Epic Games Purchases Bandcamp

Longtime Slashdot reader tlhIngan writes: As reported in many outlets, Epic Games has acquired indie music store Bandcamp to build out a "creator marketplace." Bandcamp will continue to be run as it is. "The products and services you depend on aren't going anywhere," wrote Bandcamp co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond in a statement. "We'll continue to build Bandcamp around our artists-first revenue model (where artists net an average of 82% of every sale), you'll still have the same control over how you offer your music, Bandcamp Fridays will continue as planned, and the Daily will keep highlighting the diverse, amazing music on the site."

Diamond says the company will be working with Epic in the background to expand internationally and "push development forward" across its services, "from basics like our album pages, mobile apps, merch tools, payment system, and search and discovery features, to newer initiatives like our vinyl pressing and live streaming services."

Bandcamp adds to the long list of companies under the Epic Games umbrella, notes Eurogamer. "Since 2018, Epic Games has, alongside ArtStation and Sketchfab, acquired the likes of Cloudgine, Quixel, SuperAwesome, Hyprsense, RAD Games Tools, Tonic Games Group -- which includes Fall Guys developer Mediatonic and Fortitude Games -- plus Rocket League studio Psyonix, and Rock Band developer Harmonix."

OST explosion.

[Ostracus]

Bigger music selection for games that don't expire.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

"The products and services you depend on aren't going anywhere," wrote Bandcamp co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond in a statement.

Apparently, Ethan Diamond doesn't understand how this works. You are now nothing more than an employee. You are owned by someone else and THEY will make the decisions, not you.

Someone finish this

[rotorbudd]

This one time in bandcamp. . . .

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Well shit.

[Gravis Zero]

I love Bandcamp specifically because you can listen to the must first, it doesn't bother me with emails, and no in-your-face suggestions, and you can redownload stuff at any time in a bunch of different formats. I can't help but feel that Epic is about to ruin all that with some corporate bullshit to boost profits.

Re: Well shit.

[jddj]

Mod parent up.

This is a disaster. Bandcamp was the best platform for musicians, and a great platform for fans.

Really sad to think it's headed for the cliff.

Re:

[SeaFox]

I can't help but feel that Epic is about to ruin all that with some corporate bullshit to boost profits.

If that happens it will just once again prove that physical media (and the first-sale doctrines you get with it) win. People like to talk about the post-CD/DVD world where you stream all your entertainment and don't have to devote shelf space to media, but I don't have to worry about my favorite movie "expiring" at the end of a certain month or a product I "bought" on streaming being updated with a "remastered" version that may or may not actually be superior. I have what I purchased and it wont change when

Re:

[Sloppy]

Bandcamp lets you download FLACs. You don't need to stream nor is there much incentive to do it unless you have storage problems. Once you have the files, you have the files, and that's nearly as good as physical media (which is that plus one free backup).

If they stop offering FLAC downloads, though, then there won't be future purchases. It'll merely take Bandcamp out of serious consideration, making it as useless as Apple's thing.

But none of your existing purchases can be taken away ..

...

..unless you haven

Re:

[serafean]

I chose to buy from bandcamp precisely because they allow DRM-free download of CD quality flac.
I do my own archiving, thank you very much.

A little confusing?

[newcastlejon]

I have to assume this has nothing to do with Bandcamp.app, though I wonder why neither party has sued given that this looks to me exactly like Apple v. Apple Music.

Epic Records

[tepples]

Sony Music's Epic Records v. Epic Games may likewise cause confusion

Shame...

[Halueth]

I support a lot of indie bands, but there's a snowball's chance in hell that I'm going to support Epic. :(

Cancelled My Account

[BroccoliKing]

Not going to be a part of another Ten Cent acquisition. Fuck them.

Good and Bad

[locater16]

Bandcamp is neat in a lot of ways. Also a lot of people don't use it for perfectly fine reasons. I mean, it's clearly not the most polished experience. Whether a song is even listed in the right genre or not is a complete guess, the app isn't nearly as useable as the big streaming platforms, etc. etc.

Getting Epic money to get better and expand will probably be good for artists. Better international exposure, easier licensing setups, probably a straight up good streaming option. But it'll probably be anno

Take action

[theendlessnow]

Can we somehow use sanctions against Epic Games until they retreat?