I realize I’m 5 years late to the party, but I must say that The Messenger is a game that blew me away. A lot of this comes from not knowing much about the game. I thought it was just going to be a Ninja Gaiden homage, and I was only partially right. The game makes a big change partway through and opens up to much more exploration. I’m having so much fun with it! And the soundtrack is amazing! I highly suggest listening to it!
Speaking of the soundtrack, look at the bottom of the title screen.
Notice that it says “Music by Rainbowdragoneyes” at the bottom? It credits the music artist right on the title screen! Famously, there is one series that did, which was a big part of my early gaming days, and that specific game is Streets of Rage 2. Again, look at the bottom of the title screen.
Notice it says “Music © Yuzo Koshiro” at the bottom? Seeing the music artist credited on their own, and on the title page, is not something you see in every game!
But why is this such an important point? When a game studio hires an artist, the work the artist does is usually owned by the studio. This means that the music artist gives up the rights to the music to the game studio, to place said music in the game. It’s quite common in employment agreements that anything the employee creates after being hired by the employer is owned by the employer (there are some caveats and exceptions to this general rule.) Yuzo Koshirro, the creator of the Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack, negotiated to retain the rights to his own music, which allowed him to do things like play the same music as a DJ at events.
I wonder if Rainbowdragoneyes was able to do the same thing. The title screen for The Messenger does say “Music by” rather than “Music ©,” which is a key distinction. My guess is not, but I could be wrong. Whether or not Rainbowdragoneyes did, you have a new fan!
Assaad Lyn: Attorney At Law 