"For pre-existing songs, there are a number of different ways to license music in this area depending on the success of the song being used, the type of video game, how the game is distributed and the policies of the manufacturer."
"Some agreements provide for an actual royalty but many provide for a one-time buy-out fee per composition regardless of the number of games actually sold or how many times the game is played. Per game royalties range from 8 cents to 15 cents per composition and buyouts range from $2,500 to over $20,000. As in many other areas, royalties and fees depend upon the value of the composition, the prior history or anticipated sales of the game, bargaining power of the parties and the needs of the video game producer, music publisher and songwriter."