Nintendo Content Guidelines Threatens to Ban Creators Over Stricter Rules

Nintendo recently tightened its Content Guidelines, significantly impacting content creators. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including permanent bans from sharing Nintendo-related content online.

Nintendo's New Guidelines: Stricter Rules for Online Content

Nintendo Issues Bans for Content Sharing Violations

Nintendo's updated "Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms," effective September 2nd, impose stricter rules on Nintendo-related content. Enforcement has expanded beyond DMCA takedowns. Nintendo can now proactively remove violating content and restrict creators from sharing future Nintendo game content—a significant escalation from previous limitations to only addressing "unlawful, infringing, or inappropriate" material. This means creators risk complete bans from showcasing Nintendo content.

While the definition of "unlawful, infringing, or inappropriate" remains broad, Nintendo's FAQ clarifies prohibited content, notably adding:

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

These stricter guidelines follow reported takedown incidents, possibly spurred by a recent event involving a Splatoon 3 creator.

Nintendo Removes Splatoon 3 Video with Suggestive Content

Nintendo removed a Splatoon 3 video by Liora Channel featuring interviews with female players discussing dating experiences within the game. Uploaded August 22nd, the video explored players' personal lives, including encounters with prominent Splatoon 3 players. Liora Channel reported Nintendo deemed the content unacceptable, and subsequently committed to avoiding sexually suggestive Nintendo-related content.

These changes are understandable given the increased risk of predatory behavior in online gaming, particularly affecting younger players. Promoting sexual encounters in games with young audiences carries severe consequences. Bloomberg reports numerous Roblox arrests related to grooming and abuse of victims met within the game.

Given content creators' influence, Nintendo's aim to disassociate its games from harmful activities is crucial for protecting young players.