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Dr Disrespect Admits To Messaging A Minor, Gross Allegations at Kick, Nintendo Direct Highlights
Curated news for streamers and content creators
DimTheLights
June 26, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes
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Any typos in this email are on purpose actually.
Happy Tuesday and Happy Pride Month🌈 Streamers!
If you spent the weekend touching grass and enjoying the summer, you were probably pretty shocked by some of the streaming news circulating online the last few days.
But don't worry, I'm here to fill you in.
Before we dive in to some concerning updates, please check out the Tuesday To-Dos for some fantastic opportunities with Advanced GG and Just Crow Things.
Twitch has a few minor updates, and CEO Dan Clancy had some explaining to do about his Twitch mobile feed being filled with 18+ content creators.
Yikes.
YouTube is experimenting with community notes and corrections, plus they’ve released a helpful video on using the new Thumbnail A/B testing tool.
And if you missed the Nintendo Direct, I’ll be highlighting some of the most exciting updates from that live broadcast.
Catch you next week,
Dim
In This Edition
Ah yes, another week of opportunities
✅Tuesday To-Dos
Every week I bring you🖐️ actionable tasks or opportunities to boost your live content. See what’s new this week 👇
📄Survey - If you haven’t done so already, fill out the Streamer Survey in your Twitch Creator Dashboard. According to Lowco, its a great way to get new opportunities from Twitch. See Tweet
👂Listen - Looking for copyright free music to play during stream? Check out Harris Heller’s StreamBeats playlist on Spotify. Listen Now
🤝Partner - Advanced GG is looking for new partners. Learn More
⛓️Chained - The latest trending game, Chained Together, has friends literally chained to each other as they navigate through diverse worlds to escape from hell. Jump on this Only Up style game on your next stream! Watch Trailer
🪶Join - Just Crow Things developer is seeking content creators of all sizes to sign up for their own full release game key. Sign Up
🥇This Week’s Top Stories
The Reason Twitch Banned Dr Disrespect Four Years Ago Is Finally Revealed. And Its Worse Than You Think.
Even if you don’t actively engage with his community, you’ve probably heard of Dr Disrespect who was, at one point, one of Twitch’s top streamers. He’s been creating content since 2010 and is best known for playing FPS shooters like Call of Duty, having insane production value, and sporting an 80s action hero costume with his signature wig, shades, and mustache.
After the week he’s had, I think he is going to be better known for something else entirely.
This story started on June 21 when former Twitch employee, Cody Conners, who worked with Twitch’s strategic partnerships team went to Twitter to spill the beans about Dr Disrespect’s 2020 perma-ban. He stated the reason for Dr Disrespect’s ban was because he was caught sexting a minor and trying to meet up with her at a previous TwitchCon.
Its important to note that Cody did not name anyone in his tweet. However, it was easy for (most) to connect the dots and realize who Cody was talking about. Back in 2020, Twitch abruptly banned Dr Disrespect around the same time they started enforced permanent suspensions for sexual harassment offenders. Surely, Cody’s tweet was calling out Dr Disrespect right?
Despite never being mentioned in the tweet, Dr Disrespect implicates himself when he decides to respond to media personality Jake Lucky who was covering the allegations on Twitter.
The following day, Dr Disrespect attempts to clarify his position and claims he “didn’t do anything wrong” repeating what he’s publicly stated in the past. Ironically, this doesn’t help his case at all. Instead, it adds more confusion and fuels further online debates through the weekend.
It isn’t until Monday that Midnight Society, the gaming studio Dr Disrespect cofounded, gets involved and conducts its own investigation leading to the immediate termination of Dr Disrespect. Pretty damning, don’t you think?
Finally, on Tuesday afternoon Dr Disrespect decides to hold nothing back and unleashes what might be a contender for this year’s most wild tweet in the streaming space.
You can read the full tweet here. But here is the summary:
Dr Disrespect concedes that the allegations are true.
