Nintendo claiming ad revenue from Youtube channels
Nintendo is claiming ad revenue from user-created Youtube videos which features the company’s games.
Nintendo is filling claims against Youtube videos and channels which feature Nintendo games and the revenue from these videos and channels would not go to the video creator but to Nintendo. This has drawn the ire of Youtuber Zack Scott who took to Facebook and criticized Nintendo’s policy.
“…filing claims against LPers is backwards. Video games aren’t like movies or TV. Each play-through is a unique audiovisual experience. When I see a film that someone else is also watching, I don’t need to see it again. When I see a game that someone else is playing, I want to play that game for myself! Sure, there may be some people who watch games rather than play them, but are those people even gamers?”
In response to their new policy, Nintendo issued a statement to GameFront.
“As part of our on-going push to ensure Nintendo content is shared across social media channels in an appropriate and safe way, we became a YouTube partner and as such in February 2013 we registered our copyright content in the YouTube database. For most fan videos this will not result in any changes, however, for those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length, adverts will now appear at the beginning, next to or at the end of the clips. We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube, and that is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property.”
While Nintendo’s action is in accordance with Youtube’s policy guidelines which states that “just because you purchase something, it doesn’t mean that you have the right to upload it”, it sets an uncomfortable example for Youtubers who makes a living off Let’s Play videos. These Let’s Players are now unlikely to feature Nintendo content and should other developers or publishers follow suit, it could result in severe consequences for the industry.
Christopher Deleanides
May 19, 2013 @ 7:18 pm
If I recall they can still make LPs, but can no longer make money off it. This means they’ll either make them for the fun of it now, or will have to pay lip service to Nintendo while doing it. Doesn’t really bother me either way.
Charles
May 19, 2013 @ 8:12 pm
They are allowed to, yes. But people who are making a living off them would not feature Nintendo games anymore.
LPers like Zack Scott and many more have already stopped featuring Nintendo games.
Daniel Flatt
May 20, 2013 @ 9:20 am
Actually Nintendo will just be running ads at the beginning or end of the videos and claiming some money from the pile. They won’t be taking all revenue. LPers will still make money from the amounts of hits per video they just won’t get as much ad revenue.
Also, I’ve never understood Let’s Play. Why would I want to watch someone else play a video game?
Charles
May 20, 2013 @ 8:20 pm
Because not everyone can afford the time and effort to play all the games out there. So they watch someone play it and enjoy the commentary at the same time.
It is still a dick move on Nintendo’s part and it certainly would not encourage people to feature their videos on Youtube anymore. It would actually do the opposite of what they intended.
They should have just left it alone. Why mess with the people who are giving them free advertising and promoting their games and consoles at the same time?
TK-420
June 4, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
Because its not just free advertising, its money to people who just insert whatever commentary they think is witty or informative, and get paid to do it, while playing a video game. Zack Scott is a whiney bitch.
How is it any different from uploading a movie and adding commentary (MSTK3K?) Video games aren’t an individual experience, they were made and created by hours of hard work, from the designers to the artists, the programmers, everyone. And for one guy, to get money just for playing it (showing all the content for free) is ludicrous. It should be shared, or rather, the AD SPACE should be shared and the owner’s right to profit should be recognized.
Sorry, but this is just lazy youtuber bitching about their scheme going down the pits.
So what if you don’t have “time to play all the games out there”, does that mean I can just listen to someone’s uploads of thousands of readings of books because I don’t have time in my entire life to read every book I ever wanted to? (Every. Book. Ever.) No.
Reproduction of the games material, that is why Nintendo is targeting certain lengths.
They’re not going to rip up Dorkly for some Chill Penguin is Chill video, but they might slap an add at the beginning of “Let’s Play Mega Man X,” and rightly so.
Taylor Parolini
May 20, 2013 @ 8:27 pm
Oh Nintendo, you so crazy.