Nintendo is currently issuing “content ID match” claims on Youtube videos that feature their video games, according to Game Front. This means that Youtubers who include footage of Nintendo games while reviewing them or providing commentary cannot receive ad revenue from those videos. That money goes straight to Nintendo.
Nintendo’s move has been met with near universal criticism in the Youtube community. Many have argued, including Youtuber Zack Scott (who brought the “content ID match” claims to light), that viewers watch their videos to hear their opinions, or see how they play and react to the game. To them, they are doing most of the work bringing in viewers (and therefore ad revenue) and so Nintendo’s actions are unfair. Zack Scott has stated that he will no longer feature Nintendo games on his channel for fear of losing his account.
