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Sound decisions: EA on iTunes, Warner nabs Halo

Electronic Arts puts parts of its music catalog on Apple's store; Warner Music buys publishing rights to Microsoft's game tunes.

Whether it's carefully putting together a soundtrack of appropriate licensed songs or composing a unique score, the effort going into a game's music has moved well beyond simple blips and beeps. Game makers and musicians clearly see the opportunity to make some serious green off game music, as evidenced by two big moves made recently.

Today, Electronic Arts, the world's largest game publisher, announced that it is teaming up with Apple to sell its catalog of soundtracks on iTunes. Licensed music from franchises such as Madden NFL, Need for Speed, and SSX are now up on the music download service, and EA promises more in the future.

Among the songs available is the retail debut of Snoop Dogg's remix of the Doors' "Riders on the Storm," which was featured in Need for Speed Underground. A list of soundtracks available on iTunes can be found at the EA Trax Web site.

EA also makes games for iPods, which are also available through iTunes, and has expressed interest in developing titles for the upcoming iPhone.

Not to be outdone, Warner/Chappell Music has signed a deal with Microsoft for the publishing rights to the software giant's portfolio of game music, including Marty O'Donnell's scores from the Halo games.

"We have developed a large library of video game music and are excited to make it available for placement beyond games," said Ed Ventura, senior director of the franchise development group in Microsoft's interactive entertainment division.

The deal covers thousands of pieces of music, including arrangements from the games Age of Empires, Kameo: Elements of Power, and Fable. The agreement also covers forthcoming games published by Microsoft, including Halo 3.

31 Comments

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 1:14 pm GMT

    I hate ITunes, mainly because I just hate Apple in general. But that's besides the point. It's almost becoming like Microsoft has become for operating systems, it doesn't matter if you don't like it you have to use it sometime. So I will end up using ITunes to get soundtracks anyway *sigh*.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 12:00 pm GMT

    Good to see the soundtracks getting their due.

    I wouldn't mind hearing or seeing that orchestral concert that tours the world playing top video game scores. If somebody put that on DVD or CD, I would certainly buy it.

  • Dryker

    Posted Mar 3, 2007 1:34 pm GMT

    For those confused... Warner is "PUBLISHING" Microsoft's music, NOT making Microsoft's music.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 2:08 pm GMT

    awesome

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 10:29 am GMT

    Halo soundtracks are awesome.....8)

  • gmax Site Greeter

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 9:50 am GMT

    This was inevitable. It's only surprising it took this long.

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 8:21 am GMT

    Cool. I won't buy them, but it's cool.

  • imprezawrx500

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:30 pm GMT

    cool, ea games have some great music

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 3:09 pm GMT

    Warner Music doesn't seem like a company fit to make music for Microsoft.

  • DarknessKilla

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 2:07 pm GMT

    Meh....

  • ruttness

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 2:01 pm GMT

    groovy. now if we can just get all the nintendo soundtracks on there.

  • gwilo007

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 1:54 pm GMT

    'sounds' good... hahahahaaa!!!

  • Lightchaos-20693173927190915074555969291770

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 1:51 pm GMT

    cool its on iTunes!

  • the-very-best

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 1:46 pm GMT

    EA manage to get in the news every week. It's amazing how big this company has become.

  • WESLY_SNYPES

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 1:29 pm GMT

    I loved that Snoop Dogg Remix.

  • makemeweak

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 1:00 pm GMT

    Not really interested...

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:57 pm GMT

    i loved the music from kameo and fable. i'll get it probably. i already own halo soundtracks though so i'll skip that part. They better not relase the songs from the game yet (halo3) because i don't want to play listening to something i heard already

  • PackersRock

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:50 pm GMT

    *yawn*. If I want to hear the music, I'll just play the games.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:38 pm GMT

    cool

  • gmayronne

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:37 pm GMT

    EA is a bunch of bloodsuckers, they are losing fans daily with this greedy gotta have everything attitude

  • GFofgaming

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:34 pm GMT

    Great.

  • rogue48

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:20 pm GMT

    most of ea titles music has been released under the actual artist. give them the money not ea!!!!!

  • Smoov_B

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:12 pm GMT

    Apparently Sydwynder was really excited to be first

    I don't get it though. Is this EA exclusive music? Most of their stuff is just licensed anyway. Stuff that was previously released. Why do I need EA to say it's OK I buy a song that was released last year?

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:09 pm GMT

    Wow, syd... not only are you first... but you're also second AND third! Way to go, champ! lol.

    Anyway, I'm all for games having decent music, but I'm far from the point of paying for it and listening to it in my car or something, y'know?

  • adultgamer77

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:09 pm GMT

    Damn they tricked me...I thought this would of been some Halo movie news, but I guess this is still a look in the right direction when it comes to gaming. I hope they put it on Y! Unlimited as well.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:04 pm GMT

    How about the movie? C'mon Warner!

  • anarchicgoth

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:33 am GMT

    lol fighting over the music in games! I got dibs on Mario Brothers!!!

  • dukerav

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:28 am GMT

    When I saw the title of this article "Warner nabs Halo", I thought it was about the Halo movie

  • Sydwynder

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:25 am GMT

    Will the Halo music still be available on itunes? wow never been first

  • Sydwynder

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:24 am GMT

    Will the Halo music still be available on itunes? wow never been first

  • Sydwynder

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 11:23 am GMT

    Will the Halo music still be available on itunes? wow never been first

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