Video game streamers should pay royalties to the developers of the games they broadcast online, according to a creative director at the Google Stadia platform.
Alex Hutchison of Stadia Games and Entertainment Montreal, believes that high-profile players making profit by streaming their gaming exploits to platforms like Twitch and YouTube should be passing on some of their earnings to the content creators.
In the controversial comments, which have been met furiously by gamers and in some portions of the media, Hutchison said streamers should require a licence from developers and publishers in order to leverage those titles.
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The crux of his argument is that the game streaming economy should be similar to the way music, movies and television shows must be licenced if used in a YouTube video, for example. Otherwise, those videos are in violation of copyright laws and subject to takedown.
The real truth is the streamers should be paying the developers and publishers of the games they stream. They should be buying a license like any real business and paying for the content they use.
— Alex Hutchinson (@BangBangClick) October 22, 2020
Amazing to me that people are upset at someone saying that the creators of content should be allowed to make some of the money from other people using their content for profit.
— Alex Hutchinson (@BangBangClick) October 22, 2020
Many who vehemently disagree with Hutchinson’s comments argue some games gain much of their notoriety from being played by noted streamers. Take the recent emergence of Among Us for example. Many high profile streamers are actively courted and paid by developers for this reason alone.
Unsurprisingly, given its stake in the streaming game with both Stadia and YouTube, Google has sought to distance itself from Hutchinson’s comments.
“The recent tweets by Alex Hutchinson, creative director at the Montreal Studio of Stadia Games and Entertainment, do not reflect those of Stadia, YouTube or Google,” the company said in a statement to 9to5Google (via Eurogamer).
Taking a swing at streamers is a gutsy marketing move for Stadia, I'll give you that
— Henry Gilbert (@hEnereyG) October 22, 2020
In a tweet YouTube gaming boss Ryan Wyatt added: “We believe that Publishers and Creators have a wonderful symbiotic relationship that has allowed a thriving ecosystem to be created. One that has mutually benefited everyone! YT is focused on creating value for Creators, Publishers, & Users. All ships rise when we work together.”
Do you believe that streamers should pay a licence fee for the content they stream online? Let us know @trustedreviews on Twitter.
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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.
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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.