Popular Twitch streamer Nickmercs has signed a major contract extension, signaling his continued presence on the live streaming service. Nicholas Kolcheff, known by his alias Nickmercs, joined Twitch back in 2010 and he has since risen to become one of the website’s most popular streamers. Twitch has recently run into multiple controversies, which has led many streamers to leave Twitch to join the YouTube Gaming service instead.
Several of Twitch’s top streamers, including DrLupo and TimTheTatman, have recently left Twitch to sign exclusive deals with YouTube Gaming. The exodus from the popular live streaming service has reportedly been motivated by a number of the website’s controversial practices. Upon his departure, TimTheTatman explained that YouTube Gaming would offer him a more flexible schedule along with a chance for innovation and expansion. Meanwhile, Twitch has recently received criticism for its failure to address the ongoing harassment of streamers and viewers. On September 1 a protest called #ADayOffTwitch was held to raise awareness for this ongoing harassment problem, with the platform subsequently suffering a 15% decrease in viewership.
Despite multiple popular streamers recently leaving the platform for YouTube Gaming, Twitch and Nickmercs have both announced that the streamer’s contract extension to remain on the platform. Both parties took to Twitter to announce the news, which will keep Nickmercs on the platform for an unspecified amount of time. Nickmercs posted a dramatic video of his logo, a Spartan warrior, drawing a sword emblazoned with the Twitch logo. Twitch, meanwhile, posted a video collage of the streamer’s greatest moments both in-game and in person.
Along with harassment and streamer flexibility issues, the streaming service also found controversy regarding its recent Twitch view boost system test. The view boost system, which is currently only available to certain users as a research venture, allows streamers to pay for increased visibility on videos. Many on the platform criticized the system for potentially creating a pay-to-win scenario where wealthy streamers steal attention from others. However, other users argue that the view boost system would actually give smaller channels an opportunity to gain notice by boosting certain videos.
Nickmercs’ ongoing presence on Twitch is no doubt a sign of relief for the platform and its supporters. The streamer has been a staple of the Twitch lineup since the very start of the platform, and losing such an iconic figure would be a massive blow. While other popular streamers like DrLupo and TimTheTatman have left Twitch, viewers can rest assured that Nickmercs will still be around with his signature brand of content.
