Part one: Being a Responsible Streamer

This is the first in a series of blog posts I plan on doing this week regarding gaming, responsible streaming, community, and the lack of response from platforms when people report harassment.

Being a Responsible Streamer

Streaming can be a super fun way to interact with other people who enjoy gaming. You can be your true authentic self or you can create a persona. But you have to be sure that no matter which you choose, you always think about the amount of responsibility that comes with building and marketing yourself. You have to understand that your viewer base is incredibly diverse (age, sex, gender, race, mental capacity) and therefore you have to be careful how you choose to come across. Typically shy in real life and want to create a persona that's kind of out there and outrageous? Fine. But be mindful of the way you talk, what you post to Twitter, or in Discord forums. You have very impressionable minds following you, hanging on your every word, who go out into the real world and mimic and try to be you (for whatever reason). I realize, you're probably sitting there "well, I can't help how my community chooses to show up in the real world, when they aren't watching my stream". And I agree, you can't. But you CAN be aware of the way you act and talk while streaming. The way you talk while gaming in major PvP games (Sea of Thieves, Call of Duty, Overwatch, Valhorent to name a few). Because these kids (or adults) are going into those same games or saying shit to their friends faces that they shouldn't be saying. 

We as streamers have to be responsible for our actions during our streams so that when our community goes out and takes those actions into the real world, it is not reflected badly on us. And if you're a streamer that could give two shits less about how your actions on stream affect others, shame on you. If you are a streamer who is thinking "if people take shit I say, which are clearly jokes, literally, I can't help it." You're a piece of garbage. 

Also, as streamers, we should consider ourselves coworkers. I had a different post regarding trash talking other stream communities back in February (and being that I only have like 3 posts on this blog so far, this one included, you should be able to go back and read it). For those that don't care enough, the just of that post is this: you are welcome to not like another streamer, stream team, or community all you want. But when you publicly call them out for something so small, in the grand scheme of things you look like an asshole. Vent to your family, vent to a private channel in your discord, or directly to your mods. But there is no reason to air your grievance over something as small as adding a panel to your twitch page in order to be part of the stream team. It's stupid. And in the end, doesn't matter at all. 

The last thing I'm going to talk about when it comes to being a responsible streamer is alcohol consumption...especially while streaming. I'm not going to sit here and say it is irresponsible to drink while streaming, especially when you're playing games with friends. But I am going to say do it responsibly. Know your limits, Be aware of how different types of alcohol change your behavior, specifically while gaming. I've personally seen alcohol quickly change a streamers demeanor and they became more aggressive while playing the game.

Ok. I think that covers everything I wanted to blog about regarding being a responsible streamer. 

Sea of Thieves Custom Servers

So, I know I have followers that will disagree with me vehemently on this; and that's fine. I fully understand if you want to unfollow me for this; that's your choice. I honestly don't care. However, as someone who enjoys gaming and streams as a hobby (I don't have the desire to stream and create content full time and I'm someone who if something feels more like a job, I don't enjoy it and want to do it less) my voice is no less important when it comes to what I'd like to see in some of my favorite games. 

But when it comes to SoT I feel like because I'm female, when I speak out on a feature I'd like to see I have been verbally attacked and ridiculed by male gamers within the community. That I am just a stupid female who doesn't want to learn how to PvP, who doesn't know what she's talking about and often told to go find another game to play if I don't like the whole PvPvE aspect of the game.

With that being said, here is what I have to say about the new Custom Servers Rare is currently working on for content creators:

Whatever. 

Yet again, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. It's just how things go.

This does not mean that creators don't deserve servers they can use for their pirate games, races, what have you. I have seen some amazing content created that will greatly benefit these servers when they go live. And I look forward to seeing some of the new stuff some creators have wanted to do but couldn't because of the whole PvP aspect of the game.

However, when are you going to start listening to and taking into consideration the ideas and requests of your casual (read: non content creating) players. We have purchased the game, we have purchased ancient coins for in game cosmetics and things. And we have played just as much as the content creators. When is our voice going to matter? Does our voice even matter?

I get tired of voicing my opinion on PvE servers because all I get are a bunch of keyboard warriors telling me to basically sit down, shut up and suck it up OR to quit playing a game I have loved for the last 2 years. 

Every player who opposes the idea of private PvE servers insists that IF Rare were to do them it would HAVE to be done without the ability to earn gold/rep/commendations. And while myself (and others) have asked why it has to be that way, I don't think anyone has ever really been able to provide an answer other than the standard "this is a PvPvE game where the reward of gold/rep/comms comes at the risk of having to fight other pirates for it." Yeah. And your point is? The reward of PvE servers would come from battling the environment (Krakens, Megs, Skeleton Ships, Ghost ships)...there is no difference because either way I'm losing out on hours worth of loot gathering. 

If it's fairness we're fighting for (among the OG's of SoT), there are ways to even the playing field for those that would prefer PvE servers:

I would gladly pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to have access to a private server and invite my friends to so we can earn our gold/rep/commendations together with friendly battles or no battles. Heck even better if that fee included the ability to have private Arena servers so my friends and I can battle it out for our rep and commendations. Hell, I'd be all for slower rep and gold gain on a private server (the consequence (if you will) for not wanting to earn at the normal rate on a PvPvE server) and even slightly harder battles with Krakens, Megs, Skeleton and Ghost Ships. 

