Bubs, if you think your limited anecdotal references of sponsored gaming content paints the whole picture and is exemplary of "how it is" across the industry, you are precious, but fabulously wrong.

Gaming influencers are not only alive, they are thriving. And just because you haven't caught up doesn't mean the rest of the world stayed behind with you. It may be hard to believe, but people have in fact figured out how to maintain integrity AND get their bag.

Every day, millions of people are watching sponsored content from their favourite creators and shockingly still trusting their opinions while feeling like their time is valued. Sponsored creators are also mindblowingly maintaining healthy levels of respect. It's madness, I know.

"But wait. A creator should only be successful in ways *I* define. Shouldn't subscribers and positive vibes be enough? Why do they have to do sponsored content?"

Crazy as it sounds, some people like to get paid for having the platform they built, promoting things they like.

Do partnerships go south every once in a while? Yes. Are they super blown up? Almost always. Y'all don't see the mass amounts of sponsored content these creators put out - VAST majority - that actually BUILD credibility for them, grow viewer trust, and establish brand affinity.