Ubisoft is partnering with HitRecord, a creative collaboration platform headed by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to invite fans to create their own custom music for Watch Dogs Legion.
HitRecord lets users upload user-created content like short films and music, and then other community members can remix it or collaborate with the original artist to make something new.
Ubisoft is looking for songs that fit into genres like rock, hip-hop, electronica, pop, metal, and punk. 10 original songs will be chosen, and $2,000 will be payed out to all involved contributors. If you’re interested in competing, head here.
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This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has partnered with HitRecord. Last year, Ubisoft announced that it would do the same for Beyond Good & Evil 2. For that particular project, fans were invited to create user-created content like artwork and music that could be featured in the final game.
Despite the enthusiasm from both Ubisoft and HitRecord, there’s been some backlash about the project from game developers who call this type of collaboration “speculative work.” This term is used when someone works for free in hopes of getting paid for it, but without any guarantee. Some find this potentially exploitative, since it Ubisoft and HitRecord are only paying winning contributors.
For example, developers like Mike Bithell (John Wick Hex, Thomas Was Alone) and co-creator of indie studio Vlambeer Rami Ismail took to Twitter to voice their concerns.
This sucks. Pay people for their labour. Stop exploiting fans and hobbyists, while devaluing the work of those with the gall to actually expect consistent payment for work done. Do better Ubi, we’re counting on you. #nospechttps://t.co/4GZ1tiII0O
— Mike Bithell (@mikeBithell) July 13, 2019
I am still not a fan of what read as “spec work under a proprietary open non-exclusive license” model, & prefer the “pay someone to browse SoundCloud to find cool music for which you then talk to the creator & pay them too”. https://t.co/kMY3OEqtpV
— Rami Ismail (@tha_rami) July 13, 2019
Watch Dogs Legion releases March 6, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PS4. Read about why this could be the most promising Watch Dogs yet by heading here.