Vlambeer Makes YouTubers Monetizing That S@&% Easy As S@&%

from the show-me-the-money dept

I've argued in the past that YouTube videos, far from the bane of gaming companies' existence, actually serve to drive sales by informing the public of gameplay, graphics, and the overall quality of the product being offered. Yet, for reasons that escape me, some companies view "let's play" style YouTube videos as a threat and choose to restrict their fans' sharing their experiences. I happen to think that this is an indication of insecurity in the product, but it turns out not every gaming company is so myopic.

Meet Vlambeer, makers of the wildly popular Ridiculous Fishing game, which we've talked about before. The company found it was getting requests from its fans for permission to put some gameplay videos up on YouTube. Their reaction? Create a simple uber-permission tool granting each user forever-access.

Vlambeer has launched an express consent generator, aptly named "monetizethat$hit", which allows users to simply enter their username and come away with a document that grants them permission to make videos of the developer's games.The form, which has an entertaining tone, reads "This permission is (retro-actively) valid from the moment your service has been launched until the end of time / apocalypse / the events in Nuclear Throne become a reality. This permission shall not be limited to any territory, planet, solar system, universe or hypothetical alternate realities." It goes on to emphasize that Vlambeer loves to watch people enjoying its games, as it's creatively energizing.
This is what scientists refer to as being awesome. It's the trifecta of permissive use, a sense of humor, and engaging with fans. Perfect. And, while the company states its goal is to energize their own creativity, the end result of these fan videos is most likely the spread of information about the games themselves, driving future sales. It shows what relinquishing a bit of control can do for the business. On top of that, it doesn't hurt to build up some good will with your fans.

However, the Techdirt playbook doesn't end with permission and being awesome. Shaming cloners is in there as well.
Vlambeer also couldn't resist the opportunity to provide a bit of commentary. The end of the form states "Either way, if somebody can earn a penny or get filthy rich doing that, we're totally cool with that. That's not upsetting. It'd be upsetting if someone got filthy rich by, say, stealing our game idea and mostly replacing the main character with a ninja or something silly like that."
This is an obvious dig at Ninja Fishing, a not-so-subtle clone of Ridiculous Fishing that Vlambeer managed to beat out simply by being a better game and with a little similar social-shaming. Way to stick the landing, Vlambeer.

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Filed Under: business models, connect with fans, let's play, monetizing, ridiculous fishing
Companies: vlambeer


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  • icon
    Nick (profile), 11 Nov 2013 @ 3:50pm

    Vlambeer does what Nintendon't.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    art guerrilla (profile), 11 Nov 2013 @ 4:04pm

    now, wait just a darn tootin' minute...

    ...an evil, soul-sucking korporation treating people like, well, i don't know, *people*, instead of marks and thieves ? ? ?

    *that* will never catch on...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    S. T. Stone, 11 Nov 2013 @ 4:20pm

    Wait.

    A company decided to work with fans to create a symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit from each other's works?

    That’s totally unfair to the MPAA and RIAA! Doesn't Vlambeer know they have to stomp out fanbase actions such as these to protect their intellectual property? Vlambeer just set a bad example for all the other media companies out there! How dare they!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Zem, 11 Nov 2013 @ 9:10pm

      Re:

      I am sure in the future they will think of this as the one that got away. And the injustice will get bigger with every retelling.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2013 @ 12:49am

      Re:

      It's self-fulfilling. This is the first sign of the apocalyps.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    drew, 12 Nov 2013 @ 1:40am

    Reverse Streisand!

    Awesome! I like their style.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    JustSomeGuy, 12 Nov 2013 @ 2:33am

    Payback

    Vlambeer should update the software with a few levels where the fish are bought down with Ninja shurikin rather than a gun. I'd buy it if they did that :-)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2013 @ 4:36am

    This permission shall not be limited to any territory, planet, solar system, universe or hypothetical alternate realities.So if there is a real alternate reality, we're screwed.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    cubicleslave (profile), 12 Nov 2013 @ 8:13am

    Now that is the right way to please your fans and increase your customers at the same time. Nice strategy of goodwill, delivered with a bit of humor.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2013 @ 8:29am

    Think I'll add this game to my collection simply because of this statement. Did the same for Anodyne when they posted their game to Pirate Bay themselves with a message to their fans.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Alt0, 12 Nov 2013 @ 8:52am

    Awsome Game too!

    I purchased this after I read the last article and had a lot of fun playing it. So their plan is working.
    Why cant more companies be fun like these guys?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jan 2014 @ 11:32am

    I bought Minecraft and Portal after watching let's plays. How does that hurt the company again?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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