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I find myself feeling alienated more and more by Nintendo since the release of the original Wii console. I never resonated with motion controls and very few titles made me consider pulling out my bank card for the hardware (yes, including Bayonetta 2 for Wii U, much to my own surprise). That being said, I'm shocked at some of Nintendo's recent decisions that seem to not only further alienate those like myself, but that are upsetting some of their most devoted fans.

The most recent news to emerge is that Nintendo has become a YouTube partner and will claim ad revenues on user-generated Let's Plays of their titles. They are reportedly using "content ID matches" which serves them to monetize off LPs by inserting in-video advertisements. You may be familiar with YouTube gamer Zack Scott, who posted his thoughts on his Facebook in response to Nintendo's move:

I'm a Nintendo fan. I waited in the cold overnight to get a Wii. I'm a 3DS ambassador. I got a Wii U at midnight when I already had one in the mail. I've been a Nintendo fan since the NES, and I've owned all of their systems.

With that said, I think filing claims against LPers is backwards. Video games aren't like movies or TV. Each play-through is a unique audiovisual experience. When I see a film that someone else is also watching, I don't need to see it again. When I see a game that someone else is playing, I want to play that game for myself! Sure, there may be some people who watch games rather than play them, but are those people even gamers?

My viewers watch my gameplay videos for three main reasons:
1. To hear my commentary/review.
2. To learn about the game and how to play certain parts.
3. To see how I handle and react to certain parts of the game.

Since I started my gaming channel, I've played a lot of games. I love Nintendo, so I've included their games in my line-up. But until their claims are straightened out, I won't be playing their games. I won't because it jeopardizes my channel's copyright standing and the livelihood of all LPers.

Between backing out of the upcoming E3 conference, claiming that a function in Tomodachi Collection: New Life which allows same-sex couples is a bug that needs fixing and facing some disappointing numbers in Wii U sales, what is happening over at Nintendo? Although I'm not standing in line to purchase their hardware anymore, I don't want to see this giant crash and burn over avoidable sloppiness.

What are your thoughts? Are we seeing the end of the Nintendo era, or is there hope?

Comments

  • Frank Hartnett Avatar
    Frank Hartnett
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Nintendo's ship is sinking and they're the ones drilling the holes.

  • Avatar
    FPDragoon
    10 years, 10 months ago

    It has become increasingly difficult to put into words how I feel about Nintendo. In fact, I really don't know what to say or what I feel they should do to change their current direction (besides the standard 'Cut-the-gimmick, give-us-HD, etc.' schtick)

    So I'm just going to talk to them with my money. I will buy the few products that actually do resonate with me, (I took the plunge into the 3DS after Fire Emblem: Awakening) and then just ignore the rest. If they want more of my money, they'll make stuff I like. If not, then I'll continue buying fewer Nintendo games/systems.

  • dumon Avatar
    dumon
    10 years, 10 months ago

    "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."

    Everybody's drunk; it's a party! This would be a bigger blow if Nintendo had more games that were relevant.

  • Avatar
    Majkir
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I used to love my N64 and Gamecube, they were great consoles. But the Wii always looked really strange to me. Motion control wasn't interesting or intriguing in the slightest and PS3 was coming up with far more interesting exclusives. That and I became more of a PC gamer.

    Anyway, Bayonetta 2 is the only game that has mede think of getting a Wii U but I'm afraid that if I get a console at all, it'll probably be a PS4.

  • Avatar
    wing2k12
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I jumped ship the moment they introduced the Wii and started going after the casual audience. Yes, they probably have the greatest set of IPs known to any company right now, but what they are doing with it does not inspire me to jump back on the Nintendo bandwagon.

    Maybe unlike some of you, but I want to see Nintendo fail. Not totally, but enough for them to realize that what they are currently doing now does not equal success; not while MS and Sony are the companies of choice for hardcore gamers.

  • CrazyKen12 Avatar
    CrazyKen12
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I don't think it is the end but a great change will be coming soon.

  • Emulatedhype Avatar
    Emulatedhype
    10 years, 10 months ago

    So... does this mean Nintendo is essentially making YouTube pay them to advertise their own products? I'm not sure where Nintendo thinks they're going with this, their image with people outside of their ecosystem is already dwindling and this is a surefire way to sour public relations. I wouldn't blame any big Youtubers that decided not to put out videos of their games anymore.

  • noman Avatar
    noman
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I don't see the problem.

  • KBridget Avatar
    KBridget
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Wait. Does that mean by claiming these rights Nintendo is in fact hiring you for doing this LP and therefore you are now employed by them and thusly should receive compensation far more than any predicted ad revenue they MIGHT receive? After all it's YOUR commentary they are seeming to also own and getting paid for thus YOU now work for them and they owe YOU a paycheck.

  • Avatar
    pioshfd
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I get how it's a big deal. Nintendo has the right and it's certainly better than what Sega did with all those Shining Force videos.