Fuser, the brand new music-based game from Harmonix and NCSoft, is now available for anyone to play. I had a chance to check it out during PAX East 2020 before Covid-19 took hold of the world, and I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would. Being that it’s a music game and I don’t play much of this.
However, the fact that it is a music-based game has been the talk of the streaming and content creation scene. Especially since platforms such as Twitch go on the offensive with DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) requests, thousands of VODs (Video on Demand) are deleted. So, how exactly will Fuser work with streaming platforms? That’s what we wanted to find out, so we reached out to the Fuser team, and what we were told is likely going to upset more than a few people.
The Fuser team has released a guide that explains in great detail what you can and can not do with the game when it comes to streaming and VODs. Some of what is being specified is similar to what is expected when at a gaming event, and you’re tasked with recording new gameplay.
FUSER has in-game music that is licensed by NCSOFT and Harmonix from music rightsholders. These FUSER music licensing agreements only permit user generated content containing licensed in-game music from FUSER (FUSER UGC) to be used in a non-commercial context and in accordance with the guidelines below. We know that navigating music rights can be daunting, so we have prepared these guidelines to help you create and share FUSER UGC on social media platforms. While neither NCSOFT nor Harmonix can help you clear a takedown, claim or strike, you should be able to stream/post FUSER UGC without issues if you follow these guidelines.
Gameplay footage that includes music can be captured using direct screen capture, video of people playing FUSER, or screen in screen hybrid capture of FUSER being played.
Any FUSER UGC should have at least some screen capture of gameplay in your video. Music from the game should not be used out-of-context of gameplay – you should not use the music as a backing track or any other time that the applicable screen capture of FUSER is not shown. FUSER UGC should focus on you actually playing the game – the game should not just be on in the background.
So far, this is all standard stuff, but the kicker is the monetization of the game. No one, at any time, is allowed to monetize the game, and while I don’t think this is wrong or unwarranted. This is likely going to rub people the wrong way.
Unless you are solely using the songs listed below, you should turn off all monetization options in your control for FUSER UGC– that means no running ads and no ad breaks during a stream. Similarly, you should not solicit, or show overlays of, donations/paid subscriptions/bits, etc. (but asking for unpaid likes/follows/subscriptions is OK) in your FUSER UGC. One or more music rightsholders may make a claim on your FUSER UGC and place an ad or otherwise monetize it because they ultimately own the rights. You should allow that – that kind of claim should not have a negative impact on your channel.
There it is. No. Monetization. Ever. However, there’s another concern. Twitch runs ads on channels even when live, though I’m not sure about YouTube as I don’t and haven’t streamed on the platform much. If Twitch runs ads, this could get you in trouble as that is a form of generating money unless there’s something in place on Twitch, when it sees Fuser being played, that ads won’t run. This is unclear as to how this will work, so I’ve reached out to Twitch for comment.
For now, this is how it is, and it makes total sense. Respected companies and artists own the music, and there’s no way they’re going to let you make any money off their work. This shouldn’t stop you from playing or enjoying Fuser on or off-stream; just be sure to watch your back if you decide not to play by the rules.
Fuser is now available for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.
Source: Fuser
