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YouTubers can now get paid for sharing Nintendo gameplay videos
Nintendo is today rolling out its "Creators Program," a system that ensures it gets paid when YouTubers share its content. The Creators Program is a response to the popular "Let's Play" YouTube clips that feature long amounts of gameplay. Nintendo took issue with such videos back in 2013, asserting its copyright over them either by issuing takedowns or inserting commercials before them. Last year, it did the same with popular Mario Kart 8 videos but also revealed it had a plan to start revenue sharing, and some eight months later it's ready to explain how it all works.
Microsoft Studios lays out Let's Play monetization rules
Microsoft Studios has outlined a revised ruleset for players looking to monetize footage from Microsoft-published games on video-sharing sites, granting permission to Let's Players and Twitch streamers with some stipulations. Under the publisher's rules, players may monetize footage from Microsoft Studios games if it was captured during normal gameplay, without the use of reverse engineering or hacking. Microsoft's rules additionally prohibit the use of gameplay footage to produce content that is pornographic, lewd, obscene, vulgar, discriminatory, or otherwise "objectionable." "Whether an Item is 'objectionable' is up to us," the rules page states, "but you can expect us to be concerned if a significant number of people in the game's community or the public at large report the content as offensive." Additional rules prohibit gameplay footage gated behind paid-access websites and subscription-based services. Revenue earned through network partnerships is still permissible, however. A full list of Microsoft's revised guidelines is available here. [Image: Microsoft]
PewDiePie and Let's Plays at center of latest South Park
"The living room is dying," Kyle Broflovski solemnly states in this week's episode of South Park, as he loudly longs for the days when he and his brother Ike would spend their days together, playing Call of Duty and other video games. See, Ike isn't interested in playing games anymore. He's interested in watching YouTube stars like PewDiePie play and make commentary. Following up on episodes like "Freemium Isn't Free" and "Grounded Vindaloop" which also explored aspects of video games and game culture, "#REHASH" is the episode for anyone who just doesn't get what the big deal is with Let's Play personalities like PewDiePie. Watch the episode and see what we mean, bros. [Image: Comedy Central]
PewDiePie talks management, considers starting network
If you made more than $4 million a year handling all production elements of your own content, wouldn't you consider venturing outside an established network? YouTuber Felix "PewDiePie" Kjellberg has entertained the idea after communication issues with two prominent networks, as detailed in an interview with Icon Magazine. Kjellberg hired a lawyer to help free himself from a lifelong contract with Machinima, where he says management ignored his rise to stardom. He then signed with Maker Studios, a network that Disney purchased earlier this year for $950 million, as reported by The New York Times. Kjellberg cited a problematic lack of communication during his time with Machinima, but aside from answering requests for help, he added that working with Maker hasn't really changed things. With his current contract expiring in December, Kjellberg seems poised to start his own network: "I'm in touch with a couple of people who I think would be so right for this," he explained, adding that he's eager to start such a project and would like to help other YouTubers in the process. Despite Kjellberg feeling that "all the networks have been arranged in such an incredibly poor way," he did not outright confirm his departure from Maker once his contract expires. Whatever direction Kjellberg decides to move in, we imagine his bros will follow. [Image: Pewdiepie]
Nintendo planning YouTube revenue-splitting affiliate program
Nintendo is planning a revenue-sharing affiliate program for those using gameplay footage of its games on YouTube. Video bloggers and "Let's Play" creators alike will need permission from the publisher to broadcast their gameplay clips, according to two tweets from the publisher (as translated by Gamasutra). Just over one year ago, Nintendo issued Content ID Match copyright claims on YouTube videos that featured gameplay clips from its suite of published titles. After the backlash that followed the House of Mario attempting to obtain the whole pie from YouTubers, it's now settling for a slice of it: The new affiliate program would see ad revenue from videos split among Nintendo, Google and the video creators themselves. Nintendo is apparently getting a head start, as it has already tagged recent gameplay videos, placing their advertisements on them. It's still unknown whether YouTube's Content ID Match system would affect livestreaming platform Twitch, providing the reports that YouTube is in talks to acquire Twitch for $1 billion go through. [Image: Nintendo]
Non-profit resource launched in response to YouTube Content ID crackdown
Defender's Quest developer Lars Doucet has launched an online resource for the Let's Play community following YouTube's recent expansion of its Content ID Match system, which resulted in widespread revenue denial for affected content creators. Inspired by the community-rallying #wholetsplay Twitter hashtag and a Wikia resource that emerged in the aftermath of YouTube's increase in music-detecting copyright claims, Doucet's website will offer advice and workarounds specifically geared toward the Let's Play community. The site will additionally warn creators and developers of "bad actors" in the music reselling space who aggressively pursue Content ID matches, and will highlight studios who grant YouTube users permission to earn revenue from recorded gameplay footage. "The website will have some standard legal language that will be available to everyone to use, and educate them on these legal minefields in a simple and clear way," Doucet told Polygon. "We'd also like to create some badges, much like creative commons does, that go along with the license materials, which developers can use to advertise what legal ground they stand on, advertising that their music is safe to use." YouTube recently addressed its Content ID Match expansion, explaining that the rights to in-game music are frequently resold to music labels and other aggregators, who may pursue action against channel owners who host matched content. The service currently recommends users to remove background music from affected videos in order to re-enable monetization.
