xbox.” Upon investigation, it was confirmed that there is now a dedicated Kick app on Xbox consoles. The app’s description highlights its unique features, including a 95-5 subscription split and a creator incentive program, which are meant to distinguish it from other platforms.
“Our creators march to the beat of their own drum,” read the app’s description, “disrupting our opps with a 95-5 subscription split, our creator incentive program, and the freedom to multistream.” The app boasts an impressive list of notable streamers like Felix “xQc” Lengyel, Nick “Nickmercs” Kolcheff, and Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa, all of whom have found success despite being banned or facing controversy on Twitch.
Xbox’s Response to Partnership
Despite the announcement, Xbox quickly downplayed any official partnership. An Xbox spokesperson stated: “Xbox does not have a partnership with Kick. Kick independently published an app on our platform, and we are actively evaluating it under our store policies. Apps that do not comply with these policies are removed.” This response suggests that while the app is present, it may face scrutiny from Xbox’s content moderation team.
A History of Controversy
Kick has a long history of hosting problematic streamers and being associated with gambling activities. The platform has become known as a safe space for banned Twitch streamers and creators with controversial histories. Adin Ross, the streamer who was “indefinitely” banned on Twitch in 2023 for failing to moderate hate speech, found success on Kick after his ban was overturned.
One of the most notable controversies involved Ross hosting an interview with then-former President Donald Trump, during which he gifted him a Rolex and a Cybertruck.
According to Rolling Stone, Ross also streamed videos from a porn site and platformed an anonymous neo-Nazi. More recently, French streamer Raphaël “Jeanpormanove” Graven reportedly died in his sleep after a lengthy “humiliation” livestream on Kick, raising serious concerns about the safety of its users.
The streaming platform is also heavily entwined with Stake, a gambling website co-founded by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani. At the time of writing, there are over 81,000 people watching the “Slots and Casino” category on Kick, indicating a strong interest in gambling-related content despite Twitch’s ban on such activities.
Industry Context
The integration of Kick into Xbox represents a significant shift for both platforms. While Kick has long been seen as a controversial outlier, its success with creators like xQc and Nickmercs suggests that there is still demand for the platform’s unique features. However, the scrutiny from Xbox may limit its growth potential on the console.
Experts in the gaming industry suggest that this move could be part of a broader strategy to cater to a wider range of content creators and viewers. Nevertheless, the association with gambling and controversial content continues to raise ethical questions about the future of streaming platforms on mainstream gaming consoles.
Conclusion
The partnership between Kick and Xbox marks an interesting development in the gaming ecosystem. While it may provide opportunities for unique content creators, it also highlights ongoing concerns about the integration of controversial services into mainstream platforms. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to carefully balance innovation with responsible content moderation.