In 2017, the same year he made headlines for cheating on his wife, Dr Disrespect admits that he used Twitch whispers to send inappropriate messages to a minor. He is intentionally very vague on the nature of the messages, but claims they were “casual” and “mutual” conversations.
He apologizes to Midnight Society and his community for what he labels as the “moral standpoint”. He downplays his termination from Midnight Society calling it a mutual decision which is very generous compared how Midnight Society announced his termination.
He continues to say that he doesn’t accept the predator / pedophile label claiming that this situation isn’t the same thing.
SURE IT IS.
He finally ends his long rant by thanking his long time supporters, cursing his haters, and vowing his return like a cartoonish Disney villain.
As I’m writing this late at night, that tweet has gained 60 million views and many personalities in the streaming space have shared their responses. Several of Dr Disrespect’s friends shared their thoughts on Twitter including TimTheTatMan, Nickmercs, and Ninja who all elected to no longer support Dr Disrespect following the confirmation of these allegations.
Regarding Nickmercs response, I found it to be pretty flaccid compared to his fiery transphobic discourse. This guy gets more heated about a stranger’s pronouns than one of his close friends admitting to pedo behavior. WILD!
Friends aren’t the only ones pulling away from Dr Disrespect. Brands like Turtle Beach are also ending longtime partnerships with the “two-time”.
Unsurprisingly, Dr Disrespect has no shortage of defenders despite admitting to the allegations. The tweets I’m reading are actually insane. I don’t know how someone can willfully support Dr Disrespect after everything we’ve learned this week.
It is unclear what happens next.
In his tell-all tweet, Dr Disrespect signed off stating he was taking an extended family vacation essentially ending the discussion altogether.
Twitch has remained quiet throughout the discourse and revelations over the last several days. It makes sense, though. Why would Twitch want to highlight their part in Twitch CEO Dan Clancy issued a playful response in regards to Dr Disrespect’s ban on Twitch streamer Mizkif’s podcast a few months ago. He may decide to offer a more sincere response now that everything is out there.
Despite this feeling like the conclusion of a terrible four-year long saga, there are still questions that remain unanswered.
Will Dr Disrespect face any more repercussions in light of these revelations?
Does the reveal of private information by ex-Twitch employees void any previously established agreements?
Will Dr Disrespect retaliate through legal channels?
I’m sure some of these questions will be answered while others we may never find out.
I think its important to remember that Dr Disrespect is just a high-profile example of something that happens ALL THE TIME on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
I encourage you to evaluate your communities and ensure that you are doing your absolute best to not only protect your community members (especially minors), but also hold mutuals accountable.
We can’t always depend on companies like Twitch to do the right thing. They actually have a pretty damning track record of NOT doing the right thing.
As creators with public platforms, it is our responsibility to safeguard our circles by being proactive in establishing community guidelines and calling out vile behavior when we see it.
Ex-Kick Employee Calls Out Kick Leadership For Inappropriate Content
Oh neat, another Kick controversy!
On June 17th, a streamer and ex-Kick employee known as itsmelissadude shared a video about her personal experience working at Kick. She shed light on some alarming behavior she witnessed firsthand.
What was among the allegations? Oh you know…just…
Staff using hard R and F slurs while in the workplace
Staff deliberately misgendering trans creators
An employee bragging about severely reducing a creator’s rate
Disregard for enforcing policies around minors streaming
Management forcing Melissa to choose between work and the wellbeing of her child, questioning her work ethic
And the kick-er?
Melissa alleges that Kick staff openly discussed getting a streamer who was actively battling cancer to sign a deal with Kick for less money because “she probably thinks she’s going to die soon and she’ll want to leave more money for her family”.
The streamer in question was confirmed to be Kyedae, who said she was offered a Kick contract, but declined for moral reasons.
While these allegations won’t have any repercussions, I think it gives you a clear glimpse at the culture at Kick. Look, we both know there are no ethical streaming platforms (just look at what Twitch is dealing with), but I feel like Kick doesn’t even attempt the bare minimum.
