Mixtape publisher addresses delisting concerns as debate over game design continues

Annapurna says Mixtape music licences are permanent as debate over gameplay and reviews continues

Annapurna Interactive has responded to concerns that music licences tied to Mixtape could eventually force the game to be removed from digital storefronts, saying reports of expiring rights are inaccurate.

The coming-of-age title from developer Beethoven and Dinosaur launched on May 7 2026 for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Featuring licensed tracks from artists including Devo and The Smashing Pumpkins, the game has received strong review scores from critics while also becoming the subject of debate online.

Creative director Johnny Galvatron told Kotaku that the studio paid additional costs to secure music licences for the game in perpetuity.

Annapurna later reinforced the point in a statement posted on X.

We heard some people say MIXTAPE would be delisted due to music licenses expiring.

That was a lie.

Have a great weekend, everyone. https://t.co/C3VesfWPpz

— Annapurna Interactive (@A_i) May 16, 2026

The clarification followed comparisons to previous games that lost songs or were removed from sale after licensing agreements expired.

Examples referenced by players included Rock Band 4, Alan Wake and Grand Theft Auto 4, which replaced some music tracks after licences ended.

Galvatron also revealed that the team attempted to secure music from Pink Floyd during development, although the request did not progress. He added that most artists approached by the studio approved the game’s use of their songs.

Alongside praise from reviewers, Mixtape has faced criticism from some players over its three-hour runtime and limited fail states. Online discussions have also questioned whether the title functions more as an “interactive movie” than a traditional video game.

The game’s use of licensed music and backing from publisher Annapurna Interactive has also fuelled debate online about what qualifies as an independent game studio. Despite the criticism, Mixtape remains one of the year’s highest-reviewed releases.