Twitch is a video live streaming service owned by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of Amazon.
Since its first introduction back in 2011 as a spin-off of a popular streaming platform, Twitch has become the popular place for video game live streaming. This includes those from e-sports competition, as well as music broadcasts, creative contents and more.
In October 2013, the website only had 45 million unique viewers. But by February 2014, it was considered the fourth largest source of peak internet traffic in the U.S.. In February 2020, it had 3 million broadcasters monthly and 15 million daily active users, with 1.4 million average concurrent users.
On the platform, Félix “xQc” Lengyel is one of the biggest star.
But unfortunately for the former Overwatch professional gamer, he is temporarily banned from Twitch because he was caught cheating in a Fall Guys tournament.
At GlitchCon our player conduct rules were violated. We require all participants to abide by the same rules in order to play in a tournament. As a result, xQc has been issued a temporary Twitch account suspension, a temporary Twitch Rivals ban & forfeited associated prize money. pic.twitter.com/SA8umOdS9E
— Twitch Rivals (@TwitchRivals) November 18, 2020
The incident was reported by Twitch Rivals, a series of gaming tournaments sponsored by the streaming platform itself.
In a match against fellow streamers Benjamin “DrLupo” Lupo and Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek, xQc violated the terms of both Twitch Rivals and Twitch by engaging in 'Stream Sniping'.
Stream Sniping refers to the activity of intruding opponent’s live-action and intentionally grieving when they are about to queue in the game together at the beginning.
This is done in order to gain unfair advantage.
Because of this, Twitch has given him a six months ban from events, and a seven-day Twitch ban. What's more, he is also required to forfeit his prize money.
This incident marks at least the fourth time Twitch has suspended xQc, who was previously banned for showing sexually suggestive material while streaming.
In the past, xQc once was suspended for streaming explicit video where pornographic scenes were edited to make them appear "Safe for Work". He was also once banned for playing an explicit version of Connect Four on stream, and on that stream, a female opponent took her clothes off. Then there was the time when he showed "explicit content" of a video of two gorillas performing intercourse, which he refers to as an accident.
The Quebec-born Canadian streamer admitted for this wrongdoing, and said that his intention was just for fun.
Stop defending my everywhere for no reason. We got into the final game with @DrLupo and @shroud 's team. We shouldn't of done it and it was wrong. I'm sorry for my actions. I thought it would be funny. It did not change the outcome but it was still malicious. Sorry.
— xQc (@xQc) November 15, 2020
With a fan base of 4.1 million followers and 213 million total views, xQc's average stream has a viewer count of between 40,000 to 60,000. This makes him the highest-earning, and the most watched creator on the platform.
Despite being important to Twitch, xQc is not off the hook.
Lengyel apologized to his fans and fan groups and addressed his mistake.
Following the ban, xQc who was 2017's Overwatch World Cup Most Valuable Player, recreated the famous Narcos meme, which sees Pablo Escobar looking sad and bored. Within hours, his tweet has gone viral, with fans and critics responding to his post.
— xQc (@xQc) November 20, 2020
While the community was still recovering from the news, Twitch extended the ban to three more streamers.
Twitch Rivals informed the community that streamers Liquid Mendo, Nightblue3 and GrandPooBear also violated its conduct rules. They too shall face consequences identical to those of xQc.
Another streamer, Tfue, isn't banned.
Tfue was aware of the actions of his teammates, but he did not inform the administration of the same. As a result of this, he only has to forfeit all of his prize winnings from the GlitchCon event.
On further review of GlitchCon, we have found that, in addition to xQcOW, players Nightblue3, Mendo, GrandPooBear, & Tfue violated our conduct rules. Their actions will result in a disciplinary action from Twitch Rivals & for all but Tfue, a temporary suspension from Twitch. pic.twitter.com/b2gaqxHpcI
— Twitch Rivals (@TwitchRivals) November 19, 2020
I received a 7day Twitch ban due to stream sniping in the Fall Guys tournament, a 6 month ban from Twitch Rivals, on top of forfeiting my earnings from the tournament. I want to say first off that I'm sorry to everyone involved in the event because my behavior was unprofessional
— Liquid Mendo (@Mendo) November 19, 2020
We were just trying to entertain and didn't think much of our actions, we didn't have any impact but still well understand it was wrong, sorry!
The bean game wins this time gents, we turn the heat to maximum hyper overdrive after the 7 day suspension pic.twitter.com/zyd7zp074o— Nightblue3 (@Nightbloo) November 19, 2020
There is some sweet irony that I would have gotten DMCA for Age of Calamity today anyway. So I guess win for me???
— GrandPooBear (@GrandPOOBear) November 20, 2020