Martyn Ware blasts Rockstar's $7,500 buyout offer for 'GTA 6

Martyn Ware, co-founder of the British new wave band Heaven 17, has turned down an offer from Rockstar Games to license their 1983 hit Temptation for inclusion in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6. Ware called the deal “utterly unacceptable,” criticizing the game developer’s offer of a one-time $7,500 payment to each of the three songwriters, totaling $22,500, for lifetime rights to the song without future royalties.

Rockstar Games, known for curating popular music for its in-game radio stations, had approached Ware with the offer to use Temptation in GTA 6, set to be released in 2025 or possibly later, according to recent reports. Ware expressed frustration with the terms, particularly in light of the financial success of Grand Theft Auto 5, which has grossed around $8.6 billion. He tweeted his response, stating, "Go fuck yourself," to highlight his dissatisfaction.

Ware elaborated on his stance via social media, pointing out the disparity between the offer and the potential long-term value of the song’s inclusion in a franchise played by millions of users. "An extra 1 million streams generates each writer a pitiful $1k each,” he tweeted, dismissing the idea that exposure from the game could result in significant financial gain.

Musicians, including Ware, often reject low offers for licensing deals in hopes of securing more equitable compensation upfront rather than relying on uncertain future revenues.