Home Gaming Microsoft lays down the rules for monetising Xbox videos

Microsoft lays down the rules for monetising Xbox videos

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Da-Rules

We’re in a new age of sharing gameplay experiences. Specifically, an age where we flood video streaming services with terrible videos comprised of pure anti-comedy as some folks try to cash in on being a YouTube star. Yes, I still don’t get it. Thing is, producing those videos using the assets of a game company has led to the thorny issue of who deserves the revenue cash generated. Some companies are obtuse on who gets what. And now Microsoft is laying down the rules for YouTubers. And it’s not all bad news.

If you’re keen to yell like a shrill pinhead several times a week and make awkward pauses while you try to think of something funny to say, then here are the rules. Or at least the gist of them. Read the full link kids, it could save your life:

  • You can’t monetise game content outside of Twitch and YouTube, as for example in paid apps or commercial films.
  • You’re not allowed to reverse-engineer game assets.
  • You can’t sign your creations over to exclusive distribution deals.
  • Microsoft won’t allow you to use game content if your end product is “pornographic, lewd, obscene, vulgar, discriminatory (on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), illegal, hate speech, promoting violence, drug use or any illegal activity, promoting crimes against humanity, genocide or torture, or is otherwise objectionable”.
  • Creators will need to include a copyright notice, as supplied by Microsoft.
  • Titles mustn’t mislead users into thinking they’re viewing official products.
  • You have to check on third-party licenses for music and sound effects yourself.

Still think making Let’s Play videos are cool? Minecraft of course, has its very own set of rules which are separate from the usual games under the Microsoft banner. YouTube Let’s Play producers are basically safe to carry on as usual then. It’s an open policy, unlike Nintendo who have clearly outlined with a Cobra Triangle choke lock their intention to lay claim to any and all advertising revenue on most of their content.

We’ve pretty much done away with ads on our own videos in order to build up a decent set of subscribers, although I do have plans to launch a Patreon soon where you can donate a dollar a month for no tangible benefits/rewards whatsoever. Who’s with me on this? C’mon, it’ll be fun/make me rich!

Last Updated: January 12, 2015

28 Comments

  1. Money Money Money, It’s a rich mans world.

    Reply

  2. AnimeAfrica

    January 12, 2015 at 08:41

    Isnt it suppose to be ” monetizing “

    Reply

    • Viking Of Science

      January 12, 2015 at 08:42

      Only if you’re American and Fat…. 😛

      Reply

  3. Ross Woofels Mason

    January 12, 2015 at 08:41

    “Microsoft won’t allow you to use game content if your end product is
    “pornographic, lewd, obscene, vulgar, discriminatory (on the basis of
    race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), illegal, hate speech,
    promoting violence, drug use or any illegal activity, promoting crimes
    against humanity, genocide or torture, or is otherwise objectionable”.”

    Cross Counter are going to need to start playing on PSN =p seriously that’s half the streams I watch hahaha.

    Reply

    • Raptor Rants A Lot

      January 12, 2015 at 08:49

      And PewDiePie won’t be able to go near this either lol

      Reply

      • Ross Woofels Mason

        January 12, 2015 at 08:51

        Neither will Maximilian or Team Four Star =p The Smosh guy’s will have a hard time with Minecraft as well now =p

        Reply

        • Raptor Rants A Lot

          January 12, 2015 at 08:52

          This should be fun *Grabs popcorn*

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            January 12, 2015 at 08:56

            Great, now I’m hungry

  4. Mandom (Umar)

    January 12, 2015 at 08:42

    I’d support a Patreon if you show me a video of Gavin supporting Man U during a match

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 12, 2015 at 08:43

      I’d support Patreon if you show me a video of @ryanza supporting DRM

      Reply

      • Mandom (Umar)

        January 12, 2015 at 08:44

        Even a vine vid of Ryanza logging into Origin

        Reply

        • Ryanza

          January 12, 2015 at 08:47

          Lol. Just to note, Ryanza doesn’t have Origin installed on his PC.

          Don’t support DRM.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            January 12, 2015 at 08:47

            XD

          • Mandom (Umar)

            January 12, 2015 at 08:50

            LOL Stick it to em bro!!!

          • Admiral Chief

            January 12, 2015 at 09:31

            Do you have Windawz installed?

        • Admiral Chief

          January 12, 2015 at 08:50

          Nah, rather logging into OOBI

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            January 12, 2015 at 08:53

            If it’s even possible

          • Admiral Chief

            January 12, 2015 at 08:56

            Also true

      • RinceThis

        January 12, 2015 at 09:11

        lol

        Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    January 12, 2015 at 08:43

    “or is otherwise objectionable” doesn’t this mean they can pull the video if you bad mouth one of their games?

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      January 12, 2015 at 08:43

      Who defines objectionable?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 12, 2015 at 08:46

        Exactly, MS can claim it means all sorts of things if the video is shining a bad light on them.

        Reply

  6. Brady miaau

    January 12, 2015 at 08:43

    Is it sad that I can see that image of Da Rules comes from Fairy GodParents, where Timmy is explained the rules for the millionth time?

    Reply

  7. Viking Of Science

    January 12, 2015 at 08:46

    Monetising? whatever. I’m back in action, Monetising mah days! (meaning I’m back at work)

    Reply

  8. Hammersteyn

    January 12, 2015 at 09:08

    Also “DA Rules”? Nice way to spread your political views 😛

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      January 12, 2015 at 09:24

      LOOOL

      Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      January 12, 2015 at 09:25

      I wanted to put up a pick of Helen, but you beat me to it!!

      Reply

  9. RinceThis

    January 12, 2015 at 09:10

    If we get to throw the money at you I may consider…

    Reply

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