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Nintendo have announced they are effectively ending the Creators Program on Youtube and other video sharing and streaming websites by the end of December.

The program, which started in May 2015, imposed restrictions on what videos could be uploaded or streamed on various websites while being monetized featuring Nintendo games. Those who opted into the program would be allowed to monetize their footage, however Nintendo would get a cut of the video revenue.

Nintendo have posted an official statement clarifying what content can and cannot be monetized after this program ceases.

• You may monetize your videos and channels using the monetization methods separately specified by Nintendo. Other forms of monetization of our intellectual property for commercial purposes are not permitted.
• We encourage you to create videos that include your creative input and commentary. Videos and images that contain mere copies of Nintendo Game Content without creative input or commentary are not permitted. You may, however, post gameplay videos and screenshots using Nintendo system features, such as the Capture Button on Nintendo Switch, without additional input or commentary.
• You are only permitted to use Nintendo Game Content that has been officially released, or from promotional materials officially released by Nintendo (such as product trailers or Nintendo Directs).
• If you want to use the intellectual property of a third party, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary third-party permissions.
• You are not permitted to imply or state that your videos are officially affiliated with or sponsored by Nintendo.
• We reserve the right to remove any content that we believe is unlawful, infringing, inappropriate, or not in line with these Guidelines.

The above essentially means let’s plays with commentary, reviews, and walkthroughs are fine. Footage with no commentary is not however (outside of shorter clips via the Switch’s Capture Button).

The FAQ within the statement elaborates on this further:

We encourage you to use Nintendo Game Content in videos and images that feature your creative input and commentary. For example, Let’s Play videos and video game reviews are within the scope of the Guidelines. However, you may not simply upload or livestream an existing Nintendo video, gameplay footage without your own creative input, or a copy of content created by someone else. For example, mere copies of Nintendo promotional trailers, tournaments, music soundtracks, gameplay sequences, and art collections are outside the scope of the Guidelines.

The “monetization methods separately specified by Nintendo” refer to programs such as Youtube’s Partner Program and Twitch’s Amplify Publisher Program. The statement also declares “The Guidelines are only applicable to individual consumers using Nintendo Game Content.”

Ryan Wyatt (YouTube’s Global Head of Gaming and Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality) shared his thoughts on Twitter.

“The Nintendo Creators Program is coming to a close at the end of December. You may monetize your Nintendo videos on YouTube moving forward. Be sure to follow @Nintendo’s guidelines below. What an amazing day for all Creators!!”
~ @Fwiz, November 28th, 2018.

What do you all think? Is this a step in the right direction or still too restrictive for creators and fans? Sound off in the comments below!