YouTube explains its expanded Content ID system, rise in claims
YouTube's Content ID program scans videos for copyrighted content – music, graphics and the like – and gives the copyright holder the option to monetize, block or track these videos. YouTube recently revamped Content ID, and some Let's Play personalities have received claims, mostly targeting the music in their videos. When a copyright holder monetizes or blocks flagged content, the Let's Player can't monetize that video anymore. In an email acquired by Kotaku, YouTube explains its Content ID system and offers tips for Let's Play creators: "Last week, we expanded the system to scan more channels, including those affiliated with a multi-channel network ("MCN"). As a result, some channels, including many gaming channels, saw claims appear against their videos from audio or video copyright holders. Keep in mind one video may contain multiple copyrighted works, any of which could potentially result in a claim." The email continues, "Online rights are often resold to companies like music labels and aggregators. While you might not recognize the owner, this doesn't necessarily mean their claims are invalid .... Know that we love what you do. We've worked hard to design Content ID and other tools to give everyone - from individual creators to media companies - the opportunity to make great videos and earn money." As for the tips, YouTube links to its copyright support page, where content creators can dispute claims and learn more about Fair Use and Content ID. It also reminds users to "be aware of music," and suggests turning off background music but keeping on sound effects. A few publishers – Capcom, Ubisoft, Deep Silver, Blizzard – ask YouTubers to contest any Content ID claims as quickly as possible so they can be dismissed.
Gameplay videos getting flagged on YouTube again
YouTube has confirmed it's taking a fresher, steely approach to videos flagged by its "Content ID Match" system, which will have an impact on monetization of Let's Play content. Prominent accounts such as TheRadBrad, TetraNinja and GhostRobo have received claims, which seem to be targeting music specifically. A YouTube representative told Game Informer that these claims are part of some policy updates to better help content networks be more transparent. "Nothing illustrates the incredible growth and evolution of YouTube better than the enterprise class of businesses being built on the platform today," the statement reads. "As these networks grow, we're making product and policy updates that will help them operate at scale. We are also rolling out tools that will provide more transparency for creators and networks alike. This is part of our commitment to ensure that all enterprise partners can continue to thrive and be successful on YouTube." Some publishers, such as Capcom, Deep Silver, Ubisoft and Blizzard, are asking users to contest the claims so they can quickly dismiss the dispute from their end, while others report a third-party account called 4GamerMovie is specifically targeting all Metro: Last Light footage. Another company called IDOL, which has been known to issue claims on a much smaller scale in the past, is also contesting YouTube videos. Earlier this year, Nintendo issued mass claims for a wide number of Let's Play videos. While anyone is free to upload footage of a game to YouTube, those videos technically do not fall under Fair Use.
Total War: Rome 2 gets multiplayer trailer now, additional content by October
Creative Assembly recently announced its post-launch support plans for Total War: Rome 2, the developer's newest war strategy game. Beyond the game's day-one Greek States Culture Pack, the developer said the Nomadic Tribes Culture Pack will arrive by October. That pack, for which Creative Assembly did not list a price but noted it will be paid DLC, will include Royal Scythians, Roxolani and Massagetae groups. Additionally, players will get to add the Seleucid Empire to their factions free of charge by October. The developer also recently unveiled a multiplayer "Let's Play" video, which pits two members of its team against one another in the game. Total War: Rome 2 launches September 3 on PC, and those pre-ordering the game receive the Greek States Culture Pack for free.
