TheGamingEconomy Daily Digest brings you the trending business stories in gaming. In today’s edition: Rockstar launches own storefront; Mixer rolls out ads; and Cuphead tops Billboard’s Jazz charts.

Rockstar launches own storefront

Rockstar has released its own PC storefront, Rockstar Games Launcher, joining other AAA publishers including Activision-Blizzard, Bethesda, and Epic Games. A total of seven titles, plus DLC, are currently available on the launcher, including GTA V, Bully, and LA Noire.

However, the launch has not run smoothly, as the offline mode for GTA V was disabled for Steam users shortly after the platform became available. This was reportedly due to a bug, rather than any unannounced changes to the title’s DRM, with Rockstar’s support website stating “we are currently looking into it.”

Mixer rolls out ads

Advertising has been rolled out for the first time on Microsoft’s streaming platform Mixer, as announced last week on the platform’s ‘Level Up Cast’. The ads will be released on the majority of the Mixer platform, with exclusions for Mixer Pro users and members who are subscribed to a partnered channel.

While the move to show ads on the platform aligns it more closely with rival service Twitch, and represents a positive opportunity for advertisers to engage with gaming audiences, at this stage content creators will not receive any revenue from adverts shown on their channels. Advertisements on Amazon-owned Twitch have disclosure notices detailing whether the revenue is used to support the platform or the content creator. A Microsoft spokesperson told TheVerge, “We are always testing and exploring new features and monetisation options for Mixer creators, but have nothing more to share at this time.”

Cuphead tops Billboard’s Jazz charts

The soundtrack for critically-acclaimed platformer Cuphead has become the first video game score to claim the number 1 position on Billboard’s Jazz charts. The orchestral soundtrack, a double-album extended re-release of last year’s Selected Tunes from Cuphead, features a cacophony of big band and ragtime jazz tunes, and has previously received a BAFTA award.

The opportunity for sales and recognition around tertiary media tied into gaming have become increasingly apparent in recent years. For instance a TV series based upon indie co-op title Knights and Bikes has recently been announced, and is due to be produced by the team behind the Mr.Bean animated series.