The Twitch streamer Asmongold has been the most viewed streamer on Twitch for three months in a row. His rapid rise is attributed to WoW Classic. But now he announces that he will play less WoW Classic. The game is simply difficult for streamers – furthermore, stress and drama weigh on the atmosphere.
How significant was the surge? The streamer Asmongold describes himself as a WoW nerd, as stated in the book. He has spent years playing nothing but WoW.
Asmongold has been a relatively big name on Twitch for quite some time. However, he never made it to the top 5 most viewed streamers. That changed in August 2019. Because that’s when WoW Classic went live:
- In July 2019, Asmongold was ranked 6th among streamers with 3.786 million hours watched
- In August 2019, Asmongold landed in 1st place with 11.502 million hours
- September 2019 saw WoW Classic completely explode – 1st place with 13.392 million hours
- In October 2019, WoW Classic cooled down on Twitch but Asmongold remained at 1st place with 6.114 million hours
More WoW Retail – Nothing left to do in Classic
This is what Asmongold says now: On November 24, Asmongold announced that he would now play less WoW Classic. From now on, he will play more “WoW Retail,” the normal WoW.
He says WoW Classic was fun, but it also brought him a lot of drama and stress. This is neither enjoyable for him nor for the community.
Moreover, he also doesn’t know what he should still do in WoW Classic.
He now has 26 days /played on his warrior, and he feels he is slowly boring his viewers.
“That’s what happens when you let everything be handed to you”
This is the reaction: On Twitter, people accuse him of having “received gold” and thus there is now nothing left to do.
Asmongold has been accused before of playing WoW Classic incorrectly.
However, Asmongold says he accepted the gold because it is boring to watch someone farm gold.
Another Twitch streamer, Sodapoppin, tells him: WoW Classic is not fun as a streamer. Therefore, he decided to experience WoW Classic as a player, not as a streamer.
People expect a streamer to entertain them. But Sodapoppin wants to enjoy the game.
Asmongold says he would have decided differently. He played WoW Classic and “Holy crap, it’s not fun.”
How serious is he about this? One day after announcing he would play less, Asmongold already moderated his statement again.
He then stated: He is now playing Classic 16 hours a day. He talks about reducing it from 16 to 13 hours – not from 16 to 0.
Previously, it had sounded a bit different.
The hangover at the top
What’s behind this: A similar phenomenon was experienced by Fortnite star Tfue in September. He said he had achieved everything he could ever wish for. He is unhappy and now needs a break.
Streamers work for years to “reach the top.” When they are then at the very top, they push particularly hard to “capitalize on this hype.” Because usually, they are only at the top because special circumstances are active: A game is particularly hot.
Streamers want to utilize this hype at all costs.
But at some point, it seems the point is reached where a kind of hangover sets in, and streamers struggle with themselves, seeking inspiration or new ideas.
With WoW Classic, it adds that Asmongold is also seen by some “Classic fans” as an enemy figure, who makes too much noise and thinks too highly of himself. Asmongold also has a sarcastic and self-deprecating humor, which does not resonate with everyone.
Earlier, Asmongold has expressed doubts about himself and his streams.
