PewDiePie and other YouTube personalities aren't too fond over Nintendo's newly announced service, Nintendo Creators Program, which will require content creators to split ad revenue generated by videos using Nintendo assets.
Under the new program, which builds off of Nintendo's YouTube affiliate program from last year, content creators will have to register their videos with Nintendo and will only receive a share of the ad revenue generated from the video. For single videos registered, the creator gets 60 percent, while an entire channel registered will get 70 percent share.
For Nintendo, it's a solution to a problem they feel is possibly robbing them of money. For YouTubers like PewDiePie, it's bullsh*t.
In his latest blog post, the YouTube star argues that the free exposure Nintendo gets from him playing their games should be more than enough to offset any loss in revenue Nintendo should incur from lost sales (if there are even any).
While PewDiePie completely acknowledges that Nintendo has the right to do this, he argues:
But what they are missing out on completely is the free exposure and publicity that they get from YouTube / YouTubers. What better way to sell / market a game, than from watching someone else (that you like) playing it and enjoying themselves?
This is why a tiny one man indie game like Minecraft could grow into a 2.5 billion dollar deal. That’s 2.5 billion… Made possible, largely because of the exposure it got from YouTube!
He goes on to say that if he played a Nintendo game on his channel, most of the views/ad revenue would come to see him, not the actual game.
If I played a Nintendo game on my channel. Most likely most of the views / ad revenue would come from the fact that my viewers are subscribed to me. Not necessarily because they want to watch a Nintendo game in particular.
Yes, there are exceptions of YouTube channels that uploads day 1 release of a game, 50 parts just to milk views off YouTube. That’s more of a problem for YouTube than Nintendo.
He also says it's a "slap in the face" to the YouTube channels that have supported Nintendo, and who have shown a passion for Nitnendo's community. They are the ones "left in the dirt the most," he says.
PewDiePie adds that he'll still play Nintendo games that he wants to play on his channel, but acknowledges that he's lucky to be in a situation where losing revenue on a few videos won't matter. He argues though, that as a result of the Nintendo Creators Program, less channels will be likely to play Nintendo games.
And finally, when there’s just so many games out there to play. Nintendo games just went to the bottom of that list. Even if more publishers starts implementing this idea of sharing revenue. Then fine, there’s always going to be plenty of games out there, ready to become the next “Mienkraft” – Sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
He originally ended his post a with a "F*ck you Nintendo," but did cross it out. While PewDiePie is easily the most popular YouTube personality for gaming, others in the same field have expressed a similar sentiment.
“I've never dealt with a game company that didn't want the exposure that video creators bring to their games,” fellow YouTuber Zack Scott said. “This week, Evolve and Dying Light, two of the biggest games right now, are being heavily pushed in the YouTube and Twitch communities. Here's an excerpt from what Scott wrote in his lengthy post on the subject.
Large companies like Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Rovio, and others allow gameplay monetization. Countless indie developers are vocal about allowing it too. Taking it further, EA even has the Ronku program that pays YouTubers extra as an incentive to cover their games. YouTubers create massive awareness for games, and I've had many viewers tell me they've bought games and consoles like the Wii U and the 3DS because of my videos.
Due to the openness of other developers, I find Nintendo's approach odd. The Nintendo Creator Program might be good for people who have never monetized videos before. It could also be good for those who don't want to join an MCN. This could be an exciting way to bring newcomers into the YouTube community. However, when comparing other developers' policies, I see no appeal for established YouTubers.
And here's how other YouTubers have reacted.
The more I read about Nintendo’s “Creators Program” the more it looks like we’re no longer going to upload Nintendo coverage to YouTube.
— Jeff Gerstmann (@jeffgerstmann) January 29, 2015
That Nintendo Creators Program is just… shudder. Newp. Nope. Nah. No.
— Jim Sterling (@JimSterling) January 29, 2015
I can honestly see both sides of the argument, but if I was a company as big as Nintendo, is the extra revenue you generate from this really worth the loss of exposure it brings? It feels like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for any loose change they can find. It reeks of desperation. Maybe if you could sell a few more Wii Us, you wouldn't have to do this.
[MCVUK]