If you’re streaming on Kick, I have a serious question for you.
Why?
If you aren’t being loud and holding Kick accountable then you’re just supporting a defunct platform that continues to show its true colors.
Highlights from June’s Nintendo Direct
Right off the heels of all the announcements from Summer Game Fest, Nintendo shared a few exciting updates during their own presentation.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Within the first few moments of the trailer, Link gets swallowed up by a mysterious rift leaving it up to Princess Zelda to save her own kingdom in a surprising twist in the Legend of Zelda series. Princess Peach: Showtime! released earlier this year to fantastic reviews, so I’m happy to see we’re getting another often sidelined female character get a shot as playable hero!
Mario & Luigi Brotherhood
After a nine year hiatus, Mario & Luigi are back for a new adventure. The trailer reveal promised a seafaring adventure in a cute aesthetic unique to previous Mario titles.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
I remember when I bought Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for my Wii.
Man, I’m old!!!!
We’ve waited 18 years for the next installment in the Metroid Prime series.
The trailer didn’t reveal much, but I can’t help but get hyped for another adventure with Samus.
Yesterday was the last day to watch an Elden Ring stream on Twitch for at least 5 minutes to unlock the Raging Wolf Helm badge. See Tweet
Twitch is testing videos in Stories with Partnered creators. This feature will be available to all creators in the future. See Tweet
Twitch updated its guidelines for creators interested in applying and qualifying for the Partner Program. See Article
Twitch and Unlimited IRL partner to provide complimentary IRL Backpack equipment for Partner Streamers attending TwitchCon Rotterdam. See Tweet
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy gets some heat (for a 2nd time) for his suggestive Twitch feed while demonstrating a new feature. See Clip
YouTube Liaison shares an often overlooked feature allowing creators to add corrections to videos dynamically. See Tweet
The official YouTube channel highlights LGBTQ+ creators across different interests for Pride month. Visit Channel
Learn how to use YouTube’s new Test & Compare feature giving creators the ability to A/B test thumbnail performance. Watch Video
Twitter-style community notes are coming to YouTube. Read Blog
YouTube shares its VidCon 2024 guide. Read Blog
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🎙️ Creator News
The CRIT Awards, Creator Recognition in TTRPG, were removed from participating in Gencon 2024 for banning Zionists (read: standing for Palestine) from their upcoming event. See Tweet
Kai Cenat, Sketch, and AMP appear in a Fortnite teaser trailer for the Reload game mode update. Watch Trailer
OTK releases the first episode of their new show Top Streamer: Chapter 2. The hosts include Emiru, Asmongold, and nmplol. Catch The First Episode
🔴Streaming News
Kick updates its community guidelines and adds an IRL category. See Tweet
Twitter is making live streaming a paid feature. See Tweet
TikTok is testing organic links on videos. See Thread
TikTok recently launched a new BeReal style photo-sharing app called Whee, positioned as a new platform for sharing photos with only your closest friends. Read Article
TikTok and Adobe are partnering up to allow Adobe Express users to access TikTok’s music library. Huge for content creators! Read Press Release
Instagram adds more updates to its Notes feature. See Thread
🎮 Gaming News
Cult of the Lamb now has a LoFi-Girl-inspired soundtrack. See Tweet
Jak and Dexter was ported to PC and now has multiplayer! Visit Site
Rumble Club launched its fantasy-themed Season 2 updates including new cosmetics, maps, and a new Rumble Pass. Visit Rumble Creator Hub
Saber releases the first trailer for the A Quiet Place video game. See Trailer
Marvel’s Avengers are coming to Fall Guys. Check out the announcement trailer!
Galvanic, the studio behind Wizard with a Gun, is closing their studio. See Tweet
Valve is reportedly being sued in the UK for allegedly overcharging UK Steam users and shutting out competitors. Read Article
🥳You Made It To The End!🥳
Have A Cookie
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