Nintendo has confirmed that it will be able to make money from any YouTube user videos that feature its games.
Any YouTube clips containing footage of Nintendo games will now include advertising that Nintendo will directly profit from, including any Nintendo images or audio.
“For most fan videos this will not result in any changes,” said the company in a statement.
Gamers across all platforms often upload footage of themselves enjoying popular titles, but often include details of how to complete particularly difficult sections.
The clips are known as Let’s Play or LP content and can be used to boast about a gamer’s skill on a title.
“We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube. This is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property.”
Nintendo use content ID match to discover any YouTube clips containing Nintendo owned games’ audio, images or footage, and such a tool allows them to place advertising within those videos to profit from the view counts they wrack up.
The content ID match also prohibits the video uploader from making any money from the advertising placed within that video.
Gamers that enjoy LP content or upload their own have taken to social networking sites to show their outrage, including uploader Zack Scott who posted a Facebook message about the issue.
“I think filling claims against LP-ers is backwards,” said Scott. “Video games aren’t like movies or TV. Each play-through is a unique audiovisual experience. Until their claims are straightened out, I won’t be played their games.”
“I won’t because it jeopardises my channel’s copyright standing and the livelihood of all LP-ers.”
Scott’s footage of new Nintendo Wii U Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon was affected by the content ID match tool, which sparked his online outrage.
Not interested in the Nintendo Wii? Get excited for the Xbox reveal on May 21 instead with our Xbox 720 news, rumours and release date roundup.
Via: BBC
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
