Twitch Criticized for Honoring VTubers Who Do Not Stream on Its Platform

Twitch has recently come under scrutiny after celebrating several VTubers who, notably, do not stream on their platform at all, choosing instead to operate solely on YouTube.

As 2024 approaches, many social media platforms are reflecting on the past year, and Twitch is no exception. The platform traditionally prepares a year-end recap for its users while also honoring the creators who contribute to its community.

This year, the spotlight fell on Kai Cenat, who was recognized as the “standout streamer” of the year. Additionally, Twitch acknowledged the achievements of Ironmouse and Caseoh, celebrating their success within the platform’s ecosystem.

However, Twitch’s celebration was somewhat controversial, as the platform gave shoutouts to two prominent VTubers—Ironmouse and FUWAMOCO—who do not actually stream on Twitch. The dissonance between their recognition and their actual streaming activities has sparked backlash among the community.

Twitch Applauds VTubers Who Don’t Stream on Its Platform

Following the main recap, Twitch went a step further by highlighting VTubers in a dedicated post on X/Twitter. They lauded Suisei for her musical talents, naming her the best music VTuber of 2024, while FUWAMOCO was awarded the title of best overall VTuber. The issue arises from the fact that neither of these popular figures streams on Twitch; they primarily operate on YouTube.

Community reactions have been sharp. VTuber ProjektMelody expressed her disappointment on social media, remarking on the oversight of creators who actively contribute to the Twitch community:

kinda hurtful to intentionally leave out the other winners that DO stream on twitch

— ProjektMelody 🥯 🍆💦VSHOJO (@ProjektMelody) December 18, 2024

Other users echoed this sentiment, questioning whether the neglect of VTubers who actively use the platform was intentional. Comments highlighted the exclusion of creators like Melody, Porcelainmaid Jowol, and other popular figures from the Mythos group, all of whom contribute significantly to Twitch’s VTuber landscape.

This incident is not the first of its kind for Twitch. The platform has previously faced criticism from the VTuber community, especially after implementing new guidelines that mandated models to be fully dressed. Many creators and fans voiced concerns, suggesting that these changes indicated a disdain for the VTuber culture and its creators.

As Twitch continues to engage with the VTuber community, it remains crucial for the platform to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse creators who actively contribute to its environment, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

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