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This article is about the gaming organization. For the novel by Soman Chainani, see One True King (novel).
One True King
Full nameOTK Media, Inc.
Short nameOTK
FoundedOctober 11, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-10-11)
Based inAustin, Texas, U.S.
Members
Partners
  • WePlay Studios
  • Mad Mushroom
  • Starforge Systems
  • Mythic Talent
  • Gamersupps
  • Seventy-Eight Strange
Websitewww.otknetwork.com
Twitch information
Channels
Associated channels
Followers314,654[1]
YouTube information
Channels
Associated channels
Subscribers621,000 (main channel)[2]
Total views39.8 million (main channel)[3]
100,000 subscribers2021[4]
Last updated: April 5, 2024

One True King (OTK), legally OTK Media, Inc.,[5] is an American media organization based in Austin, Texas.[6] The organization primarily focuses on online content creation and has previously competed professionally in World of Warcraft.[7]

History

2020–2021: Founding and initial growth

One True King, commonly referred to as OTK, was formed on October 11, 2020, by content creators Asmongold, Mizkif, Esfand, Rich Campbell, and Tips Out.[8] In their first video, founding member Asmongold stated, "We came up with this idea of making an org, and building the org around our friends – building the org around friendship in general."[9] The organization has been described by its members as being more of a media production company and lifestyle brand as opposed to being confined to any one game or section on Twitch.[10][11] The organization has also gained notability for not receiving major backing from corporations as opposed to traditional esports teams.[12]

One True King in October 2020 announcing Nmplol as their newest member and co-owner. From left: Rich Campbell, Mizkif, Nmplol (seated), Asmongold, Esfand, and Tips Out.

Alongside the group's initial announcement, the organization unveiled its professional World of Warcraft roster. The original roster consisted of Trill, Mes, Cdew, and Samiyam.[13] The team competed at Blizzard-sanctioned events for one season during the Shadowlands expansion.[14] The group also announced its partnership with Artesian Builds, a pre-built PC company.[15] On October 27, 2020, the organization announced the addition of streamer Nick Polom, also known by his online alias Nmplol, as a content creator and co-owner.[16] In December 2020, OTK partnered with Complexity Gaming's World of Warcraft team in providing coverage of the game's Race to World First event, holding daily roundtable discussions about the race.[17]

On October 11, 2021, on the one-year anniversary of the organization, One True King announced that Cyr would be joining the organization as a content creator.[18] One month later, on November 21, 2021, One True King announced that Tectone would be joining the organization as a content creator.[19]

2022–present: New members, other ventures, and controversies

On January 2, 2022, One True King announced that Emiru would be joining the organization.[20] On March 2, 2022, One True King announced that they had parted ways with Artesian Builds, following the company's giveaway controversy.[15] One True King won the "Best Content Organization" award at The Streamer Awards on March 12, 2022.[21] On March 27, 2022, One True King announced that BruceDropEmOff would be joining the organization as a content creator.[22] On July 21, 2022 One True King announced that Sodapoppin would be joining the organization as a content creator and co-owner.[23]

On September 20, 2022, co-owner Mizkif was placed on leave by the group after a series of clips and other content involving him, which included him downplaying an incident of sexual assault, as well as racist and homophobic comments made from 2018 to 2019, came to light.[24][25][26] On December 31, 2022, he was reinstated by the group, though he remains suspended from his board related duties as a result of his comments.[27]

On December 16, 2022, co-owner Rich Campbell announced his resignation from the organization in light of sexual assault allegations.[28] On December 23, the official OTK Twitter account announced that Jschlatt would be departing the organization. He will continue as an advisor for the YouTube team and have a stake in Starforge Systems.[29][30]

On January 24, 2023, BruceDropEmOff left the organization.[31] Three days later, he was indefinitely suspended from Twitch, citing ban evasion.[32] On January 31, 2023, Emiru was announced as a new co-owner of the organization. She was previously in the organization solely as a content creator. It was also announced on the same day that ExtraEmily had joined the organization as a content creator.[33][34]

On February 5, 2024, One True King announced that WillNeff would be joining the organization as a content creator.[35] On October 16, 2024, Asmongold announced he was “stepping away” from his leadership roles at OTK and Starforge Systems following backlash over his comments on Palestinians affected by the Gaza Genocide.[36][37][38]

On November 24, 2024, Tectone officially announced his resignation from OTK, following multiple sexual assault allegations from his former girlfriend, Pinkchyu. [39] His contract had expired on November 1, 2024, but he decided not to renew amidst his ongoing controversies. [40]

Members

Current members

  • Esfand – co-founder, co-owner, content creator (2020–present)
  • Mizkif – co-founder, co-owner, content creator (2020–present)
  • TipsOut – co-founder, co-owner (2020–present)
  • Nmplol – co-owner, content creator (2020–present)
  • Cyr – content creator (2021–present)
  • Emiru – co-owner, content creator (2022–present)
  • Sodapoppin – co-owner, content creator (2022–present)
  • ExtraEmily – content creator (2023–present)
  • WillNeff – content creator (2024–present)

Inactive

  • Asmongold – co-founder, co-owner, content creator (October 16, 2024–present)

Former members

  • Rich Campbell – co-founder, co-owner, content creator (2020–2022)
  • Jschlatt – co-owner, content creator (2021–2022)
  • BruceDropEmOff – content creator (2022–2023)
  • Tectone – content creator (2021–2024)

