Asmongold explains why dealing with Twitch trolls is like being Harambe
Twitch: Asmongold / UnsplashPopular streamer Asmongold has explained why he blocks anyone who tries to trash talk him while he broadcasts on Twitch instead of hitting back at their comments or criticisms, comparing it to being like Harambe.
One of the things that makes broadcasting on Twitch so popular is the opportunity to have a real-time conversation with your audience, allowing streamers the opportunity to build and foster relationships with their fans that they wouldn’t be able to via other methods of content creation.
Of course, broadcasting live to the world also means that those who aren’t fans, or want to rile the streamers up, are also able to send messages directly to them. While some streamers confront those who do so, Asmongold has revealed that he now blocks anyone who attempts it rather than lashing back.
The streamer, best known for playing World of Warcraft, appeared on the January 16 episode of TrainwrecksTV’s Scuffed Podcast, and when the topic of trash talkers in their chat came up, Asmongold explained why he had to start blocking them so he didn’t get himself in trouble.
“I do this for the sake of my stream,” he revealed. “I swear to God, same thing on Twitter. If somebody talks sh*t to me, I f**king block them.”
“If I come back at them, then I get a suspension and they don’t have sh*t happen to them. So I’m not going to sit there like Harambe in my cage, kids are throwing popcorn at me all f**king day, and then the moment one of them pops down into the cage, and I’m like ‘Alright, it’s time to pop off, I’m going to tear this kid apart,’ then I get shot. That’s what happens. I just block them.”
Host Trainwrecks instantly agreed with the streamer’s sentiment, as Twitch streamers who are deemed to have broken the platform’s Terms of Service can be issued with suspensions that affect their ability to earn income. For those trash-talking in the chat, their account may also be suspended, but there are no monetary losses for these actions, and they can just set up another account under another alias should they receive a permanent ban.
Of course, Twitch streaming and living in a zoo cage isn’t exactly the same, but the streamer still feels like creators can be treated like the gorilla, who became a cult figure online when the 17-year-old western lowland was shot when a 3-year-old boy climbed into his enclosure.
For those who plan on aiming digs at Asmongold, it’s maybe wise to refrain before he blocks your account too, as the streamer shows no regards to those who talk trash.