Twitch streamer Pokimane

Here’s why Pokimane won’t switch over to Kick

By Fariha Bhatti

|

Jun 21, 2023

Reading time: 2 min

Twitch exodus has reached a boiling point as big players jump ship to Kick, but Imane “Pokimane” Anys is staying true to the purple banner for personal reasons. 

Twitch was one of the first flagship platforms to provide gamers with an opportunity to create communities with their live content. Over the years, many new rivals failed to overtake Twitch but it was the platform’s new regulations that led to boycotts and leaving after Kick entered the picture. However, one streamer is still not sold on the possibility of a shiny Kick deal. 

Pokimane has decided she’s staying on Twitch no matter how big the paycheck is, and she has a personal reason. 

Pokimane explains she why won’t leave Twitch for Kick 

Pokimane Twitch streamer

After Félix “xQc” Lengyel and Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa jumped ship, Pokimane’s fans swamped her chat, inquiring when she’d finally do the same, as if the switch is inevitable for one of the biggest names on Twitch. But Pokimane has entirely written off the possibility.  

According to Pokimane, something about doing “cringe” content for the sake of more money doesn’t sit right with her. However, she does understand the need to make money, but she’s okay with where she is at the moment. 

“It’s not because I’ve got $10 million. It’s just because I am good as I am. Why would I compromise my morals and ethics for more money when I have money? Something about that is so cringe to me personally,” Pokimane said. 

She further said she doesn’t want to compromise her morals and ethics by streaming on Kick, and while she didn’t elaborate, fans do have an idea. Kick is heavily gambling-inclined and platform creators have streamed porn to underage audiences. Adin Ross allegedly owning a percentage doesn’t help, considering his recent anti-LGBQT streak on Twitter.

Besides refusing to switch, Pokimane has also questioned Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter for supporting xQc’s decision to move. According to Valkyrae: “I tweeted congrats to xQc and Kick because I think it’s like a win-win situation for both parties. She [Pokimane] reached out, and she was like I was kind of surprised that you were publicly supporting it.”

So it’s evident that Pokimane doesn’t like Kick for what they allow on their platform, not solely because of her long history at Twitch. Her comment has split the fanbase, with most siding with Pokimane and others claiming that streamers should separate the wheat from the chaff and give Kick a chance for its tempting 95/5 cut and creator freedom.