Nintendo isn't blind to their power either as it turns out.
Recently, Nintendo chose to enforce its copyright on YouTube videos featuring its games - but it's not blocking them or banning them as some might expect.
Instead, Nintendo wants to place ads at the beginning and end of videos featuring Nintendo game footage to claim the ad revenue that these videos generate.
Like or dislike?
The move by Nintendo is a curious one.
While much of the press has pitched this as Nintendo clamping down on the use of its IP, it could be viewed that the firm is giving its nod of approval to gameplay videos, recognising them for their promotional value.
Speaking to GameFront, Nintendo noted that " unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property."
This is key to social media sharing, naturally, and it seems like Nintendo understands that.
Finally, Nintendo also noted that its ads would only appear on "those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length".
[source: IGN]
