Minecraft YouTuber Dream has recently defended himself against criticism after announcing a partnership with XGaming, a new streaming service on X, formerly known as Twitter. The backlash erupted when some fans voiced their displeasure with his decision to stream on the platform.
On September 12, 2024, users on X noticed a new red icon appearing next to the names of several popular content creators. It quickly became apparent that the platform was joining the competitive streaming space. Among those joining XGaming are Twitch star EsfandTV, Chess Grandmaster Hikaru, and fellow Minecraft YouTubers Sapnap and Dream.
Dream’s move to XGaming was met with criticism from certain viewers. One fan expressed their frustration on his subreddit, condemning X as a “toxic” environment and suggesting that Dream’s decision to stream there was an “error in judgment.” The user questioned the choice, arguing that X is not a suitable platform for Dream due to the negativity often found on the site. “Why not stream on YouTube instead? Are they really that desperate for money?” the post read, expressing disappointment with what they perceived as a financially motivated decision.
The criticism didn’t stop there. The fan also criticized the decision to support Elon Musk and his changes to the social media platform. “Everyone complained about Kick last year because of the moral issues and the people attached to Kick, but I would argue the same goes for Twitter. Twitter has been horrible ever since Elon Musk bought it,” they added.
Dream, however, did not remain silent. Upon discovering the Reddit post, he voiced his frustration during a voice stream on X. In a stream divided into two parts, he addressed the criticism head-on, making it clear that the backlash had angered him. “I’m mad. I have to crash out,” Dream said, before reading the Reddit post aloud.
He vehemently denied the claim that his decision was driven by money. “It’s not like we got paid a billion dollars. Or, even a lot of money. It was not a lot of money at all,” he stated, adding, “I would have done it for free.”
Dream also questioned the supposed difference between using X for tweets and streaming, emphasizing that he already engages with the platform regularly. Regarding the platform’s alleged moral issues, he remarked, “No streaming platform wins on morality. Most companies don’t win on morality, let alone streaming companies.”
To clarify further, Dream revealed that his deal with XGaming is not exclusive. It’s a cross-streaming contract, which allows him to stream on multiple platforms, including Twitch. This setup is similar to the approach used by other streamers, such as xQc and Amouranth, who have secured non-exclusive deals with platforms like Kick.
By addressing the backlash directly, Dream aimed to dispel misconceptions and provide transparency about his decision to join XGaming, reaffirming his commitment to connecting with his audience across various platforms.