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[TheLegendOfMart]

Well, this is entirely about principal for me - so yes, we should be taking a percentage cut from revenue from all youtubers that use game playthroughs as their main source of content. However, the world doesn't work like that does it?

AFAIK, Jim Sterling's videos use short clips, not full playthroughs which for me is the difference between fair use and taking the piss.

You've still yet to explain WHY they deserve a cut. They got paid a wage to make the game and then again when PDP bought the game and possibly again as a bonus if the game met targets. Why should they get a further cut of the profits that PDP generates by editing the footage and commenting over it?

Why take the money away from the video creators just because a Publisher takes the lion share of the profits.

 

[Slixshot]

Lots of people hate on the guy but he doesn't deserve it. If I could trade jobs with him... well, I would't because I love my job XD but if I could continue doing what I love to do and make that much money, well, I wouldn't want people hating on me.

 

[heyf00L]

If anyone could do it everyone would.

The fact is it takes a combination of motivation, skill, and timing to be successful. This guy was driven, is funny and capable (of making videos), and got in the game early. That's the recipe for success.

 

[TheSpaceBetween]

People like terrible things across all artistic/entertainment mediums, and the creators reap the rewards, as PewDiePie does here. Life isn't fair, it's just the way it is. The incessant whining about it is tiring though, and reeks of jealousy.

 

[Gbraga]

Well, this is entirely about principal for me - so yes, we should be taking a percentage cut from revenue from all youtubers that use game playthroughs as their main source of content. However, the world doesn't work like that does it?

AFAIK, Jim Sterling's videos use short clips, not full playthroughs which for me is the difference between fair use and taking the piss.

Oh, ok, now it seems fairly obvious, but I didn't get that as part of your point before for some reason. That's indeed far more reasonable, even if I still think no one should be getting the youtuber's money, only perhaps having Google paying them a share as well. It would be terribly complicated, though, with stuff like abandoned playthroughs not really counting as broadcasting the whole game.

You've still yet to explain WHY they deserve a cut. They got paid a wage to make the game and then again when PDP bought the game and possibly again as a bonus if the game met targets. Why should they get a further cut of the profits that PDP generates by editing the footage and commenting over it?

Why take the money away from the video creators just because a Publisher takes the lion share of the profits.

Very good point.

 

[Froli]

I don't watch his videos but he made it. Good for him
About the jealousy and the salt over his fame/fortune and how life is so unfair. I feel sorry for you

 

[TheGeordie]

You've still yet to explain WHY they deserve a cut. They got paid a wage to make the game and then again when PDP bought the game. Why should they get a further cut of the profits that PDP generates by editing the footage and commenting over it?

Why take the money away from the video creators just because a Publisher takes the lion share of the profits.

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

 

[benicillin]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

That's where you'd probably be wrong. In my experience, 90% of the time people follow a YouTuber is because of the YouTuber, not because of the games they are playing. I don't watch Giant Bomb to watch them play games, I watch Giant Bomb because I think they're informative and hysterical. I don't watch NorthernLion because of the games he plays, I watch them because of NorthernLion. Are there some people who just watch LPs for the game? Sure, I'd imagine, but they're not the kind of people who subscribe to YouTubers or Twitch streamers.

 

[Angelus Errare]

How did all of this drama about his net worth get started? Did he make a post/video about it and it spiraled from there?

The number one rule of wealth is to NEVER tell anyone, not even you own family members, about how much money you have. It causes nothing but headaches.

There was an article about how much he made and then jealousy reared its ugly head and the rest is history.

 

[Biker19]

He is not fleecing anyone. He doesn't try to sell anything sleazy or exploitative. He puts a dumb show on the internet, millions of people watch, and advertisers give him money to run their ads. It distresses me when this guy is criticized as if he does something scummy or worthless.

I don't like 95% of the stuff on TV, but I don't question the effort and talent that goes into creating something like The Bachelor. Gamers can be so self hating and I think that's sad.

Exactly. What it is, is jealously because most of them aren't as successful as PewDiePie is in terms of making a lot of money.

 

[Bluenoser]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

Quite possibly the most ridiculous statement I've ever read.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Then they could watch any number of no commentary lets plays, PDP rarely does full playthroughs anymore but people go to his channel for his personality and style of commentary.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

I watch TV shows without paying on my free to air TV, someone else paid for it.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

You are assuming someone watching the video would pay for the game if PDP hadn't broadcasted it.

It's clear publishers and devs are happy with the arrangement or he would have lost his channel a long time ago. They are reaching an audience without having to pay a penny outside of giving him a copy of their game. They could only dream of reaching 37m without having to pay for marketing.

