11-30-2018

11-30-2018

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Nintendo’s New Content Guidelines Make It Easier for YouTube Creators To Get Paid

Just ahead of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate launch, Nintendo is lifting some of its restrictions over how YouTube creators can monetize gameplay and livestream content with a new set of guidelines for creators announced on November 28th.

YouTube creators who want to monetize their content no longer have to join Nintendo’s controversial specific partner program. Instead, those who work within YouTube’s Partner Program — a tier that allows the company to run ads on videos, letting creators earn ad revenue through Google’s AdSense — will simply qualify. As part of the policy change, Nintendo is closing its Creators Program next month.

Red Dead Online’s Early Hours Are Full of Violence, Beauty, and Annoying Griefers

During the earliest moments of Red Dead Online, the multiplayer spinoff of Red Dead Redemption 2, you could almost mistake it for a traditional single-player experience. It has all of the series’ hallmarks: tense shootouts; long, quiet rides on horseback; lengthy, well-acted cutscenes; and an open-ended nature that gives a real sense of freedom out in the frontier. You can sit down by a fire and drink some coffee, or you can go hunting for deer in the woods. It’s up to you.

But that feeling doesn’t last forever. There’s a good chance that while you’re enjoying one those nice contemplative moments, or even doing something simple like checking your map, another player is sneaking up behind you for the kill. Red Dead Online feels just like Red Dead Redemption 2 right up until you have to deal with other players.

Bethesda Game Studios Deceptive Trade Practices Investigation

Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is currently investigating Bethesda Game Studios for releasing a heavily-glitched game, Fallout 76, and refusing to issue refunds for PC purchasers of the game who found it to be unplayable because of its technical problems. The return policy on Bethesda’s return policy gives a cautionary notice to “please be very careful when purchasing video games at the Bethesda Store.”   Because UK and EU law, Bethesda supports returns up to 30 days in those regions.

ESA Supports Loot Boxes as FTC Begins Investigations

The Federal Trade Commission, an independent regulatory agency within the United States government, agreed to begin investigating the subject of whether video game loot boxes could be or should be classified as gambling. While not an official announcement, the FTC openly discussed that they are looking into the issue, which is a further step than most expected.

In the face of these investigations, the Entertainment Software Association is standing by their long-held stance that loot boxes do not constitute gambling.