Bandcamp Bought By Epic Games

[JSngry]

Post the links of your choice here.

 

[T.D.]

NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/arts/music/epic-games-bandcamp.html

[jcam_44]

Based on what I’ve read in Pitchfork it appears Bandcamp as we know and love is probably going to change possibly dramatically

[T.D.]

https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/bandcamp-epic-games-acquisition/

[jk666]

I'm curious to see how this plays out. I know ZERO about the gaming World, but Bandcamp is making a tidy profit AND paying artists while letting them keep almost 100% control. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

[JSngry]

8 minutes ago, jk666 said:

I'm curious to see how this plays out. I know ZERO about the gaming World, but Bandcamp is making a tidy profit AND paying artists while letting them keep almost 100% control. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

I was discussing this with a friend who's had a career in the financial industry, and he sees the long game here as being an eventual IPO, after which you can kiss your marvelously wide-open Bandcamp goodbye. The modern-day share holder don't give a damn about anything but getting dividends and such,

I hope he's wrong about that, but isn't that the way shit works these days?

[Dub Modal]

Epic doesn't make money by playing nice. 

[clifford_thornton]

yeah, it really sucks and doesn't look good for Bandcamp or the artists. 

[jk666]

3 hours ago, JSngry said:

I was discussing this with a friend who's had a career in the financial industry, and he sees the long game here as being an eventual IPO, after which you can kiss your marvelously wide-open Bandcamp goodbye. The modern-day share holder don't give a damn about anything but getting dividends and such,

I hope he's wrong about that, but isn't that the way shit works these days?

You're probably right. As I understand it, it's all about ad sales and number of eyeballs.

[medjuck]

3 hours ago, jk666 said:

I'm curious to see how this plays out. I know ZERO about the gaming World, but Bandcamp is making a tidy profit AND paying artists while letting them keep almost 100% control. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

I'm presuming it doesn't run at a loss but I'm not sure it makes  "a tidy profit", and  I am sure the new owners will want it to. 

[T.D.]

6 hours ago, JSngry said:

I was discussing this with a friend who's had a career in the financial industry, and he sees the long game here as being an eventual IPO, after which you can kiss your marvelously wide-open Bandcamp goodbye. The modern-day share holder don't give a damn about anything but getting dividends and such,

I hope he's wrong about that, but isn't that the way shit works these days?

I also had a career in financial industry (albeit fixed-income, not equity), and agree with your friend's comment and your interpretation.

3 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

yeah, it really sucks and doesn't look good for Bandcamp or the artists. 

Probably true. I don't know enough about the games sector / subscription models to offer much comment there, but indirect 40% ownership by Tencent (per the Pitchfork link), for instance, is unlikely to be a good thing.

Edited March 4, 2022 by T.D.

[jk666]

2 hours ago, medjuck said:

I'm presuming it doesn't run at a loss but I'm not sure it makes  "a tidy profit", and  I am sure the new owners will want it to. 

I was paraphrasing the Pitchfork article above.

" The platform’s ease of use and relatively low commission rate of 15 percent made it attractive to independent artists and labels, eventually helping to foster vibrant communities of lo-fi, offbeat, and experimental musicians—all while turning a healthy profit. "

[Dub Modal]

Anyone notice any changes?

[JSngry]

not yet, but it's early still.

[felser]

Feels like there is less physical product available than in the past, but that change predates the buyout, and while disappointing, is not unexpected.