You seem to be under the impression you are fighting for the injustice to the little guys.

The little guys are the kind of people who benefit most from people like PDP playing their game on a video.

 

[Slixshot]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Do you watch LPs yourself? I'm not a PDP fan, but I am a Game Grumps fan and 90% of the time, I'm just listening to them while I work out. They're hilarious. I don't really care what they're playing. The other 10% of the time is when they're playing a game I care about, most recently Bloodborne. That's cool to watch, but the reason I care about it is because I've already played it and want to see how they do or if anything funny happens while they're playing.

 

[ebullientprism]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

I shouldnt even have to point out that this is wrong. If this were true, why is he standing out? Why is he making millions while joe schmoe has 5 views on his Minecraft LP? Hell the video posted in the OP is just him talking into a camera with no gameplay at all and has 2+ million views.

How do you not realize something this obvious and are still debating in the thread?

 

[Zeth]

I started watching him a couple of days ago and I must say I feel left out, he does amazing job has a great sense of humour and his video editing is stellar, he also loves to make fun of himself and he really cares about his fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQiupUGjKaU
Hilarious

Holy shit I love this guy. Lmao.

 

[Portugeezer]

http://www.vg247.com/2014/08/27/pewdiepie-ea-reprint-skate-3/

 

[Bluenoser]

I shouldnt even have to point out that this is wrong. If this were true, why is he standing out? Why is he making millions while joe schmoe has 5 views on his Minecraft LP? Hell the video posted in the OP is just him talking into a camera with no gameplay at all and has 2+ million views.

How do you not realize something this obvious and are still debating in the thread?

The big question is.... who does the money go to when he doesn't put in gameplay? Maybe someone still deserves a slice of the profits. I vote that the manufacturer of his microphone gets a cut. Clearly not fair use. They didn't intend for him to make millions from using it.

Spoiler

/s

http://www.vg247.com/2014/08/27/pewdiepie-ea-reprint-skate-3/

Hogwash! PDP is a leech on devs- he can't possibly make them sell more games.

 

[Froli]

That's where you'd probably be wrong. In my experience, 90% of the time people follow a YouTuber is because of the YouTuber, not because of the games they are playing. I don't watch Giant Bomb to watch them play games, I watch Giant Bomb because I think they're informative and hysterical. I don't watch NorthernLion because of the games he plays, I watch them because of NorthernLion. Are there some people who just watch LPs for the game? Sure, I'd imagine, but they're not the kind of people who subscribe to YouTubers or Twitch streamers.

Same here, It's the personality that makes me watch their stream and youtube videos. For instance Lirik, if someone other than him is playing some survival game like dayz or h1z1, I wouldn't watch them.

 

[Felix Lighter]

TheGeordie, your talking like the publishers don't have the right to sue, here. They could if they'd like and I wouldn't be surprised if they'd successfully blocked his content by doing so.

But, Instead they are sending him pre-release copies of their games for free in the hope that he will feature their game on his videos. If your hypothetical situation in which his content is negatively impacting their business, why would they be so eager to have their game featured in his videos?

 

[Gbraga]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

This makes no sense to me. If you're watching for the game, surely you wouldn't choose a loud guy with a facecam? There are playthroughs with no faces or comments, after all. And even those walkthroughs can serve purposes other than just experiencing the game without paying, such as helping people who are stuck at some part.

 

[Takiyah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQiupUGjKaU
Hilarious

Ok I thought I didn't like his videos, but, this is some funny stuff. BACK ON THE TRAIN

 

[TheGeordie]

Then they could watch any number of no commentary lets plays, PDP rarely does full playthroughs anymore but people go to his channel for his personality and style of commentary.

I don't doubt people view his videos partially because of him - I've never claimed it's only the games but the arrangement as is, means it's only him that receives a cut of the advertising revenue. Even a token gesture (say 10%) to the game makers would be better than nothing.

As I've asked - would he have become successful without the games? I seriously doubt it.

I watch TV shows without paying on my free to air TV, someone else paid for it.

Not following this - what are you getting at? You can watch whatever you like, but you're not broadcasting it for other people to watch and making money from doing so?

You are assuming someone watching the video would pay for the game if PDP hadn't broadcasted it.

No - this isn't a lost sale thing - although I definitely do believe that happens - this is a why are they watching thing - they are watching (at least partially) because of the game - ergo, the game makers deserve a slice.

