Validation of API usage for a board game web app using preview song

[clarcom]

Hello everyone!

I’m the co-founder of MusicMatch, a physical music-themed board game with a companion web app (https://app.musicmatch.games).

Before starting development, we would like to confirm whether our concept could be compatible with the Spotify Web API and its usage terms.

Our web app would allow players to:

• search for songs and artists to display metadata (track title, artist name, album cover);

• play 30-second audio previews (or full playback if the user connects their own Spotify account).

At this stage, the app does not yet use the API, we are simply exploring technical and legal feasibility. 

Is anybody can help us confirming whether this use case fits within Spotify’s Developer Terms of Service, what the rate limits / quotas are for metadata and preview requests, whether we should anticipate applying for Extended Quota Mode if the app reaches a few thousand users, and if there is a dedicated process or contact for validating such a board-game companion use ? 

Many many many thanks for your help! We really want to make sure to build this properly and in full compliance with Spotify’s policies.

Best regards,
Clément Lecerf / https://musicmatch.games

[Ximzend]

Hi @clarcom 

Thank you for posting in the Spotify Community!

It is fun idea to integrate Spotify into a game. Unfortunately, the Spotify Developer Policy does not allow this.

With the following links, you can read the full Spotify Developer Term and Policy.

I hope this answers your question. If you need any other help, feel free to ask.

[clarcom]

Hello @ximzend! Thanks a lot for your reply and for pointing me to the policy links.

However, I believe my question still stands. One of the most popular music-themed games today - Hitster (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.jumbo.hitster&hl=en) uses the Spotify API as part of its gameplay.
So I assume there is a compliant way to do this 🙂

What I’d love to understand is how and to what extent this kind of use can be authorised. Thanks again for your help. Any extra guidance or pointers to the right contact would be hugely appreciated! 
Best,

[Ximzend]

Hi @clarcom 

Jumbo has most likely a payed licence to use Spotify in its game. And it is still not a free pass to integrate Spotify into your games.

[clarcom]

Got it, thanks! If Jumbo has a dedicated agreement with Spotify, that’s great to know!

Our goal is to follow the proper path as well, so now it’s on us to find the right contact at Spotify and understand how these agreements are handled. If you happen to know which team manages this, happy to be pointed in the right direction. Cheers,