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Twitch streamer Asmongold has announced his departure from the gaming and entertainment organization One True King (OTK), a decision influenced by his recent shift towards more provocative political topics.
During a livestream on his alternate Twitch channel, “zackrawrr,” on February 21, Asmongold disclosed that he had cut ties with OTK. He noted that his participation in the organization limited his creative freedom and complicated the process of securing sponsorships, while also exposing his fellow members to potential harassment. He expressed that this exit was necessary for both his professional trajectory and personal well-being.
As of February 22, OTK had yet to release an official statement regarding Asmongold’s departure; however, he mentioned in his stream that the split was amicable and that he maintains a friendly relationship with other members of the group.
“Navigating controversial political content alongside less contentious material is very challenging due to the intense nature of the topics involved,” Asmongold explained. “I can handle harassment, but I don’t want to subject my colleagues to the same treatment.”
Reflecting on his time with OTK, which he co-founded in 2020, Asmongold characterized his involvement as a significant misstep, claiming it had detrimental effects on both his mental and physical health. He revealed that the stress was so overwhelming it led him to seek emergency medical care due to elevated blood pressure on at least one occasion.
He further elaborated, “[OTK] essentially obligated me to participate in numerous social functions that I found uncomfortable, and it took time for me to realize just how detrimental that was for my wellbeing.”
Before officially leaving the organization, Asmongold’s pivot towards politically charged content had already strained his ties with OTK. In October, he stepped back from leadership positions within OTK and its subsidiary Starforge Systems, a gaming PC manufacturer, after he made incendiary remarks about Palestinians, describing them as “terrible people” with an “inferior culture.” Following significant backlash, including a two-week ban from Twitch, he publicly apologized for his comments and indicated a need to prioritize his personal health.
After these incidents, fellow OTK member Nmplol publicly criticized Asmongold’s fans for targeting and harassing other organization members. In the ensuing months, several members faced scrutiny for their collaborations with Asmongold.
Another member, Cinna, stated in a February 12 stream that Asmongold’s behavior was detrimental to the organization and advised that those associated with him should distance themselves.
More recently, Asmongold drew criticism again when he addressed historical events such as the Nazi book burnings on February 16. He alleged that critics were attempting to portray him as a Nazi because of his remarks.
Since his departure from OTK, Asmongold reported feeling happier and expressed satisfaction with his current state both professionally and personally. “Everything is good. I totally support them. I might occasionally attend events, but it will be as a friend or, in some cases, just a colleague,” he remarked.
Source
dotesports.com