Nintendo has a longstanding poor reputation with the YouTube community, and the latest change to their Nintendo Creators Program may harm that relationship even more.
Screenshot from the upcoming Super Mario Odyssey game for the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Creators Program, which was launched in 2015, allows YouTubers to receive a portion of advertising proceeds from any videos containing Nintendo-copyrighted content. Prior to the establishment of this program, proceeds for videos that included Nintendo-copyrighted content went directly to Nintendo. At the time, the Nintendo Creators Program was panned by the YouTube community, with many members expressing concern about the approval process, and how the amount they can earn on their videos or channels is subject to change.
As of today, YouTubers who are also registered members of the Nintendo Creators Program are no longer allowed to broadcast content on YouTube Live. Nintendo gives partners two options: They can broadcast content on YouTube Live from a channel that isn’t registered to the program, or they can cancel their channel’s registration to the program, and instead register their videos to the program separately. The changes were announced in an email sent to content creators yesterday, although Nintendo didn’t officially publish the changes to the program until today.
Some Twitter users have posted the contents of the email, which announces that changes have been made as to how the Nintendo Creators Program will handle revenue generated from live streams. It adds that live streaming falls “outside the scope” of the program. You can read the rest of the message below:
A friend forwarded this mail he got from the Nintendo Creators Program. So… huh. pic.twitter.com/sDo3srWcHn
— Daan Koopman (@NintenDaan) September 29, 2017
Many reactions to the change have been unfavorable so far on the Twitterverse, with some calling it “stupid” or “bullshit”.
At least one person was confused on Nintendo’s stance regarding livestreaming, thinking that it could cost the company potential advertising profits.
It’s uncertain as to why Nintendo introduced this policy. It’s also unclear if Nintendo has similar rules for those live streaming Nintendo-copyrighted content on other sites such as Twitch. Representatives for Nintendo did not respond by press time. For a full, updated guide to the Nintendo Creators Program, click here.
Comments
22 responses to “Nintendo Creators Program Will No Longer Let YouTubers Live-Stream”
Why? I don’t get why it matters to them at all.
This is nintendo. Practical buisness decisions are not in their resume.
From the money Nintendo take in I’d say they’re very practical.
A buisness having good profit margins does not instantly mean every decision they make is logical and 100% good.
They kid themselves into thinking they contribute anything. They’re spoilt children who don’t like being told no.
It’s nintendo’s product and they can protect their ip as they please such as stopping people from cashing in on their work.
Youtoobers really love that “free advertising” shtick don’t they? It’s such a flimsy defence, the only defence, yet you see it everywhere the conversation comes up.
To be fair, a Lets Play of New Super Mario Bros U was what made me go out and buy a Wii U. Hell a few games I have purchased because I have seen a streamer play it and it looked fun.
Might not be a great defence, but it is effective marketing. Especially if kids see their favourite streamer playing a game, most likely they will want to buy it.
The problem is that no matter how much you personally dislike it, it is free advertising.
I wouldn’t own a Switch if it wasn’t for some of them dirty ‘Youtoobers’ you clearly look down on playing Zelda.
And there are pros who watched let’s plays and then decided not to buy the game because they have seen it all already
So what if it’s free advertising? Do you believe that Nintendo doesn’t advertise enough or have enough market presence that they need more?
If I upload say a full album on you tube can I claim it’s free advertising?
All I said was that it’s free advertising, that’s it… And it doesn’t just apply to Nintendo.
I’d actually be fine with banning Let’s Plays if companies started bothering with playable demos again.
Until then, I have zero sympathy for their woes in that regard.
No, And your an idiot for equating copyright infringement with something that is legal. Lets plays are legal as they are transformative. Perhaps you should look up Fair Use laws before you make a bigger fool of yourself.
The laws are actually still being tested. There has been cases go both ways within YouTube’s fair use policies.
Make a fool of myself? Have you ever read your own posts?
Youtube’s fair use policys are only a company police. US Copyright law fair use provisions are LAW. As long as something is transformative, Its legal.
At least my posts are backed up by fact, What do you have buddy boy?
I dont compare something that is legal with something that is illegal. Thats what people commonly call a FALSE EQUIVALENCE
What is there to defend though?
Video game companies also love the free advertising. Hence why pretty much all of them (Excluding nintendo) allow these things because these youtubers do the advertising for them. Dont know why you are so butthurt about youtubers.
good, delete yourself nintendo
wait, its what you are actually doing
This is just more evidence of the idiotic buisness ethic of Nintendo japan. I can guarantee Nintendo of America would be more than happy to let youtubers and streamers use their games. But nintendo japan is stuck in their ancient ways.
Ah well, they don’t owe anyone a living do they?
Stop uploading Nintendo videos. It’s clear Nintendo hates you
With all the controversy surrounding live streaming and the YouTube community lately I’m not surprised. I’m assuming Nintendo just want to make sure that people won’t start swearing and carrying on during a stream that lots of viewers (potentially quite young ones) are tuned into. It would damage their name, especially since they have a program specifically for their content.
Presumably this is a response to the Pewdiepie racist-comment-during-a-livestream incident? Nintendo are taking the stance of un-affiliating themselves with all livestreams in case a similar incident occurs, so there’s no brand damage.
See also how they have handled online play and chat, re: friend codes etc.
WWJD – What would Japan Do… They have a pretty interesting culture there, no doubt it comes from a slightly knee-jerk reaction that westerners are tarnishing their wholesome Japanese child/family friendly brand. They probably weren’t too keen on even Kotaku sharing Mario’s nipples either 😛 But I suppose they hold the cards so just ride the wave for now until something bad actually happens
Has anyone ever watched someone live stream games on YouTube? I thought that was what Twitch was for.