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[s_harriton]

If I am working out a rev share deal for a game that will have my music in it, how do I do it so that I actually get to see some money? Show me the money! 

Is there a specific service people use to have the money divided and sent to the appropriate people every time the game sells, is downloaded, or is generating revenue based on advertising?

Any advice would be great thanks!

[MrTP]

Hi Steven

From my 15+ years experience it is very uncommon to use music tracks within a game on a rev share base.
Normally, the developer pays the audio service provider an uprfront flat fee and after that, no additional payments will be made by the developer.

Nevertheless, if you setup a rev share deal for your music, it depends on how important your tracks are for the game. Is it a music game, like these mobile piano games? Then your tracks would be a very essential part of the game and your rev share would be higher than if your tracks are just hearable when beeing the main menu of the game as background tracks.

To be honest: I would recommend an upront flat fee - this way you know how much you get for your work and you do not depend on the success of the game's success and the rev reports from the developer (= a matter of trust).

Wishing you all the best.

[xinasha]

As long as you trust the team and have contracts (make sure you have contracts!!!) you should be fine. I've seen and heard of musicians usually getting between 8 and 15%, depending on if it includes sound effects or not, as well as the number of tracks/themes that will be in the game. If it's a very music centric game then this number should of course be more. Talk to your team though and find an equitable solution, but just use contracts to protect yourself!

[Kater101]

As long as you trust the team and have contracts (make sure you have contracts!!!) you should be fine. I've seen and heard of musicians usually getting between 8 and 15%, depending on if it includes sound effects or not, as well as the number of tracks/themes that will be in the game. If it's a very music centric game then this number should of course be more. Talk to your team though and find an equitable solution, but just use contracts to protect yourself!

>>On the contract part<< Do take a look in the laws you have in your country about intellectual property.
I know in some country's the can still come back on contracts if it's not considered a 'fair deal'.

[Mahn]

There really isn't a service or a method that keeps track of and splits revenue automatically or that ultimately guarantees that you won't be ripped off, so trust is always going to be involved in a rev share deal. Like everyone else says, have a contract in place (even if it's a simple one page contract, but something), and make sure that you can trust whoever you are dealing with (perhaps you can ask for some sort of act of good faith, like a small advance payment, to ensure that they are serious about it).

[WarpQueen]

A log of smaller games sell two versions. One cheaper without the music, and one more expensive with. If your collaborator plans to do that, rev share is probably not the best idea.