Microsoft paying YouTubers for positive Xbox One coverage ( edited with more info )

[GribbleGrunger]

shikamaru317 said:

Reviewer A obviously, but these aren't reviews, they're playthroughs of games. The only intended purpose is to increase the public's awareness of Microsoft's games. The money is just an extra incentive for those who would have enjoyed playing Microsoft's games anyway, Microsoft can't help the fact that some Youtubers will abuse it and pretend to like a game just for the money. It's up to the viewer to decide if the youtuber is being trustworthy, just like it's up to the consumer to decide if a celebrity endorser is being honest about the product they're endorsing.

If it's intended for people who have always supported MS then disclosing that fact wouldn't make a difference. You have to be pretty naive to push the blame onto Youtubers, especially in the current climate of them having their livings squeezed by copyright claims at the moment. I would question the morals of this 'illegal' move based on timing alone. MS are offering the apple to starving people. Some will jump on board willingly because they're shills anyway, some will jump on board because they lack integrity and some will jump on board because they're getting squeezed financially by Youtube's new rules.