Valkyrae announced her plans to continue streaming exclusively on YouTube Gaming.
The popular content creator and co-owner of esports organization 100 Thieves – Rachel “Valkyrae” Hofstetter – has officially announced the next step in her career. Valkyrae spent the last two years creating content and videos on YouTube Gaming. Today, she revealed her plans to continue forward with the website. It should not surprise those who follow Valkyrae, considering her foundation on YouTube.
She averages thousands of viewers, so making a significant platform switch at this stage in her career likely did not make sense. While the particulars of the agreement aren’t precise, Valkyrae remains on YouTube, where she hopes to continue a successful career in content creation.
Valkyrae Remains with YouTube
— rae☀️ (@Valkyrae) January 31, 2022
Valkyrae posted her announcement video on Twitter and YouTube following weeks of speculation. In the video, Valkyrae steps out of a red SUV into a set where several people present purple and red items to her. She initially struggles to make a choice, and the video even seems to poke fun at Valkyrae’s RFLCT controversy or Facebook Gaming, depending on your interpretation. Rae eventually settles on YouTube Gaming as her home in the latest renegotiation.
A former Twitch partner, Valkyrae switched platforms to YouTube Gaming in 2020. She became the first of several notable Twitch creators to make a ground-breaking transition to a rival website, following fellow 100 Thieves co-owner Jack “CouRageJD” Dunlop. Other names on that list over the ensuing two years include Ben “DrLupo” Lupo, Tim “timthetatman” Betar and Ludwig Ahgren. Valkyrae was a pioneer in this regard; she took a significant risk leaving a platform where she maintained nearly 1 million followers.
The move to YouTube Gaming proved a good one. Valkyrae’s exposure increased in 2020 and 2021, particularly during the height of Among Us–an online multiplayer social deduction game developed by Innersloth. The 30-year-old frequently collaborated with other influencers like Imane “Pokimane” Anys, Sykkuno, Corpse Husband and more. She won “Content Creator of the Year” at The Game Awards in 2020 and made Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022.
The Right Move to Make
New YouTube video!
Ended my 2 years streaming on youtube anniversary with Among Us
ft toast, fuslie, corpse, syk, karl, poki, Wendy, tina❤️ just a highlight vid! Enjoy! https://t.co/afQQ3OmiXT
— rae☀️ (@Valkyrae) January 26, 2022
Content creation was somewhat of an untapped market back in 2020. Valkyrae’s name has since ascended–her part ownership of 100 Thieves is evidence of that. Her decision to stick with YouTube makes sense; switching back to Twitch or moving to Facebook Gaming might bring unwanted expectations. What’s more, she can negotiate her schedule and an adequate salary.
Could Pokimane be Next?
after a wild 2 years, my Twitch contract ends today 🥲
i’ll see you guys February 8th for the next chapter ❤️ much love to you all
— pokimane (@pokimanelol) January 31, 2022
For now, Valkyrae stays put on YouTube, where she has found her footing. There’s no telling what other creators could make the jump to YouTube. Considering Pokimane’s Twitch deal just ended, she could join her friend Valkyare on the growing platform. We’ll have to see what is on the horizon for YouTube in its quest to coerce content creators from the Amazon-owned streaming website.