The streamer Imane “Pokimane” Anys has long been the figurehead of Twitch. On January 30, 2024, she surprisingly announced her departure. Now she explained what was behind the decision.
Who is the streamer? Imane “Pokimane” Anys is one of the most famous streamers on Twitch. For a long time, her face even graced the streaming platform’s app. Although the 27-year-old has been streaming less since 2022, she is still the largest streamer on Twitch in terms of followers (via SullyGnome).
On January 30, Pokimane hinted at leaving Twitch after 10 years in a post on X, formerly Twitter. In the latest episode of her podcast, she explained her decision and explains what to do next.
Pokimane gives up platform exclusivity
What’s next for Pokimane? As the 27-year-old explained, she doesn’t want to give up streaming completely. However, she no longer wants to be exclusively tied to one platform in the future. Such exclusive contracts are simply no longer as lucrative as they used to be, explains Pokimane. They could also lead to streamers placing the number of hours streamed above the quality of the content, the streamer continued.
Instead, she would like to stream on different platforms in the future. The great ninja had already taken a similar path:
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Pokimane speaks of toxic streaming culture
Why is she leaving Twitch? The deciding factor for Pokimane is what she sees as an increasingly toxic streaming culture on Twitch. In her podcast, she says she would probably continue to stream on Twitch if it weren’t for the rise of “Manosphere, Red Pill dirt.”
According to the streamer, some of the platform’s most popular and established male creators promote ideals of toxic masculinity: “Some of the things they say and do break my heart.”
A central rhetoric of the Manosphere is the red and blue pills, based on the sci-fi classic Matrix: whoever chooses the red pill in the film wakes up and sees the world as it really is. The blue pill, on the other hand, symbolizes remaining in the simulation.
Based on this, the “insiders” also call themselves “Redpiller” and look down disparagingly on the so-called “Bluepiller” (via The Guardian).
Former kickboxer Andrew Tate is considered a central figure within the Manosphere.
Pokimane explains that in order to stay on Twitch, she either has to fight a losing battle against these other streamers and their views, or try to appeal to the same audience as them. However, she doesn’t want both:
Why say anything against someone who has thousands and thousands of followers and hardcore fans who will turn against you and be at your throat? It’s almost like there’s no point in voicing your opinion to people you’re never going to change anyway, you know?
And honestly, a lot of them are prepubescent little boys who just need to go through puberty and then they’ll figure things out. You know, I don’t want that demographic.
Pokimane apparently doesn’t feel enough support from Twitch in this regard. The platform has developed significantly, especially compared to the times of the corona pandemic. Back then, there were so many people who watched streams and were enthusiastic about games, said the streamer. There would have been many female viewers and the demographics would have been more diverse overall.
Now, in 2024, there are still many problems, says Pokimane. “If I tell you, there are people, viewers on Twitch, who endlessly stalk and harass streamers who have created thousands of accounts…” In such cases, the platform can do little because they do not block IP addresses. said the 27-year-old.
Pokimane wants to focus on creating a “cool, safe environment” for her community and continue to grow it across multiple platforms. Your first stream on YouTube is scheduled to take place today, February 1, 2024.
Regardless of this, she also wants to enjoy her newfound freedom and, for example, spontaneously go live on Instagram for an hour – something that was not possible before.
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