The streamer Tyler “TrainwrecksTV” Niknam became huge with gambling on Twitch. But after restrictions on casino streams led to significant cuts, he announced an alternative to the streaming giant with Kick in December. We at MeinMMO will show you how it works.
What kind of platform is this? Kick is a streaming platform where mainly former casino streamers have sought refuge after Twitch tightened its gambling regulations in October 2022.
What is Kick? In particular, the online casino Stake, with which many gambling streamers had lucrative deals, was banned by Twitch. However, it can be shown unrestrictedly on Kick.
Update from 14.02.2023, 23:00 – Shortly after Trainwreck presented the new streaming platform, the YouTuber Coffeezilla revealed a connection between Kick and the controversial crypto-casino Stake. It was said in job postings that Kick is the new project of the founders of Stake (via Twitter). Kick then stated that Stake itself is not an investor, but Edward Craven, the owner of the casino site, is (via Twitter).
Beyond gambling, Kick attracts with relaxed regulations regarding the displayed content and an “innovative creator program,” where streamers are to receive a regular income. Additionally, 95% of the revenue from subscriptions is to go to content creators, with Kick aiming for only a 5% cut.
For comparison: the standard split on Twitch is 50/50, although there were special arrangements for larger streamers for years, who received at least 70% of the revenue from subs. However, that has been over since September 2022, and content creators were to be increasingly involved in advertising revenues.
This, however, caused considerable anger among many streamers, which is why the desire for a serious alternative to Twitch is very present.
A new streaming competitor that poaches big streamers? That has happened before … In 2019, the short-lived Microsoft platform Mixer secured the then-huge Ninja with an exclusive contract worth several million:
Kick snags huge streamer
How serious is Kick? With Adin Ross, the new platform has secured perhaps the biggest streamer so far. He primarily operates in “Just Chatting,” but streamed 355 hours in the gambling category Slots in 2022 (via sullygnome).
With nearly 7.25 million followers and an average of 62,000 viewers, Adin Ross ranks 10th worldwide among the most viewed streamers in the past 30 days (via sullygnome).
Some reports said that Kick may have paid the streamer 150 million US dollars for an exclusive contract lasting 2 years, which has not yet been confirmed by him (via sportskeeda).
Although he is still hesitant about a permanent and exclusive switch, Adin Ross has already recognized some advantages of his new streaming home: he stated he wants to stream on Kick because he can show everything without fearing consequences – from sports events for which he doesn’t have a license to pornographic material.
According to the US site Dot Esports, Kick also has regulations regarding what can be shown, but does not enforce them (via dotesports.com.)
Asmongold: “I hope Kick does well”
How is it being received? While some streamers and viewers are rather skeptical of the new platform, others probably rely on the saying: “Competition invigorates business”.
So does MMORPG streamer Asmongold, who has often criticized Twitch in the past, particularly concerning the increasing advertising on the platform.
In response to a tweet about Adin Ross’s switch, Asmongold wrote that he hopes Kick does well. It would be better for streamers and viewers if there were a bit more competition in the live-streaming space. We have embedded the post here:
Will Asmongold switch next? That is rather unlikely. After all, Twitch is still far the largest streaming platform, and Asmongold already has a huge community there. It seems more likely that he hopes for improved conditions for streamers if Twitch has to worry a little about its big content creators to keep them.
Sports events and swastikas on Kick
How is the switch going so far? So far, exactly as many have probably foreseen: Adin Ross celebrated his debut on Kick by broadcasting the entire Super Bowl to over 100,000 viewers. During his chat, viewers used the rather lax moderation to spam dozens of swastikas or hate messages:
Even the streamer Trainwreck, probably the biggest advocate of Kick, has criticized his new streaming home. In a now-deleted stream on Twitch, he expressed his frustration over gambling streamers inflating their view counts with bots and accused Kick of not doing enough against the practice (via dexerto).
As appealing as the idea of a platform where everything is allowed may be for some, it quickly becomes clear on Kick why Twitch has such a strict and extensive set of rules. It remains to be seen whether Kick can establish itself as a serious competitor in the long term.
Some German streamers have also responded to Kick’s call:
