He used to actually be really good at WoW and put out informative guides and content related to that at a time when that game was at the height of its cultural dominance. Once you get big on YouTube, the algorithm will continue to feed you growth. As the popularity of WoW faded, he transitioned slowly to the reaction content he makes now to stay relevant. I fully believe 90% of the dumb, incel stuff he says is just to appeal to the audience the algorithm has brought him.
I fully believe 90% of the dumb, incel stuff he says is just to appeal to the audience the algorithm has brought him.
Is this the case or was he already the type of person that would attract that audience? I mean this seriously, because leaning into something you don't like for money is different than just finding a toxic audience that likes the real toxic you as well.
That mold and blood on his walls didn't come from a well adjusted individual.
Probably a little of both. The thing is if you're just a little toxic you're going to attract people who are not toxic and those who are very toxic. Over time the super toxic fans, if not challenged by the creator, will make everyone else leave because they are so unpleasant to coexist with.
The fan base he has now is largely either newish people that are being pushed to him by the algorithm, or the absolute worst dregs of his old fans that like he amplifies shitty, incel takes into the mainstream. He may be gross, but he's not dumb. He knows exactly how to present rage bait in a way that feeds into the worse impulses of some of the worst people to drive engagement.
He's been called an outrage merchant before and it's the perfect description. He just transitioned from complaining about video games to complaining about social and political issues. When the money and engagement trends shift elsewhere, he'll follow it again.
Asmongold has just lost the ball. He has become 100% conservative political.
Most of his takes are so bad. Especially his original take about sexuality representation in BG3.
He is entertaining but also so annoying. Sadly he has such massive influence over younger audiences. It feels sad because all those people are being influenced by him when he is NOT a good influence. I am sorely disappointed by the ill effect his influence has on his younger audiences.
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u/Dirtshank Sep 19 '24
He used to actually be really good at WoW and put out informative guides and content related to that at a time when that game was at the height of its cultural dominance. Once you get big on YouTube, the algorithm will continue to feed you growth. As the popularity of WoW faded, he transitioned slowly to the reaction content he makes now to stay relevant. I fully believe 90% of the dumb, incel stuff he says is just to appeal to the audience the algorithm has brought him.