The NintenTube Fiasco ~ A Slap In The Face or a Fair Step to the Future?

Unless you've been living under a rock these past few weeks, then you more than likely have already heard that Nintendo has introduced a brand new YouTube program that allows YouTubers to register single videos or their entire channel with Nintendo, whereby they can upload videos that feature (approved) Nintendo content and receive a percentage of the generated ad-revenue.

From since its inception, many have called-out Nintendo on this move, from various users across several websites, to big-time YouTubers like PewDiePie. The general comments paint the picture that many are not happy with this program, not even the seemingly always happy and cheerful "Pewds". Despite the outcry, however, Nintendo has continued with the program, and has even reported that they're having trouble keeping up with all the applications that are being sent in. With that said, it seems quite obvious that despite the general "thumbs down" towards this, it's flourishing.

Now then, despite being such a touchy topic, I wanted to give my two cents on the situation, and let me start by saying this:

You people are looking at this the wrong way.

▶ The Legal Leaps

I've found it quite interesting how with all the complaints that have been thrown at Nintendo over this, it seems that (generally speaking) - everyone has a case of "convenient amnesia". I say that because it seems that hardly anyone remembers the fact that all Nintendo is doing is controlling the creation of content that features games with characters that they, oh, you know, own? (Shocker!)

Seeing that Nintendo are the creators and publishers of the games in question, is it really all that bad that they want a cut of the profit that people are making from THEIR games? I mean, by that logic, I guess companies like Disney and Sony Music should just sit quietly when someone decides to use one of their movies or songs and make money off of them.

Here's a fun fact people; when you buy a game, you're simply doing the same thing you do when you buy a DVD or music album; buying a piece of entertainment. You own your own copy for you to, well, *entertain* yourself with. Isn't that interesting?! So then, where does, recording footage of said entertainment-piece fit into that little situation?

Oh, right, it doesn't.

You see, what the Let's Play community has been doing (which people don't seem to realize), is that they're making money from content they don't own. Yes, they may have bought the game, and if they're really big - they were probably GIVEN the game - but at the end of the day, the game doesn't BELONG to them. With that said, when they record footage of the game, regardless of which, and upload it to YouTube and receive ad-revenue from it, they're technically in the same boat as someone who records a movie and burns copies and sells them, or someone who buys a music album, dumps the songs, and burn copies and sells them.

Now how, exactly? I mean, it's not like Let's Players are selling copies of the games they're playing, right? No, they're not, but, they're still making money off of them.

But what about the free advertising?! - True, when a YouTuber uploads footage of a game, he's sharing a hands-on experience with thousands of people. That experience can effectively drive people who may not heard of the game, or people who weren't sure, to go ahead and make the purchase. Yet even so, for every view he gets, that's also another drop of revenue getting forwarded to the YouTuber's bank account.

What Nintendo is doing is simply gaining revenue from their own content. Forget the free advertising; it's still their game. If they didn't make the game, the YouTuber wouldn't have any footage, and without any footage, there would be no video, and if there's no video, then what about the YouTube Channel? Oh yeah, right, *POOF*!

▶ The Civil Complaints

Now then, let's get to the people who are complaining. Another interesting point I've picked up on is that while their may be a lot of people who are downing this program, I have to ask; exactly how many of you are active YouTubers, and more importantly, how many of you run a Let's Play YouTube channel?

I mean, don't mind me, but, I thought that if it's anyone who should be upset, it's you know, people who are ACTUALLY being AFFECTED by this?
But hey, that's just me!

Speaking of which - let's get to you Let's Players. Now, I already made mention of the fact that you're getting money from content that's not yours, but I have a question for you; is this REALLY your day-job?

Now don't get me wrong, making videos is no easy task. I would know; I've been doing it since I was 9. Yet even so, I can't seem to grasp the idea of actually doing this as a living. I mean, movie producers and music video directors - yes, they can do that. But, a YouTube channel where you're just playing games and doing commentary as a job? That's, well, crazy.

Now, I'm sure you're probably thinking: "Look at PewDiePie! That dude is loaded!" Yes, he is. He makes about $4 million a year; a number many of us can't obtain in 5 years, and probably never will. He's a very fortunate fellow, but, just because he can pull a high-score like that, doesn't mean anyone with a camera, mic and game controller can.

At the end of the day, doing LPs as a living is rather crazy. Not to mention that should any publisher decide it's time to get a fair share (or all-share) of the revenue from their own product, then, there goes your 'day-job'. What Nintendo is doing may seem mean to some, but, they're only doing what they have the right to do. Just like how you can't upload a movie, or TV show or music video without permission, then neither can you expect to make money off of a video game that you didn't make without some consequence. Sure, the gaming industry is more laid back on the matter than the TV, movie and music industry; but, that doesn't mean that Nintendo (or any other publisher that decides to step up to the plate) is wrong for doing this. Sure, I do agree that they need to make some improvements to the rules that they currently have, but still, it's not a completely terrible start.

To be honest, I think that any LPers who are being affected by this should be HAPPY that Nintendo is actually willing to SHARE the revenue, and not just that, they're giving you the BIGGER half. That's generous. While some may say its less than what similar programs offer; it's still better than what they were previously offering. In case you didn't know, let me give you a hint (DMCA).