Mixtape Publisher Refutes Claim That Expired Music Licenses Will Cause the Game to Be Delisted

Mixtape, a narrative adventure game featuring a star-studded soundtrack with tracks from artists like Devo, the Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, and Joy Division, will not face delisting due to music licensing expiration, according to its developer Beethoven & Dinosaur and publisher Annapurna Interactive.

Concerns about the game’s long-term availability arose given a persistent problem in the gaming industry: many games are delisted from digital storefronts when their music or character licenses expire. An estimated 87% of video games are no longer playable through legitimate means, and recent casualties include Star Trek: Resurgence and 29 Disney titles delisted this year alone. With Mixtape’s heavy reliance on licensed music woven into its narrative, fans worried it might suffer a similar fate.

However, creative director Johnny Galvatron confirmed in an interview with Kotaku that Beethoven & Dinosaur paid a premium to secure all music licenses “in perpetuity,” ensuring the game can remain available indefinitely. Publisher Annapurna Interactive reinforced this commitment with a direct statement, explicitly calling previous delisting claims “a lie.”

This preemptive approach stands in contrast to industry standard practice, where temporary licensing agreements are common and often result in games being pulled from sale years later. By securing perpetual rights, Mixtape’s developers have ensured their game won’t fall victim to the licensing issues that have plagued titles with significant licensed content throughout gaming history.

Mixtape Publisher Refutes Claim That Expired Music Licenses Will Cause the Game to Be Delisted

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