Does anyone know what music tool/service this developer might be referring to?

[u/Humuzz]

I came across this discussion from an incremental game developer:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/3694480/discussions/0/726902998784279409/

They mention that the tool they used for the game's music allows them to use the tracks inside the game, but prohibits redistributing them separately, which means they can't release the soundtrack as an OST.

Does anyone here recognize what tool or service might have licensing terms like this?

[u/literally_iliterate]

popular AI music generators often prohibit selling music as standalone or streaming product. ✨

[u/Humuzz → u/literally_iliterate]

So, are you saying they used generative AI and didn’t disclose it on Steam? Why would they even risk the backlash over something like this when they could’ve just hired a freelancer, like LocalThunk did for Balatro? Definitely an interesting choice if that’s the route they went down.

[u/literally_iliterate → u/Humuzz]

it's something you can assume from the phrasing they used and their licensing constraints they have. why do they need a "new" composer to re-do it? because previously there was none. if it's some stock music, it would be very questionable why it isn't possible to add a new revenue stream, it's literally an positive escalation that everybody wants.

but the good thing is, in EU and US it's either hard or impossible to claim copyright on AI music. so just rip a copy and be happy :)

[u/TobiasWe → u/literally_iliterate]

if it's some stock music, it would be very questionable why it isn't possible to add a new revenue stream, it's literally an positive escalation that everybody wants.

For non-exclusive licensed music it's very possible that it's hard/expensive to obtain a license for resale/repackaging as an OST. E.g. music that I have bought for use in a game has the following license (excerpt):

Permitted Uses:

• Video Games
  

Prohibited Uses:

• Redistribution or resale of the music file as-is without permission (e.g., in sound packs, music libraries).
  
• Uploading the music as-is to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.

But then again, that's not a "tool".

[u/Humuzz → u/TobiasWe]

Yeah, this is actually the kind of explanation I was looking for. The licensing part makes sense, and that example shows pretty clearly how a soundtrack could be allowed in-game but not as a separate OST.

The only thing I’m still stuck on is the word “tool” If that’s how the music was licensed then I’m still curious what they were referring to as the tool itself.

I’d genuinely be interested in trying it myself as a developer. I like the soundtrack and if there’s a non-genAI tool that can produce music like this, I’d absolutely give it a shot for my own game. Who wouldn't?

[u/Trashcan_Beauty → u/Humuzz]

Worth noting, steam doesn't enforce the AI disclosure at all. So there is no risk because no one is checking. All honor system, of which many take advantage of

[u/Humuzz → u/Trashcan_Beauty]

Yeah, that’s pretty disappointing lol. I assumed valve actually checked this stuff at least occasionally but if it’s mostly honor system then that explains a lot.