Nintendo Changes YouTube Ad Revenue Policy

Gaming giant Nintendo has launched a new program to share YouTube advertising revenue with video content creators. Previously, advertising proceeds for videos that included Nintendo-copyrighted content went to Nintendo, but the new initiative--the Nintendo Creators Program--changes that.

The program entered beta this week, with a final rollout expected for this May. Per the terms listed on its website, Nintendo Creators Program users must have Google and PayPal accounts to take part.

Users can register single videos or entire channels, but Nintendo warns it could take up to three business days for content such as Let's Play videos to be reviewed and finalized. If a video meets Nintendo's requirements, the company will pay the creator 60 percent of the total advertising revenue for a single video or 70 percent for a channel, comprising multiple videos.

Regarding these fees, however, Nintendo notes that these rates "may be changed arbitrarily."

To remain in compliance with the Nintendo Creators Program, all videos must include a disclosure--in spoken or written form--that that states the following

"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."

In order to be eligible to receive a share of advertising revenue, videos must display only the games specified by Nintendo. These include a range of games from throughout Nintendo's history, including new titles such as Mario Kart 8 as well as older games like Super Mario 64. The full list of games specified for use with the Nintendo Creators Program is available here.

If your video is in full compliance with the terms of the Nintendo Creators Program, you can expect payment two months after the video's monthly views are counted. For example, advertising revenue for videos in January will be paid to a creator before the end of March.

For more on the Nintendo Creators Program, check out the official website.

In May 2013, Nintendo drew the ire of some YouTube content creators after the company claimed revenue for YouTube videos that featured its games. Nintendo's actions were in adherence with YouTube's policy guidelines, but nevertheless they posed a threat to those who were hoping to make a living creating Let's Play and other similar videos.