Frustrated

I tried man, I really really did. I wanted to make a meetup that could be bigger and be all about speed running and not about money. To show people you could be on front page, you could have the support of others outside the community and you could do it all without a charity. Let me give you the full story:

- In 2014 I started DeuceCon on my personal channel. I did this because it was a simple, small meetup amongst friends/streamers I had invited because I wanted to get to know them and more importantly they were willing to show up! I miraculously got it to the front page with the help of Romscout and we peaked at over 2k viewers and averaged over 1k for the entire weekend. We kept those numbers even when not on the front page and it was insane to me that people showed that much interest. Everyone who attended had fun regardless of my shit show of a setup, and I was really pumped for 2015. I applied for sub button shortly after this and due to my inflated numbers from DeuceCon (and because I was doing it annually) I got accepted.

- In 2015 things went really well. The numbers were down a little bit (iirc peak was at 1,800 or so) and I got a ton of community support. More runners (lots of new ones) attended and it was a truly amazing weekend. Runs went really well, presentation was a lot better and I got tons of feedback from viewers on ways to improve.

- Now it's 2016. DeuceCon appears to be on the right track and I'm really stoked about expanding the event. The fundraiser we had last month was a great success, we got it on front page and had a hell of a time doing a 24 hour stream. All the equipment I want to really boost this year's audio and video quality is on it's way and I can barely contain the excitement I have to get everything in place. It should really improve the viewing experience and help to showcase runs. I've had AMAZING feedback from people and loads of new runners excited to submit runs. There is a really good group of my friends helping me select games this year, and I'm hoping to set the benchmark for what game selection transparency should be about.

That being said I felt like I wanted a change. I don't want to have DeuceCon on my personal channel anymore, because I think it's unfair to not only viewers and supporters, but to those who don't have a career and are struggling to make it as a streamer. Someone like me who can only stream part time has no business with a sub button. Not to mention I regularly pull under 50 viewers. I'm aware I got into the system STRICTLY because of DeuceCon and would be an idiot to think otherwise. I messaged Sinister1 (after he was appointed to his new position) and told him of my plans. To start a new stream (twitch.tv/DeuceCon) and get sub button there. I'd even be willing to forefeit my personal sub to do so.

(Allow me to quote myself here for full transparency: "One last thing, a one time subscription isn't necessary. If it was something I could have on a monthly basis that would be fine with me. I'd be willing to forfeit my personal channels sub button if it meant I could have one to support DeuceCon.")

I was told that if DeuceCon 2016 showed a significant increase in viewers, subs, ad revenue, and attendees that it would be considered for subscription. How does this make any sense SINCE THAT'S HOW I GOT SUB IN THE FIRST PLACE. Obviously the event has the numbers to get a sub button, considering it already has. I understood their concern and wrote it off as a loss - I've already got sub so I'll host it on my channel and hope to get the numbers needed.

Fast forward a few weeks to Californithon (which was rad btw!) and I notice they've never streamed before (so that means no viewer count to go off of) and they have a sub button. Struck me as a little strange. That same weekend I had the DeuceCon 24h fundraiser and we both shared front page. We both pulled in the same numbers (fluctuating from time to time, I don't have 100% concrete evidence for this it was just  me checking on both occasionally.) so I messaged Sinister yet again with my concern for a new channel getting sub. I was especially curious since it was the first time the event had taken place. After posting on twitter I was informed by some people involved with the event it was heavily due to them giving sub money to a charity. I was informed that my having sub on my personal channel as the organizer of the event most likely affected my new channel getting one, since I already have a sub button to not worry about.

Come to today. I see a tweet from my pal LobosJr showing off new emotes for his BRAND NEW FAST Faire channel that ALSO has a sub button. Lobos has done fast faire under a different name for the past two years, and the event has drawn good numbers but also less numbers than DeuceCon. (Assuming this year that won't be the case since he pulls regularly over 3k by himself) Listen, I understand Lobos is a stud streamer and he's a good friend of mine - but this goes DIRECTLY against the reasons I was told I wouldn't be getting sub on a separate channel. We've covered all the bases now. We have not one but TWO different streams that haven't streamed before, both with sub button - one who's organizer isn't a twitch partner and one who's organizer is.

This isn't an attack on Sinister1 or any other event. They are all doing just fine for themselves and doing the things they need too. I'm sure sinister isn't sitting in his office thwarting my event because he can, he has been nothing but supportive. That being said THE TWITCH SUB SYSTEM IS A JOKE. A video game website which obviously caters to money over content, case in point is directly above you. All I can say is that if you are a speed running event that focuses on video games rather than making money, best of luck to you. The cards are stacked against us and it's an uphill climb we will all have to be in together.

If you made it this far thank you. All I can ask is that you continue to support local speed running events and the community itself. I will continue to try my best to make DeuceCon the best it can be, with or without the support of Twitch. I will be withdrawing the sub button on my personal channel and putting all my emotes onto FrankerFaceZ for people to use for free. I'll maintain my partnership in order to have quality options during DeuceCon and provide a good viewing experience. A special thank you to everyone who has subbed to me from the beginning - it really means a lot you were willing to stick with me through all my long breaks and scatter brained moments. I hope to see a lot of you submit to DeuceCon, would be great to meet up and play some games!

Peace,
Deuceler