Microsoft Rule Bans Machinima Directors From Using Their Games! This is an outrage.

Per a new rule form Microsoft Studios, filmmakers who use video game footage to earn a living are banned from incorporating Halo, Fable, Gears of War, Forza, Mass Effect, and other titles in their projects. Why?

Its a development that comes from Microsofts new Game Content Usage Rules, which affects all first- and third-party properties published under the companys wing.

According to the specifics, directors on YouTube, Vimeo, and other such sites will be illegally using Microsoft Studios games if they make any sort of profit of the footage from MS-branded titles:

You may post your Item to a page or website that has advertising, but only if you do not earn any money from that advertising. For example, if you post your video on Youtube or Vimeo and there happens to be an advertisement next to it, then as long as you dont get paid for that advertisement, the fact that there is an advertisement on the page doesnt break these Rules. But enrolling in the Youtube partner program (or other similar programs), where you are entering into an agreement to get paid, is not allowed. On a similar note, if you create and distribute a free app, then you cant earn any money from advertising in that app.

This new ruling should be a financial blow for several YouTube Partners and other such groups who rely on that revenue to make ends meet, especially those who exclusively use a property that falls under Microsofts scope.

Exactly how this affectd groups like the Machinima collective and legions of Lets Play filmmakers is unknown. However, the ban may cut down on a lot of exposure and free advertising for the upcoming Halo 4, most assuredly.

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