Pokimane, one of the most well-known streamers on Twitch, revealed today that she is leaving the platform. It is uncertain whether she will cease content creation altogether or transition to a different platform.
“Twitch has been my home for a decade,” Pokimane wrote on X. “but it’s time to say thank you for all the memories and love during my League, Fortnite, & Among Us days.”
When Twitch streamers’ payout information was exposed in 2021, Pokimane, also known as Imane Anys, emerged as the highest-earning female streamer on the platform. Departing Twitch with 9.3 million followers, she currently ranks as the tenth most-followed user. As one of the initial women of color to achieve Twitch stardom in a male-dominated gaming environment, Pokimane’s influence is significant.
“What an amazing journey it’s been,” Twitch’s X account replied to Pokimane’s announcement. “We’re incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved and what lies ahead in the future. You’ll always have a home on Twitch, Poki.”
In recent years, numerous prominent streamers have signed exclusive deals with alternative platforms such as YouTube or the newer Kick. Kick provides creators with 95% of their subscription revenue, a significant improvement over Twitch’s 50-50 baseline split; participants in Twitch’s Partner Plus program can benefit from a 70-30 split.
Twitch is currently experiencing turmoil. The Amazon-owned platform has undergone multiple rounds of staff cuts in the past year as it grapples with financial challenges – in 2024 alone, Twitch has laid off 500 employees, constituting 35% of its workforce. Additionally, the company has terminated its services in South Korea, a major esports market, and has created discord within its community due to unclear and constantly changing payout structures.
While Kick offers creators a more favorable revenue share, the situation is not necessarily ideal. Kick is known for its leniency towards content moderation and has become the new platform for some streamers who were banned from Twitch. One such streamer is Adin Ross, who utilized Kick to live stream porn and provide a platform for self-professed neo-Nazis. Some streamers have also turned to Kick since it allows gambling content, a practice banned by Twitch last year.
It is unlikely that Pokimane will take her talents to Kick. In June, she stated during a stream that profiting from Kick would compromise her “morals and ethics.”
Alternatively, it may simply be time for Pokimane to take a break from the internet. Recently, prominent YouTube creators such as MatPat and Tom Scott have announced their retirement, prompting discussions about how creators determine when it’s time to move on.
Without further information from her, it’s difficult to discern Pokimane’s next move. Nevertheless, her departure from Twitch marks a significant moment for the embattled platform.
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