Big NA/EU content creators like Zeez Vov Gee V and Zeus IDV are leaving Identity V’s Creator Program due to a contract that enforces positivity for the game in the midst of the current Gen AI Boycott.
Revealed on Zeus IDV’s livestream on April 28th, the creator shared and went over the contract in detail while expressing his thoughts. He mentions how the contract basically “functions as an NDA” and was only given to them in direct response to the boycott effecting the game. The reason being is because he informed his viewers that this is the first time NetEase has ever given their creators a contract.
The main issues of the contract arises from their “Brand Protection and Sentiment,” “Engagement Quality,” sections under their contract’s “Content Guidelines & Code of Conduct.”
Zeus IDV’s almost 1 hour and a half livestream detailing what is going on in the Creator Program Discord Server and the contract given to NA/EU creators.
In the “Brand Protection and Sentiment” section, creators are told to “maintain a positive image of the Program” and dissuades them from making negative reviews, derogatory comments, and engaging in public disparagement of the game.
In the “Engagement Quality” section, they are further told to “avoid involvement in online ‘dramas,’ controversies or polarized political discussions.
After expressing his distaste and disgust with the contract, Zeus admits that while he received $1000 per month from the program, he stepped down due to the “predatory” nature of the contract. He points out that under the “Settlement Rules,” the base payment they would receive for the month of the contract would receive a %50 premium on top of the base service fee which he found really “scummy.”
Towards the end of the contract are the consequences for breaching the contract and Zeus’ criticism did not falter as he went over this section. If one breached the contract, they would receive formal warnings over “offending content” but what is offensive is unclear and seems to be at the discretion of NetEase. Other punishments include, compensating the company, financial penalties (such as withholding payment or not being paid at all), and non-renewal of the contract.
Zeus states this is in direct retaliation to the Zeez Vov Gee V’s “Remove Generative AI From Identity V Immediately” video which he posted on his YouTube channel on April 23rd. Zeez had help from Zeus IDV and another big IDVtuber and Twitch streamer, Baizemim in creating the video.
Zeez’s video against the usage of Gen AI in Identity V. It listed out the rules of the boycott and what the community could do to support the movement.
In response to the offensive and disparaging contract, a number of IDV creators have stepped down from the program such as Zeez who officially declared as such the same day Zeus uploaded his video.
Zeez retweeting a copy of the contract from Luchiluuu, another prominent IDV creator.
Despite stepping away from the program, Zeus tells his viewers that some creators aren’t as fortunate as him and rely on the money from the program to make a living. Thus it is especially terrible they are forced to be under such a contract.
Yet, this isn’t the first time NetEase have subjected their creators to forced positivity in their contracts.
During Marvel Rival’s Alpha testing back in May of 2024, NetEase was forced to apologize for including a “Non-Disparagement” section where creators were told not to say anything negative about the game, characters, and music while dissuading making malicious comparisons to competitors (namely Overwatch).
One content creator shares the “Non-Disparagement” section and expresses their disappointment.
NetEase’s apology and response is as followed from their Marvel Rival’s account on Twitter:
You can also read it here on marvelsrivals.gg for easier reading if Twitter doesn’t work.
While it seems NetEase walked back on this decision for Marvel Rivals, it is yet to be seen if they will do such a thing for Identity V which has a smaller NA/EU playerbase and less global attention to it.
Meanwhile, the boycott is still ongoing and players continue to protest against the usage of Gen AI. While the response of such a contract may be disheartening, it also shows they are well aware of what is happening in the community. If NetEase is now targeting NA/EU content creators who they know are influential in the community and are trying to force them to be positive, then it is truly a double edged sword.
They may try to silence their influence makers and the faces of the IDV community, but in return, that only brings even more negative attention towards them as a company.
At the moment, we do not know if this is happening to IDV creators outside of NA/EU such as Japanese and SEA creators.
Still, this is another bad look for NetEase as a whole and they are not helping their case though I suppose they really don’t care. Naively, I want to remain hopeful that we are in our darkest days of IDV before we hit the dawn. Only time will tell.
Article about NetEase’s Marvel Rival’s Apology: Forbes.
