Video games have become a spectator sport online, with some YouTube gamers gaining tens of millions of followers and making millions of dollars off of their channels. Until now, Nintendo has been claiming all ad revenue for any video featuring its content, a controversial stance that did not endear the brand to these influencers. Their new “Creators Program” is an effort to change that view, offering vloggers 60-70% of their ad revenue. But while the program is a move in the right direction, some call it “woefully out of touch.” Massively popular gamer PewDiePie has publically declared that it’s not enough, and by withholding any revenue Nintendo is still missing out on “the free exposure and publicity that they get from YouTube/YouTubers.” (Fast Company, Forbes)
