Unveiling the Secrets of the Twitch Closet Challenge: A Must-Read for All Gaming Enthusiasts!

Highlights

Twitch's decision to allow non-gaming streams in 2016 made it a viable contender to YouTube, resulting in the introduction of new categories like Just Chatting and IRL.

IRL content on Twitch has emerged as one of the most popular categories, captivating viewers with streamers' inventive methods of entertaining through unusual challenges and outstanding spectacles.

One such example is the Twitch Closet Challenge, in which streamers spend hours sitting in a dark room, only to be surprised by a variety of items. This unique challenge gained tremendous viral attention. However, despite the initial buzz, participants eventually proved unable to successfully complete the challenge. This has stirred concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of these demanding challenges on the mental well-being of streamers.

Although Twitch initially launched in 2011, it didn't truly find its footing until February 2014. In its early years, the streaming platform, owned by Amazon, focused predominantly on gaming content and saw success in that realm. However, in 2016, Twitch made a significant decision to allow non-gaming streams, which propelled it to become a viable competitor to YouTube. This expansion also led to the introduction of new categories, such as Just Chatting, IRL, Music, and Creative.

Within the IRL category, content can vary greatly, but it has swiftly become one of the most popular categories on the site. Some streamers have creatively found ways to captivate their viewers, such as Ludwig's record-breaking subathon, videos of pets playing video games, and daring challenges like the Dark Closet Challenge. While many find these unconventional challenges thrilling to watch, the origins behind them may not be readily understood by all.

Twitch's Closet Challenge Is Incredibly Strange

People have been participating in challenges where they sit in the dark for extended periods for many years. In 2019, a poker player named Rich Alati attempted to do this for a month in exchange for $100,000, but he gave up after 20 days. Popular YouTube Channels like Mr. Beast's have also promoted similar unusual behaviors, such as pretending to be NPCs on TikTok, which now has its own market. Many people who engage in these challenges aim to create a spectacle for their own financial gain.

In August, the Twitch Closet Challenge gained popularity after streamer ERBY made a bet with one of his moderators, C0usta. The challenge was for C0usta to stay inside a dark closet for three days, with the reward being a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban car. During this time, C0usta had very limited entertainment, and he also faced direct consequences whenever a subscriber goal was achieved. For instance, every time 25 subscribers were gifted, he would be startled by a bright light, and reaching 2,500 subscribers would earn him a fast food meal.

Despite garnering a significant amount of attention, C0usta was unable to endure the full 72-hour duration of this Twitch stream. He conceded defeat a few minutes after reaching the 20-hour mark. Despite not securing the car prize, the commotion caused by the stream caught the interest of another streamer named Izidore.

Interestingly, Izidore is a friend of ERBY and is renowned for undertaking incredibly challenging endeavors. In 2019, he filmed himself consuming an entire stick of butter, and in 2021, he refused to conclude his stream until he successfully conquered all of Minecraft. Merely a day after ERBY's moderator failed the three-day closet challenge, Izidore announced his intention to take it on.

On August 28, he went live, but he was overwhelmed by the constant onslaught of ping pong balls, flash bangs, water shooters, and a leaf blower. Tearfully, Izidore conveyed to his audience that he was facing difficulties in breathing, sleeping, and seeing. By August 31, he had to step back after experiencing a panic attack. Adding to the challenge was the fact that the available punishments were comparatively easier to endure than C0usta's, with a flash bang costing only 25 cents.

Although this stream did help to bring Izidore's name into the spotlight, it did not have the desired outcome. In addition to having to write-off his car for failing to complete the challenge, his mental well-being has also taken a significant toll. Fellow Twitch streamer, Pokimane, expressed concerns about the impact of these challenges and subathons on one's health, stating that they are not beneficial for individuals. While this raises the question of whether people should be encouraged to partake in such grueling challenges, it is probable that some Twitch streamers will persist in their pursuit.