TimTheTatman concerned Twitch is no longer a “gaming” site as IRL streams dominate
Popular streamer TimTheTatMan has sparked a viral debate over the future of gaming broadcasts, saying Twitch’s Just Chatting category far outpaces people playing games.
Kai Cenat,IShowSpeedandAsmongoldare some of the biggest streamers on the internet, branching out from their status as content creators to enter the mainstream media.
For instance, Kai Cenat regularly rubs shoulders with major celebrities likeDrake, LeBron James,Kevin Hartand more, while IShowSpeed, who streams on YouTube, gets international recognition thanks to hisviral tours abroad.
The majority of their streams aren’t spent in front of the computer playing games (minus Asmongold, who’s known for hispolitical commentarystreamed from home). Instead, they’re outhosting award showsand taking up physical challenges againsthigh-profile athletes.
It’s influencers like these that have fellow broadcasterTimTheTatManconvinced that the future of live streaming isn’t in gaming — it’s in IRL.
TimTheTatMan says gaming on Twitch is dead
Tim spoke about this growing trend during a broadcast in June 2025 after noticing that the majority of viewership on Twitch was in the site’s ‘Just Chatting’ category.
“There were 500,000 watching Just Chatting,” he said. “And the closest video game to that wasLeague of Legendsat 100K, andCounter-Strikeat 85K. I think it’s justgamingin general right now, because all the views seem to be when you go into Just Chatting and talk about drama.
“You could argue that the biggest streamers out there don’t even game that much,” he continued. “This guy Kai Cenat just hung out with LeBron. You know what I’m saying? …IRL is king now. That’s the reality.”
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TimTheTatman talks about the current state of gaming for Streamers“the biggest Streamers don’t even game anymore, IRL is king now thats the reality”pic.twitter.com/xmWJhKEeDa
Responses to Tim’s theory are largely mixed. Some viewers agree that Kai’s motion is largely due to his interactions with celebrities and broadcasts outside the home, while others say that gaming content is in a lull until a massive title likeGTA 6drops.
“IRL is the ultimate reality show,”one viewer saidon X.
“Just not any game that’s poppin’ right now,” another argued. “Once someone drops something worth playing / watching, it’s back to normal. Nobody doing irl content when a game like GTA 6 comes out. Just not any great games right now.”
Just not any game that’s poppin right now. Once someone drops something worth playing/watching it’s back to normal. Nobody doing irl content when a game like gta6 comes out. Just not any great games right now.
“We desperately need better multiplayer games,”another said.
And we can’t forget that Kai Cenat’sgaming marathonshave been some of the most viral broadcasts on the net, something he’s returning to withIShowSpeed for a Mario Bros. stream.
