At gamescom 2022, Twitch streamers caused a stir. After 2 years of pandemic-related pause, no one was really prepared for how huge livestreaming has become. Preparations were made for gamescom 2023, yet there are still talks of an “influencer con”.
What’s different in 2023? After Twitch streamer Marcel “MontanaBlack” Eris (35) caused a massive gathering at gamescom last year, things went quite differently at gamescom 2023. Instead of diving into the crowd, the Twitch streamer had a stage program that was relatively organized.
This year, there have not yet been other incidents like the notorious brawl behind Hall 8. However, it seems influencers have a much larger share of the world’s biggest gaming fair than just a few years ago.
Twitch streamers are welcomed by screaming crowds
How is gamescom 2023 going? Whether AAA games like the highly anticipated space epic Starfield or smaller indie gems: There are numerous games to marvel at at gamescom. Nevertheless, in social networks and here on MeinMMO, you keep reading that gamescom is increasingly becoming an influencer con
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Many people apparently travel to experience their favorite streamers up close. Sometimes, content creators are besieged by fans – and even the influencers themselves don’t seem to be very happy about it.
The Twitch streamer JenNyan reports on Twitter about screaming crowds waiting in front of the RedBull Arena for content creators. One would first have to fight through to retreat to the Creator Lounge there.
Her Twitch colleague Neevi confirms: That’s exactly why she’s no longer interested in gamescom (via Twitter). This impression is repeatedly corroborated in the comments: These are mainly younger visitors clustering in certain areas.
MontanaBlack himself, who was celebrated like a world star last year, seems to be annoyed by the development. On Instagram, he writes in his story that people go there to watch “influencers like monkeys in a zoo”.
In another slide, he states: For him, the train has long left to not be recognized in public. However, he wishes that fans would respect privacy more.
The Twitch streamer Mcky had already decided against visiting gamescom in advance. On Twitter, he wrote that his passion is games, but the fair is becoming a meeting point for influencers. Instead, he will participate in the gamescom LAN next year, the streamer said.
As a private visitor, you still have a better chance of organizing your visit yourself and this year also do not have to fear being swept away by the crowd following MontanaBlack.
So, those who want to focus on the games can usually do so – but they might have to endure long wait times. It’s faster in the Indie Arena, where real hidden gems await visitors.
What’s your impression? Is gamescom being dominated too much by influencers, or can you skillfully ignore this part if you want? Has the fuss around Twitch streamers deterred you from visiting? Let us know in the comments.
MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus says: I played the next Twitch hit at gamescom: It will make streamers suffer
