Crypt Cleanser
Posts: 721
Joined: Thursday, 9th August 2012, 20:23
Issue & Proposal: YouTube and Verification
For those who don't know, YouTube has been recently getting much tougher in regards to monetized videos that feature content from video games. This isn't anything new and YouTube changes its policies a lot - such as when they recently changed how MCN's worked.
Specifically of interest though, and the purpose of this thread, is in regards to the need for YouTube to have 'insurance' that content creators on YouTube aren't uploading content for which the uploader does not have 'absolute permission' for.
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To explain what I'm going on about.
YouTube allows content creators the option of monetizing videos that they upload. Monetization means that YouTube is allowed to put ads on the content creators videos - usually you see this as the little banner after 10 seconds or an actual video advertisement that plays before the video starts; other options are also available and MCN's operate a bit differently in regards to it as well. The advertisers of course posting the ads pay YouTube - and the content creator, for the resultant advertisements placed on the video.
Where money is involved, YouTube needs to cover itself in the events where a copywrite holder has their copywrited material uploaded by someone other then them - even moreso if that someone other then them monetizes their video. In the past this was simply done with an automated system that gave copywrite holders the ability to flag their content should it be uploaded - and then they could take down the content or simply just leave it be but with all ad revenue now going to them.
Now however, YouTube is not only doing the above but they are also beginning to check videos which may 'potentially' include material, and subsequently they will send a verification request to make sure that there is without a doubt 'permission for authorized use' in effect for the material.
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So, what does this mean in relation to Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup?
Simply put, when YouTube asks for verification, they are looking for:
- -A blanket policy or terms of use statement that specifies if game footage from a game can be uploaded for commercial purposes - with conditions if applicable. Paradox Interactive is my golden example for this, with their about page on YouTube stating:
We permit third-party use & monetization of things like "Let's Play" Videos on YouTube under the restriction that it is clear that Paradox Interactive is the copyright holder of any material shown and that the following copyright notice is added to any such material: "Copyright © 2013 Paradox Interactive AB. http://www.paradoxplaza.com". More info: http://bit.ly/N9RVWX
-A written contract between specific content creators and the copywrite holder, or a written letter from the copywrite holder that specifies that the content creator may use game footage for commercial purposes - with conditions if applicable. You can check the link 'What YouTube looks for in your documentation' for more information on that.
In the absence of this, the content creator isn't allowed to monetize the content.
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In regards to what I've stated then, Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup does not have any any terms of condition regarding YouTube of use of their game footage. This effectively means that any content creator looking to monetize their videos need to seek permission AND get either a contract or letter.
Besides that fact that content creators may be discouraged from getting their Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup videos monetized on YouTube, content creators may be discouraged from making videos in general for Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
To be blunt, if I am looking for games to do Let's Plays of, I'm going to be more skewed to do a Let's Play if I know that I know has something in it for me. A good example of this would be the current Let's Play series I'm doing: DavionFuxa Plays Horizon - A 4X Turn Based Strategy Game. Besides the fact that I was given the opportunity to play the game in exchange for doing Let's Plays, I was also given permission to monetize the videos I produce. While obviously this is an extremely heavily weighted skew, it does show that it is very easy for ones attention to go elsewhere when deciding what to pursue.
Even without the above example though, there should be some push for an incentive to get attention towards the game.
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If you have read my post to this point, then thanks, I'll keep this section quick with just a simple sentence of my proposal.
The Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup team should make it clear that monetization of their videos is allowed.
I would suggest with a link concerning YouTube Monetization after 'Documentation' in 'The Game' sub-header that is clearly visible for anyone 'NOT LOOKING' for it, or perhaps in the Documentation or FAQ links if you want to limit it only to those people that are specifically looking.
Defining the Roguelike Genre
- For this message the author Davion Fuxa has received thanks:
- Brannock