Streaming’s Rising Star: Valkyrae

Image Courtesy of Talk ESport

 By Angela Hickey

With millions of people across the world trapped inside during quarantine, many turned to the internet, seeking some sort of connection to the outside world. In a time of social isolation, there could not have been a more opportune time for streams, especially those who share their love for video games, to arise to the occasion. Thus, in the last year, the sudden influx of streaming, especially on streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube has become a popular form of entertainment and leisure for many. During the pandemic, many streamers amassed huge followings, yet none made quite the impact as the popular streamer, Valkyrae.

Rachel Hofstetter, better known by her gaming handle, Valkyrae, first began her career on Twitch in 2015 before posting gaming videos on her YouTube Channel. Eventually, Hofstetter left Twitch and began streaming regularly on her YouTube channel, posting gaming highlights from streams with her friends. 

After averaging about 5,000 viewers on her channel she, like many other streamers, experienced a sudden influx of viewers after streaming the popular online multiplayer game, Among Us, with other popular streamers such as Jacksepticeye, Sykkuno, Pokimane, and Corpse_Husband. 

During this time she became the fastest growing female streamer of the year and surpassed Pokimane as the most viewed female streamer of 2020. By the end of the year, her stream viewership spiked from 5,000 to counts exceeding 100,000, especially during her Among Us sessions, and ultimately gained 3.1 million subscribers to her YouTube channel in the process.

Rae is known to be “a beacon of positive vibes,” according to a piece done by Hyper X Gaming. She is known to uplift and encourage her audience with strong advocacy for mental health and physical health. Because of her uplifting energy and positive lifestyle, she has become a beacon of light and hope in the sometimes negative online-gaming realm. Her profound impact in the gaming industry has not gone unnoticed, with her recently being awarded Content Creator of the Year at The Game Awards. After years of dedication to positivity and curating fun content for her viewers, she received this esteemed honor from close friend Seán McLoughlin, better known as Jacksepticeye. This strong internet personality has worked hard for her community and it is reflected in her spike in viewership. With her overall welcoming and optimistic personality, it is no wonder that she gained such a loyal fanbase in such a short amount of time.
Society typically doesn’t view content creators in a positive light, with many critics believing content creators tied to platforms such as YouTube and streaming services are not real jobs; however creators, like Valkyrae, were the ones who were able to keep us all sane and feel a sense of connection when the world was shut down. They made us feel a little less alone during a time of isolation and unpredictability; we owe Rae and all other streamers a great debt of gratitude for their hard work and dedication to their audiences.