Nintendo finally learns how Internet content creation works

Nintendo is finally getting with the times when it comes to content creation that utilizes products from the legendary company. The Nintendo Creators Program, which kept a very tight grip on any Nintendo-influenced videos, will end officially at the end of December 2018. The Nintendo Creator Program website will shut down on March 20, 2019. The official announcement from Nintendo is below.

We are ending the Nintendo Creators Program (NCP) to make it easier for content creators to make and monetize videos that contain Nintendo game content. We will no longer ask creators to submit their videos to the NCP, and creators can continue showing their passion for Nintendo by following Nintendo’s guidelines.

The NCP will come to a close at the end of December 2018. Please note that we are no longer accepting videos and channels, and will not review any that have been submitted, but not yet registered. The NCP website will be taken down on March 20, 2019.

We appreciate and encourage the continued support of content creators, and thank them for their dedication to helping us create smiles.

The controversial partnership program limited monetization last year, but this shift is opening up the floodgates again. The full Nintendo Game Content guidelines, which you can read below, open up video monetization and the company is lightening up on the requirement for commentary if the footage comes from Nintendo Switch's capture function. That last bit will open up opportunities for social media sharing.

Nintendo Game Content Guidelines

You may monetize your videos and channels using the monetization methods separately specified by Nintendo. Other forms of monetization of our intellectual property for commercial purposes are not permitted.
We encourage you to create videos that include your creative input and commentary. Videos and images that contain mere copies of Nintendo Game Content without creative input or commentary are not permitted. You may, however, post gameplay videos and screenshots using Nintendo system features, such as the Capture Button on Nintendo Switch, without additional input or commentary.
You are only permitted to use Nintendo Game Content that has been officially released, or from promotional materials officially released by Nintendo (such as product trailers or Nintendo Directs).
If you want to use the intellectual property of a third party, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary third-party permissions.
You are not permitted to imply or state that your videos are officially affiliated with or sponsored by Nintendo.
We reserve the right to remove any content that we believe is unlawful, infringing, inappropriate, or not in line with these Guidelines.

The Nintendo team adds that they "will not be able to respond to individual inquiries regarding these guidelines" and states that the rules will be updated from time to time. Managing the Nintendo Creator Program, which requires direct content with a lot of individuals, probably took too much manpower at Nintendo. It, unfortunately, hasn't stopped situations like the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate leaks. This new set of guidelines should make management a whole lot easier. Stay tuned to Shacknews for additional updates.