Popular political commentator Hasan Piker recently got people talking by hosting a sponsored stream featuring a gacha game—a genre he previously described as “streamlined gambling” in pointed criticism just months ago.
During the paid promotion, Hasan engaged with the game’s core mechanics, which typically involve players spending currency for randomized virtual rewards through loot boxes or similar systems. These elements form the foundation of gacha games’ monetization strategy, often drawing comparisons to gambling due to their reliance on chance and psychological hooks.
This sponsored stream is pretty different from Hasan’s earlier statements where he specifically called out such games for their potentially predatory design. In his previous commentary, he had criticized these games for their impact on players, particularly highlighting concerns about addiction and spending patterns.
Hasan has built his brand as a left-leaning voice who frequently challenges capitalist business models and exploitative practices across industries. This has made the apparent contradiction more noticeable to viewers familiar with his usual stance on such issues.
What happened here is just the latest example in the ongoing conversation about content creator responsibility when it comes to sponsorships. Gacha game promotions remain highly lucrative for streamers, often paying premium rates compared to other sponsorship opportunities due to the high lifetime value of players they attract.
This isn’t the first time Hasan has been called out for inconsistency. Critics have previously pointed to his real estate purchases and lifestyle choices as contrasting with his public political positions. However, many of his supporters maintain that participating in existing systems while advocating for change isn’t necessarily hypocritical.
Sponsorship deals have become increasingly important revenue streams for creators across platforms like Twitch and YouTube, especially as ad revenue models continue to shift. Many top streamers now rely heavily on brand deals to supplement their income from subscriptions and donations.
The broader streaming community is still figuring out where creators should draw ethical boundaries with sponsored content, especially with genres like gambling, cryptocurrency, and gacha games that carry potential risks for vulnerable viewers.
