Konami to offer micropayment game music downloads

[01.23.01] » Pay-per-download system includes 160 tracks, with more to come.

   GameSpot Japan reports that Konami of Japan will soon debut a pay-per-download site featuring selections from its game soundtracks. Titled Konami Bit Audio, the service will debut this Thursday on Konami Music's website.

   Konami Bit Audio will feature 160 songs when it debuts; additional tracks will be added each month. A few will be free to download, but most will cost somewhere between 100 and 300 yen ($0.85 to $2.50 US). The selected songs will span Konami's entire catalog, ranging from 8-bit games to modern PS2 and arcade titles. Expect tunes from Konami's ever-popular BeatMania series (including Dance Dance Revolution) to make up a large portion of the library.

   Instead of the standard MP3 format, Konami will use a unique proprietary format. A free player for the format will be provided.