Nintendo Content Guidelines Threatens to Ban Creators Over Stricter Rules

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

Nintendo's New Guidelines: A Crackdown on Inappropriate Content

Nintendo Issues Ban Threats for Content Sharing Violations

Nintendo's updated "Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms" (September 2nd) demand stricter adherence to rules governing the sharing of Nintendo-related content. This expanded enforcement allows Nintendo to issue DMCA takedowns and proactively remove content violating guidelines, potentially restricting creators from sharing any future Nintendo game content. Previously, Nintendo only acted against content deemed "unlawful, infringing, or inappropriate." This change means creators violating these rules risk complete bans from showcasing Nintendo content.

While "unlawful, infringing, or inappropriate" covers a broad range, Nintendo's FAQ provides examples. Two key additions to prohibited content are:

• Actions impairing multiplayer gameplay experiences (e.g., intentionally disrupting game progress).
• Graphic, explicit, harmful, or offensive content, including statements or actions deemed offensive, insulting, obscene, or disturbing.

These stricter guidelines follow reported Nintendo takedowns, possibly prompted by an incident involving a Splatoon 3 content creator.

Nintendo Removes Splatoon 3 Video Featuring Suggestive Content

Nintendo removed a Splatoon 3 video by Liora Channel, featuring interviews with female players discussing their in-game dating experiences, including casual encounters with high-profile players. Liora Channel stated on Twitter (X) that Nintendo deemed the video unacceptable and that they will avoid creating sexually suggestive Nintendo-related content in the future.

These updates address the increased risk of predatory behavior in online games, especially among younger players. Promoting sexual encounters in games targeting young audiences can have serious consequences. Bloomberg has reported numerous Roblox instances of individuals arrested for "abducting or abusing victims they’d met or groomed" within the game.

Given content creators' influence, it's crucial that Nintendo's games aren't associated with harmful activities to protect young players.