The modern entertainment world is more integrated than it’s ever been, and it’s reaching a stage at which it could be unwise for musicians to stick solely to music. Expanding onto other platforms such as film and games is the perfect way to increase awareness, and it’s now easier than ever to do this thanks to the variety of streaming and game services that people use.
Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, was an early pioneer of the modern franchise model, and the 46-year-old saw the potential of gaming more than 15 years ago. Some artists are now appearing in games, and this trend looks set to continue. But should musicians be doing more to prepare for a future in which multiplatform franchises are everywhere?
50 Cent One of the Biggest Artists to Expand into Games
50 Cent is renowned for being one of the most innovative musicians on the planet, and this has helped him to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. His net worth is estimated at around $30 million, and he has reached such staggering heights by branching out into various business ventures. He has cleverly identified ways to boost his brand over the years, and one option he explored in the 2000s was gaming.
The first 50 Cent video game was 50 Cent: Bulletproof, released in 2006. It was developed by Genuine Games and explored real events from the rapper’s life. Despite having clunky gameplay, it was lauded for its story and the original music that accompanied it. It was reasonably successful and sparked a sequel, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand in 2009. These games served to raise awareness of the hip-hop artist and they helped fans feel closer to the In da Club singer.
What are the Best Franchising Opportunities for Musicians?
When 50 Cent was exploring the options of getting into games, the mobile and online casino gaming sectors hadn’t even emerged yet. Nowadays, any musicians hoping to follow in 50’s footsteps would be wise to go down these avenues. These games are highly accessible, and they are cheaper and easier to develop than console games.
On mobile, Absolut Deadmau5 allows players to enjoy a virtual night out with the electronic superstar. Kanye West also released a game called Only One that tasked players with guiding his mother to heaven.
In the online casino sector, music-themed slots are highly prevalent. One of the most famous offerings is the Guns N’ Roses slot at Wheelz. The site is recommended for its no deposit bonus and is one of the top-rated online casinos from the experts at Bonusfinder. Anyone interested in seeing where else is good to play at can click here to see the full list they’ve gathered. It includes numerous other online casinos with attractive welcome offers.
Aside from franchising out into related games, artists can also opt to perform within the game worlds. One of the most famous instances of this was when Travis Scott hosted several concerts in Fortnite in 2020. The events grossed around $20 million and inspired other artists to follow suit.
In the future, the real world and the gaming world are likely to be much more intertwined than they are now. Therefore, musicians should be doing more to expand their brands into games to raise their profiles further.
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