games. Definitively the music industry is transforming, and the death of DRM just illustrates that.</p> <p>As you mention improving the experience is part of the game, and we can predict that Live performenaces will now take a bigger role in artist's agendas.</p> <p>http://tech-talk.biz/2007/12/25/how-will-music-industry-survive-internet/</p> <p>http://tech-talk.biz/2008/01/07/music-drm-is-dead/</p> <p>This post from Seth Godin's blog provides a lesson- learnt from the music industry</p> <p>http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/01/music-lessons.html</p> Alistair, very good analogy with video games.
Definitively the music industry is transforming, and the death of DRM just illustrates that.

As you mention improving the experience is part of the game, and we can predict that Live performenaces will now take a bigger role in artist’s agendas.

(link)

(link)

This post from Seth Godin’s blog provides a lesson- learnt from the music industry

(link)

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