- Billie Eilish went the extra distance to have her music featured in EA FC 25
From Billie Eilish to Green Day, a new report has revealed just how badly some of music’s biggest stars want to be in hit sports video games.
According to The Athletic, Eilish and her brother (and collaborator) Finneas were so determined to be featured in EA FC 25 (formerly known as FIFA) that Steve Schnur, the president of music at the company, was given an early copy of her album.
Ultimately, Eilish’s song ”CHIHIRO’ was chosen off of her album ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ to be in the latest edition of the game.
Schnur also revealed a fascinating story about legendary rock band Green Day from nearly 20 years ago.
In that instance, the band reportedly played an acoustic version of their hit ‘American Idiot’ for him to try and get it placed in Madden 2005 (which it eventually was).
However, while a game’s soundtrack can include A-listers, Schnur told The Athletic how he challenges his employees to be ahead of the curve.
‘You can’t title a game ‘Madden 25′ and have it sound like 2023,’ he said.
‘It has to be, by a matter of design, a place of discovery, a place that cements what the next year ahead is going to sound like. A place where the sport itself will be a part of this sound.’
Music choices for games can even come from athletes.
David Kelley, who is the the director of music partnerships and licensing at 2K, said that Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant have sent in songs that they want to be included.
EA 25 was released for soccer-loving fans to enjoy last month.
