The Nintendo Partner Program Encounters Backlash
8, via something they’re calling the ‘Nintendo Creators Program’, and, uh, it kinda sucks. But, it sucks less than what they’ve done up until now.
Previously, YouTube videos containing Nintendo content had all advertising proceeds go directly to Nintendo themselves, no matter what it was. Even if you made a YouTube video encouraging people to buy Nintendo games, Nintendo were gonna take all your money for it. So, that was pretty unfair, so at least the new system is slightly better. The Nintendo Creators Program (or NCP), is designed to give a little money back to Nintendo-themed YouTube videos or channels, via PayPal.
The program is currently in beta, but is set to fully roll-out in May, with users able to register single videos or entire channels via Google+ accounts. For a single video that meets Nintendo’s fairly harsh requirements, content creators will be paid 60% of ad revenue earned, and 70% for an entire channel. Better than nothing, but still not ideal, especially when you don’t get money back immediately – you have to wait two months for Nintendo to get it back to you.
There are a few terms that must be met for a video to be eligible, too, including a disclosure either written or spoken on every video submitted. It says:
“I have a license to use Nintendo’s content in this video through the Nintendo Creators Program. This video is not sponsored or endorsed by Nintendo, but any advertising revenue from this video will be shared with Nintendo.”
Only content featuring a few specific games are eligible, too, so it’s still pretty unfair overall, especially when compared to other publishers. I feel like Nintendo just don’t understand quite how much YouTubers can help them – having someone like pewdiepie, who has 34 million subscribers, play your game is only going to help to sell it. It’s basically free marketing, but Nintendo are charging people for it, thus preventing them from doing it. At least this is a step forward – maybe they’ll figure it out eventually. Maybe.