Masaya Matsuura, President of developer NanaOn-Sha (of PaRappa the Rapper fame) has suggested that the next logical step in evolving the videogame music genre is to introduce user-created content.

Although the likes of the critically acclaimed Rock Band and Guitar Hero have relied on the strength of their publishers – Electronic Arts and Activision, respectively – to ensure success through licensing agreements, Matsurra notes that the genre would likely achieve further appeal if users were allowed to generate their own material.

Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz this week, Matsuura commented, "The current success of music-based gaming in the West is based upon licensed music.”

"The [companies] already have music resources. So they can use a lawyer to get the license and they can make the product of the game."

"In the future I think maybe they should open the format of the audio to the public so that everybody can make their own tracks for Rock Band or Guitar Heroes – publishing in some way using the internet, exchanging their own game code, including songs, with each other," he offered.

"If they can sell that kind of data, some people will be on the money.”

He also feels that record companies would be able to capitalize on the success of music titles by offering free sample tracks in exchange for advertising, adding:

"If one record label has a catalogue of 30 titles this month, and if you want to play one song without paying the money, the record company allows you to play that one track but during the playback you have to watch advertisements for other titles, for example.”

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