Streamers are flocking to Kick to host massive GTA V roleplay events. Is this the end of GTA streaming on Twitch?
Last month, Grand Theft Auto V’s watch time on Twitch hit an all-time low. The fact that it constantly remained around 120k average viewers only two years ago, while it barely reaches 100k now, suggests that the category is running on fumes. As streamers migrate to Kick, this downward trend shows no signs of letting up.
What looks like a sudden slump is actually the result of a systematic migration. The fundamental dynamic of how and where GTA content is consumed has permanently shifted.
The Catalyst: Better Incentives and Freedom for Roleplay
It is no coincidence that the exodus centers on GTA V, more specifically its role-playing servers. Kick’s hourly rates and splits aggressively favor creators: Twitch typically takes a 50% cut of subscription revenue, while only top-of-the-line creators receive more favorable terms. Kick, on the other hand, takes as little as 5%. Consequently, games that can be streamed for hours on end are highly rewarded, making GTA all the more attractive to streamers.
At the same time, Kick is more accommodating of mature themes due to its laxer moderation policy, meaning streamers can more easily stay monetised.
To draw even more creators in, Kick recently partnered with servers like NewVisionRP, offering specialized incentives and a “fast-track verification path” to creators who actively role-play on its dedicated servers. In effect, these smaller creators do not have to jump through as many hoops to build a viewership and participate in the Kick Partner Program.
The Vanguard: Streamers Who Made the Leap
Kick’s increasing number of average viewers comes as no surprise, given the migration of top-class creators. xQc, a.k.a. Félix Lengyel, signed a contract reportedly worth up to $100 million. While he can technically stream to Twitch at the same time, his marathon GTA RP streams are strictly reserved for his Kick channel.
Shortly after xQc, Amouranth followed suit. Despite being Twitch’s most-watched female streamer, she openly criticized the platform’s business model, stating that it squeezes the last drop out of its top creators.
With GTA VI waiting in the wings, this massive shift could put Kick on the map as the favored streaming platform, though it remains to be seen whether it can maintain its upward momentum. Meanwhile, you can check out 15 Video Games to Keep You Busy Until GTA 6.
