Top Warzone streamer ‘Swagg’ leaves Twitch for YouTube

Kris “Swagg” Lamberson announced today that he would take his talents to YouTube following nearly ten years on the Twitch streaming platform. A member of FaZe Clan–Swagg rose to prominence in the early stages of Call of Duty: Warzone. He quickly ascended the rankings as a top player; the viewership numbers and success followed. Since 2020, Swagg has enjoyed a spot atop Twitch’s totem pole as a go-to Warzone streamer. 

Today, Swagg officially revealed that he’s leaving Twitch and has accepted a deal to become an exclusive streamer on YouTube Gaming. He joins a growing list of creators to make the jump, including Tim “TimTheTatman” Betar, Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter, Jack “CouRageJD” Dunlop, Ludwig Ahgren, and Ali “Myth” Kabbani, who also defected to the rival platform.

Swagg thanked his viewers for all the support before teasing the most significant announcement of his career during his last Twitch stream. Then, Swagg broke the news on Twitter via a video. In that video, the Warzone streamer speaks to a younger version of himself. He gives himself valuable life advice – to stay hungry and look for opportunities. Then, words on the screen indicated Swagg would become a streamer exclusive to YouTube beginning September 2. 

Not only is Swagg a top content creator in the Warzone landscape, but also a member of FaZe Clan. Swagg joined FaZe Clan in 2020 alongside fellow “Nuke Squad” members Booya, Santana, and JSmooth. These four players became friends online and are now in one of the world’s most well-known esports organizations. Now, Swagg takes an army full of supporters to YouTube, where he hopes to continue his successful streaming career.

With over 2 million followers and more than 7,000 subscribers before his departure, Swagg is a significant acquisition for YouTube’s streaming platform. While Swagg’s name might not have the cachet of a TimTheTatman or Guy “DrDisrespect” Beahm IV, he soaked up much of Twitch’s Warzone viewership. 

Since the game arrived in 2020, Swagg gained 1.97 million followers, averaged 13,000 viewers, and streamed consistently. It’s unclear whether he and Twitch discussed his contract. Regardless, he now moves to a platform with nearly 3 million subscribers. Moreover, he's set to compete in the $600,000 World Series of Warzone–an event that will surely drive viewership.

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