All that being said, kudos to Rare for giving their players who work hard on creating fun events within a PvPvE world the ability to create a little more easily. Like I said above, I can't wait to see what else creators come up with. I just hope one day soon, they'll start listening to their non content creating players as well. 

On Community and Drama and Kindness

**Please know, comments are turned on at the current time. Should things become toxic, hateful, hurtful, and downright uncalled for, comments will be removed and the ability to comment will likely be turned off.**



Let me start this post by saying I am part of the best community thanks to Twitch. The Empire has become my online home in the last 6+ months. A community where I feel more like family than just a friend or even just another streamer. I could not be more grateful for the people I've met through the community...the people who support me, the people I support. And we don't just support each others streaming efforts...we support each other in our lives off Twitch as well. When one of our own is down and out or needing help, we're there to pick each other up and help each other through the rough times. A community that has helped me grow as a streamer, that helps me continue to grow through connection opportunities. My stream is not my full time job. It is strictly a hobby. I know this. I am happy with this.

*Let me preface this by saying, I will not be using names, as it seems irrelevant and unnecessary. People who read this will likely know if it's about them or not. And others will probably think it is about them and it is likely not.*

Sadly, a month ago, a large volcanic rock hit our little community and caused a small shift. After a rough week or so following the hit, it seemed things were calming. However, it seems ashes continue to gall and people are picking sides, looking to others for whether or not they should continue to be part of the Empire. Perhaps worried about their own reputation or numbers. I get it.

I have to say, it saddens me greatly that what happened a month ago could not have been handled like adults. That it had to sink to a level of high school teenage girl drama, yet it involved only grown ass 30+ year old men. I had enough wit about me to go directly to the Empire source when someone I used to enjoy watching and was on friendly terms with started trash talking my community. I was blind sided because what had happened within the Discord overnight was quickly taken down by the admins and should have never blown into the circus people chose to blow it into. 

We are all entitled to our feelings, opinions, views on everything in the world. We do not all have to agree about how communities are run...or even what community means (sure, there is a dictionary definition, but it seems even that doesn't fit some communities). But to blow up, live on Twitch is highly unprofessional on their part, as well as the opposite of what community is. I will never understand how someone can claim to be about community, and being inclusive, yet turn around and try to tear another community apart. Be angry, be sad, be whatever, but do it in a manner that is not going to hurt other people. Have enough balls to go to the community managers and step away quietly; maybe make a BRIEF social post or video regarding why you left. But you don't have to flip a lid on stupid shit. 

I have no ill will toward these people. I wish them nothing but continued streaming success. However, as I've done in the past, I've weighed my thoughts and feelings and decided it is best for me to step away from these peoples communities and streams. I have a hard time respecting grown ass adults who do not deal with matters privately and drag their communities into something their communities should NEVER have been drug in to.

I thought the hit we took was fading in the distance. And I suppose, for those still firmly rooted in the community and personal connections, it is in the distance. But it is very clear there are others out there who continue to be on some loop, continually going over that bump, and slowly circling back round to it. To those people, I say this:

-I was NEVER part of the drama. YOU were NEVER part of the drama. We have no reason to continue to revisit that drama. We have free will and can leave what communities we want. We have free will and can stay with what communities we want. We don't need to explain ourselves.

-If something a community manager is doing or requires for the community or stream team doesn't feel right to you, GO TO THEM, privately. 9 times out of 10, they're going to listen to you and likely figure out a solution.

-If that solution still doesn't sit well with you, they will not hold it against you should you choose to walk away. They will respect your decision and wish you well. I can PROMISE YOU THIS! If you are in MY community personally and you choose to step away/leave it behind, I respect you and wish you well.

-Above all else, don't be a lemming, blindly following others mob mentality. Be you. Think for you. And do what is best for you, others be damned.


I speak from a place of experience. I was the one who got shit on, but I also fired back. I DM'd this person and apologized profusely for my part in it. But they were very unaccepting of the apology and I felt like I was on watch after that. Not to mention, they decided to change requirements for their moderators and Discord admin. So, I decided for my mental health and what kind of community I wanted to be a part of, to leave. And I did. I am still friends with people from that community. But I no longer follow the streamer and I am no longer a part of their discord. I wish this person no ill will. And I hope they are doing well now. 

If Twitch and streaming is teaching me anything, it's that community is MORE than just your numbers. Community is about connections on a personal level. Learning to help each other succeed in our hobbies, careers, and dreams. Building each other up, but NEVER tearing each other down. Learning to agree to disagree. Learning that it's OK to walk away from something you feel is toxic, unwelcoming, or just not your cup of tea. That relationships are a two way street. That in order to earn respect, you must also give respect in turn. That it's OK to say NO. That we all have different hopes and dreams for our time on Twitch. And that Twitch is one massive community made up of MANY different little communities who support their streamers. 

But mostly, as cliche as it sounds, I've learned we have to show each other kindness, every day. Show each other we care. And to be respectful of each other.