Laced Records: Gaming Companies Are Missing Out on Revenue from Their Soundtracks

The demand for video game music is on the rise, with established labels like Laced Records catering to this growing market. Founded by CEO Danny Kelleher in 2015, Laced Records has worked on nearly 80 IPs across 250 releases, with clients including Devolver, Bethesda, Capcom, Sega, Ubisoft, and Bandai Namco. The company's record label is in high demand, having recently partnered with Remedy to release the Alan Wake 2 soundtrack, which was released on May 13 to coincide with the franchise's 14th anniversary. The soundtrack features Petri Alanko's original score, as well as in-game songs performed by singer-songwriter Poe and Martti Suosalo. Laced Records has seen increased demand for physical content, with sales varying greatly between AAA and indie titles. However, the company has found that some indie games can compete with AAA titles in terms of sales, citing examples such as Inscryption and Cult of the Lamb. Kelleher emphasizes the importance of working with indie developers, stating that Laced Records wants to maintain a balance between clients and not neglect the indie market. The company also aims to strike a balance between physical and digital releases, with physical media remaining popular among collectors and digital releases providing additional benefits for developers. Laced Records has expanded its range of audio services, including music composition, licensing, sound design, and implementation, as well as finding composers and artists for games. However, the current wave of layoffs and studio closures has affected this aspect of the business. The company has also set up a publishing business to register music copyrights on behalf of its clients and collect mechanical and performance royalties. Laced Records is also exploring the traditional gaming merchandise market, having partnered with Devolver to design, manufacture, and sell merchandise. The company's main focus for the future is to streamline its business and manage its various departments more effectively. Kelleher is passionate about the success of video game music as a medium, citing the recent Games Music Festival and the Final Symphony concert as examples of the growing interest in this area.