Nintendo mass-claims revenue from YouTube 'Let's Play' videos
A number of YouTube members report that Nintendo is issuing "Content ID Match" copyright claims en masse for videos featuring gameplay from its published titles. The move appears to target the "Let's Play" community, in particular. Let's Play series authors often produce full video walkthroughs of featured games, with voiced or subtitled commentary accompanying gameplay. When a "Content ID Match" is claimed for a YouTube clip, the claimant is given the right to place an advertisement at the beginning or the end of the video. Content ID Matches differ from DMCA takedown notices or outright video removals, in that matched videos remain viewable by the public and do not count as a copyright strike against their producers. All revenue earned from views, however, will go to the content's copyright owner, rather than the video uploader. The act is common for publishers like Activision, Electronic Arts, and Square Enix, but it's only recently that Nintendo has joined in the practice. Multiple affected authors have come forward on Reddit to confirm Nintendo's new policy. To date, Nintendo's Content ID Matching spree seems to focus on recent releases like Super Mario 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and New Super Mario Bros. U. Currently, Let's Play videos for older Nintendo-published games are unaffected. Nintendo explains its position in a statement issued to GameFront: "As part of our on-going push to ensure Nintendo content is shared across social media channels in an appropriate and safe way, we became a YouTube partner and as such in February 2013 we registered our copyright content in the YouTube database. "For most fan videos this will not result in any changes, however, for those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length, adverts will now appear at the beginning, next to or at the end of the clips. We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube, and that is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property."
Ask Massively: Ruining the internet
Last week, Massively's Larry Everett finished off a miniseries of articles designed to help interested readers learn to livestream. Streaming has become a major part of Massively's purview; we stream about 20 hours a week. So why not use our expertise to help friends and potential future colleagues learn how to play for fun and profit? Not everyone shares our idealism, apparently. In fact, one commenter told us we are ruining the internet.
The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column. My folks don't really understand my infatuation with video games (and MMORPGs in particular). "How can you sit there and play a game for two or three hours at a time?" my mom is fond of asking. Ironically, this usually happens on a visit that ends where most of our visits do: on the couch in front of the television. Don't get me wrong; she's no couch potato, and in fact she has the meanest green thumb you'll ever see. When the sun goes down, though, my parents (like most of their generation, I'll wager) park their butts in front of the TV. That I should park my own posterior in front of the computer is exceedingly strange to them even though online gaming is to the 21st century what television was to the 20th. I wonder, though, if games are starting to become more passive forms of TV-like entertainment.
The Lawbringer: The odd future of bill S. 978
Pop law abounds in The Lawbringer, your weekly dose of WoW, the law, video games and the MMO genre. Mathew McCurley takes you through the world running parallel to the games we love and enjoy, full of rules, regulations, pitfalls and traps. How about you hang out with us as we discuss some of the more esoteric aspects of the games we love to play? The machinima and streaming communities built around World of Warcraft are filled with some of the most talented and creative people in gaming, from awesome musicians to dedicated streamcasters. The first time I ever got to experience the WoW beta back in 2004, I was watching someone stream footage of their human warlock messing up mobs in (if I remember correctly) Westfall. Streaming is beneficial to gaming, MMOs, and e-sports because of video games' competitive nature and spectator-oriented design. You've probably heard of Senate bill S.978 already, most likely from many video game blogs and news outlets or YouTube campaigns fighting against the passage of this bill. Bill S.978 aims to institute a "10 strikes" policy, making the unauthorized streaming of content a felony, resulting in potential jail time. The main purpose of the bill is to strengthen the law and punishments available to organizations such as the MPAA and other content conglomerates to stop illegal streaming of millions upon millions of dollars in stolen entertainment. As is the way of things, gamers might be caught in the crossfire. Some of you fine readers sent me a few messages on Twitter asking me to weigh in on the 10 strikes streaming bill and maybe give a basic analysis of the thing, so I shall oblige. Lawbringer this week is all about the odd future of bill S. 978 and what it could mean for MMOs and WoW.
