Asmongold’s Departure from One True King
On February 21, Twitch streamer Asmongold made a significant announcement on his secondary channel, "zackrawrr," revealing that he has left the gaming and entertainment company One True King (OTK). This move comes after a series of controversies surrounding his political content, which he believes restricted his creative freedom and negatively impacted his health and the well-being of OTK’s other members.
The Announcement and Reasons Behind the Departure
During the stream, Asmongold explained that his involvement with OTK had become a source of significant stress and tension. He highlighted that the company’s constraints made it difficult for him to produce the content he desired, particularly his more controversial political commentary. This, in turn, made it challenging for OTK to secure sponsors and left other members vulnerable to harassment. Asmongold stated that the decision to part ways was mutually agreed upon and that he remains on good terms with individuals within the organization. "It’s better for my career path and my health," he emphasized, adding that the departure was a necessary step for his personal and professional growth.
The Challenges of Controversial Content
Asmongold noted the difficulty in balancing controversial political content with more mainstream gaming and entertainment content. "Doing controversial political content is really hard to synthesize with content that’s not like that because of just how extreme it is," he explained. Despite his ability to handle harassment, he expressed concern about exposing other OTK members to similar negative experiences. "I can tank harassment … and it’s not a problem, but I don’t want to sign other people up for that," he said. His involvement in OTK, which he co-founded in 2020, had become increasingly corrosive to his mental and physical health, even requiring a trip to the emergency room due to high blood pressure.
Past Controversies and Their Impact
Prior to his departure, Asmongold’s shift to political content had already strained his relationship with OTK. In October, he stepped away from his leadership roles within the company and its subsidiary, Starforge Systems, a gaming PC company, following a backlash over comments he made about Palestinians. He described Palestinians as "terrible people" with an "inferior culture," leading to massive criticism from fans and a 14-day ban from Twitch. Asmongold subsequently issued multiple apologies, stating he needed to step back and focus on his well-being. The incident also led to harassment of other OTK members, with Nmplol, another OTK member, publicly denouncing the behavior of Asmongold’s fans.
Recent Controversies and the Final Straw
More recently, Asmongold found himself embroiled in another controversy on February 16 after making comments about Nazi book burnings. These remarks drew harsh criticism from viewers and fellow streamers, who accused him of trying to align himself with Nazi ideology. Despite his claims that his critics were "trying to paint him as a Nazi," the incident further highlighted the risks and tensions associated with his political content. The cumulative effect of these controversies ultimately contributed to Asmongold’s decision to leave OTK, as he sought to create a more manageable and less toxic environment for his content creation.
Moving Forward and a New Chapter
Since parting ways with OTK, Asmongold has expressed a sense of relief and renewed optimism about his career and personal life. "Everything is good. I totally support them," he said during the stream. He indicated that he might still attend OTK events as a friend or coworker, but the formal ties have been severed. Asmongold’s departure marks a significant turning point for both him and the organization, as he embarks on a new chapter free from the constraints and pressures of his former role. This move is seen as a positive step towards a healthier and more productive future for all parties involved.