Timeline

Businesses and partnership

Starforge Systems

On August 7, 2022, One True King, along with YouTuber and Twitch streamer Cr1TiKaL, announced the founding of Starforge Systems, a technology company focused on building computers[41] that was quickly met with backlash due to the allegedly high prices of their products.[42] The company responded by decreasing their prices by $100.[42] It was also announced that former Artesian Builds COO, now defunct pre-build PC company, Nick Dankner, will be the CEO of the company.[41]

WePlay Studios

In June 2022, One True King announced a partnership with content production company WePlay Esports as well as the unveiling of a Los Angeles-based content studio. The first event held under the partnership was the "OTK Games Expo", which showcased nearly 30 video games from various indie developers.[43]

Mythic Talent

In February 2023, One True King announced the founding of Mythic Talent, a full-service talent management company co-founded by OTK members Asmongold and TipsOut with William Lucas, a veteran of esports organization Tempo Storm and the AFK Agency, as the CEO.[44][45]

GamerSupps

On May 17, 2023, One True King announced on Twitter that they're now partnered with GamerSupps, an energy drink company owned by former member Jschlatt.[46][47]

Mad Mushroom

On June 12, 2023, One True King announced the launch of game publishing company Mad Mushroom during the OTK Games Expo.[48][49][50][51] On August 10, 2023, Mad Mushroom announced the appointment of Mike Silbowitz as its CEO.[52]

Shows

OTK Schooled

OTK Schooled is a quiz game show created and hosted by Twitch streamer and fellow OTK member Mizkif, produced by One True King,[53] that tests the knowledge of its contestants with school-related questions.[54] The game show is frequently compared to the American gameshow franchise Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?.[55] The game show gained popularity because of several cheating controversies that happened during the show.[53][54]

OTK Game Day

OTK Game Day is a weekly sports show hosted by Twitch streamer and fellow OTK member Nmplol and One True King, where OTK members go up against other streamers in various physical team-based sports.[56]

OTK Parasocial

On November 9, 2021, Mizkif and One True King announced a new game show called OTK Parasocial, a game show that appears to be in the style of Family Feud, an American television game show, prompting players to “guess the most popular answers to questions.”[57]

World of Warcraft

Shadowlands

In January 2021, the organization's World of Warcraft team participated in the first edition of the Shadowlands Arena World Championship. They finished 3rd among North American teams.[58] At Cup 2, One True King made it to the finals of the North American bracket, losing to Kawhi 1–4.[59] At Cup 3, One True King made it to the semi-finals, losing to Cloud9 0–3.[60] At the fourth and final cup of season one, One True King made it to the quarterfinals, losing to Charlotte Phoenix 1–3. The team finished second in the standings with 300 points, qualifying them for the Regional Circuit Championships.[61] One True King finished the circuit with 8 points, tying for the 3rd place spot in North America with Golden Guardians and advancing them to the Arena World Championship Season 1 Finals.[62][63] They made it to the semi-finals, losing to Cloud9 and finishing the season in 3rd place.[64][65]

On June 11, 2021, Cdew announced via Twitter that the organization had decided not to renew the teams' contracts for the upcoming expansion.[66]

Philanthropy

One True King has held several charity streams benefiting the non-profit organization Games for Love. Their first charity stream took place on November 23, 2020. Over $250,000 was raised through opening rare Pokémon cards.[67][68] The stream averaged 70,000 viewers.[69] A second charity stream for Games for Love took place on March 22, 2021, raising $600,000.[70] Their third charity stream took place over two days from June 22–23, 2021, raising $593,597.[71]

In March 2022, One True King held two charity streams benefiting relief efforts for those affected by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, raising over $500,000.[72]

On April 29, 2023, One True King and fellow OTK member Esfand organized a charity event called Charity Lift-A-Thon, featuring OTK members and other Twitch streamers lifting weights for charity, with a goal of lifting one pound for every dollar donated during the stream. They managed to raise more than $140,601 towards Games for Love.[73][74]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2022 Esports Awards Content Group of the Year Nominated [75]
2023 Esports Content Creator of the Year Nominated [76]
2022 The Streamer Awards Best Content Organization Won [77]
2023 Nominated [78]
Feb 2024 Nominated [79]
Dec 2024 Nominated [80][81]

References

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  2. ^ "OTK's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  3. ^ "About OTK". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  4. ^ WE DID IT (THANK YOU FOR 100K SUBSCRIBERS) (video). OTK. May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Emiru Joins OTK as Its Newest Content Creator". GlobeNewswire (Press release). January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022. OTK Media, Inc. is an industry-leading gaming influencer network and media company that builds premium digital media content.
  6. ^ Drake, Alice (October 12, 2020). "Popular Twitch Streamers Form 'One True King' Organization". Game Rant. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  7. ^ Laerezh (October 13, 2020). "WoW: Asmongold, Esfand, and other big streamers create One True King, a new esports organisation". Millenium. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
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  33. ^ Shaukat, Rahman (2 February 2023). "OTK Has Signed ExtraEmily". Game Rant. Screen Rant.
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  66. ^ Dewland, Charles [@cdew_wow] (June 11, 2021). "Thanks for watching today guys. If you missed I decided to share that we found out our contracts will not be renewed later this year by OTK. Came as a shock to us and unfortunately we'll be once again looking for an org later this year" (Tweet). Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via Twitter.
  67. ^ Bald, Cameron (November 23, 2020). "OTK raises over $250k for charity during vintage Pokémon card unboxing stream". The Loadout. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
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  71. ^ Galloway, Ryan (June 23, 2021). "OTK raises nearly $600,000 for charity during 2-day campaign". Dot Esports. GAMURS Group. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
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