It was recently the end of an era, as Ninja revealed his move from Twitch to the up-and-coming streaming platform, Kick. Having initially become famous on the former before exploding into superstardom based on the quality of his streams, the American was as synonymous with the purple platform as they come, and his exit leaves a gaping hole in the company's landscape, not to mention compound its recent issues with its own content creators.
Fans will also agree that this move from Ninja was a long-time coming, considering he'd already once gone rebel (to Microsoft's ill-fated Mixer) and that his activity on Twitch had waned over recent years. With that in mind, here's a jog down memory lane as we recount the 30-year-old's start as a broadcaster, his rise to stardom via Fortnite, move to Mixer, return to the game that made him, and finally, his move to Kick and multi-streaming alongside YouTube.
Who is Ninja?
Ninja, whose real name is Tyler Blevins, is known for his profound impact on the world of content creation and streaming. Born on June 5, 1991, in Detroit, Michigan, he started as a professional gamer before becoming one of the most prominent and influential figures in online gaming.
Ninja's rise to eminence began thanks to his exceptional Halo skills, which he displayed at various competitions. He honed his gaming prowess, dedicating countless hours to practicing and refining his strategies. As competitive gaming gained popularity, the online star's talents became more recognized, leading him to pursue a professional gaming career.
He represented more than ten sides during his Halo esports days, but some of the most popular names include Luminosity Gaming, Renegades, Evil Geniuses, Cloud9, Team Liquid, and Warriors. His biggest achievement was finishing second at the Halo World Championship 2017 North America Qualifier 3 alongside eL ToWn, Victory X, and Saiyan and winning the MLG Fall Championship 2012
This was also where his earning potential in esports and streaming came to the fore, as the influencer won around $280K from playing Halo professionally. While it may not seem like big money today, half a decade back, this was the kind of money any pro would have been more than satisfied to earn across their careers, so it opened a lot of doors for those who followed Ninja in this field.
Ninja, Fortnite, and the start of the streaming boom
It was Fortnite's release in 2017 that saw Ninja soared to new heights. His energetic and engaging personality, coupled with his incredible gameplay skills, resonated with a vast audience. The internet personality recognized the potential of live streaming as a platform to connect with his fans and share his passion for gaming.
Twitch, a popular streaming site, became his primary platform for content creation. The American's entertaining streams attracted millions of viewers, and he soon became the face of Fortnite streaming. Ninja's engaging nature and impressive gaming abilities garnered him a massive following and transformed him into a cultural icon.
As of May 31, he was the 12th most watched Fortnite broadcaster on the platform, showing that he had slowed down over the last few years, although he remains the most followed on the site. Among creators of this Epic Games title since June 1, 2021, he is the fifth-most viewed channel, proving that despite not streaming as frequently as in his initial years, he remained in demand when he came online.
However, Ninja's journey was not without obstacles. He faced criticism and skepticism from some traditional gaming circles who doubted the legitimacy and sustainability of content creation as a career. However, Ninja persisted, breaking records and pushing boundaries in the industry. His dedication and commitment to his craft served as an inspiration to aspiring content creators worldwide.
A defining moment in Ninja's career came in March 2018 when he set a new Twitch record for the most concurrent viewers on a single stream. Collaborating with the music artist Drake, the broadcast attracted over 600,000 viewers, propelling the Fortnite icon into the mainstream spotlight. This event showcased the growing influence of content creators and solidified the streamer as a leading figure in the industry.
Move to Mixer and business outside gaming content creation
As Ninja's popularity continued to soar, he expanded his reach beyond Twitch. In 2019, he announced his departure from the Amazon-owned site to stream exclusively on Mixer, a streaming platform owned by Microsoft. This move was accompanied by a multi-million dollar deal, signaling the increasing value and recognition of content creators. However, the company went under soon after, and Ninja returned to Twitch in 2020.
Beyond his gaming career, Ninja has diversified his content creation efforts. He has appeared on numerous television shows, podcasts, and events, expanding his presence to a broader audience. He has also delved into entrepreneurship, launching merchandise lines and partnering with various brands.
This flitting between different portfolios is one reason he was not as prominent as he was at his peak on Twitch. It can be seen in the fact that in January 2021, his average online viewers count was 13K, while in May 2023, it came down to 8K. This is a drastic decrease, as he stepped away from gaming creation as a full-time gig and delved into the above fields, focusing on them.
Ninja's impact extends beyond the gaming community. He has been an advocate for mental health awareness, openly discussing his own struggles and inspiring others to seek help. Additionally, he has used his platform to promote charitable causes, hosting charity streams and donating substantial amounts to organizations such as the Trevor Project and Red Nose Day.
Viewership stats this month
Between June 1 and June 14, Ninja had been active on three platforms: Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. Based on viewership stats collected by Streams Charts, his activity on the red site was more than the other two combined.
He was most popular on YouTube, hitting 12K Peak Viewers, although his Twitch count of 10K PV remained impressive. However, his highest average online viewers count came on Kick, showing the hype created among fans to watch him on the newest streaming platform to look to challenge the established order.
Throughout his journey, Ninja has remained dedicated to entertaining and inspiring his audience. His success as a content creator has demonstrated the power of passion, perseverance, and innovation in an evolving digital landscape. By transcending the boundaries of gaming, Ninja has solidified his place as a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on the world of content creation.
Looking at his start on Kick, it's safe to say he has gotten off to a strong start on the green platform. However, a verdict on whether it was the right choice long-term can only be made once he has streamed on the site for some time, and the type of consistent viewership he attracts. For now, he remains one of the most popular broadcasters on the relatively new platform, rivaling the likes of Adin Ross and Corinna Kopf.
