Summary
Twitchhas addressed concerns following multiple reports of harassment and physical altercations involving Kick streamers at September 2024’s TwitchCon San Diego. In response,Twitchhas confirmed it is “investigating” the incidents, signaling a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its community during such events.
TwitchCon, an annual convention organized by Twitch, serves as a major gathering for streamers, viewers, and the wider gaming community. However, the 2024 edition in San Diego faced a series of controversies, primarily involving Kick streamers. One of the standout incidents involvedprominent Twitch streamer xQc, who was pursued by a Kick broadcaster at the event, with the individual shouting inappropriate comments as xQc fled the scene. In another notable altercation, Twitch streamer Erobb got into a physical confrontation with Kick streamer DariusIRL after Darius accused Erobb of cheating on his girlfriend. These and other confrontations between Twitch and Kick streamers created a tense environment during the convention.
Following these incidents, severaltop Twitch streamersurged the platform to take action, prompting Twitch to respond. In a statement toDexerto, Twitch emphasized its commitment to making TwitchCon a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees. The company acknowledged the concerns raised during the event and confirmed that it is actively investigating the incidents. Twitch also highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve security, noting the presence of a dedicated safety team at the event and close collaboration with local law enforcement. It reiterated that attendee safety remains the highest priority and that steps are being taken to prevent such issues in the future.
Kick CEO Eddie Craven’s Comments on TwitchCon San Diego Incidents
Kick CEO Eddie Craven also addressed the situation in a series of tweets, acknowledging the importance of the event in bringing together creators from various platforms and expressing appreciation for Twitch allowing the Kick community to participate. He emphasized that the behavior of a few individuals does not represent the platform as a whole and noted that several accounts were suspended for violating Kick’s IRL streaming policies. Craven also highlightedKick’s ongoing efforts to review and improve policies, particularly in relation to major events like TwitchCon.
While the steps Twitch may take to prevent future incidents remain unclear, it’s important to note that Kick was introduced as a direct competitor to the platform.Kick has already attracted many top Twitch creators, offering higher payouts and more relaxed community guidelines. However, the incidents at TwitchCon involving Kick streamers highlight the downside of having looser moderation, raising questions about how to balance creator freedom with keeping the community safe.