It's clear publishers and devs are happy with the arrangement

I'm a game dev and I'm not happy with it. I know that a lot of people aren't happy with it but they don't make the decisions - there's examples where major players like Nintendo have said "no, we should be getting paid here" - they didn't seem happy with it?

Don't confuse people accepting the status quo with them being happy about it. I would bet my house that all the major pubs have had a long hard think about demanding ad revenue and the resultant damage to the brand and what not.

They are reaching an audience without having to pay a penny outside of giving him a copy of their game. They could only dream of reaching 37m without having to pay for marketing.

I agree - for some games it can be a blessing, but as discussed in previous posts, for others it can be a curse - it's not a one way street.

You seem to be under the impression you are fighting for the injustice to the little guys.

Not fighting for any one - I accept the system as is - doesn't mean I have to like it.

I simply don't think it's fair that someone is making millions without giving some of it back to the people that allow him to do that.

 

[Ganzlinger]

So I started to watch his videos just because of this controverse. Actually, dude is pretty all right. Nice videos and stuff.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

Not following this - what are you getting at? You can watch whatever you like, but you're not broadcasting it for other people to watch and making money from doing so?.

My point was someone bought the TV show and is now airing it for free on TV with adverts, I am watching it for free. Should the studio then get a cut of the ad revenue?

I'm a game dev and I'm not happy with it.

Bingo.

I simply don't think it's fair that someone is making millions without giving some of it back to the people that allow him to do that.

He did, he bought your game.

 

[Froli]

I'm a game dev and I'm not happy with it. .

Want to change careers then? lol jk

Sorry, but I really find this very funny

 

[TheGeordie]

Want to change careers then? lol jk

lol - I love my job TBH - been doing it for 15 years or so now and still love it.

 

[CadetMahoney]

Don't hate the player hate the game(s).

 

[Steve McQueen]

When I saw him the first time and he said his name I knew his channel was not for me.
I don't like what he's doing on YT and the fact that millions do puzzles me.

But then again, I don't really care that he makes a lot of money, so be it.
tbh...I wish I made that much money

 

[TheGeordie]

My point was someone bought the TV show and is now airing it for free on TV with adverts, I am watching it for free. Should the studio then get a cut of the ad revenue?

Bingo.

He did, he bought your game.

He bought the game which (should) entitle him to experience it himself. Not to broadcast it so millions of other people can also experience it without paying.

To flip this on it's head - you honestly think that his millions of followers are entitled to check out the majority of a games content (which we spend millions and years on), without paying anything?

 

[Caipirinha]

The amount of jealous "people like me should be this loved and rich and popular" that's leaking through your posts is almost sad.

I would legitimately feel bad for you but jealousy isnt endearing. Try not to let the success of others make you this bitter.

I'm afraid whatever you are reading into my posts says a lot more about you than me. Would I like to be rich? Sure I guess, who wouldn't in all honesty, but my issue with celebrities being overpaid for doing little to nothing is that there are other people on the world who work far harder than him or even I for whom the vast swathes of money locked behind a privileged 1% should be distributed.

Just because some people find him entertaining isn't enough for me to feel that that money shouldnt be elsewhere. And it's absolutely true what the devs are saying, that the majority of entertainment provided on his video is the intellectual property and labour of other hardworking people who see none of his profits and will likely never earn a fraction of what he does for filming himself consuming it.

But I must stress that whatever you are reading into my posts probably does say something about you, and you should probably figure out what it is. It's weird.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Honestly dude, I think you're trolling because you're not taking my replies on board.

He bought the game which (should) entitle him to experience it himself. Not to broadcast it so millions of other people can also experience it without paying.

To flip this on it's head - you honestly think that his millions of followers are entitled to check out the majority of a games content (which we spend millions and years on), without paying anything?

Feel free to file a copyright claim against any video with content in which you own the rights.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

He bought the game which (should) entitle him to experience it himself. Not to broadcast it so millions of other people can also experience it without paying.

To flip this on it's head - you honestly think that his millions of followers are entitled to check out the majority of a games content (which we spend millions and years on), without paying anything?

Same could be said for you, you are biased because you put in countless hours of hard work for a pittance and you see this guy making millions from the game you made.

It's no different than renting or buying used, the publisher doesn't get a cut and I've just expierenced the full game.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

He bought the game which (should) entitle him to experience it himself. Not to broadcast it so millions of other people can also experience it without paying.

To flip this on it's head - you honestly think that his millions of followers are entitled to check out the majority of a games content (which we spend millions and years on), without paying anything?

But they don't get the same experience as if they were actually playing the game. They are sharing his experience with the game.

