Nintendo YouTube Creators Program Overloaded With Affiliate Requests

Nintendo is receiving so many requests from YouTube users who want to be part of its new affiliate program that it has had to implement a 72-hour waiting list. The Japan-based company announced last week that its Creators Program would share ad profits from online games streamed by YouTube users -- up to 70 percent. However, those payments can take up to two months to arrive via PayPal.

“Due to your enthusiasm for the program, we’re receiving a higher volume of applications to register channels & videos than expected,” Nintendo said on its Creators Program information page on Wednesday. “It is taking longer than we anticipated to confirm the applications. We appreciate your patience as we work through them as quickly as possible.”

Nintendo began claiming ad revenue on YouTube videos that featured its content in 2013. The company began placing ads before and after YouTube videos.

The Nintendo Creators Program entered its beta phase on Jan. 29. It was designed to share advertising revenue with those who create Nintendo-related content on YouTube. Those accepted into the program are able to create videos that feature footage of Nintendo games and share ad revenue with the company. Users will receive 60 percent of the revenue generated by the videos, but they also can register Nintendo-specific channels to earn as much as 70 percent. The program will launch in full on May 27.

There is one major caveat included in Nintendo’s official policy. If players wish to register their channels, and “game titles outside of the list of supported games” are included, they must remove those games before registering.

Still, requests for the partnership program continue to roll in, and the company claims it may be more than 72 hours before individuals get their partnerships approved.