Topic: Nintendo Creators Program Goes Live

[broodwars]

Coming from someone who works in the TV business, I think Youtube broadcasters SHOULD pay royalties just like the rest of us, they shouldn't be allowed to get away with stuff we can't just because they are low budget. If these people are talented why the hell can't they get jobs in the industry? It's not that hard, I pulled it off and I am the least likable jerk you will ever meet. You got skills prove your worth and get a real job.

You do realize that "hey, I got a job in the industry, so why can't you during this period of high unemployment and surplus of talent in the field, as people are laid off of websites left and right?" is quite possibly the most asshole-ish thing you could possibly say, right?

No one can dispute that Nintendo is entirely in their legal right to do what they are doing, with the exception of their legal take-downs on reviews (which I still contend is fair use under criticism, which is supposed to be protected). In many ways, the industry has been building to this for quite some time. However, there's a difference between something being right from a legal perspective and being right from a PR perspective. However legally right Nintendo is to do this, coming after their most die-hard supporters who want to talk about their games when they're in a very shake-y period financially and with Sony & Microsoft kicking their ass left and right...is not the best move to ensure future brand loyalty. 

You know that old saying "Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel?" Interpreted in a modern context, "never pick a fight with someone with thousands of followers and a button press away from turning them against you." Microsoft and Sony come out of this looking like kings by literally doing nothing, while meanwhile an extremely vocal group of people now have a cause to rail against Nintendo and reward their competitors with coverage and positive word-of-mouth. Going after the Youtubers was the "right" move from a legal standpoint, but IMO it wasn't the "smart" move. Coming off as more of a dick when the general gaming community already don't need an excuse to ignore you isn't a Smart Play, especially with your competitors branding themselves as the anti-you (Sony's entire PS4 platform is built on the online share experience, and Microsoft's getting there, too).

[Soren]

"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.
(...)
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.

TheBigLewboskiThat'sJustLikeYourOpinionMan.jpg.


Dismissal of something you don't like doesn't make it an universally held opinion. YouTubers do hold real value to video game companies, do deserve to earn a paycheck from their work, and Nintendo just keeps showing how out of touch they really are.

I don't take TB's complaints seriously because quite frankly, his account's still up.

Huh? TB's not losing his channel over this. He's just not going to get ad revenue should he choose to make a video featuring Nintendo IP.

If these people are talented why the hell can't they get jobs in the industry? It's not that hard, I pulled it off and I am the least likable jerk you will ever meet. You got skills prove your worth and get a real job.

Jesus Christ. No. Just...no. A job in the industry, your name on IMDB, that ish means jack squat in this current work environment. PewDiePie has 34 million subscribers. He doesn't need the industry because he just made one for himself. Even people with a fraction of that following can earn a decent enough living without the need to "prove themselves" by getting a job in an industry that doesn't have room for them.

[ejamer]

"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.
(...)
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.

TheBigLewboskiThat'sJustLikeYourOpinionMan.jpg.


Dismissal of something you don't like doesn't make it an universally held opinion. YouTubers do hold real value to video game companies, do deserve to earn a paycheck from their work, and Nintendo just keeps showing how out of touch they really are.

...

First, it's Nintendo dismissing them. My opinion doesn't matter one way or the other because it has no bearing on what will happen.


Second, being "universally held" doesn't make an opinion correct. Show some numbers (specific to value provided for Nintendo) if you can.


Exposing games that need that publicity provides value for many games, but I'm not sold on the fact that having uncontrolled messages will add significant value for Nintendo because Mario and company are already known quantities that sell millions of copies.  This isn't a case of Octodad where I believe the YouTubers do add significant value because customers have no idea what the game is about otherwise. In addition to be a strongly established brand, Nintendo also has shown a strong desire to control the message about their image/content -- making the appeal of YouTuber content even lower.


Also, although I fully believe YouTubers deserve compensation because the work they do is (usually) time consuming and requires significant effort, that's missing the point.  Do they have a right to broadcast large portions -- in some cases, entire playthroughs -- of game video without having to get a license or any form of permission from the content creators?  Yes, they add value through commentary. Yes, they should (in my opinion) have right to use clips within some kind of "fair use" clause. But there seems to be a very fuzzy line about what is/isn't fair use and unless it goes to court I think that fuzziness will remain.


One interesting thought: if it does go to court, it will be interesting to see how lawyers are funded. Nintendo has deep pockets and an established legal team, but top YouTubers have become a very wealthy bunch and will almost certainly appeal for public funding on top of any contribution they make to defending the right to use videos (which would be ridiculous considering they are earning millions... but these guys aren't dumb and aren't giving money away). Could be an expensive battle.

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

what I meant was they should have to pay royalties like everyone else, why should Youtubers get a free pass on breaking the law? Technically we can show whatever we want on air if its from Youtube, so does it make it okay for us to air something that is posted to Youtube illegally? No it does not we have to be careful.


I was ribbing with my get a job comments I even said that in my post, or well hinted at it. But the point is still stands if you have to make a living in this business by taking other people's work and calling it your own you have no right to be in the business.

Yeah from a PR move its a terrible thing and could be the end of Nintendo if they succeed in pissing of whats left of their loyal fanbase.  As with all things Nintendo does lately its really hard to defend them here and justify this, but you know what Youtube has changed things for the worse it is making it harder for professionals who work hard and follow the rules to stay in business too. Maybe that is progress but to me I don't see dumbing down and lowering quality as progress. I wish the FCC would come in and regulate the **** out of Youtube like they do everything else those dicks don't deserve a free ride because they are lazy.

[Triforce Hermit]

This should only affect people who do lets plays and walkthroughs or similar items where they show the entirety of the game or at least a good portion of it. If someone is doing a video review, or advertising the game through hype or whatever, then leave them alone, they are helping you out actually.

The high dollar Youtubers who make millions and are bitching can shove it.

I actually agree that the FCC should and regulate the living **** out Youtube.

[UncleBob]

Technically we can show whatever we want on air if its from Youtube, [...]

Wait, what?

[Soren]