Again, people are going to watch him and not the games. He could be playing a game where the goal is to flush a turd down to toilet and it would still get 3 million views because people like his commentary and personality.

 

[Netherscourge]

I'm 100% jealous of that man.

I'm glad he's making tons of money doing something he loves. I wish I could do that myself.

Grats to him. I hope he continues to make millions.

 

[TheGeordie]

Same could be said for you, you are biased because you put in countless hours of hard work for a pittance and you see this guy making millions from the game you made.

It's no different than renting or buying used, the publisher doesn't get a cut and I've just expierenced the full game.

You're right, pre-owned and renting are the same - I think the devs deserve a slice of those too.

 

[Caipirinha]

I'm 100% jealous of that man.

I'm glad he's making tons of money doing something he loves. I wish I could do that myself.

Grats to him. I hope he continues to make millions.

Just curious if you feel the same way about Paris Hilton for example?

 

[TheGeordie]

But they don't get the same experience as if they were actually playing the game. They are sharing his experience with the game.

As discussed - modern games are as much about the story and presentation as they are the gameplay - I've got friends who don't like to play games but will quite happily sit and watch me play them.

They aren't the exact same experience for sure - but if all you're interested in is the story anyway (as a lot of modern gamers are), they I don't think it's that different.

 

[Idba]

He bought the game which (should) entitle him to experience it himself. Not to broadcast it so millions of other people can also experience it without paying.

To flip this on it's head - you honestly think that his millions of followers are entitled to check out the majority of a games content (which we spend millions and years on), without paying anything?

Youtubers more so help the sale of the games they play. So much so that the publishers invite them to all these exclusive previews for them to talk about on their channels.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

He's gamings owne Kim Kardashian. *shrugs*

Blame the game, not the player.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

You're right, pre-owned and renting are the same - I think the devs deserve a slice of those too.

I don't, they were already compensated when the game was sold originally.

 

[Netherscourge]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

Buying a game is supposed to be about you, the purchaser experiencing the game yourself.

It is not about broadcasting it to millions of other people who also get to experience it _without paying_.

PDP paid to play the game himself - not to broadcast it to make money. That isn't fair use and that's why the devs should be paid a slice.

I have no problem with the devs getting a slice - but it's a case-by-case basis. Not all devs CARE and some devs like the free advertising they get out of it.

Has PDP gotten takedown notices? Has he ignored them?

(I don't know - just curious)

If a SPECIFIC dev wants money or doesn't want their game on PDP's stream, then they have the right to request that and PDP should honor that. But don't speak out for other devs, because not all of them want their games blocked.

 

[benicillin]

Just curious if you feel the same way about Paris Hilton for example?

If Paris Hilton made all of her money by people watching videos she edited and uploaded to YouTube then yeah I'm sure anyone here would feel the same way.

EDIT: On second thought it doesn't really matter - if people want to pay Paris Hilton for being Paris Hilton, all the power to them.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

IMO, people are not watching the videos for his commentary, they are watching them for the game.

This is an unusual example of what is called having a "wrong opinion."

 

[TheGeordie]

Youtubers more so help the sale of the games they play. So much so that the publishers invite them to all these exclusive previews for them to talk about on their channels.

Check back a few pages dude - we've discussed that already.

 

[Netherscourge]

Just curious if you feel the same way about Paris Hilton for example?

Why would I care if Paris Hilton makes millions doing media-type things?

More power to her.

 

[spliced]

Other people care more about the money than you do PewDiePie? Not even George Costanza could say that with a straight face.

It's not about the money = It's about the money.

He doesn't deserve all that money but there are a lot richer people doing a lot worse things than him.

 

[TheGeordie]

This is an unusual example of what is called having a "wrong opinion."

Feel free to contribute to thread in a meaningful manner dude - so far it's been quite enjoyable and I'm finding other people's POVs to be quite interesting (which is originally what I wanted to know about).

Comments like that really aren't helpful or constructive.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

As discussed - modern games are as much about the story and presentation as they are the gameplay - I've got friends who don't like to play games but will quite happily sit and watch me play them.

They aren't the exact same experience for sure - but if all you're interested in is the story anyway (as a lot of modern gamers are), they I don't think it's that different.

You think games like Rogue Legacy, One Finger death Punch and Nidhogg are about the story?

Show me proof that gamers are just watching these videos for the story.

 

[Gbraga]

He could be playing a game where the goal is to flush a turd down to toilet and it would still get 3 million views because people like his commentary and personality.

He most likely already did something like this, to be honest.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

He most likely already did something like this, to be honest.

I thought that as I was typing it lol