Nintendo Content Guidelines Threatens to Ban Creators Over Stricter Rules

Nintendo's recently updated Content Guidelines have significantly tightened restrictions on content creators, potentially leading to bans for violations. This stricter approach follows reported takedowns and aims to address inappropriate content.

Enhanced Enforcement of Nintendo's Content Guidelines

Nintendo's September 2nd update to its "Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms" empowers them to not only issue DMCA takedowns but also proactively remove content and restrict creators from sharing future Nintendo-related material. This represents a significant escalation from previous limitations where action was only taken against content deemed "unlawful, infringing, or inappropriate." A violation could now result in a permanent ban from creating Nintendo-related content.

Key Prohibited Content Additions:

The updated guidelines clarify prohibited content, adding two crucial examples:

• Content depicting actions that negatively impact multiplayer gameplay, such as intentional disruption.
• Content featuring graphic, explicit, harmful, or offensive material, including potentially insulting or disturbing statements or actions.

The Splatoon 3 Incident:

The stricter stance likely stems from incidents like the takedown of a Liora Channel Splatoon 3 video featuring interviews about dating within the game. Nintendo deemed this content unacceptable, prompting Liora Channel to publicly commit to avoiding sexually suggestive Nintendo-related content.

Protecting Young Players:

These changes are understandable considering the potential for predatory behavior in online games, particularly those targeting younger audiences. Examples like reported incidents of abuse in Roblox underscore the need for proactive measures to safeguard children. Nintendo's stricter guidelines aim to prevent its games from being associated with such harmful activities.