The internet loves controversy, and the gaming community certainly isn’t immune from its fair share of drama. Recent headlines involve cat-throwing scandals, bath water-based Instagram bans, and cringe-inducing public bathroom livestreams.
In some cases, it almost seems as though these internet personalities are purposefully cultivating controversy, or, if not wholly manufacturing it, then at the very least leveraging it to gain additional media attention. While it’s certainly important to acknowledge and be aware of major controversies, viewers and fans sometimes find themselves drawn deep into them. When the outrage machine is in full effect, people are compelled to share their opinions and, at their worst, make inappropriate jokes or threatening comments.
Unfortunately, people who think they’re providing insight on a controversy are frequently also contributing to it. Their comments and “hot takes” only serve to make the drama more visible and thereby more popular in the context of social media. While content like this thrives because people have an appetite for gossip and drama, it’s also low-hanging fruit that drives attention away from reputable creators.
Mentions, clicks, likes, and shares all contribute to a topic’s visibility online. While some social media companies have recently begun taking measures to separate lower-quality content, there’s still no doubt that people’s interactions — negative or positive — can still cause specific stories to rise to the top of the newsfeed in an era where algorithms dictate what’s worthy of attention.
And maybe this isn’t inherently bad, though that’s a matter of option. However, it’s hard to deny that this becomes problematic when the space becomes clouded with drama involving major streamers, taking attention from smaller, rule-abiding streamers who’ve worked hard to build their own communities free of toxicity.
As such, it may be best to completely ignore this drama, or, at the very least, recognize it for what it is and then move on to the next thing. In many cases, audiences can do much more for their communities by lifting up people who deserve it, instead of acting as conduits of negativity by spreading controversial stories and tearing popular streamers down on social media.
It’s not easy to build a community of any size, and creators must work hard to share unique and interesting content on a consistent basis. In light of recent events, it seems like a good time to turn the limelight toward some gamers working to build up and empower those around them.
There are thousands of worthy streamers out there and it would be impossible to name all of them. But it’s TheGamer’s hope that by putting a spotlight on these smaller creators, it can provide a gateway into a community of passionate personalities who are truly worthy of readers’ attention.
NiceWigg (Apex Legends)
Funny, charismatic, and always entertaining, NiceWigg is a former console player who began playing with a controller on PC only recently. Since then, he’s managed to controller-grind all the way to the X Games. He’ll be competing as part of its forthcoming Apex Legends ESPN EXP Invitational as part of the professional Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) team.
TheSpudHunter (Doom, Quake Champions and other FPS games)
TheSpudHunter is a strange and charming player frequently appears in a disguise, dressed as a ninja-type character with a trademark white mask. Though widely known as a competitive player in games such as Doom and Quake Champions, he’s still working toward building a strong community of his own, which he no doubt deserves given his penchant for strange and hilarious content.
Snaps (Destiny 2 and mental health awareness)
According to her Twitch profile, Snaps derived her name from both her passion for photography and her slight tendency to “snap” when playing. Her main game is Destiny 2, but she spends a substantial amount of stream time chatting with her viewers about mental health issues and offering advice on a variety of related topics.
Ewok (Fortnite)
At only 13 years old, Ewok is an extremely skilled Fortnite player who gained notoriety after popular streamer TimTheTatman hosted her on Twitch. As a person who is deaf, she’s been an inspiration to some of the community’s biggest names. Her drive and determination have culminated in the opportunity to participate in two of Fortnite’s recent major Pro-Am events, including this weekend’s Pro-Am event at the Fortnite World Cup.
BelowZer0 (Dragon Ball FighterZ, Mortal Kombat 11 and other fighting games)
A strong player who can also accept defeat with grace, BelowZer0’s streams always bring positivity and charm — excluding his UNO Online streams with viewers, which can get extremely toxic. (The so-called “toxic” UNO streams are intended as a meta-joke, since any level of toxicity is atypical for this player.)
GeekChick (Fortnite and Apex Legends)
GeekChick may be one of the most hilarious people on the internet, with a lively online persona that’s both honest and authentic. She’s extremely fun to watch, as she always seems to be enjoying herself, showing utmost appreciation for her teammates and her viewers.
TheBlackHokage (Plays a wide variety of games)
There are few out there who grind as hard as TheBlackHokage, who has hundreds of videos across both Twitch and YouTube. As a hilarious person (and sometimes troll) who also celebrates diversity, inclusion, and artistry, he covers a wide variety of games. Although he’s been around for some time, he hasn’t quite reached the upper echelon of gamer notoriety and it’s certainly his time to shine.
