Rock music is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S., with significant growth in the genre and the popularity of vinyl records. Meanwhile, the music gaming industry is seeing renewed interest with new titles and innovative approaches, although licensing challenges remain a critical hurdle for long-term success.
For the gaming industry professional, it's crucial to recognize that the revival of music games is contingent on overcoming the "setlist problem," where licensing costs are a major barrier. As new music games emerge, understanding the economics of licensing and exploring innovative models like user-generated content can help determine which projects are sustainable and worth investing in. Observing how titles like Beat Saber have thrived with original and community content could guide future development and monetization strategies in the genre.