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A second member of content material org OTK has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of sexual assault. Is is over for OTK?
On Dec.16, a second founding member of streaming and content material group One True King grew to become embroiled in scandal as Wealthy Campell was accused of sexual assault by Twitch streamer Azalia Lexi. The accusations come a number of months after fellow OTK founder, Matthew “Mizkif” Rinaudo, was accused in September 2022 of masking up a separate incident. Mizkif was subsequently positioned on depart from OTK.
The second spate of allegations brings to mild a seemingly basic rottenness within the OTK group. The corporate, based in 2020, was initially based mostly round content material manufacturing and as a way of life model. As described by co-founder Zack, higher generally known as Asmongold, “We got here up with this concept of creating an org, and constructing the org round our buddies – constructing the org round friendship basically.”
Now it appears no less than two of these buddies are linked to some weighty allegations. Naturally, many would assume this might be a crippling blow to the group. However is OTK actually spoiled? Even after the extreme allegations in September, the Esports Awards nominated the group for Content material Group of the Yr. Will this added edge and drama gas the group’s ascension or spell its downfall?
Residing on the sting
It’s basic to the OTK mannequin that the group are seen as outsiders, nerds, and counter-cultural. Whereas every member and content material creator is extremely fashionable in their very own proper as streamers, all of them garner their very own area of interest viewers. On this capability, the workforce flirts with darker subjects and edgier content material and glamorizes a degenerate “not in training, employment, or coaching” (NEET) way of life.
Whereas a lot of the leisure trade, and even the favored streaming teams, are based mostly round historically enticing and conventionally proficient folks, OTK’s focus is nearly solely on degeneracy. Asmongold’s stream persona is that of a hardcore World of Warcraft participant residing in a messy attic. On Asmongold’s stream, there are jokes and allusions to poor hygiene, lack of cleanliness, and over-the-top shows of concern.
Or take Jschlatt, whose on-line persona is one which creates outrage. His persona is impolite and abrasive, with overt shows of aggression, sometimes incoherent, and hints at a (presumably) fictional prison occasion in 1999. The streamer additionally consistently flirted with controversy and is nicknamed “uncancellable” on account of quite a few minor dramas. Jschlatt joined the OTK group in 2021 and appeared like an ideal match.
Nonetheless, in each instances, it’s nearly understood that these are solely personas. And when the chips are down, each creators have proven their integrity. Asmongold ceaselessly lifts again the veil and exhibits us “Zack” in severe movies on his second channel. Within the wake of the Mizkif allegations, Asmongold was clear and severe. What’s extra, in 2021, Jschlatt publically took a tough stance when fellow Lunch Membership member CallMeCarson was accused of sending inappropriate messages to minors.
So whereas OTK makes use of controversy for its personal content material, in lots of instances, it looks as if it’s all an act. Besides, how far can the strains of fiction and actuality blur earlier than issues get uncontrolled? Streaming personas, in lots of instances, are hyper-exaggerated variations of an genuine self. It’s like professional wrestling or ad-lib. You’re taking one thing mundane and switch it as much as eleven to make it compelling and attention-grabbing. So we now have a scenario the place two of the group’s core members are placing on an act, whereas two extra now have severe allegations in opposition to them. So is it honest to evaluate a corporation based mostly on the misdeeds of two of its founders?
Is OTK as a complete dangerous?
And that is the place OTK turns into extra sinister. Within the wake of two severe sexual assault-related allegations, we should begin trying extra rigorously at what the group says and does. The simplest litmus take a look at of an individual is to take heed to what they’re saying. I hate quoting folks, however I’ll make an exception for Maya Angelou, who reportedly as soon as stated, “When somebody exhibits you who they’re, consider them the primary time.” So let’s begin listening to what OTK and its streamers inform us about themselves.
OTK began with jokes about being a “intercourse cult,” with many joking that they’d chosen the title as a nod to BDSM slang “over the knee.” The group’s customized PC constructing firm, Starforge Methods, has a brand that the org members insist isn’t phallic, however tech gurus insist in any other case. And whereas the skirting with controversy and edgy content material can fly out of context, after some time, it begins to color the image of a corporation that runs extra like a frat home than a contemporary media enterprise.
Is that this studying an excessive amount of right into a bunch of dumb jokes? Truthfully, I don’t consider that a number of jokes about intercourse cults, some innuendo on stream, and a penis-shaped brand make an organization inherently dangerous. Possibly I have to put away the purple string and take off my tinfoil hat.
Regardless, some onerous questions should be requested about OTK sooner or later. Questions like does frat boy humor actually flip a corporation into a spot the place harassment is normalized? Can a co-founder’s particular person actions have an effect on a complete firm? Who is aware of! However generally, if it appears like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck — it’s guess you’re coping with a duck.