I don't take TB's complaints seriously because quite frankly, his account's still up.
Total Biscuit primarily plays PC games on his channel. The only time console footage comes up are in his news videos. His news videos have been subject to Content ID claims by Nintendo because footage from a Nintendo trailer was used.
It's a fad anyway. I always suspected the "youtuber bubble" would burst some day and the truly talented individuals would find a new way to continue to be an entertainer/commentator. Remember how you used to be able to make a living by clicking on ads online? My teacher got checks in the mail from Yahoo for surfing and clicking ads. I am sure this will eventually change. The trick is that people need to figure out how to succeed without the help of youtube ad income.
Hearing how ad revenue is drying up and some content makers are engaging in Patreon, that seems to already on the way. However, Youtube will have to do some really crazy things to make it's free video hosting and wide reach undesirable.
"Rightfully"? I'm with you most of the way, but am not convinced at all that YouTubers have the right to earn a living based primarily on the work of other people.
The backlash seems stronger than it needs to be. Do these YouTubers really rely on Nintendo's content that much to earn a living? If so, maybe Nintendo deserves a cut of the profits. If not, then the complaints (including implied threats that any other company who follows suit will have their games "at the bottom of the pile") are empty posturing.
I don't like the terms in this creator program, and think that Nintendo is taking a bigger cut than they should and imposing more checks and control over what is allowed than I'd prefer to see happen. But the reaction seems way overblown too. Of course, I don't have a stake in the matter and it's not affecting my income, so take this opinion with a grain of salt.
Either way, I'm pretty sure that the "value" YouTubers provide through exposure isn't something Nintendo cares about. Can't say I blame them either.
I've been mulling over my thoughts and feelings over this ever since the Nintendo Creators Program blew up today. I've come to the conclusion that video game YouTubers, along with writers and other video content producers, deserve to be compensated for quality work. That they should be able do it as their sole profession if they can. I say this after many hours of engaging with and enjoying reading, hearing, and watching video game articles, pod casts, and videos.
If I have never made this clear before, I respect and understand Nintendo's desire to control their property. Out of all the video game companies out there, they have the most need to exercise control due to the audiences they think they are selling to. But that need to control combined with the culture clash of a Kyoto-based toy company versus the rest of the world has lead to decisions that look dumb. And whether Nintendo knows it or not, we live in an age were looking dumb is being dumb.
I think producing quality videos of video game is hard work worthy of monetary compensation. That goes with writing and audio shows. If I don't want to pay for that content up front, then I believe that the creators should get the full amount of however much advertisers will provide them. In this satellite market of video game criticism, commentary, and performance entertainment, I don't think Nintendo should be involved outside of being a general advertiser. And if they want to have control over Youtube videos, the only way I find acceptable is to be a transparent sponsor.
Nintendo owns the games they make. But once those games are in the hand of the people Nintendo shouldn't own what people do with them, be it a second-hand sale, paid writing, or videos that produce ad revenue. There are exceptions, of course, on this slippery slope. I look forward to responses.
Topic: Nintendo Creators Program Goes Live (Read 10593 times)
